Once known as ‘The City of the Hundred Churches’, Iași seemingly has just as many nicknames today – and has certainly earned each and every one of them. It’s often likened to an open-air museum due to centuries’ worth of architectural heritage laid out everywhere you look. Resilient and constantly looking for ways to reinvent itself, it’s ‘the city of new beginnings’, as well as the living and breathing symbol of Romanian history and spirit. Just like Rome, it’s ‘the city of the seven hills’, namely Cetățuia, Galata, Copou, Bucium, Șorogari, Repedea and Breazu, stretching over the banks of the Bahlui river. Travellers with a romantic streak will certainly see why it’s dubbed the ‘city of great love stories’, walking around the linden trees of Copou Park that once gave shade to one of the most influential Romanian poets, Mihai Eminescu.
The cultural capital of Moldavia
The second biggest city of Romania’s dreamy Moldavia region has been a buzzing political, economic and cultural centre, not to mention an on-and-off capital of both the province and the country. Idyllic, cosmopolitan and deeply rooted in tradition and history, Iaşi is flanked by medieval monasteries, fine theatres, awe-inspiring historic buildings, lush gardens and mammoth communist-era structures. It was first mentioned in 1408 in a grant of commercial privileges issued by the Moldavian Prince Alexander and rose to fame as the capital of Moldavia for three whole centuries soon after that. Although it later lost the title of Romania’s capital to Bucharest, to say that the city has bounced back would be an understatement. Home to the first Romanian university, today it houses as many as five, filling the city’s age-old walls with a youthful spirit.
Iași: Romania’s treasure trove hidden in plain sight
The Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii), one of Romania’s most emblematic buildings, is an unmissable landmark built in an extravagant Neo-Gothic style on the remains of the medieval Princely Court of Moldavia. The monument allegedly has a staggering 365 rooms, all with lavish interiors, and houses no fewer than four of the city's main museums: the Moldavian History Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Art, and the Museum of Science and Technology. Built in 1896, the Iași National Theatre (Teatrul Național Vasile Alecsandri) is Romania’s oldest and daintiest theatre. The Neoclassical exterior gets even dashier on the inside, with Rococo and Baroque elements adorning every inch of the building. Strolling along the magnificent Ștefan cel Mare, make the Moldavian Metropolitan Cathedral your next stop. It’s covered with paintings of Gheorghe Tattarescu, one of Romania’s finest artists, and doubles as a major pilgrimage site, preserving the relics of St Parascheva, the patron saint of Moldavia. As awe-inspiring as the cathedral is, it has nothing on the Three Holy Hierarchs Monastery (Mănăstirea Trei Ierarhi). Its stone exterior is dressed in the most intricate Georgian, Armenian and Turkish motifs, and hides the tomb of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, former ruler of the Romanian Principalities. Need some peace and quiet? Marvel at the impressive size and stunning interiors of the Gheorghe Asachi Library inside Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. Watch out for the murals of the Hall of the Lost Steps by contemporary Romanian painter Sabin Balașa.
Turn your Iași weekend getaway into a gasto-adventure
Much like Romanian culture, local dishes distil influences from all the cultures the country has shared history or borders with, from Austrian and Hungarian through Greek to Slavic cuisines. Mămăligă brings families together at the table to share and enjoy some bright yellow maize porridge, topped with cottage cheese or sour cream, or on the side of a hearty stew. Sarmale, an all-star of local main dishes, blends minced, spiced meat with rice in a tight wrap of pickled cabbage or vine leaves. Another must-try Romanian staple, ciorbă, is literally soup on acid, meaning a whole league of meat, fish and vegetable soups soured by borș, zeamă de varză acră or lemon juice. Meat lovers, rejoice! Local menus usually stock every form of grilled meat imaginable, from roasted pork to meat rolls. Feel like trying out some down-to-earth Romanian dishes in a fancy setting? Make your way to Restaurant Panoramic, perched atop Unirea Hotel & Spa on Unirii Square, and have some fluffy papanași with a bird's-eye view thrown in. For a more laid-back vibe, head to Gavriil Musicescu and look for Cuib, a cosy slow-food temple and vegan haven, where meals are prepared with sustainably sourced ingredients. Oscar restaurant on Lascar Catargi Street serves up the entire arsenal of regional specialities with soft piano music in the background. Feast on some pui cu smântână și mămăliguță, a garlicky-buttery medley of tender chicken meat and cornmeal goodness. Top off your culinary exploration with some ţuică but beware: this fiery plum brandy might come in a tiny shot glass but takes no prisoners.
