On the Danube's left bank, facing Bulgaria across the famous Friendship Bridge, Giurgiu is your key to Romania — from Bucharest's communist grandeur to Dracula's castles deep in the Carpathians.
River cruise ships dock at the commercial port on Șoseaua Portului — a straightforward walk or short taxi ride gets you into town.
💡 Pro move: Most passengers take organized shore excursions to Bucharest. Independent travelers can reach central Bucharest by taxi (~60 km, 1–1.5 hrs) or pre-booked private transfer.
All river cruise lines dock at Giurgiu's commercial Danube pier on Șoseaua Portului.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Viking, AmaWaterways, Emerald, CroisiEurope | Șoseaua Portului, Giurgiu📍 | Docked |
| Most other river cruise lines | Giurgiu river terminal, Portului St📍 | Docked |
Giurgiu's greatest draw is what lies beyond it — Bucharest's dramatic boulevards and communist monuments, Transylvania's fairy-tale castles, and the wine country of Muntenia.
Romania's capital rewards a full day: the colossal Palace of Parliament (world's 2nd-largest administrative building and heaviest building), the buzzing Old Town (Centrul Vechi), Revolution Square where Ceaușescu gave his last speech, and the tree-lined Calea Victoriei.
Find Bucharest tours →The Gothic hilltop castle associated with Dracula mythology plus the gorgeous medieval city of Brașov in the Carpathian foothills — a long but spectacular excursion through Transylvania.
Find Transylvania castle tours →The Neo-Renaissance royal summer palace in the Carpathians is Romania's most visited castle — ornate rooms, mountain air, and the elegant resort town of Sinaia just below.
Find Peleș Castle tours →One of Romania's largest wetland reserves, 30 km from Giurgiu. The park shelters 200+ bird species; at its center is Comana Monastery, originally built by Vlad the Impaler in 1461.
Find nature tours from Giurgiu →Stroll the octagonal old town — a Ottoman defensive design — to the 1771 Clock Tower, Giurgiu Fortress ruins, St. Nicholas Church, and the 1863 Greek Church. Short but genuinely interesting.
Find Giurgiu walking tours →Cross the Friendship Bridge into Ruse — Bulgaria's elegant "Little Vienna" on the Danube, with Baroque palaces, the History Museum, and excellent local restaurants. Short drive or walkable from the bridge.
Find Ruse Bulgaria tours →The town center is flat and compact — most landmarks are within a short walk of each other.
Walk from the port entrance along the Danube promenade to the Clock Tower, then loop through the octagonal central grid past St. Nicholas Church and back along the main boulevard.
Head south along the riverbank promenade for clear views of the Giurgiu-Rousse Friendship Bridge and the Bulgarian shore. A peaceful walk with benches and Danube panoramas.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Giurgiu, Giurgiu County, Romania (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F / 5°C | 27°F / -3°C | 7 | 7:47 AM | 5:04 PM |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 31°F / -1°C | 7 | 7:15 AM | 5:45 PM |
| Mar | 55°F / 13°C | 37°F / 3°C | 9 | 6:28 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Apr | 64°F / 18°C | 45°F / 7°C | 10 | 6:33 AM | 7:59 PM |
| May | 73°F / 23°C | 55°F / 13°C | 10 | 5:50 AM | 8:35 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 11 | 5:33 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 67°F / 19°C | 8 | 5:48 AM | 8:55 PM |
| Aug | 87°F / 31°C | 67°F / 19°C | 5 | 6:20 AM | 8:19 PM |
| Sep | 79°F / 26°C | 59°F / 15°C | 4 | 6:55 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Oct | 66°F / 19°C | 49°F / 9°C | 7 | 7:30 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Nov | 54°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 8 | 7:11 AM | 4:49 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 32°F / 0°C | 8 | 7:43 AM | 4:38 PM |
Climate source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are available at the port and charge ~4 RON/km daytime. The city center (Piața Unirii) is roughly 2 km away.
Both Uber and Bolt operate in Giurgiu. App-based rides offer price transparency and cashless payment.
Bucharest is ~65 km north (~1–1.5h drive). Pre-booked private transfers are the main option for passengers wanting to visit the Romanian capital.
The Giurgiu port area is close to the old town and riverfront. The Clock Tower and central square are a short walk from the docks.
Upcoming cruises that call at Giurgiu, Giurgiu County, Romania. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.