The finest shopping
districts are Calea Victoriei and Bulevardul
General Magheru or Bucharesti Mall, Calea
Vitan 55-59 (open daily 1000-2200). The main department
stores are Cocor, Bulevardul Bratianu
29-33, and Unirea, Piata Unirii 1, which also has
a huge supermarket. In the upmarket shopping districts,
shoppers can expect to find every top European chain, from Benettonto
Max Mara and Terzoatto. But bargain
seekers can also have plenty of fun in the old
neighbourhoods around Strada Lipscani,
at shops such as Palarierul, Strada Gabroveni 2-4,
which sells handmade hats, made to order.
Folk
crafts, such as embroidered clothing and linen, painted
Easter eggs, pottery, carpets, woodcarvings and icons, make
interesting purchases. These can be found at
the Romanian Peasant Museum, nearly all department
stores and the Village Museum shop, where
traditional clothing (men’s felt coats and women’s embroidered
skirts and blouses) sits alongside Transylvanian ritual masks. Antiques
are another good buy and can be found in art galleries
along the Calea Victoriei or the historic centre.
Visitors
interested in Romanian music should try the enormous Muzica,
Calea Victoriei 43, where there are CDs of anything from Romanian
hip-hop groups, like Genius and Candy, to the panpipe music of Gheorghe
Zamfir and popular folk singers such as Maria Tanase. Western music
is also a bargain.
Further special purchases are
Dr Ana Aslan’s anti-ageing products Gerovital and Aslavital
– famous among old Hollywood film stars and available in most
department stores – and Romanian< wine. The
best reds include fulsome Cabernet Sauvignons
and light Pinot Noirs – whites
tend to be fruity but also brilliant.
Some good wine houses are Murfutlar
and Vinul Cavalerului. Tuica,
sweet Romanian liquor made from
plums, is also well-liked.
There are two weekend flea marketplaces at Strada
Mihai Bravu, on the east side of the city,
and Militari, Strada Valea Cascadelor, on the west
side of the city. Here bargain hunters can find almost
everything, from old books to antiques, clothing and even used cars.
Shops generally open 0900-1800
on weekdays and until 1400 on Saturdays
(some department stores open until 2000 or 2100 weekdays). VAT
currently stands at 19% in Romania and is included in all
bills and transactions. Tax-free shopping is available for
purchases of over US$125. To get tax back, visitors should
fill out a form, available from most shops. |
