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City and county seat of Iași County, Romania
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Iaşi (pronounced yashy) is the second city of Romania after Bucharest, the national capital, by population and in cultural, historical and academic importance. It is the second largest university centre in Romania. Tourism in the city takes place around its heritage of archaeological sites, memorial houses, museums and historical and architectural monuments. Moreover, the folkloric and ethnographic heritage, the nature protection areas, natural mineral waters, and the vineyards in the surrounding countryside remain to be discovered.
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A giant obvious monument that the locals take for granted but which is striking to visitors. It comprises the Art Museum, Moldavia's History Museum, Ethnographic Museum of Moldavia, and "Ștefan Procopiu" Science and Technique Museum. It also houses several infrequently visited museums, including a musical instrument museum and a "village" museum with ethnic outfits.
Next to the Palace of Culture is a little stone house named after the scholar and metropolite ("archbishop") of Moldavia Dosoftei (1624-1693). He was one of the first to use the Romanian language for poetry and in the church and the house contains a small museum showing early manuscripts, prints and printing presses (no English signs).
This network of tunnels was built hundreds of years ago for military purposes, and connects several strategic points of Iaşi, including some monasteries. It is unknown to most visitors and indeed to many locals, but will soon be opened for tourism. The entrance will be in front of Hala Centrala (see entry under shopping), but as of April 2010, this is still a construction site. In the mean time, you may be able to get a glimpse of the old tunnels if you pay a visit to Casa Bolta Rece (see entry under eating).
With an exceptional interior designed by one of the most popular architects from Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century.
Muzeul Etnografic al Moldovei
Muzeul de Artă
Muzeul de Istorie a Moldovei
Muzeul Științei și Tehnicii "Ștefan Procopiu"
This church is completely covered in carvings. The church was once covered in gold, which was burned away to be stolen. Trei Ierarhi is frequently under construction. The atmosphere inside is musky, typical of East Orthodox churches. It contains several chandeliers with decorative ostrich eggs. It is on the tentative list for nomination for the World Heritage list.
Do not wear short skirts in this church. The elderly are quite protective of in-church propriety. If you go in the summer, you will enjoy vast rose bushes all around the grounds of the church. If you are thirsty, there is a water fountain at one end of the courtyard. There are always beggars at the entrance of this church, which is one of the most profitable for beggars in Iaşi. Locally, this church is called "Metropolia". Metropolia contains the remains of "Saint Paraschiva", an important local saint. If you like chaos and celebrations, go to Iaşi from 12-16 October of any year. The city floods with peasants and religious pilgrims from Romania and abroad. The city completely changes during this period, and the Stefan cel Mare boulevard is almost impossible to walk through.
This monastery is surrounded with thick fat walls and has a prominent tower; you can climb to the summit. It is in "Targul Cucului" = "the Coockoo's market", which is right in the middle of the city in a very busy intersection. The contrasting serenity within the walls is almost unbelievable.
This small but beautiful church is next to the Palace of Culture. It was built by Stephen the Great in 1491-1492, making it the oldest standing religious building in Iaşi today, and was renovated around 1900. It is well worth a visit to admire the paintings, and perhaps take a break for a little peace of mind.
This monastery is in Nicolina, farther form downtown and amidst communist buildings. You can recognise the monastery by the metal roof.
Biserca Armeana Sf. Maria
Well over 500-year-old Armenian Church in the heart of Iaşi.
Castelul Sturdza
It was built in Neo-Gothic style with Baroque elements at the end of the 19th century, on the site of an older 18th-century manor house. Part of the old construction was incorporated into the current building, which is located in the eastern wing of the castle. It has a restaurant and accommodations.
Spectacular and memorable experiences. With the qualified and experienced pilots you can get a bird's-eye view of Iaşi city and the area's beautiful hills and lakes or if you always dreamed of being in the cockpit, start flight training.
Nice atmosphere and Italian cuisine in the student district of Tudor Vladimirescu. Reservation might be necessary as the place is vivid and full of customers almost every evening. Occasionally you might get lucky to try their lasagna, although a parmigiana plate is also a good choice beside pizza. Serve with draught beer and be there with friends.
