Costinești City
Black Sea beach resort town in Romania
A Black Sea strip town, Costinești fills each summer with student crowds, cheap guesthouses and a handful of seafront clubs. People come for sandy beaches, cliffside viewpoints, boat trips and late-night stalls that sell fried calamari and cold beer.
Costinești at a Glance#
Costs: Affordable seaside resort prices - about $45-$80 USD per day; peak season costs can rise.
Safety: Generally safe but busy in summer - generally safe but busy; watch for petty theft on crowded beaches.
Best Time: Summer months for beach life - june-August for sun, sea and the summer party scene.
Why Visit Costinești?#
This Black Sea resort town is a longtime magnet for young travelers because of its lively summer scene, beachfront promenade and the famous shipwreck that rests near the shore. Daytime crowds come for sandy beaches and water sports; nights bring open‑air bars, live music and student‑focused festivals. Beyond the parties, local seafood and seaside cafés make Costinești a distinctively youthful seaside experience on Romania’s coast.
Best Things to Do in Costinești#
Costinești Bucket List#
Costinești Beach - Popular youth beach with lively boardwalk, cafés and summer events and shallow swimming areas.
Shipwreck (Epava) - Iconic shipwreck on the shore used as local landmark and photo spot.
Open-air amphitheatre - Small open-air amphitheatre hosting summer concerts and local cultural events.
Tineretului Park area - Green park space near the coast offering shaded paths and seaside relaxation spots.
Local seaside cafés - Family-run cafés serving fresh seafood and cold drinks along the beachfront promenade.
Coastal walking paths - Shoreline trails linking beaches, small coves and informal picnic areas ideal for sunset strolls.
Constanța - Historic Black Sea port with Roman mosaics, Old Town and the waterfront promenade.
Vama Veche - Bohemian border village famed for relaxed beaches, live music and alternative nightlife.
Best Time to Visit Costinești#
Costinești is best in late spring or summer for beaches and lively nightlife. Winters are chilly and quiet; spring offers milder weather and far fewer crowds.
June - August
20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F)
Peak beach season: warm sea, crowded promenades and lots of seaside bars - lively but busy and noisy.
March - May
8 to 20 °C (46 to 68 °F)
Mild and pleasant with fewer tourists - great for walking the coast and enjoying early-season prices.
December - February
-1 to 8 °C (30 to 46 °F)
Quiet, off-season with occasional storms - good for solitude and lower rates but limited seaside activity.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 27°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. The driest month with just 29 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. The driest month with just 29 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 49 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Costinești#
Costinești is a Black Sea resort best reached via Constanța (CND) or Bucharest (OTP) with onward rail or bus to the coast. In summer there are frequent buses and trains; off-season services are reduced.
Mihail Kogălniceanu / Constanța (CND): The Constanța/Mihail Kogălniceanu airport serves the region and is the closest airport for Costinești, with a drive time of about 25-45 minutes depending on route and traffic. Taxis and rental cars are available at the airport; expect moderate taxi fares for the short transfer.
Bucharest Otopeni (OTP): Bucharest’s Otopeni is a larger hub with far more international flights; from Bucharest to Costinești it’s roughly 2.5-3.5 hours by car or bus. Many travellers fly into Bucharest and continue by train or long-distance bus to Constanța and the resort towns on the Black Sea coast.
Train: Romanian Railways (CFR) runs regular services to Constanța railway station from Bucharest and other cities. From Constanța station you can take a local train or bus down the coast to Costinești - the coastal rail/bus leg is usually under 1.5 hours depending on origin.
Bus: Intercity and local buses connect Constanța with Costinești; summer frequencies increase for the resort season. Bus fares for the short coastal hop are inexpensive (a few RON) and travel times are short.
How to Get Around Costinești#
Use Constanța (CND) or Bucharest as arrival points and continue by train or bus to Costinești. During the summer season coastal trains and buses run more frequently and provide the most convenient public transport.
- Regional train (CFR) (5-40 RON) - CFR operates frequent services along the Bucharest-Constanța corridor and local trains that continue along the coast to Costinești. Trains are generally the quickest public option from major cities; book or check schedules in advance in high season.
- Intercity / local bus (3-20 RON) - Buses connect Constanța with Costinești and other resort towns. In summer expect more frequent services and direct lines; fares are low and trips are short. Keep luggage secure as buses can be busy during peak times.
- Taxi (30-120 RON) - Taxis are useful for direct transfers from Constanța station or the airport to Costinești-convenient if travelling with luggage or on a tight schedule. Use licensed taxis and agree on fares or ensure the meter is used.
- Car rental (€25-€60/day) - Renting a car lets you explore the coast and nearby attractions at your own pace; parking in Costinești is generally available though crowded in high season. Watch for seasonal traffic on weekends and holidays.
- Walking - Costinești is a small resort where beaches, promenades and many amenities are within walking distance. Walking is the best way to enjoy the seafront, but travel between towns requires transport.
Where to Stay in Costinești#
Costinești beach strip - $15-45/night
Costinești is a seasonal Black Sea resort with many budget guesthouses and simple hotels catering to summer crowds. Options thin outside peak season.
Various guesthouses (Costinești) - Multiple small, seasonal guesthouses.
Local budget hotels (search listings) - Many family-run places listed online.
Promenade / central Costinești - $40-90/night
Mid-range hotels in Costinești are mostly seasonal, offering seaside location and basic amenities. Book well ahead for summer weeks.
Hotel Ligia (sample mid-range) - Family-run hotel on the promenade.
Hotel Belvedere (seasonal) - Popular with families during summer.
Mamaia / Constanța (nearby) - $90+/night
Costinești has few luxury hotels. For full-service resorts and high-end comforts, head to Mamaia or Constanța, 30-60 minutes away by car.
Hotel Iaki / Mamaia area - Higher-end options in nearby Mamaia (drive required).
Constanța luxury hotels - Luxury and full-service hotels in Constanța region.
Where to Eat in Costinești#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Costinești’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Costinești#
Daytime shopping is geared to beach visitors: kiosks, souvenir stalls, small shops and market stalls selling seaside items and snacks. Supermarkets and bakeries serve everyday needs.
For wider shopping options (fashion, electronics) head to Constanța, which has larger stores and malls.
Nightlife in Costinești#
Costinești is known for an active summer nightlife aimed at students and young travellers: beach bars, open‑air parties and seasonal clubs light up along the shore. Expect loud, late nights in peak months.
Outside the high season the town becomes much quieter, with only a handful of bars and restaurants remaining open.
