Romania offers a vibrant shopping experience, blending modern malls with charming local markets. The country’s major cities are hubs for retail therapy, featuring international brands, local crafts, and unique entertainment options. Below, we explore the top shopping cities in Romania, highlighting their notable shopping areas that cater to diverse tastes and budgets.
Bucharest
As Romania’s capital and largest city, Bucharest is the epicenter of the country’s shopping culture. It boasts some of the largest and most visited malls, complemented by lively shopping streets that offer a mix of international brands, local boutiques, and specialty stores. Whether you’re seeking high-end fashion or unique Romanian souvenirs, Bucharest delivers a comprehensive shopping experience.
Notable Shopping Areas in Bucharest
- AFI Palace Cotroceni: The largest mall in Romania, spanning approximately 90,000 square meters, with over 300 stores. It features a mix of international and local brands, including the biggest Zara in Europe after Spain and a large Peek & Cloppenburg store. Entertainment options include an IMAX cinema, a year-round ice skating rink, an indoor roller coaster, and a children’s playground, making it ideal for families.
- ParkLake Shopping Center: Situated near Titan Park, the mall spans 70,000 square meters and houses over 200 stores, including the first Primark in Romania, opened in December 2022. Primark, spanning 3,700 square meters across two floors, offers affordable fashion, beauty, and homeware. The mall also features a cinema, food court, and outdoor leisure areas.
- Unirea Shopping Center: Located in the heart of Bucharest near Unirii Square, this iconic mall covers approximately 83,000 square meters and offers over 200 stores. Known for its central location and diverse retail, including fashion, electronics, and local brands, it’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals. The mall also includes dining options and a supermarket.
- Baneasa Shopping City: Located in northern Bucharest, this mall covers 85,000 square meters and is renowned for its luxury brands, such as Bershka, H&M, and Lacoste. It offers a premium shopping experience with a cinema and diverse dining options, attracting those seeking high-end fashion.
- Mega Mall: One of Romania’s largest shopping centers, with a leasable area of 76,000 square meters and over 200 stores. It includes a food court, a cinema with 4DX technology, and a variety of retail options, from fashion to electronics, making it a popular destination for all shoppers.
- Bucharest Mall (Mall Vitan): Located in Bucharest’s Vitan neighborhood, Bucharest Mall houses over 140 shops, including major retailers like H&M and C&A. The closest metro station is Tineretului (M2 line). Opening hours are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
- Magheru Boulevard and Victoriei Street: These vibrant shopping streets are bustling with activity. Magheru Boulevard offers a high concentration of stores, from fashion to electronics, while Victoriei Street is known for its internationally renowned brands, providing a sophisticated shopping experience amidst the city’s historic architecture.
Timisoara
Timisoara, a dynamic city in western Romania, is a significant shopping destination, primarily due to lulius Mall, part of the expansive lulius Town mixed-use development. The city’s modern infrastructure and vibrant atmosphere make it a retail hub for both locals and visitors from neighboring regions.
Notable Shopping Areas in Timisoara
- lulius Mall: Integrated into lulius Town, this mall is the largest retail area outside Bucharest, covering over 102,000 square meters. It houses 450 stores, offering a wide array of well-known brands like Zara, H&M, and Primark.
Entertainment options include a Cinema City multiplex, a health and fitness center with a semi-Olympic swimming pool, restaurants, themed cafés, and playground areas for children, attracting over 20 million visitors annually.
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca, a cultural and economic hub in Transylvania, is home to two major shopping malls: lulius Mall and VIVO!.
These centers make the city a key shopping destination, offering a blend of retail, dining, and entertainment options that cater to diverse preferences.
Notable Shopping Areas in Cluj-Napoca
- Iulius Mall: Known for its original architecture, this mall spans 53,150 square meters and features 250 stores, including anchors like Auchan, Zara, and H&M. It offers a 10-screen Cinema City complex, 25 fast-food outlets, three restaurants, a 2,000-square-meter swimming pool, and a fitness club. The adjacent lulius Park adds a scenic outdoor space for relaxation.
- VIVO!: Formerly Polus Center, this mall has a leasable area of 62,884 square meters and includes stores like Zara, Bershka, and Carrefour. Entertainment options include a multiplex cinema, a skating rink, a karting circuit, a football pitch, and children’s playgrounds, making it a family-friendly destination.
lasi
lasi, located in northeastern Romania, is renowned for Palas Mall, a significant urban development that combines shopping with cultural and leisure activities. Its central location near the Palace of Culture makes it a popular destination for both shopping and tourism.
Notable Shopping Areas in lasi
- Palas Mall: Part of a mixed-use complex covering 280,000 square meters, the mall itself spans over 62,000 square meters with approximately 270 stores. It features a food court with 1,300 seats, an Auchan City hypermarket, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment options like playgrounds for kids and teens. The surrounding park, with a lake and seasonal skating rink, enhances its appeal.
Brasov
Brasov, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, offers a scenic backdrop for shopping at modern malls like Coresi Shopping Resort and AFl Brasov. The city’s retail scene is complemented by its charming old town, adding to its appeal for shoppers and tourists alike.
Notable Shopping Areas in Brasov
- Coresi Shopping Resort: This mall, part of Romania’s largest urban regeneration project, has a leasable area of 45,300 square meters and 130 stores, including a 13,300-square-meter Auchan hypermarket. It features a Cinema One Laserplex with eight halls, 20 restaurants and cafes, and leisure areas like a skate park, making it a vibrant shopping and entertainment hub.
- AFI Brasov: Opened in 2020, this modern mall spans 45,000 square meters and offers approximately 150 stores, including Sephora, Zara, and Levi’s. It features a Cinema City with eight screens, a 3,500-square-meter green terrace with mountain views, and various dining options, blending shopping with relaxation.
Constanta
Constanta, a coastal city on the Black Sea, combines shopping with its tourist-friendly atmosphere. Its main shopping centers, Tomis Mall and City Park Mall, are conveniently located near key attractions, offering a mix of retail and leisure options.
Notable Shopping Areas in Constanta
- City Park Mall: This large mall covers 59,000 square meters and includes over 200 stores, such as Zara and Carrefour, along with a multiplex cinema with eight screens. Its urban design and diverse dining options make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
- Tomis Mall: The first mall in Constanta, located in a pedestrian shopping area with high foot traffic. It offers a variety of stores, a cinema, and cafes, providing a cozy atmosphere for shopping and relaxation.