Macca–Villacrosse Passage is a covered walkway just off Calea Victoriei, on the edge of Bucharest’s Old Town. Its yellow glass roof, ornate façades and café terraces make it an easy stop when you are exploring the centre. You can walk through for the architecture, or stay for a coffee, cocktail or shisha.
I photographed the passage on 3 October 2026, walking through its branches and stopping at the central rotunda. Below you will find what to look for, the history behind the building, and drink and shisha prices checked against the menus available at the time of writing.
Macca–Villacrosse Passage at a Glance
Visitor quick guide · Macca–Villacrosse Passage
Ratings and access listing checked 3 October 2026. Scores, review counts and opening arrangements can change.
A Short History of Macca–Villacrosse Passage
The passage was completed in 1891 as a covered commercial arcade. The Bucharest City Museum’s architectural history identifies its architect as Filip Xenopol. The idea was to give shops a sheltered connection between the surrounding streets, with daylight entering through the glass above.
The two names recall Mihalache Macca and Xavier Villacrosse, associated with the earlier properties here. Villacrosse was an architect who served as Bucharest’s chief architect in the 19th century. The two arms of the passage curve around the central building, giving the complex its distinctive horseshoe-like layout.
During the communist period, the passage was also known as Pasajul Bijuteria, or the Jewellery Passage. Today the ground floor is dominated by cafés and bars. Look above the awnings and you can still see the balconies, plaster decoration and covered arcade that make the building worth a visit.
What to See in Macca–Villacrosse Passage
The Yellow Glass Roof and Central Rotunda
The glass roof is the passage’s best-known feature. Yellow panels give parts of the walkway a warm light, particularly around the central covered junction. Look up here to see the roof structure, rounded arches and decorated façades together.
This was the view I chose for the main photograph at the top of the guide. The tables, terrace heaters and hanging decorations are part of the scene today. There is also visible protective netting beneath sections of the roof. Expect café tables, visitors and signs alongside the architecture.
The Eugeniu Carada Entrance
The entrance on Strada Eugeniu Carada has a tall arch, carved stonework and an ornate iron gate. It is easy to focus on the restaurants once you are inside, but pause outside this doorway first. The stone figures and decoration above the arch are among the passage’s most distinctive details.
The Two Branches and Café Terraces
Walk along both branches to see how the roof and façades change. You will pass café awnings, shop signs, closely spaced tables and the upper-storey balconies. The narrow walkway is shared by visitors, staff and people sitting outside.
I found that looking up gave me the most interesting architectural views. At ground level, the furniture and signs draw your attention; above them, the plasterwork and curved balconies are easier to appreciate. Keep the path clear when you stop for photographs.
Cafés, Bars and Shisha in the Passage
Shisha, also called narghilea on Romanian menus, is a prominent part of the passage’s café scene. You can also stop for an ordinary coffee, beer or cocktail. The venues below give you a starting point, with menu prices where I could verify them.
Bemolle Café
Bemolle is easy to recognise in the central area, with its name above the entrance and tables beneath the roof. Its official menu page links to a summer menu dated 15 June 2026. That makes it the clearest dated price source I found for this guide.
The menu lists coffee, cocktails, beer and several shisha categories. Standard shisha is 75 lei; Deluxe, Diamond, Legacy and Supreme options are listed at 90, 100, 140 and 200 lei. An espresso is 17 lei and an Italian cappuccino is 23 lei.
Nirvana
Nirvana’s awnings appear on the left in the photograph above. Its live digital menu lists classic shisha flavours at 65 lei and special mixes, including Love 66 and Lady Killer, at 70 lei. Premium ranges cost more.
The same menu lists espresso at 17 lei, cappuccino at 22 lei and a Mojito at 42 lei. I checked these figures on 3 October 2026, but the menu does not show a revision date. Treat them as prices displayed when checked, and confirm the current menu before ordering.
Valley of the Kings, Trio and Hugo
You will also see the Valley of the Kings – (Valea Regilor in Romanian) and Trio in my photographs. Valea Regilor is one of the passage’s Egyptian-themed shisha venues. Trio Bar and Lounge is another option for drinks and shisha, while Hugo Bar and Lounge advertises pizza, drinks and shisha in the passage.
