Discover Bucharest, a city that will surprise you with every step you take in what was once known as “the Little Paris”! And welcome to Hotel Cismigiu, a landmark of Bucharest history for the last century.
Located centrally, near the Universitatii Square – the heart of the city – Hotel Cismigiu is in itself a tourist attraction. Its history spans for more than 100 years and has seen the city transform from a Belle Époque capital into a modern metropolis.
Beyond its elegant facade lies a neighborhood full of hidden gems—historic sites, cultural landmarks and architectural surprises waiting to be explored. When you walk through the streets around this hotel in Bucharest, you’re not just exploring the city center – you’re stepping into a layered history that blends Belle Époque charm with Communist remnants, literary cafés with political drama, royal salons with revolutionary whispers. And all of it is still here to be discovered.
So, if you’re a curious traveler with a passion for places that tell stories, here’s a guide to some of the most interesting historic spots within walking distance of Hotel Cișmigiu, that you can discover during a city break in Bucharest:
The Little Paris Museum – Discover Bucharest as it was
📍 Strada Lipscani 41
Housed in a beautifully restored apartment in the Old Town Bucharest, this boutique museum recreates the atmosphere of Bucharest in the 1900s—the golden era that earned it the nickname “Micul Paris.” If you’re staying at Hotel Cișmigiu, it’s the perfect pre-dinner stop—spend 30–40 minutes wandering through elegant salons filled with early 20th-century treasures, then head out for dinner in the Old Town. It is a lesser known attraction of Bucharest, where you’ll find authentic furniture, clothing, books, and household items, all carefully curated to take you back in time. It’s a nostalgic, photogenic, and personal look into a bygone era.
Casa Capșa – More Than a Café, A Slice of Romanian History
📍 Calea Victoriei 36
Just a short stroll from Hotel Cișmigiu, Casa Capșa is not merely a historic café – it’s a symbol of Bucharest’s old-world refinement. Established in 1852 by the Capșa family, it quickly became the meeting point of the Romanian intelligentsia, hosting writers, diplomats, and artists in its elegant salons. But what truly made it iconic was its famous confectionery – the most refined in the country at the time. From delicate fondants to elaborate cremșnit, Capșa set the gold standard for desserts, rivaling Parisian pâtisseries.
The term “a Capșa cake” became synonymous with luxury, and even today, the cofetărie (pastry shop) preserves its legacy with decadent traditional Romanian sweets and a touch of Belle Époque charm. If you’re not sure what to try, start with the Savarină – a soft, syrup-soaked sponge cake topped with whipped cream, beloved by generations of locals and literary legends alike. Or choose the Jofră, an iconic Romanian creation with layers of rich chocolate and buttercream that has become a Capșa signature over the decades.
Palatul Universul – From Print Legacy to Creative Pulse
📍 Ion Brezoianu 23
Just a few minutes’ walk from Hotel Cișmigiu, hidden behind a quiet façade on Brezoianu Street, lies Palatul Universul, once the bustling headquarters of the Universul newspaper — the most widely read publication in interwar Romania. Take a morning or afternoon stroll from Hotel Cișmigiu and discover this vibrant space, whether you’re passionate about architecture, journalism, or just looking for a unique coffee spot with a story.
Palatul Universul isn’t a museum — it’s alive. Today, it has been reborn as a creative hub, home to indie radio studios, coworking lofts, art galleries, and some of the coolest hidden cafés in the city. You can sip a flat white at Beans & Dots, browse an experimental photo exhibit upstairs, or simply sit in the leafy courtyard where journalists once debated politics and culture – new ways to discover Bucharest.
Cinema Union – A Vintage Screening Room with Soul
Just a 5-minute walk from Hotel Cișmigiu, Cinema Union is one of the few surviving arthouse cinemas in Bucharest. Housed in a 1950s building, it still features plush velvet seats and vintage movie posters that speak to its rich cultural heritage. Rather than showing blockbuster fare, Union curates a repertoire of contemporary Romanian and European films, as well as timeless classics – carrying forward its mission of promoting cinematic culture since the days when moviegoing was a form of artistic resistance .
For June, highlights include: “My Late Summer”, “Kontinental ’25”, a critically acclaimed dark comedy, “En Fanfare”, a charming French comedy. Tickets cost 15 lei.
Calea Victoriei – Where History Meets Vibrant Summer Life
Just steps from Hotel Cișmigiu, Calea Victoriei is the grand boulevard Bucharest is known for — a living timeline of the city’s Belle Époque elegance, political drama, and modern creativity. If you’re staying with us, grab a leisurely breakfast and head out for a morning stroll along Calea Victoriei. On weekends in summer, you’ll discover family-friendly workshops, live music, street dance, and public art installations — all within a short walk from your room.
This summer, the street becomes even more exciting with Open Streets – Urban Promenade. Calea Victoriei transforms into a pedestrian haven filled with live painting demonstrations, interactive installations, children’s literary workshops, caricature artists, folk music, ideally to enjoy during a summer city break in the city.
Each of these places tells a different story, and must be on your list of things to do in Bucharest. Some grand, some intimate. Some loud with history, others whispering their secrets so that you can discover Bucharest in a new way. But all are easily accessible from your base at Hotel Cișmigiu.
So whether you have an hour or an afternoon, we invite you to step into the city’s layered past—and let the old Bucharest reveal itself to you, corner by corner.
Travel to Bucharest, get the best price for accommodation in the centre, and discover the hidden gems that the city has to offer!
