Where, when and how to go shopping in Romania

If you are a fan of shopping, I agree. It is very nice sometimes going shopping, especially for the market chains having you as guest! It is a good opportunity to socialize, meeting the most unexpected people you already now, but not having seen then since a long time.

You might be familiar with such huge shopping malls (here from Bucharest), but we were not , until a few years ago they were totally unknown to most of us

Some experts, superstars and remarkable persons  speak all the time about a shopping therapy. I think it is already overexaggerated, to be honest, while the eco movement might say that shopping is simply wasting resources. For us, the most of the Romanians educated in the tough communist times, all the malls build across our country have been really a shock. Nowadays, a part of us are deeply disappointed, it is one of the few visible changes compared with Ceausescu regime (the other one could be the democratic party and Parliament life, which brought another big disappointment, about the honesty of the most Romanian politicians).

A huge mall from the province city of Iasi is not lacking on clients

But, supposing that you are a fan of shopping, are you aware about the excellent shopping conditions and articles from Romania?  I bet you aren't yet, as Romania, a travel paradise after all, is not very well known as a shopping destination. And that's why I would like to inform you thoroughly about some incredible shopping opportunities in Romania.

Fact is that, unfortunately for many people working in big factories, very few people invested in the Romanian heavy industry, while the investments in trade are much more important, coming mainly from Germany (Lidl, Kaufland, Real) or France(Carrefour). Yes, you can find all those giants here, and there are no major differences comparing with the huge shopping malls from your country or others, this is the unpleasant side of the globalization. We must say, we are not very happy about it! As a little compensation, some of the products could be not very familiar to you, coming from Romanian producers.

Try Bucharest first for shopping. It has some huge malls, really shopping factories (e.g. AFI Palace, Unirea) and besides has the wonderful boutiques from the Centre. In that area Bucharest is very close to Paris, but a little bit cheaper. Walking along Calea Victoriei, even in winter, is a fantastic experience. You can find some luxury products at bargain prices (e.g. old books, antiques, gifts etc). Please don't miss the Christmas promotions, they are just starting!

Second, you have leading malls in other Romanian major cities like Constanta, Iashi, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Craiova or Brasov. Totally amazing and surprising, in some of these cities the malls are bigger than in Bucharest, as the land is much cheaper. Please don't ask the second question, who goes shopping in these huge malls; you are only supposed to visit it and even make a profit from their lack of visitors.

And third, there are a few things that you can't find in the huge shopping malls: handicrafts, ceramics etc. Remember some important names for it: Marginea, Horezu, Corund etc. In these places the producers selves offer their products at good prices, and you can also discover the production process, making everything an fabulous experience.

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Shopping travel in Romania

Very few people see Romania as a shopping destination, and I think this to be a little profuse and not correct. Romania is well known through its wine tours, Danube Delta, Carpathian Mountains, painted monasteries etc. There is something for sure, but we are very proud belonging to this people with such a long interesting history, and don't like to stay behind other capitals with big shopping malls and center, e.g Dubai, Paris or Rome.

Calea Victoriei in Bucharest hosts the most exquisite boutiques, and would be very proud welcoming you

Bucharest is sometimes spoiled with the name  Little Paris, or Eastern Paris, or the Balkan Paris, due to the rich influences in architecture, coming from Paris, who was a sort of inspirating model for the Romanian Capital. In the Civic Center, on Calea Victoriei street, there are lot of fancy exclusive boutiques, where you can find excellent articles at (still) acceptable prices, comparing to other capitals. Further, in Bucharest, you can find the malls, really citadel of shopping and fun (Cotroceni Plaza, Promenada etc). You can spend a wonderful time there, for instance start with skating, eat something afterwards and go shopping. If you are tired, go to a movie, and fall asleep there!

Cotroceni Plaza Mall is the biggest in the city, a must see and  a paradise for any shopping freak

An important chapter where Romania is unbeatable is the craftmanship. You can still find all those guilds of craftsmen, selling their works at festivals or in the vicinity of well knowned tourists' destinations, like the painted monasteries from Bucovina or the Dracula Castle in Bran.

I will spare you from my wine or cultural tours if you come for shopping, I promise. That's why I prepared this short shopping tour (two days long).

Downtown Bucharest, on Lipscani street, with many antiques  boutiques

Day 1. Arrival in Bucharest Airport. Welcome by the guide, hotel transfer (**** good hotel). Shopping on Calea Victoriei in the most exquisite and sophisticated boutiques of Romanian Capital up to 13 hours. On special demand, lunch in a good Romanian restaurant. Short walk in the old center of Bucharest in selected antiques boutiques. Short rest in hotel (1 hour long) and afterwards transfer at Cotroceni Plaza Mall, where you have to work  other few hours. Dinner on individual wish at mall. Transfer back to hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast in hotel . Short trip to Sinaia meeting the craftmen and their products. Possibilities for special organizing of lunch in Sinaia (extra price). Return to hotel and transfer to airport.
Basic package: hotel B+B, travel guide, transfers, trip to Sinaia at 120 Euros.
According to your concrete schedule (depanding on depart and arrivals) the above mentioned program is subject to change. Let me know where do you come from, and if I shall reserve also the flight.

You can also let me know if you are going to do only a City Break in Bucharest (only one day long).

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