Located at 2–4 Magheru Boulevard, just steps away from University Square, Cinema Scala is one of the oldest and most iconic cinemas in Bucharest—a cultural landmark that once shone brightly but now quietly holds on, searching for its place in a city dominated by multiplexes and commercial screens. Once known as the capital’s premiere cinema, Scala hosted major galas, official screenings, festivals, and high-profile premieres.

The theater itself is large and imposing, with a retro-elegant atmosphere that preserves the charm of decades past. Back in the '60s and '70s, it was one of the most modern venues in the country. Today, although it hasn't undergone significant upgrades, it still offers a pleasant viewing experience thanks to its spacious layout, solid acoustics, and surprisingly comfortable seating—even if it no longer competes with the latest in cinema technology.

In recent years, Scala’s programming has become more sporadic. It mainly hosts special events, film festival screenings, private events, and charity galas. Its audience often returns out of nostalgia or a fondness for old-school cinema spaces. For tourists or attentive cinephiles, it’s a hidden gem—a place where film still breathes quietly amidst the city buzz.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding its future, Cinema Scala remains a cultural reference point in Bucharest—an urban relic that holds the tension between memory and rebirth, heritage and unrealized potential.

How to get there:
Cinema Scala is a 2-minute walk from the Universitate metro station (M2) and is easily accessible via multiple bus and trolleybus lines that cross through the city center. The entrance is right on the main boulevard, across from the National Theatre and just a short walk from Cărturești Verona Bookstore.