Dancing from dusk ‘til dawn In Constanța and Mamaia, Romania

‘Gig-tripping’ is one of the biggest travel trends for 2024, meaning more travellers than ever are planning international holidays around their favourite performer’s tour dates, or an appearance at a music festival. One driver is the relative affordability of tickets; if tickets become too expensive in one’s home country (floor seats for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour were going for as much as $8000 this Spring in the USA), it can end up being cheaper overall to book flights, accommodation and gig tickets elsewhere. Plus, travelling like this means you get to experience new cultures and meet fellow fans from around the world. 

Invited to attend Neversea, Europe's largest seaside festival on Romania’s picturesque Black Sea coast, I embraced a ‘gig trip’ of my own. I was intrigued by the eclectic line up, and the incredibly low prices. A four day pass costs just 140 Euros (approximately £118), granting visitors access to a gorgeous beachside venue, right on the sand in Constanța beach town. There you could catch over 200 artists, and they weren’t smalltime; this year’s lineup included Colombian rapper Maluma, electronic dance artist Steve Aoki, rapper G-Eazy, pop stalwart Nick Carter and newcomer Bebe Rexha.

Now in its sixth year, it was clear organisers have worked out what their customers enjoy - branded bars and nightclub-style spaces, big line ups and impressive pyrotechnics - all served up in a gorgeous seaside spot. You can hear the waves crashing as you line up to enter, and though the festival is closed off to the water, it’s a stunning place to watch the sun come up, to the tune of electronic music. In contrast to some of the rowdier festivals in the UK, where rain and mud are often part of the experience, Neversea's sunny beach setting makes for a joyful, laid-back atmosphere.

Following a quick dinner at The Muse Restaurant in the pretty Tomis Touristic Port (just a ten minute walk from the festival entrance) our group caught Maluma’s show - a Neversel highlight - drawing the biggest crowd of the night. Flanked by incredible female dancers, he blasted through hits like ‘Chantaje’ featuring Shakira and ‘Felices los 4’, before a spectacular finale of fireworks. 

A huge crowd formed for dance heavyweight Steve Aoki’s high energy set, bolstered by a laser show. In between acts, visitors explored chill out areas with bean bag chair seating, bars, and even beauty stations - I spotted a few dozen revellers having their hair and make up retouched before heading back out into the night, Instagram-ready. They’re not stuck for content - between the picturesque setting and awesome art installations (I loved the giant neon jellyfish) there’s more than enough to photograph.

While the beach towns of Constanța and Mamaia might not spring to mind as vibrant nightlife hubs, these are certainly more affordable options than Ibiza, Croatia, or Barcelona. A holiday centred around an outdoor festival is totally possible here, but you might prefer to book beds at a modern beach club for the day, then take a shower and settle in for dinner and dancing on the sand. Over on Mamaia beach, we discovered Nuba Beach Club on a festival recovery day, a ‘resto-club’ serving Asian fusion like Waygu mini tacos and shrimp salad with mango dressing - not to mention a decent all-day coffee menu to get you going, and endless cocktails to start yet another party.

A two minute walk along the coast will take you to Biutiful by the Sea, a high spec beachfront venue that’s perfect for ending your night. A full programme of live performances and DJ sets keeps the crowd dancing into the early hours, as guests preferring a lowkey vibe eat late night snacks indoors. On our visit, a band took over the stage to cover a string of crowd pleasers, from Queen to Rihanna. With a backdrop of the sea and a playlist that spans Cardi B to Coldplay, the restaurant-cum-club offers a chance to blow off steam, with your own table to retire to when your feet start hurting. A great option for those who eschew large crowds, and portaloos.

A day trip to the Dobrogea wine region delivers your culture fix - and there the party continues. Found in the delta of the Danube River, the historic area is dotted with magnificent churches, and known for picturesque landscapes. On top of that, visitors are surprised with highly unique and comprehensive winery experiences. Our group dubbed our first stop at Crama Viișoara a ‘disco wine tasting’, as a huge speaker blasted music through a dimly lit tasting room and we collected glasses on backlit wine barrels. Our dinner was later served to the tune of live folk music at neighbouring Murfatlar Winery, where the drinking and dancing didn’t stop until past midnight.

That said, there are options for families looking for gentle, after dinner entertainment, too. During the day they might wander Constanța promenade with an ice cream, or settle for a leisurely lunch at a harbourside restaurant. As darkness falls, music begins to fill the streets around Mamaia’s Cazino area; a lively programme of open air music events at Piațeta Cazino keeps the energy high throughout the summer. It’s a wonderful destination for both parents and children, who can gather to watch the show together.

Getting there: your journey to the coast

There are a few ways to make the trip from Bucharest Otopeni Airport. While you can take a train from the airport to Bucharest North Station and then on to Constanța, train tickets tend to sell out quickly (especially on the first day of Neversea festival). To avoid the rush, consider travelling a day early. Private buses are available, offering group transfers directly from Bucharest to Constanța and Mamaia in around four hours, depending on traffic.

Constanța and Mamaia offer a range of accommodations to suit your style, my hotel (Lupa by Bueno) was conveniently walkable from the Neversea festival entrance. It’s a joy to climb into a soft bed after a long day dancing on the sand, ready to get up, have a shower and a good breakfast, then do it all over again.

Where to stay

• Lupa Hote by Bueno, Constanța City: A few minutes’ walk from dozens of Constanța’s must-sees, from the Art Museum to Ovidiu Square.
• Panoramic Hotel, Mamaia Resort: Great balcony views.
• Ramada by Wyndham, Constanța: Less than ten minutes’ walk to the beach.

This post was made in partnership with Mamaia Constanța.