Overlooking the Black Sea, Vama Veche is a small beach village in the far south-east of Romania. It was originally founded in 1811 by the Gagauz people and has become an alternative hangout, attracting a diverse range of free thinkers, artists and intellectuals.
Spend your days on the sands of Vama Veche Beach, which stretches the entire length of the village. There are plenty of restaurants and bars lining the beach, as well as sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. A local icon is the beachfront Plaja de Carte library where you can borrow from a collection of more than 3,000 books.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, join the team at Marine Explorers Dive Center for a scuba diving excursion in the Black Sea. In addition to fun dives, they offer a range of certification courses for all experience levels, including beginners.
Getting there
Vama Veche is just under three hours’ drive from Bucharest and Henri Coandă International Airport. Trains connect from the Romanian capital to the Mangalia railway station, from where minibuses are available for the remaining journey to Vama Veche.