TULCHA
The capital of Tulcea district is a modern industrial city, inhabited by 90 000 People. It's really not worth staying here for more than a few hours.
In Tulcea (Tulcea) not easy to stay overnight, so it's better not to stay here overnight. The location of the city on the Danube and the naVROM timetable allow you to close your visit in a few hours – Assuming, that you will arrive here before 13.00 and on the same day will catch the return ferry.
After all, if it comes here to spend the night, there is no reason to panic. The riverbank was cleaned and reshaped as part of one of Ceausescu's widely criticized systematization actions in the years 80. The setting would even be attractive, if not for the aluminum fumes.
Orientation
Bus Station, the railway station and the NAVROM marina are located next to each other on the Danube itself. The most lively part of the city is the coastal boulevard, constantly full of passers-by and walkers. The promenade stretches to the east to the Hotel Delta. Piata Civica lies a bit further in the city, modern center of Tulcea.
Luggage storage at the train station is open daily from 6.45 do 23.00.
Information
Tourist offices – Tourism Agency (tel.511607; pn.-pt. 10.00-17.00), Isaccei street 4, acts as an intermediary in renting private accommodation (10 $ from person), and in the period from the middle of May to September it offers boat trips on the Danube estuary (from 40 $).
Post and telecommunications – The post office and telephone exchange are on Babadag Strada, near Piata Civic. On weekdays they are open from 9.00 do 20.00. on Saturdays from 9.00 do 18.00.
Country code for Tulcea:040.
Travel agencies – From mid-May to September at Eurodelta (tel.516604, fax 515032), Isaccei street 1, opposite the Hotel Delta, foreign cash can be exchanged (but not traveller's checks), as well as purchase participation in a one-day boat trip from Tuilcza (50 $, including a meal in Crisan) or a more expensive multi-day trip.
Romanian Automobile Club (tel.515151), train station Street 7, provides motorized services and organizes boat trips for approx 45 $.
Sightseeing
On the route of the walks along the river bank, on the Citadel Hill on the eastern edge of town, the Independence Monument rises (1904). Leads here, starting behind Hotel Egreta, Gloriei street. Below is a not-so-interesting Historical Museum, but the views are impressive. Returning to the center along the Independentei street, it is worth paying attention to the minaret of the Azizie mosque (1863).
At the Natural History Museum and the Aquarium, Progresului street 32, behind the Patria cinema, contains a collection of fish living in the Danube and detailed exhibitions on the fauna and flora of the delta region. In front of the Greek church, in front of the museum, there is a monument in memory of the inhabitants who died during the revolution 1989 year.
Accommodation
Camping – Camping is not allowed in the city, consistently enforced by the police. As a last resort, you can sail to the other side of the Danube by ferry operating every hour, go down the stream and pitch a tent by the river, a kilometer or two behind the beach. You will have to endure stray dogs wandering around and people passing by here in the morning.
Private accommodation – Car rental de Turism, Isaccei street 4, organizes accommodation after 10 $ from person. Information about private rooms sometimes also has a small tourist office in the Hotel Europolis, strada Pacia 20.
Hotels – Accommodation prices in Tulcea are exorbitant – in the cheapest hotel Europolis (phone 512443), strada Pacia 20, one pays for one 30 $, and for two 43 $. It also has two single rooms after 20 $, but they must be kindly asked for.
Of the two multi-story hotels, Egreta is cheaper (tel.517103), at Pacia's strada 1, although this is not a revelation – rooms one- and doubles cost accordingly 38 i 50 $. At the Hotel Delta (tel.514720), Isaccei street 2, prices for all rooms are 45 the 60 $, including breakfast. You can use hotel passes here.
Gastronomy
Calypso, at the Babadag Strada, southwest of the post office, near the synagogue, is an attractive private restaurant, offering great cuisine at moderate prices (2-4 $). Menu also in English.
In summer it is nice to eat and drink something on the terrace of the Delta Tour restaurant, on an islet on Lake Ciuperca, near the train station.
Zapasy sera, vegetables and fruits can be made at the food market, at the end of the strada Pacia, 100 m behind the Europolis hotel.
Journey
Bus – There is a daily direct connection from Tulcea to Buzau (198 km) in Moldova. Among the other buses departing from Tulcza, five go to Constana (123 km), one to Braila (93 km) and one to Bucharest (263 km). Direct courses to Jass have been suspended, so nothing else remains, how to take a bus departing Fr. 7.20 to Husi (3,50 $, 7 time.) and catch a bus to Jass o 15.30 (1 $, 2 time.). Departure times are listed at the counters, but it is worth checking the information. Long-distance tickets can be purchased five days in advance.
Train – Four passenger trains come here from Constana via Medgidia (179 km, 4 time.). The daily express journey from the North Station in Bucharest is five hours (335 km). Traveling by overnight passenger train from Bucharest will be bearable, as long as a first-class ticket is purchased and takes a seat earlier. The pre-sale of train tickets is handled by the CFR office at Babadag strada, opposite Piata Civica, open from Monday to Friday from. 9.00-17.00.
Ferry – By going to Sulina, it is good to arrive in Tulcea around 12.00 and quickly queue at the NAVROM pier for a ferry ticket departing at 13.30.