Gone are the days of pitching up a tent on the beach and waking up at 6 am because you are slowly cooking under the morning sun. We seek comfort, AC, a private bathroom, but deep down we still crave a little bit of that bohemian vibe.
Well… why can’t we have both? Tiny Houses Village in Vama Veche will give you a bit of that bohemian experience but with added comfort… and AC.
I have to admit it’s been years since I stepped foot in Vama Veche. The once “Free-spirit-bohemian-paradise” has changed a lot.
Or maybe I have…
Gone are the bonfires on the beach, the folk musicians, the rockers, nudist beaches (almost) and the not-a-care-in-the-world attitude. Gone is also the view, with a continuous barricade of beach chairs and umbrellas, there is little room to throw your towel on the sand.
On the other hand, the nightlife is as crazy and as diverse as it has always been. From oldies & goldies at Stuf to the upbeat millennial charts at Expirat, there is a place for everyone and everything. And, as always, the parties go on until the sun comes up, and beyond.
I am not going to lie… these days I probably have more chances catching the sunrise because I wake up early, not because I stay up all night. But, nonetheless, catching the sunrise at Stuf is an experience that will always be in the heart of a “vamaiot”. The magical moment of the sun rising from the sea, while Bolero accompanies the quiet waves of the morning is something that will always stay with me, no matter how commercial this place will become.
*Finger snapping* … I digress… so coming back from this trip down memory lane, let me tell you about what I found in Vama Veche this time.
Where to stay in Vama Veche?
Going back to the Pura Vida Tiny House Village… This summer you can choose your own Tiny House or glamping tent. From a small 2 person A-Frame to a large house with fit for 4 adults, this could could be perfect for a long weekend at the beach, with friends, family, kids or even your pets. Because yes, it is pet friendly.
There is a variety of houses and glamping tents to choose from, most of them have also a private bathroom with hot water, AC, and some of them benefit from additional amenities like TV, kitchenette or a private terrace.
The beach is 50 meters away from the camp, and there are a few facilities you can enjoy on site, like a jacuzzi, sauna, a kids corner and a little terrace with a bar, where during the weekends there is live music or a DJ keeping up the good vibes.
Where to eat in Vama Veche?
The good thing is that over the years some things really didn’t change. Sure they are not as cheap as they used tot be, but the quality and the vibe is still there.
For breakfast – a decent omelette has always been at La Frontiera, just on the corner of the main street with the beach.
For the best & largest schnitzel in Vama Veche – go to Lyana. Sure the service isn’t probably the fastest… but where are you in a hurry in Vama Veche? Besides the schnitzel is worth the wait.
For some decent fish you have two options, depending on where you are staying in Vama Veche and how long you want to wait for a table. Number one is for sure Cherhanaua – here the fishermen go out every morning to catch the daily menu. However, if sea food isn’t your thing… not much else to eat in this place.
The second place you can have very good fish is Corsaru’. I remember back in the day it was one of my favorite breakfast spots. If I close my eyes I can almost feel the wind in my hair, on the terrace, early in the morning, having my coffee while everybody was still sleeping. However they don’t open that early anymore, but the view is still as beautiful.
And of course, you can’t go to Vama Veche and not have crepes. Sweet, savory, with fruits or drenched in rum it’s like a right of passage.
What to do in (or around) Vama Veche?
What to do.. what to do? The obvious thing: you can lay on beach, catch all the sun (without turning lobster-red) and just chill. The price for a beach chair with an umbrella is between 6€-14€ (30-70 ron)/day, or if you find a spot on the sand, you can put your towel down for free.
Another fun activity you can do is go sailing. For this you need to drive to Limanu Harbour (8 km from Vama Veche). Here you can rent a variety of boats, from small yachts to catamarans and sail on the Limanu Lake and the Black Sea. You can rent a boat for just a few hours and bit of sailing, for a party, even for a special wedding. The prices vary depending on duration, type of boat and capacity.
Being in Vama Veche you can reach Bulgaria in about 10 minutes. So if you are looking for a more quiet place to enjoy your fun in the sun, I would recommend you to explore Krapec Beach. It’s a bit more wild, no loud music, not too crowded. There is a little beach bar you can enjoy a cold drink, a coffee and lunch and yes, you can pay by card. On a 30 minutes drive away from Vama Veche, you will pretty much go back in time and back to nature.
How to get to Vama Veche?
By far the easiest way to get to Vama Veche is by car. From Bucharest to Constanța you have 230 km of highway, that will take about 2h30m (depending on the traffic, of course), and from Constanța to Vama Veche you have another 60 km. Depending on the traffic it could take you between 1h and 1h45m. Of course always check you Waze or Google map to make sure you are not stuck in traffic.
Be aware you need to pay a toll of approximately 3€ (13 ron)/one way. There are several ways to pay, but the smartest and fastest way is by sending an SMS within maximum 24h after passing by the toll booth. If you have a regular car you send an SMS to 7577 with your car plate followed by a space and number 1. You will then receive a message that you answer with DA.
Another way to get to Vama Veche is by train from Bucharest to Mangalia (either direct, or you change in Constanța). The trip takes about 4h-4h45m, depending on the train and it costs about 17€ (83 ron) one way. Form Mangalia to Vama Veche – last 10km – you can either take a bus – tickets are 1€ (5 ron) – only cash (they leave at regular intervals from the train station) or by taxi or UBER (7-10€).
I am ending this post with in a vibe of the old Vama Veche. If you understand the lyrics, you know what I mean. If you don’t I hope the melody will get you there.
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