217,851
#246.4 km²
Galați
Moldavia
Galați is one of Romania’s major Danube cities—an industrial and academic hub on the country’s eastern edge, near the border with Moldova and Ukraine. For international students, the city blends practical advantages (affordable housing, strong engineering and maritime programs, good rail links) with a safe, compact urban core along the riverfront.
The flagship Dunărea de Jos University of Galați (UDJG) anchors the academic ecosystem with 14 faculties spanning engineering, food science, economics, IT, arts, and medicine. Danubius University adds business, law and communication programs. The city’s cosmopolitan character comes from its port, shipbuilding heritage, and cross-border trade.
As a provincial capital with a sizable student population and manageable living costs, Galați offers a “big enough, not overwhelming” study base. Galați sits on the left bank of the Danube at the confluence with the Siret and near the Prut, on multi-level river terraces (approx. 5–7 m, 20–25 m, 40 m+). Official municipal data places the city at 45°26’N, 28°02’E and lists the urban area at ~241.5 km² (some technical documents use ~246.4 km² depending on the planning perimeter).
The municipality is the county seat of Galați County and part of the historical region of Moldavia. By the 2021 census (RPL-2021), Galați municipality hosts ~217k residents; updated, city-level 2025 figures are pending INS releases. The climate is temperate-continental, with hot summers and cold winters typical for eastern Romania’s plains.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Population | 217,851 |
Area | 246.4 km² |
County | Galați |
Region | Moldavia |
Timezone | EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3, DST) |
Climate | Temperate-continental |
Average Temperature | Summer high ~28–32 °C; Winter avg. ~-2–3 °C (regional norms; ANM) |
Monuments | Revolution Heroes Monument, “Girl on Waves” Fountain, Mihai Eminescu’s statue |
Galați is a two-university city. UDJG is a large public university with historical strengths in naval architecture, engineering, food science, and medicine, and increasing English-taught options. Danubius University (private) covers law, business, communication, with applied programs serving the regional economy
Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | €200–€450 – Dorms start from ~190–320 RON subsidized tiers; private studios vary |
Food & Groceries | €160–€240 – Cook at home + student canteens (UDJG). |
Transportation | €7–€20 – Local bus/tram with student discounts; rail is -90% on defined routes (2025). |
Utilities | €60–€100 – Heating/internet/phone vary by building. |
Entertainment | €40–€90 – Cafés, cinema, student events. |
Healthcare | €15–€35 – Insurance co-pay/meds (non-EU students). |
Total Monthly | €480–€935 – Conservative estimate for 2025. |
Transportation | Status |
|---|---|
Metro (Metrorex) | No |
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB) | Yes |
Taxi/Ride_hailing | Yes |
Official police coefficients of criminality (county & local) are published by IPJ Galați; consult the 2024 files for granular locality categories used in risk assessments. Campus/core areas are generally well-patrolled.
Options | Cost |
|---|---|
University Dorms | ~€40–€90 (subsidized tiers) – Shared rooms, campus location |
Private Student Dorms | €180–€300 – Modern amenities, private mgmt |
Shared Apartments | €200–€300/room – 2–4 students, furnished |
Studios | €250–€450 – Independent living |
Host Families | €350–€500 – Meals/cultural immersion (limited) |
Nightlife clusters around Domnească–Mazepa; coffee culture is active near faculties.
Spring (Mar–May):
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Recommended Providers: National ISPs (e.g., fixed: Digi; mobile: Orange/Vodafone/Digi). Check student promos each semester.
Local Cuisine Highlights: Lower Danube flavors—fish soups, carp, river specialties, and Moldavian sarmale. Affordable canteens and bistros line the Domnească–Mazepa corridor.
Popular: Football, basketball, running by the Danube, cycling routes to outskirts; day trips to Brateș Lake area.
Grab a pastry/coffee (€2–€3) and walk or bus to classes on Str. Domnească (10–20 min in core areas).
Lunch at UDJG cafeteria (€3–€5), study at the library, labs/seminars. Coffee break in Mazepa cafés (€2–€3).
Cook with flatmates or affordable bistro (€7–€12), riverside walk, student events, or theater nights (student discounts).
Explore museums, attend performances, or train to Bucharest/Constanța/Iași for day trips.
