Kilometer 0 of the Danube

Unlike other rivers, the kilometers of the Danube are counted from the mouth to the source, the official “zero” kilometer being at the Sulina lighthouse on the shore of the Black Sea. The river reaches this point after a 2,852 km journey through the 10 countries it crosses: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The Danube Delta

Before flowing into the sea, the Danube forms a unique place in the world, visited each year by hundreds of thousands of Romanian and foreign tourists: the Danube Delta. A UNESCO site, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve represents a distinctive territory, not only due to its exceptional biodiversity but also through the socio-economic characteristics and high level of isolation of its rural communities.

The Danube Delta is the most important protected wetland in Europe, both in terms of area and biodiversity (over 1,600 plant species, 3,600 animal species, including 315 bird species, 28 mammals, and 84 fish species). The biosphere reserve covers an area of 580,000 ha.

Tulcea

From Tulcea, “all roads lead to the Delta.” Whether choosing the Chilia, Sulina, or Sfântu Gheorghe branch, Tulcea is the city that opens up the waterways to the Danube Delta: at Pătlăgeanca, the Danube continues its “old” route via the Chilia branch and simultaneously forms a new watercourse – the Sfântu Gheorghe branch, from which – at one point – the Sulina branch splits off, the only one navigable by seafaring vessels.

But before setting off for the wild Delta, we recommend spending at least a few hours in the “City of Seven Hills” to discover the special charm of its winding streets that go up and down the hills in this region.

Danube Delta Eco-Tourism Museum Center

A must-see stop in Tulcea is the Danube Delta Museum, which also houses an aquarium featuring invertebrate and fish species from freshwater and marine habitats, as well as species found only in coral reefs.

The traditional fishing village, located on the outskirts of Tulcea, on the road toward Mahmudia, covers an area of approximately 3 hectares and includes traditional houses, a fishery, a windmill, and constructions that form a themed park arranged with three main alleys designed to represent the branches of the Danube, each lined with buildings representative of Delta localities.

Themed Trail “The Treasures of Agighiol”

If before beginning your journey into the Delta you turn your attention to the southern part of the county, toward Jurilovca, Enisala Fortress, or Lake Razim, we encourage you to make a stop in Agighiol, where you can walk the themed trail “The Treasures of Agighiol – The Chimeric Dobrogea Geopark,” developed by the MaiMultVerde Association within the “Cu Apele Curate” program.

The Branches of the Danube

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Tulcea and the entire county is the Danube Delta, with its three branches:

The Chilia Branch – the first fork of the Danube, upstream of Tulcea, heads north and is the longest of the three (120 km). At its mouth into the sea, it forms a secondary delta that, in turn, develops further branches: Tătaru, Cernovca, Babina, and Musura.

The Sfântu Gheorghe Branch splits from the Chilia branch at Pătlăgeanca, passes near Tulcea, and continues southward to the Black Sea for a distance of 108 km. It is the oldest Danube branch and can be navigated by Navrom passenger ships or rented boats. We recommend not setting off without binoculars to observe the birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals inhabiting the area.

Here lies Sacalin Island, part of the Sacalin-Zatoane Scientific Reserve, a strictly protected national area where hundreds of bird species nest, rest, and feed. You cannot go ashore, but it can be admired from a distance.

Every summer, the International Independent Film Festival “Anonimul” takes place in Sfântu Gheorghe — a perfect excuse to discover this unique part of the Danube.

The Sulina Branch also splits from the Sfântu Gheorghe branch and is the shortest of the three (64 km). It is straight, regulated, and canalized, used for navigation after deepening and correcting some meanders. It flows into the Black Sea through the Musura Bay, near the Danube’s kilometer zero.

At Crișan (a seaport), you can take a short detour to Mila 23, where the newly opened Ivan Patzaichin Museum can be visited.

The town of Sulina, the final point of the journey through the Danube Delta, is one of the oldest settlements in our country, with a history of over 2,700 years. It is located at the lowest altitude in Romania, 4 meters above sea level, and hosts some must-see tourist attractions: the Old Lighthouse Museum, the European Commission of the Danube Palace, and the old maritime cemetery – unique in Europe as a combination of three cemeteries: Christian, Muslim, and Jewish.

The Beaches of the Delta

Sulina Beach is only 3 km from the town and can be reached by foot or by bike. The beach is arranged and modernized to high standards, has the finest sand, and is the widest such stretch along the Black Sea coast.

But Sulina Beach is not just for relaxation. Here you can enjoy numerous activities such as water sports, exploring the Delta, and birdwatching.

The wild beach at Sfântu Gheorghe is the only place in the country where you can witness the Danube flowing into the Black Sea from the shore. It is an impressive expanse of fine, shell-rich sand and offers the unique sensation of swimming in the combined waters of the Danube and the Black Sea.

The Forests of the Delta

Letea Forest is the oldest nature reserve in Romania and the northernmost subtropical forest in Europe. Starting from the Sulina Port, the route to Letea Forest is approximately 30 kilometers. The forest begins north of the village and covers an area of 5,246.8 ha, of which 2,825 ha are strictly protected.

Letea Forest truly tells a story worth “reading” when you arrive in the Danube Delta. It evokes childhood fairytales, with ancient oaks, lianas, sand dunes, wild horses, and thousands of bird species.

Caraorman Forest, also known as the “Dark Forest” or “Black Forest” (after the Turkish name “kara orman”), is a nationally protected area spanning 2,250 ha in the south of the Sulina Branch. The Caraorman Ridge, along with the Letea Ridge, forms part of the original sand barrier that blocked the Tulcea Bay 8,000 years ago, turning it first into a lagoon and later into the Danube Delta.

This natural area was established to protect the most developed sand dunes (up to 9 m high) and the Caraorman Forest, where ancient oak species and numerous bird and mammal species can be found.