Old Town (Lipscani)

Centrul Vechi (Lipscani)

Bucharest's historic quarter of cobbled lanes packed with cafés, bars, restaurants and restored 19th-century architecture. It is the city's liveliest hub for nightlife, dining and people-watching, mixing crumbling grandeur with buzzing energy.

Things to do

• Explore Stavropoleos Monastery — Duck into this tiny 1724 Brâncovenesc-style church with an exquisite carved stone facade and a peaceful inner courtyard.
• Marvel at Cărturești Carusel — Browse this stunning white six-floor bookstore set inside a restored 19th-century building often called one of the world's most beautiful.
• See the Old Princely Court — Walk the ruins of Curtea Veche, the 15th-century palace of Vlad the Impaler, alongside the oldest church in Bucharest.
• Visit Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse — Stroll this glass-roofed yellow arcade lined with shisha bars and cafés, a picturesque throwback to fin-de-siècle Bucharest.
• Bar-hop the cobbled lanes — Wander Strada Lipscani and Strada Smârdan after dark, where dozens of bars and terraces make this the city's nightlife epicenter.
• Admire CEC Palace — Photograph the grand glass-domed 1900 bank building just across from the Old Town on Calea Victoriei.
• See the National Bank Palace — Take in the imposing eclectic-style headquarters that anchors the western edge of the historic quarter.

Food to try

• Mici (mititei) — Grilled skinless minced-meat rolls seasoned with garlic and spices, served with mustard and a cold beer.
• Sarmale with mămăligă — Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, traditionally paired with polenta and sour cream.
• Papanași — Fried doughnut-like cheese dumplings topped with sour cream and sour-cherry jam, a classic Romanian dessert.
• Ciorbă de burtă — A sour, creamy tripe soup seasoned with garlic and vinegar, a hearty local favorite found in traditional taverns.
• Caru' cu Bere experience — Dine in this ornate 1899 neo-Gothic beer hall for house-brewed beer, folk-dance shows and hearty Romanian classics.
• Covrigi — Warm pretzel-like street snacks sold from tiny stalls, often filled with chocolate, cheese or poppy seeds.

Local customs & good to know

• Watch your step on the cobbles — The uneven historic paving is charming but tough on heels and ankles, so wear comfortable flat shoes.
• Tipping is expected — Leave around 10 percent in restaurants and bars, as service is rarely included in the bill.
• Beware pushy club promoters — Some venues lure tourists with hostesses and hidden charges, so agree on prices and stick to reputable spots.
• Cash still helps — Most places take cards, but small kiosks, covrigi stalls and some bars prefer Romanian lei in cash.

Nearby

• National Museum of Romanian History — 0 km
• Stavropoleos Monastery — 0 km
• Bucharest (Wallachia) — 1 km
• Cișmigiu Gardens — 1 km