Attraction4.9(108)din 5 pe Google
Central area · Centru
Old Town (Lipscani)
Bucharest's historic core: cobbled streets, terraces, hidden passages and nightlife between Lipscani, Stavropoleos and the Old Princely Court.
View this area on the map →About Old Town (Lipscani)
The Old Town, which everyone simply calls Lipscani, is where Bucharest shows its layers. Medieval merchants set up their stalls here — the very name Lipscani comes from the traders who brought goods from Leipzig — Vlad the Impaler raised the Old Princely Court on this ground, and today the same web of narrow streets is packed with cafés, second-hand bookshops, bars and terraces that rarely close before dawn. After decades of neglect, much of the quarter was restored and pedestrianised, and it has become the most visited part of the city.
You don't explore this quarter with a map in hand; you wander. Turn down one alley and you stumble onto the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage, a fork-shaped former banking arcade with its distinctive yellow glass roof; walk a little further and you reach Hanul lui Manuc, the only commercial inn in the Balkans preserved almost intact, its wooden galleries wrapped around a courtyard where people still linger over coffee much as they did two centuries ago. The streets themselves — Lipscani, Gabroveni, Smârdan, Covaci — each carry the name of the old trades or merchants who once worked them.
What to see
- Stavropoleos Church, a Brâncovenesc gem from 1724 with a small courtyard full of old tombstones and carved stone
- The Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) and the statue of Vlad the Impaler, traces of the city's first royal residence
- The Macca-Vilacrosse Passage, a former banking arcade now lined with cafés
- Hanul lui Manuc, worth it for the architecture and the mood alone
The vibe
By day the area is easy-going and photogenic, ideal for a slow coffee and a wander. By night it transforms: the terraces fill, music spills into the streets, and the clubs and bars along Lipscani and Gabroveni keep going late. It is the liveliest stretch of the city, and also the most crowded — and, frankly, the most touristy — so pick your hour to match your mood: calm in the morning, buzz after dark.
Getting there
The metro is the simplest option; Piața Unirii station sits a short walk to the south. Check the metro map or your public transport choices. Leave the car at home, since the streets are pedestrian and parking is a nightmare. For food ideas, browse the nearby restaurants, and for landmarks see the central attractions.
Old Town (Lipscani)
Attractions
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Attraction
Old Town (Lipscani)
Restaurants
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Stays
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Clubs & nightlife
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Nightlife4.1(2.126)din 5 pe GoogleExperiences & tours
Tours & activities in Old Town (Lipscani)
Guided tours, tickets and experiences — book online, many with free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
What's worth seeing in Old Town (Lipscani)?
On this page you'll find the attractions, restaurants and venues in Old Town (Lipscani), ranked by real Google ratings. The list grows as we verify places.
How do I reach Old Town (Lipscani) by public transport?
Most central neighbourhoods are reachable by metro (M1–M5) and STB lines. See our metro and public-transport pages for routes and fares.
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Stays in the area
Where to stay in Old Town (Lipscani)
Compare hotels and apartments in Old Town (Lipscani) and nearby, on a single map.
Ratings and photos come from Google. Editorial descriptions and classifications are being added — indicative data, check before visiting.