I could not verify a sufficiently recent price list for these three venues, so I have left their prices out of the comparison. Check the menu at the table before choosing a drink or a shisha option, particularly if you want a premium flavour or extras.
Drink and Shisha Price Comparison
| Menu item | Bemolle | Nirvana |
|---|---|---|
| EspressoA single espresso | 17 lei | 17 lei |
| Cappuccino150 ml | 23 lei | 22 lei |
| Tuborg bottled beer500 ml | 20 lei | 18 lei |
| Mojito300 ml | 42 lei | 42 lei |
| Classic shishaPremium categories and extras cost more | 75 lei | 65 lei |
Bemolle Café
Official summer menu dated 15 June 2026, checked 3 October 2026.
Nirvana
Digital menu checked 3 October 2026; no revision date displayed.
For a simple budget example, one classic shisha and one Mojito come to 117 lei at Bemolle or 107 lei at Nirvana, using the listed prices above. These examples exclude extras and any tip.
- At Bemolle: the menu lists an ice hose at +20 lei, a disposable hose at +10 lei and an extra flavour at +20 lei.
- At Nirvana: ice in the bowl and an ice bazooka are each listed at +10 lei.
- Before ordering: ask which shisha category you are choosing and what is included in that price.
How to Get There and Where to Park
Walking and Metro
The passage is at Calea Victoriei 16–20, close to the Old Town. You can enter through either of the openings on Calea Victoriei or through the ornate doorway on Strada Eugeniu Carada. Walk through both branches if you want to see the full covered arcade.
The closest useful metro stop is Universitate on line M2. Allow roughly 5–10 minutes to walk from the station, depending on the exit you use. From the Old Town streets, it is a short walk towards Calea Victoriei. Use the map below to find the entrances. An Old Town walk can also take in the carved porch at Stavropoleos Monastery and the open atrium at Cărturești Carusel.
Nearby Car Parking
Park on the surrounding streets and walk the last part of the journey. These six nearby parking areas are listed in Am Parcat’s Bucharest directory, with their addresses, zone codes and total capacities.
Total Spots means listed capacity, not spaces currently free. The map markers show approximate street zones. Follow the signs for the exact paid bays, access rules, tariffs and payment instructions when you arrive.
| Parking | Address / zone | Total Spots | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doamnei 1 Parking | Strada Doamnei · P3288 | 23 | Get directions |
| Eforie Parking | Strada Eforie · P9266 | 48 | Get directions |
| Alexandru Beldiman Parking | Strada Alexandru Beldiman · P3982 | 47 | Get directions |
| Domnița Anastasia Parking | Strada Domnița Anastasia · P9099 | 57 | Get directions |
| Anghel Saligny Parking | Strada Anghel Saligny · P1413 | 86 | Get directions |
| Academiei Parking | Strada Academiei · P0101 | 106 | Get directions |
[→ View all parking spots on the map]
Parking capacities checked 3 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is a public passage, with no admission ticket. You can walk through and look at the architecture without sitting at a café or buying anything.
Google Maps currently lists the passage as open 24 hours. That refers to the walkway, not every business inside it. Cafés and bars set their own opening hours; check the venue you want to visit.
I would allow 10–20 minutes to walk along both branches, look up at the roof and façades, and take a few photographs. Allow longer if you want to sit down for a coffee, drink or shisha.
There are two openings on Calea Victoriei and an ornate entrance on Strada Eugeniu Carada. The covered branches join around the central area; walking through both lets you see the different views.
The menus checked on 3 October 2026 listed classic shisha at 75 lei at Bemolle and 65 lei at Nirvana. Special mixes, premium categories and extras cost more. Bemolle’s source is a menu dated June 2026; Nirvana’s live digital menu has no visible revision date. Confirm the current price before ordering.
No. The colourful umbrella passage is Pasajul Victoria, elsewhere along Calea Victoriei. Macca–Villacrosse Passage has a permanent glass roof and is closer to the Old Town.
You can make a short daytime walk to see the architecture, but the café terraces also serve shisha and alcohol. Tables are close to the walkway, and music and smoke can affect the atmosphere. If you want quiet photographs, try an earlier daytime visit before the terraces become busy.
Macca–Villacrosse Passage Photo Gallery
More photographs from my visit on 3 October 2026, showing the café terraces, signs and covered branches.
