Last updated October 2026. The Macca-Vilacrosse Passage is a fork-shaped, yellow glass-roofed arcade that links Calea Victoriei with the Lipscani district. This guide uses it as the anchor for a short walking route, and it separates the free public walkway from the cafe interiors you pay to sit in.
Macca-Vilacrosse Passage: What It Is and Where to Find It
Macca-Vilacrosse is a covered pedestrian street in central Bucharest. It was designed by architect Felix Xenopol and opened in 1891. It is listed as a historic monument, according to the Wikipedia entry for the site. Its two-tined end opens onto Calea Victoriei. The other end leads toward the National Bank and the Lipscani area. Visit Bucharest's passage page describes the link as running through the exit onto Eugeniu Carada street. Treat it as a shortcut between the avenue and the Old Town. It also works as a place to slow down for coffee.
Why the Passage Forks: Two Wings Around a Hotel
The fork has a stubborn origin. In the late 1880s the city bought several plots to build a Western-style passage that would ease congestion. The Pesht Hotel sat in the middle of the site, and its owner refused to sell. Architects therefore built two wings around it. One wing took the name Vilacrosse and the other took the name Macca. Both names come from the earlier owners. Xavier Vilacrosse was Chief Architect of Bucharest. He married Polixena in 1843 and received the old Câmpineanu Inn as part of the dowry. Her sister Anastasia married Mihalache Macca, who built luxury shops on his part. Glass covers the narrow streets. It lets daylight in and keeps rain off the shop fronts.
From 1950 to 1990 the passage was called Jewelry Store Passage; today cafes and shisha lounges draw visitors rather than retail shops.
- 1843: Xavier Vilacrosse marries Polixena and the inn is renamed after him.
- 1891: the passage opens to the public.
- 1950 to 1990: the passage is called Pasajul Bijuteria, meaning Jewelry Store Passage.
- After 1990: the original name returns.
Cafes, Shisha and the King Valley Nickname
Retail is no longer the main draw. Visit Bucharest lists an Egyptian-themed bar and restaurant, the Blues Cafe, a bistro, a Chinese restaurant and a wine bar. The passage is also known locally as King Valley. That name comes from the first cafe in Bucharest where hookah was smoked. Shisha is part of the atmosphere, so expect smoke in the seating areas. Trip.com visitor posts describe cafes, shisha lounges and small shops. Venues change over time, so check a current listing before you plan a meal around a specific name.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the passage; though cafes dominate today, visitors can walk the public walkway without ordering or making purchases.
- Egyptian-themed bar and restaurant: best for decor and a long sit-down stop.
- Blues Cafe: a music-named cafe option listed by Visit Bucharest.
- Wine bar: a shorter stop if you want to avoid hookah smoke.
Best Time to Visit and Photography Tips
Daylight changes the passage most. Midday sun passes through the yellow-tinted glass and gives the walkway a warm amber cast. Phones and cameras may pick up that tone strongly, so set white balance by eye instead of correcting it automatically. In the evening the mood turns social, with signs lit and tables filling. Trip.com lists the passage as open 24/7 year-round, but individual cafes keep their own hours. Walk through in the morning if you are sensitive to smoke. You get cleaner air and clearer views of the roofline. Rain is no obstacle either. The glass roof makes the arcade a useful pause in the Bucharest rainy day plan.
| Quick check | What to know |
|---|---|
| Entrances | Calea Victoriei end and Eugeniu Carada street end toward Lipscani |
| Best photo hour | Midday for golden light through the glass |
| Vibe | Social, bohemian, shisha-heavy in the evening |
| Cost to walk through | Free; cafe prices are set by each venue |
Public Walkway or Commercial Interior?
The passage itself is a public pedestrian street. You can walk it without paying and without buying anything. Seating areas belong to the cafes, and sitting down means ordering. Menus are not in the brief, so check prices on the board before you take a table. Cobblestones can be uneven, so wear flat shoes. Do not assume every interior courtyard or upper floor is open to visitors. Stay on the walkway unless a venue invites you in. If you are comparing a busy Old Town stop with quieter ground, Cotroceni's residential streets offer a calmer contrast.
Extending the Bucharest Passages Walking Route
Start on Calea Victoriei, where the two wings open onto the avenue. Walk through toward Eugeniu Carada street and the National Bank side. From there you are in Lipscani, where the Old Town streets are easy to explore on foot. The Trip.com posts mention the Stavropoleos monastery church among Old Town stops. Other arcades near Calea Victoriei, including the English Passage, can be added if you want a longer loop. Check their current access before you go, because opening arrangements are not confirmed here. For more lesser-known stops, browse our lesser-known Bucharest spots guide. Plan 30 to 45 minutes for the passage itself if you stop for photos and a drink.
- Step 1: Enter from Calea Victoriei and walk both wings.
- Step 2: Exit toward Eugeniu Carada street and the National Bank side.
- Step 3: Continue into Lipscani for the Old Town streets.
- Step 4: Add another arcade near Calea Victoriei if access is open.
For trip-planning details, see Muzeul Național de Istorie Naturală Grigore Antipa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage free to enter?
Walking through is free because it is a public pedestrian street. Cafes inside charge their own prices. Check each menu before you sit.
Why is it called Macca-Vilacrosse?
Two wings carry the names of the old owners. Mihalache Macca built shops on one part. Xavier Vilacrosse, Chief Architect of Bucharest, gave his name to the inn on the other.
Why is the passage shaped like a fork?
The owner of the Pesht Hotel refused to sell. Builders ran two wings around the hotel instead. That created the two-tined shape that opens onto Calea Victoriei.
Is it good for non-smokers?
Shisha is a major part of the passage today, so smoke can build up in seating areas. A quick morning walk-through suits sensitive visitors best. Choose the wine bar or a short coffee stop if you stay.
Where does the passage connect?
It links Calea Victoriei with the Lipscani district. The exit onto Eugeniu Carada street leads toward the National Bank side.