A long day's journey into a long night
Whatever you’re looking for, Palas Mall and Palas Shopping Street right next to the Palace of Culture is there to cover all your shopping needs, and then some. With over 270 stores, hip restaurants and cafés, a sprawling food court, a park spanning some 50,000 square metres, a music pavilion and a prime view of the city’s most iconic building, the shopping complex draws over 16.6 million visitors every year. Come for coffee and stay for a sundowner in Cafeneaua Acaju, a homey but spirited hotspot for local artists and musicians, and foreigners alike. Speciality beers are your jam? Don’t miss Atelierul de Bere, Iaşi's speciality beer bar with 40 European brews on tap and live gigs on stage from Thursday to Saturday. Or get in the Beer Zone and browse hundreds of exotic craft beer varieties, including hot, caramelised and smoked beers.
From Eminescu's Linden Tree to bison safaris
In need of a little greenery? How about 100 hectares of it? The Iași Botanical Gardens are Romania’s largest and finest, with lush gardens, a lake and more than 20 kilometres of lanes to idly stroll on. The garden has twelve sections, one more spectacular than the other: the Romanian Flora and Vegetation area showcases the flora of Romania’s historic provinces, including Moldova, Transylvania, Banat, Muntenia, Oltenia and Dobruja, while the Rose Garden wows with some 600 varieties of roses. With a main entrance near Carol I Boulevard, Copou Park (Parcul Copou) has been around as the city's first public garden since 1860. Look for the bronze bust of famed Romanian national poet and novelist Mihai Eminescu, marking the 500-year-old silver lime under which he wrote some of his best pieces. When it comes to green spaces, the nearby national parks are there to up the ante. Stretching over the eastern slope of Stânişoara mountains, Vânători-Neamț Natural Park is one of the few places where you can still meet Europe’s largest herbivore, the European bison. Ranking among the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations worldwide, the reserve also offers a chance to observe deer, wild boar, fox, squirrels, wildcats and badgers in their natural habitat. In the heart of the Eastern Carpathians tower the jurassic limestone walls of Bicaz Gorges, Romania’s favoured rock-climbing site and the main draw of the Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park. Kayakers and avid fly-fishers should head straight to the Red Lake (Lacul Rosu), the largest natural mountain lake in Romania.
Iaşi airport
Iaşi Airport (IAS), one of the oldest accredited airports in Romania, lies about 8 kilometres from the city centre and is best reached by bus (Line 50) or taxi. Buses leave right in front of the terminal and charge RON 2. If possible, arrive with some local currency ready at hand as the airport has no currency exchange kiosks.
Iaşi weather
Iaşi has a continental climate with temperatures creeping up to the mid-30s in the summer and occasionally dropping to minus 20ºC in winter months. Sunny days come along more often at the end of February and rev up in late June. Autumns are pleasant but brief, waning into snowy November days.
FAQs for booking flights to Iaşi
How to get cheap flights to to Iaşi?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Iaşi flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Iaşi?
The best time to visit Iaşi is from late May to mid-September, with temperatures ranging from 20°C up to 30°C. For milder weather and fewer tourists, the shoulder seasons in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are also ideal times to visit. It has a temperate-continental climate, giving a wide range of seasonal experiences in Iaşi, but for the best balance of good weather and cultural activities, late spring to the early autumn months are recommended.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Iaşi flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Iaşi flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
