Bucharest the Little Paris

It is impossible not to notice the beautiful architecture of this city and while some buildings were indeed designed by French architects, most of them were built by Romanian architects, educated at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris during its prime decades. The elite was sent to Paris to study and later they returned to Bucharest and brought with them a Parisian lifestyle as well. In this guide, I share with you some of the places where you can go back in time and enjoy the spirit of the Belle Epoque, see art pieces from past centuries and have a coffee or a delicious meal in between visiting and shopping for vintage items.

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What to see

"The Little Paris" Museum

@cuamic

There is an excellent guide here that will give you a short introduction about the museum and then you will have the freedom to look around and take as many videos as you want. It's a small museum but so filled with details that you might spend an hour here to look carefully at all the objects.

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Art Museum "Frederic Storck and Cecilia-Cuţescu"

@cuamic

Even if the building looks like it might need better restoration, you will find an art oasis, filled with marble and bronze sculptures and paintings. Three different rooms and the stories of incredible artists. Attention, entrance fee must be paid in cash.

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Where to eat and have a coffee

PAPILA

@cuamic

Modern designed space with delicious plates and cool drinks. It is decorated with beautiful paintings and delicate terrariums, the staff is very nice and the menu is poetical. Don't miss Ramen only on Sundays!

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Coftale Specialty Coffee Shop

@cuamic

Nice leafy yard outside an historical villa in the Jewish neighborhood. There is specialty coffee, of course, but also beer and drinks. Perfect for summer days.

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Mosafir

@cuamic

Located in the Jewish quarter, a stroll in this neighborhood can be very nice, as there are charming villas everywhere around. There is no AC and the service can be slow at times, but there is plenty of wines to choose from and some dishes are said to be excellent.

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Where to shop

Mingle

@cuamic

You can shop here but also have coffee and cake. Refreshing drinks are also available and there are a few tables outside on the balcony in front of the building, if you don't find place inside. Quite beautiful and curated shop design with affordable prices. Music is not always fitting, it depends on your taste.

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Italian Vintage Caffe & Prosecco Bar

@cuamic

You can have drinks here but also shop for Italian antiques, such as homeware, decor and even music vinyls. A bit on the expensive side, but it is rare high quality objects you can find here. There are often events taking place in the venue and there is a narrow alley outside of the house with tables that can accommodate two or three people each. It was very cosy with Italian music playing in the background when we were there.

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Vintage Shop - Arhiva de Haine

@cuamic

Affordable wide selection of clothes, mostly from the 80s and the 90s, sport items, coats and trenches, shirts and dresses. Shop owner was very kind to let us in a little before it was supposed to be opened. I found a really nice vintage purple dress. You can browse through casual and elegant clothing, for men and women.

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Pink Bull Vintage Shop

@cuamic

A well curated shop with average prices, you will find some really vintage things from the 80s but also more recent from the 2000s. There is even jewelry, I have found an old beautiful silver ring here and there are nice shows in good quality! Men section downstairs. Staff is quite nice.

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Where to stay

Conacul Coroanei - boutique hotel de lux

@cuamic

This boutique hotel will continue your experience in Bucharest in the same classical style, full of the charm of the last century.

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Suter Palace Heritage Boutique Hotel

@cuamic

In case you want to have the experience of a luxurious 5-star hotel where you can have a view of the Parliament and feel like at one of the Gatsby parties.

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Scala Boutique Hotel

@cuamic

Get transported back in time in this fascinating neo-Romanian style old house that was built by Ion Moscu, the first Romanian medic specialized in Paris and designed by arch. Gh. Simotta. It's a magical experience for sure.

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Grand Boutique Hotel

@cuamic

To be accommodated in one of the historical buildings in this charming neighborhood, this 4star hotel maintains the classic atmosphere in every sense.

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Ana

Available for hire

Discover old Berlin: Vintage Shopping and Cafes

Oh, Berlin! From clothes to objects and furniture, to music, jewelry and kitchenware. On IG you can take a look at the treasures I found until now under the account @vintage.walks . You can dive deep into the 20s, the 60s or the 80s, find something incredible or simply marvel at the city from another perspective, a city that had such a wild history, now showing its layers through its fantastic boutiques. In almost each neighborhood, I have included a few coffee shops and restaurants where you can take a relaxing break or have dinner and immediately feel as if you're transported back in time to a marvelous and elegant time, but also chic and daring and even famously trashy at times. It's a wild mix, you'll love it!

$30.00

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana

Available for hire

If you are a lover of all things vintage and antique, you're in the right place. I'm a visual artist, originally from Eastern Europe and living in Berlin since 8 years. My images, videos and installations have travelled bookshops, galleries and national museums. Now I work with metal and flowers and I’m also a passionate vintage guide. I had gone thrifting all across Europe, from Spain to Denmark and France to Romania. Fleamarkets, shops, cafes, museums like time capsule. I’ve done them all. It would be my total pleasure to share with you these places, where you can travel to another decade, or even century. You will feel inspired to decorate your home differently, find incredible outfits and gifts, have dinner and drinks in fabulous places. I'll show you the old Berlin. Let's go down the rabbit hole!

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