Old Town (Lipscani)

About Old Town (Lipscani)

The Old Town is the core from which Bucharest grew: a web of narrow streets between Calea Victoriei, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta and Splaiul Independenței, on the northern bank of the Dâmbovița. The Princely Court of Wallachia stood here, and a deed issued by Vlad the Impaler in 1459 "in the fortress of Bucharest" is the first documentary mention of the city. After the fire of 1718 and the earthquake of 1738, the princes moved to the New Court, and the market stayed on around the old residence.

The street names preserve the memory of the merchants and craftsmen of the past: Lipscani, after the traders who brought goods from Leipzig (Lipsca in old Romanian), Șelari (saddlers), Covaci (smiths), Șepcari (cap makers), Gabroveni. Today's buildings date mostly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: banks, shops and inns in the eclectic style. The area declined after the nationalisation of 1948, and the rebuilding of the streets in the early 2010s uncovered the ruins of old inns beneath the paving. The whole ensemble is a listed historic monument.

Information verified on 20 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: The Old Town is in the middle of Bucharest, ~3 km from Gara de Nord and ~17 km from Otopeni Airport (~30–40 minutes, depending on traffic). The streets inside are pedestrianised or have restricted access; leave the car in a car park nearby, towards Piața Unirii or Piața Universității, and walk in.

Public transport: the nearest metro stations are Piața Unirii (M1, M2, M3), to the south, and Universitate (M2), to the north, both ~5–10 minutes on foot from Lipscani. Several bus and tram lines run along the surrounding boulevards.

Where to park

You cannot park in the Old Town itself: the streets are pedestrianised. Spaces on the surrounding streets and boulevards are paid and fill up quickly, especially in the evenings and at weekends. The most practical option is a public car park around Piața Unirii or Piața Universității, a few minutes' walk away.

Fees & discounts

Walking the streets and entering the Curtea Veche Church are free. The Princely Palace is closed, so no tickets are sold. Museums and sights nearby have separate tickets.

Rules

Enter the church in modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) and quietly, without disturbing services; photography inside only with the priest's consent. The paving is stone and uneven: wear comfortable shoes. In the evenings the area is very crowded and noisy; watch out for pickpockets. Flying a drone over central Bucharest requires permits.

Facilities

Cafés, restaurants, bookshops and shops on almost every street · toilets in the venues · stone paving, hard going with a pushchair on some streets · good mobile signal