National Road 55A follows the course of the Danube from Calafat to Turnu Măgurele, and the journey near the river then continues on roads 51A (to Zimnicea), 5 (to Giurgiu), 41 (to Oltenița), and 31 (to Călărași).

The Danube lowland segment includes all seven Romania–Bulgaria twin cities located along the riverbanks, each with strong potential for local tourism development: Calafat–Vidin, Bechet–Oryahovo, Turnu Măgurele–Nikopol, Zimnicea–Svishtov, Giurgiu–Ruse, Oltenița–Tutrakan, Călărași–Silistra.

Danube Eco-Route, both with tremendous potential for eco-tourism development near Bucharest.

The Calafat – Bechet – Corabia Sector

The road from Calafat to Corabia follows the Danube from a distance, currently offering no opportunities to explore the riverbanks or enjoy recreational activities. Only the Dăbuleni–Ianca area offers something unique for the curious explorer: the dune landscape formed here due to sand deposits, known as the Ianca Sands.

However, the first recommended stop along the Danube in this sector is the town of Corabia, built on an ancient Roman settlement—an ideal destination for fishing and water activities enthusiasts. Here, you will also find the Sucidava Fortress, a former Roman fortification built in the 4th century.

Gura Oltului and Islaz

Near the town of Corabia lies the Corabia – Turnu Măgurele natural area, featuring the spectacular point where the Olt River flows into the Danube—at Islaz, where you’ll also find a wild beach ideal for a rest and recreation.

The Corabia – Turnu Măgurele natural area extends across Teleorman County (5 localities) and neighboring Olt County (4 localities). It spans over 9,000 hectares and shelters dozens of legally protected bird and animal species.

Calnovăț Island stretches for approximately 10 km, from kilometer 615–614 to the confluence of the Olt and the Danube at km 605–604. Near the village of Islaz lies Gura Oltului Beach, known for its fine sand and the sounds of birds living in the area.

Turnu Măgurele – Zimnicea – Giurgiu

About 10 kilometers from Islaz, you’ll find the ruins of the Turris fortress in Turnu Măgurele, which, according to legend, hides a secret tunnel connecting to the Bulgarian side of the Danube.

A bit further down, near the village of Poiana, one can stop at the Traian–Flămânda Castrum, located on the Danube’s low floodplain terrace. About one-third of the fortification has been destroyed by water, and today only a 225 x 300 m portion remains.

The next stop for Danube explorers, especially those passionate about fishing, is the Suhaia Pond in the commune of the same name. It’s also a good resting spot for birdwatchers, as the wetland flora and fauna offer food and shelter to numerous bird species.

Giurgiu – Via Danubiana

The approximately 100 kilometers of the Via Danubiana route mapped in Giurgiu County can be covered on foot or by bike, using GPS tracks and markers placed along the trail, which connects dikes, forests, villages, towns, and fields along the Danube into a single path.

The Danube promenade in Giurgiu offers stunning views and is a favorite spot for locals and tourists to enjoy relaxing outdoor walks. Equipped with paths, benches, and green spaces, it’s an ideal place to take a break after a long walk, bike ride, or paddle on the Via Danubiana.

Cama Community Forest
Planted in recent years by the MaiMultVerde Association, just 10 minutes from downtown Giurgiu, the Cama Forest covers 20 hectares and includes over 250,000 trees and shrubs from 55 species. The forest is also home to 3 murals painted by Wanda Hutira on the concrete pillars of a decommissioned bridge along the canal connecting Giurgiu to the Danube.

Giurgiu Fortress, built on the Danube’s bank in the 14th century by Mircea the Elder, is a significant historical monument at the Romania–Bulgaria border. Today, the remaining fortress walls stand as a symbol of local history, resilience, and Balkan medieval architecture, recently restored by the city hall.

Bizetz Bridge in Giurgiu is unique in Europe due to its curved construction—a great challenge for architect Anghel Saligny and builder Ion Ionescu Bizetz. Completed in 1905, it was the first bridge in Europe built with a horizontal curve.

The Historic Earth-House in Giurgiu, the last of its kind still standing in the city, represents a traditional lowland dwelling model. Visitors are warmly welcomed by the owners, who often invite them to photograph this small piece of local history.

