263,700
#124.89 km²
Constanta
Dobruja
Constanța is Romania’s largest Black Sea city and a dynamic study destination that blends seaside lifestyle with a strong academic footprint. Home to Ovidius University of Constanța and the Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy, the city attracts students interested in medicine, engineering, IT, maritime studies, and business.
A major port economy, Constanța offers internships in logistics, tourism, energy services, and creative industries, while its seafront promenades, historic peninsula, and nearby seaside resorts make student life feel like a permanent summer. According to the 2021 population census (definitive results), the municipality hosts ≈263,700 residents, giving it a large-city feel with approachable neighborhoods.
International students choose Constanța for English-taught programs, practical placements with port-linked employers, and lower living costs than many EU seaside cities—plus fast rail links to Bucharest and ferry-adjacent regional connections.
Constanța sits on Romania’s southeastern Dobrogea coast (approx. 44.18°N, 28.63°E) facing the Black Sea, with a municipal area of ~124.9 km² that includes beaches, lakes (Siutghiol, Tăbăcărie), and a compact historic core on the peninsula.
It lies about 24 km northwest of Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport and roughly 220–225 km by road from Bucharest via the A2 “Sun” motorway. The city is the county seat of Constanța County and anchors Romania’s maritime economy through the national port administration.
Climate-wise, Constanța is in a temperate-continental with maritime influence zone: hot, breezy summers; mild, drier winters; and lower rainfall than most Romanian regions, characteristic for Dobrogea.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Population | 263,700 |
Area | 124.89 km² |
County | Constanta |
Region | Dobruja |
Timezone | EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3 summer) |
Climate | Temperate-continental, maritime influence |
Average Temperature | Summer ~24–28 °C; Winter ~0–3 °C (Dobrogea multiannual pattern) |
Monuments | The Constanța Casino, The Genoese Lighthouse, The Roman Mosaic Edifice, The Ovid Statue, The Great Mahmudiye Mosque |
Constanța’s higher-education ecosystem is anchored by Ovidius University of Constanța (UOC)—a comprehensive public university with medicine, engineering, economics, humanities, and sciences—and by the Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy (ANMB), a public military/civil maritime university with accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs in navigation, marine engineering, and port logistics. Both institutions run international programs and mobility (Erasmus+).
Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | €250–450 – Dorms lower; private varies by season/locality. |
Food & Groceries | €170–260 – Home-cooking keeps costs down. |
Transportation | €6–20 – CT BUS student monthly from 29–66 lei (~€6–13); occasional taxi. |
Utilities | €60–110 – Heating seasonality (Dobrogea milder winters). |
Entertainment | €60–120 – Cafés, cinema, seaside events. |
Healthcare | €10–30 – Copays/meds; student insurance as needed. |
Total Monthly | €550–950 – Conservative, off-season vs. summer. |
Transportation | Status |
|---|---|
Metro (Metrorex) | Yes |
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB) | Yes |
Taxi/Ride_hailing | No |
Local Police increased staffing and activity; 59,146 contraventions recorded (+12.8% vs 2023) and 130 crimes identified (including drug-related, vandalism) within municipal operations. Continuous cooperation with County Police and Gendarmerie supports city-center and campus safety.
Options | Cost |
|---|---|
University Dorms | €80–150 – Shared rooms; campus-adjacent; allocation per criteria. |
Private Student Dorms | €180–300 – Limited stock; check seasonal availability. |
Shared Apartments | €250–380 (per room) – 2–4 students; furnished; utilities extra. |
Studios | €320–500 – Independent living; seaside premiums apply. |
Host Families | €300–450 – Meals by arrangement; cultural immersion. |
Multiplex cinemas, state theatre and opera events, museums; summer festivals along the coast; student discounts apply at many venues (present student ID).
Nightlife clusters around Peninsula, Tomis Nord, and the Mamaia boulevard corridor; diverse cafés and affordable eateries near campus.
Spring (Mar–May):
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Local Cuisine Highlights: Fresh Black Sea fish, Dobrogean pies, mussels from nearby farms, Turkish-influenced sweets. Student-friendly options cluster around Campus/Tăbăcărie and Centru.
Popular Activities: Beach volleyball, running, cycling around Tăbăcărie/Siutghiol, football and basketball leagues; day trips to seaside resorts and Dobrogea hills.
Light breakfast; CT BUS to campus (10–25 min); lectures/labs. Cost: with student pass, near-zero per ride.
Lunch at faculty canteen or cafés near Tăbăcărie; study in the library; walk along the lake.
Cook with roommates or eat out; meet friends in Peninsula or on the seafront; late study session.
Beach time, museums & Old Town, bus to nearby seaside towns; airport day-trips (Istanbul/London routes vary by season).