Lebanese restaurant with moderate prices. This would be the place you would want to make a nice impression by getting out to an exotic cuisine, though Lebanese might not be that rich in options.
There are few small shops that sell cheap fast food for after-party snacks. They will fill in your empty stomach and you will be ready to continue partying in one of the bars in the center.
A traditional Lebanese Kebab Shop close to the "Gr.T. Popa" University of Medicine and Farmaceutics. It is a famous kebab place in town with a very friendly staff.
Italian restaurant with very good pastas and pizzas, behind Moldova Mall shopping center. Prices are mid-range to splurge. No credit cards.
Restaurant and fast food with Dutch specific, in the Super Copou complex close to M. Eminescu Park. They serve good Dutch pancakes either salted or sweet and are non-smokers friendly.
Small cozy restaurant with a lovely terrace on the exit to Vaslui. Food is good and prices are budget to mid-range. Occasionally you will be disappointed that the kitchen is closed. No credit cards.
This very old restaurant (est. 1789) offers classical Romanian food of good quality in a historical location. It is named after its cool cellar (bolta rece) where the famous poet Mihai Eminescu and other artists and intellectuals hung out when Iaşi was the center of the Romanian awakening. Today you have the choice between the cellar, the ground floor and an outdoor half-covered terrace. You may find traditional live musicians working the restaurant. If you are interested in a unique glimpse of the catacombs beneath the building, the staff may show you if you ask. The staff may know very little English. Prices are mid to high range.
The mall has various restaurants and coffee shops and also a more affordable foodcourt. Most restaurants have a business lunch offer for lunch on weekdays (due to the high number of office buildings in the area). Most coffee shops open earlier than the rest of the mall. Also, there is an Auchan supermarket.
It is a cheap hostel, compared to the standards of Iaşi. The rooms are announced as "single room" for 70 lei/night while a "double room" is 100 lei/night, all with a shared toilet, but the single room is for 1-2 people and the double is 3-4 people. For some strange reason they count the number of beds as single or double. The place gets nicer the higher up you are - the rooms on the top floor are the newest and least used and smoke contaminated. You can also feel the vibrations of the tram passing on the main street - especially in the rooms facing the street, but you are in the very center of the city and in each room you have TV and a DVD player. Room 11 and 12 are the best situated and freshest.
Clean, basic double rooms with fan and TV (in Romanian). Shared toilet and shower in corridor.
It offers a great garden and lovely spaces.
Unirii Square. This is "the posh hotel" in town. It is in a refurbished building of 19th century, an architectural masterpiece of French architect Gustave Eiffel that was inaugurated in 1882 as the "Traian Grand" Hotel. Prices are moderate compared to the luxury you get, ranging from €80 for a double to €350 for the royal suite.
Modern 4-star hotel near Palace of Culture and Palas Mall. There is an upscale restaurant, a casual eatery and a sleek bar. Additional amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a spa area with a Jacuzzi and saunas. Paid parking and conference rooms are available.
Carrefour Era Pacurari
Similar to Felicia. Contains lots of boutiques of all sorts, a Carrefour supermarket, an electronics shop, a little food court, etc. Outside there is a carting track.
This is a multi-functional building project that opened in May 2012. It houses 6 office buildings, a 4 star hotel, 1 retail mall, a shopping street, underground parking and a public garden (with a small lake and amphitheater). It is right behind the "Palace of Culture", so it is hard to miss.
By bus
By plane
By car
There are several possibilities to reach Iaşi from all over the country on national roads. These roads have been improved and are not blocked by traffic jams.
By maxi-taxi
Maxi taxis go pretty much everywhere you could go on public transportation. They are privately operated, smaller, usually white micro-buses.
By public transport
Bus and tram were traditionally very important for getting around Iaşi, especially during the communist period and afterwards, before cars became commonplace.
By taxi
Taxis are quite popular in Iaşi, and have switched to yellow universally.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Iaşi · International · IAS
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