Bucharest - Shopping
New shops like Vivienne Westwood and Versace in Bucharest are on the rise. You can easily stock up on designer wear like you could in Paris, Milan or London. Equally, if you’re hunting down souvenirs, there are no end of little boutiques that sell Romanian knick-knacks - some more authentic than others.
There are four major shopping centres which should cater to all needs. World Trade Plaza (www.wtcb.ro), the Unirea Shopping Centre, and Plaza Romania (www.plazaromania.ro) house departments for fashion, electronics, housewares, food, cosmetics, antiques and souvenirs. Mario Plaza and Bucareşti Mall are also worth a look, though they are slightly less extensive in their choice. Bucareşti Mall also houses the city’s largest cinema.
There are also plenty of intimate places to seek out more home-grown goods. For hand-woven rugs, painted eggs, pottery and Romanian costumes, spend some time rifling through the wares at the folk art shop of the Peasant Museum. Elsewhere, Pasajul Villacross along Calea Victoriei is a stretch of funky boutiques, while art galleries and antique shops are also dotted about in this area.
If you are looking for antiques, there are plenty and can easily be found in art galleries along Calea Victoriei and around the Old Historical Center (Lipscani street). Piata Obor, at Campul Moslior 5, is Bucharest’s largest outdoor market with all sorts of food and a mini bazaar. Piata 1 Mai, at Blvd. Ion Mihalache 123, is an Oriental bazaar where you will find everything from fresh cheese, fruits, vegetables to flowers and household items.
