Calea Victoriei

Bucharest's main street with Belle Époque buildings, upscale shopping, museums, and good restaurants. Safe to walk, English-friendly, splits the difference between tourist and local. Pricier than residential areas but less so than Old Town.

This main street runs through the city center with Belle Époque buildings, designer shops, art galleries, and upscale restaurants. During the day you'll see well-dressed locals and tourists shopping and stopping at cafes. The Romanian Athenaeum and National Museum of Art are here, along with other historical buildings. Evening brings people to the trendy bars and restaurants - mix of locals and visitors. The crowd is fashion-conscious young professionals, couples, and tourists who care about architecture. All the establishments speak English since they serve international customers. Eating alone at the wine bars and restaurants is standard - service is professional whether you're solo or in a group. The area feels safe day and night with good lighting and steady foot traffic. More expensive than residential areas but less touristy than Old Town, so it splits the difference between authentic and accessible.