No, it’s not Mary Poppins, but maybe it was inspired by her…
Maybe it’s the playful colors, or the way it instantly brightens up an ordinary day. Maybe it’s that little spark of excitement when you turn a corner and suddenly find yourself under a ceiling of floating umbrellas. It feels a bit magical — and completely unexpected.
All I know is, I absolutely love it.
These umbrella streets have become a huge hit with people looking for perfect Instagram photo spots. So, we’ve put together a list of some of the best places around the world where you can find them. Most of these streets are lined with charming little cafés too — perfect for taking a break after a morning of exploring.
Where are the streets with the umbrellas?
Where can I find those colorful umbrella streets?
Where do I go to see the streets covered in umbrellas?
Here’s the answer:
We’ve put together a list of some of the best umbrella streets around the world for you to explore!
Find some inspiration…
This pedestrian-only street connects Liberty Square (Piața Libertății) and Victory Square (Piața Victoriei) in the heart of the city.
The colorful umbrella canopy is typically installed during the warmer months, creating a vibrant and picturesque walkway.
Strada Alba Iulia is lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, making it a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll or a coffee break.
The umbrella installation has become a popular attraction, drawing both locals and tourists to experience its charm, and it is closely situated to the beautiful Orthodox Cathedral, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, a Romanian Orthodox church, which you should definitely visit.
“If you’re planning a visit, it’s advisable to check local event calendars or contact the Timișoara Tourism Office to confirm the presence of the umbrella installation during your travel dates, as I have missed it several times. I would still recommend a visit to these squares, as they are really remarkable, and to experience a walk beneath these umbrellas was something really special.”
Address: Strada Alba Iulia 2, 300254 Timișoara, Romania
Phone: +40 256 437 973
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.timisoara-info.ro
This center is located right on Strada Alba Iulia, the street known for its colorful umbrella canopy during the warmer months. They can provide current details about the installation’s status and any related events
In the historic center of Quebec City there is a short, photogenic lane called Rue du Cul-de-Sac. Locals and visitors often call it Umbrella Alley because colorful umbrellas hang overhead, creating a cheerful canopy above the street. The lane is lined with small restaurants and terraces where people sit outside with drinks and meals.
Travel Tip –
To find the exact locations, you can just contact the local tourist centre of the specific town or city you are visiting. Some cities change the location at times, so it is best to get the information first hand.
One of the little surprises we discovered while wandering through Szentendre was the umbrella street.
Colourful umbrellas hang overhead, creating a cheerful canopy above the narrow street and making it one of those places that is almost impossible to walk past without stopping for a photo.
We hadn’t even known it was there before our visit, which made discovering it even more fun. It is a small detail, but it adds a splash of colour and a playful touch to an already beautiful walk through Szentendre.
The street itself is small, but that is part of the charm. You can walk beneath the umbrellas, look up between the colourful shapes and enjoy the little surprise of finding something so playful tucked into the town. It connects the main square area with the Danube promenade, so it is easy to include as part of your walk through Szentendre.
And then there was another little detail that caught our attention — the decorative hanging lanterns above the streets. They look almost like colourful chandelier covers suspended overhead, adding another playful touch to Szentendre’s streetscape.
You can check out our video on our YouTube Channel: @travelandhome
A few umbrella streets have been around for many years and have become quite famous — almost permanent attractions. They might refresh the umbrellas every now and then, but the installation stays.
Here are some of the well-known ones that have been fairly fixed for years:
Águeda, Portugal – This is the original and most famous one. The Umbrella Sky Project started here in 2011 as part of the Ágitagueda Art Festival. Every summer, the umbrellas go up, and it’s now an expected tradition. You’ll find them: Rua (Street) Vasco da Gama, Jose Maria Velosa and just around the corner at Rua Luis de Camoes (the most famous and informally known as the Umbrella Street).
Paris, France (Bercy Village) – Bercy Village often has umbrella installations, especially in the spring and summer months. It’s become a bit of a seasonal tradition.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Most are strictly seasonal or temporary. Umbrellas are usually put up for summer or art festivals (May–September) and taken down in autumn/winter to prevent weather damage.
(We just have to give this a special mention…)
Sometimes they decorate parts of it with lights or seasonal displays (especially during festivals like the Novi Sad Christmas Market or Exit Festival times), but it’s not a regular “umbrella street” the way Oradea or Timișoara are.
You can actually spend a lovely few hours just wandering from Zmaj Jovina into Dunavska Street, which connects you to Danube Park (Dunavski Park). The whole area feels almost like a little secret — peaceful, colorful, and very easygoing.
If you have visited any of them, please share photos on our Facebook Chat Group, and maybe you can add a few extra places to our list, as the streets are growing by the day…
Some of them are part of the Umbrella Sky project (Whose motto is Coloring life, bringing color to gray spaces, and making people smile! – …and it really was inspired by Mary Poppins 🙂 ).
We just love it and hope it stays forever and ever…
Because umbrella street installations are prone to seasonal rotation, maintenance changes, or local festival schedules, it is always recommended to double-check local tourism channels right before visiting a specific city.