Teohari Antonescu County Museum
Here you’ll find local and national artifacts, historical documents, and archaeological finds from the region that offer insights into past civilizations and settlements in Giurgiu County. The museum also hosts exhibitions on local traditions, folk costumes, handicrafts, a ruler family tree, and the history of conflicts with the Ottoman Empire.

The Clock Tower, built in 1866 in neoclassical style from brick and stone, stands in the center of Giurgiu near the Central Market. At about 30 meters tall, the clock on its facade once served to give locals the exact time.

The Friendship Bridge / Giurgiu-Ruse Bridge connects the two neighboring cities from Romania and Bulgaria and is considered one of the most complex engineering projects of its time (inaugurated in 1954). The bridge spans over 2,000 meters in length and 30 meters in width, with two levels: one for road traffic and one for rail, including a pedestrian walkway. It’s a vital link between the two countries, facilitating trade and tourism.

The Youth Education Center is located in an old boyar house in the village of Găujani, just 30 km from Giurgiu. The building hosts a small museum of traditional costumes and serves as a meeting and working space for local women. It is also a lively venue for educational and cultural activities for children and teens. Some local traditions, like Căluș and Drăgaica, have been revived here.

St. John the Russian Monastery, Slobozia, is located at the end of a quiet 1–2 km trail, narrow and flanked by forest. The monastery was established on the site of a former military barracks. If you look closely, you’ll notice that some of the monastic cells are built on small hills, which were once used as training grounds for soldiers.

World War II Bunkers, Slobozia, are reinforced concrete fortifications built to withstand bombings and protect soldiers and military equipment. They guarded key points such as the Friendship Bridge and routes into the country. Though not promoted as tourist attractions, these bunkers may be of interest to military history and architecture enthusiasts. On Via Danubiana, you can visit one in the commune of Slobozia, just 10 minutes by car or 15–20 minutes by bike from Giurgiu.

Beaches to Try

Ciobanu Island, located just under the Friendship Bridge, is one of many Danube islands formed by sediment buildup in the riverbed, providing a unique habitat for various plant and animal species. The island features sandy terrain and wetland vegetation. Though small, it is ecologically significant, especially in an area dominated by modern infrastructure like the bridge.

Ostrov Mocanu Island offers a wild beach, forest, fine sand, and waves created by passing boats. It’s a place for magical sunsets, whether admired from a boat or from the Danube shore. What more could you want on a hot summer day after a busy one? The island is part of a network of islets and branches of the Danube. Because it is periodically flooded, especially in spring, it boasts rich and diverse vegetation.

The Old Beach of Giurgiu (Ramadam) is one of the most popular and accessible beaches for locals, a gathering spot since the interwar period, when Giurgiu was a thriving town with an active social life. After WWII and during communism, the beach fell into neglect due to urbanization and industrialization. Still, its revitalization potential remains a topic of community interest.

Known as the “Vama Veche of the Danube”, Gostinu Beach is located at the end of the village with the same name and attracts more and more tourists each year, just 20 kilometers from Giurgiu. Though the area hasn’t developed tourism infrastructure and lacks accommodation or restaurants, travelers are drawn to its peaceful atmosphere and the joy of swimming.

Find all the details you need for your Danube journey in the Via Danubiana Guide – Giurgiu County.

Oltenița – Călărași

We leave Giurgiu County and head toward Călărași, with the first potential stop being the protected Danube–Oltenița area. Located in the Bărăgan Plain, the Natura 2000 site Oltenița–Mostiștea–Chiciu spans over 11,500 hectares and is a natural area offering feeding, nesting, and living conditions for several migratory bird species.

Călărași

The city of Călărași is located on the Borcea branch of the Danube and offers many tourist attractions, such as the Danube islets where boat trips are available, and Valea Roșie Lake, a legally protected area with saltwater and therapeutic mud. Danube explorers can visit the Lower Danube Museum here, as well as the ruins of the Byzantine Citadel of Vicina.

The Danube islets, located on the Borcea branch, offer many equipped beaches, and adventurers can take boat rides to the Silistra resort on the Bulgarian bank.

The Gumelnița Civilization Museum in Călărași is also a major tourist attraction, featuring a rich collection of archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Geto-Dacian civilization.

Before leaving the Călărași area and entering the next Via Danubiana segment, we recommend a visit to Lake Iezer Călărași, an ideal spot for birdwatching, especially pelicans that frequently cross this protected area on their way to Bulgaria’s Srebarna Nature Reserve.