Hotel Topaz · Guide · Day trips
Day trips from Cap Aurora
A different day, back by the sea
When you want a break from the beach, there are two lovely outings close to the hotel: Queen Marie’s palace in Balchik and a boat trip on the Black Sea from the port of Mangalia.
We can arrange the transport, on request and at extra cost. Tell us when you book or at reception how many of you there are and which day you want to go, and we’ll give you the price.
Balchik: Queen Marie’s palace
Balchik is a town on the Bulgarian coast, about 80 kilometres from the hotel, roughly an hour and a half by car, via Vama Veche.
Queen Marie of Romania built her summer residence here between 1926 and 1937, called the Quiet Nest, back when Balchik was part of Romania. The white house with its minaret, the terraces running down to the water and the stone paths can still be visited today.
Romania and Bulgaria are both in the Schengen area, so there are no more border checks. Still, bring your ID card or passport.
The Botanical Garden, terraced down to the sea
Next to the palace is the Botanical Garden, laid out on terraces that run down to the sea, with shaded paths, pergolas and a large cactus collection.
It’s worth a full day: the palace and garden in the morning, lunch by the harbour, then the drive back to Cap Aurora in time for sunset.
Black Sea cruises from the port of Mangalia
Mangalia’s tourist port is about 6.5 kilometres from the hotel, 10 minutes by car. Boats leave from here for trips on the Black Sea.
Departure times change from month to month, so reception will tell you which trips run on the days you stay with us. We can also arrange transport to the port on request, at extra cost.
What you ask us about day trips
How far is Balchik from Hotel Topaz?
About 80 kilometres by road, roughly an hour and a half by car, via the Vama Veche - Durankulak border crossing.
Do you offer transport to Balchik?
Yes, on request and at extra cost. Tell us how many of you there are and which day you want to go, and reception will give you the price.
Do I need a passport for Balchik?
EU citizens can travel with their ID card. Romania and Bulgaria are in the Schengen area, so there are no border checks, but you must carry your ID.
How far is the port of Mangalia?
About 6.5 kilometres, 10 minutes by car.
Can you include a trip in a group offer?
Yes. For team-building or groups we can add transport to Balchik or to the port to your offer, priced separately.
Balchik by day, Topaz by night
Leave in the morning, come back for the pool and dinner with a sea view. Tell us the day and how many of you there are, and we’ll handle the transport.
Balchik photos: Michal Gorski (CC BY-SA 3.0), Dan Kollmann (CC BY-SA 4.0), Joerg Schueler (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE), StefkaVasileva (CC BY-SA 4.0), Izvora (public domain), on Wikimedia Commons.
