Piata Unirii is located in the center of Bucharest and it’s one of the largest squares in the city. The square was built during the Communist era and is one of the main transport hubs in the capital. In the center of the square you can take a walk and enjoy the beautiful park with fountains where sometimes cultural events are held. Before the Communist era the square’s purpose was as a market and it featured various storage space as well as stalls where people were selling different items, from vegetables to cattle or antiques. Although it hasn’t played a significant part of the city’s history, nowadays, it is one of the most circulated areas and one of the most visited places in Bucharest, mainly due to its proximity to the Old Centre. Piata Unirii is not necessarily an attraction itself but more like a location where people work or meet. The most important aspect of the market is the huge diversity of shops and entertainment opportunities as it is a major commercial point, packed with bars and restaurants, as well as various entertainment venues.
Important Tourist Landmarks
One of the most important landmarks located near Piata Unirii is the Parliament Palace. The Palace is among the largest buildings in the world, covering 330,000 square meters. You can get a tour of the Palace if you want to see Bucharest from its huge balcony.
The Old Center called Lipscani is part of Romanian’s historical areas that was not demolished by Nicolae Ceausescu containing mid-19th century buildings, ruins of medieval courts, churches, hotels, clubs, restaurants and a lot of shops. The streets have been paved in cobblestone and this is the biggest meeting place in Bucharest. If you are in the old center make sure that you visit Manuc’s Inn, a building that dates back to 1808 and was built using Balkan Ottoman influence. The Linden Inn (Hanul cu Tei) is another important place you want to visit when you are near Piata Unirii. It has beautiful shops and a few art galleries that will surely interest you.
If you want to spend some time in a park and have a nice stroll, Carol Park and Tineretului Park are pretty close to Piata Unirii, just a subway station away. For those who want to do some shopping while in Bucharest, Unirea Shopping Centre is located right in Piata Unirii.
Restaurants
Piata Unirii is the best place to get hungry as it has a plethora of restaurants that offer amazing Romanian food as well as international cuisine.
The ARTIST is one of the best restaurants in Bucharest and probably in Romania. It features contemporary cuisine and a fantastic dining experience for those who want to try new experiences. Here you can come to have a great adventure in terms of food, so make sure that you know what to expect because it is not just another restaurant.
Beros & van Schaik Wine Traders is a heaven for those who want to spend a relaxed evening with their friends and also appreciate a good wine. If you are in the old town, you have to try it out.
Caru' cu Bere is the restaurant where you want to eat if you want to experience what Romania is truly like. A huge place with a lot of customers, the restaurant offers amazing dishes that are sure to make you come back for more. This beautiful restaurant is also an important historical landmark and it’s located very close to Piata Unirii. You will definitely appreciate the old building and most certainly fall in love with the various Romanian dishes it offers.