Welcome to Iaşi
Exuberant, cultured Iaşi (pronounced ‘yash’) clearly enjoys being the biggest city in Moldavia. Once dubbed the ‘city of the hundred churches’, Iaşi is indeed bursting with centuries of architectural creations. Yet besides the monasteries, theatres and other historic buildings, this eclectic place has botanical parks, big squares and (for better or for worse) both communist-era concrete structures and gleaming modern shopping malls.
Top experiences in Iaşi
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Iaşi activities
Full-Day Private Tour of Bucovina from Iasi
Your day will start with a morning pickup from your hotel, where you will meet with your guide and start your journey to Bukovina. This region is one of the most beautifully authentic and unspoiled rural areas in Europe, home to the Painted Monasteries, known in the UNESCO patrimony as the Churches of Moldavia. We will start with a trip to Voronet, Romania’s most renowned monastery, whose frescoes have become famous throughout the world thanks to its 500-year history, legends, and artistic value. Built in 1488, the monastery’s exterior murals have preserved their hues despite centuries of inclement weather. The scenes in the murals tell the story of Christianity, influenced by folkloric beliefs, by the Eastern culture, and by the Orthodox cult. The Monastery is also famous for its intense shade of blue, whose ingredients remain a mystery.Our next landmark is the Humor Monastery, built in 1530, with beautiful exterior frescoes showing scenes from the lives of Saints and significant moments from the lives of the local people. One such painting depicts the wars against the Turks, beautifully represented on the church's walls. The nuns that live here have a completely separated life measuring the passing of days and nights in prayers.Afterward, we will visit the Moldovita Monastery, built between 1532 and 1537 and included in the UNESCO heritage in 1993. Its frescoes continue to delight the eye and the heart with their vivid colors, which have been preserved for more than five centuries after they were painted. Its murals depicts numerous Biblical scenes, and for hundreds of years, it was one of the few sources of religious education for the locals.Next, we will visit Marginea, one of the few places in the world that produces black pottery. You will be able to observe the Dacian pottery tradition carried-on by a handful of craftsmen and passed from generation to generation, the secrets of which have never left Marginea. The black color of the vessels is obtained through a careful roasting process, and the symbolic pattern that appears as ornamentation preserves directions and angles that are identical with those of the solstice and equinox.We will then leave Marginea behind and head to back to Iasi.
Iasi City Private Tour
You will enjoy a few pleasant hours in one of the largest cities in Romania. In Iasi you will enter a bohemian atmosphere present in the town’s old parts and surroundings but also it brings to you an animated occidental lifestyle. Our tour starts at the Palace of Culture, an edifice built in neogothic style on the old ruins of the mediaeval Royal Court, the city’s symbol where you will meet with your travel guide who will introduce you to the town’s history. In our tour you will have the opportunity to visit all the main attractions, most of them being situated in the proximity of Stefan Cel Mare Street, an animated promenade place with coffee shops, terraces and stores. The religious interests of the city are also part of our tour. We’ll be visiting the Three Hierarchs Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral. On our walking tour you will have the chance to admire the Roznovanu Palace, built in the 18th century, which in our days hosts the city hall. An important attraction on our list is the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre, the oldest one in Romania. At the end of the street we will reach the Union Square, an important historic part of the city where we’ll visit the Union Museum. From here a bus will take you to a local restaurant, Bolta Rece, for a tasty traditional lunch.In the second part of the tour you will be seized by the peace induce by Golia Monastery where you will also enjoy a beautiful view over the whole city from the tower. Our tour ends in Copou hill, the house of Romania's first university, and we’ll visit one of Romania’s largest Botanical Gardens where you will be surrounded by colourful flowers and plants spread on 17,5 ha of land. The tour will end with a marvellous view over the city from Cetatuia hill where we will also visit the monastery with the same name surrounded by fortifications with towers on the corners. Tour highlights:The Palace of Culture – The Palace of Culture in Iasi is the main attraction point of the Moldavian capital. The Palace has a flamboyant neogothic style, with ornamental details and heraldic elements outside. Unfortunately, the consolidation and renovation works are not finished yet.The Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Romania built in the Italian Renaissance style. The cathedral was consecrated on 23 April 1887, in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth. The interior is also stunning with influences of the Italian neoclassicism to be noticed in the four biblical scenes. The Three Hierarchs Church is a unique monument of its kind, a repository of the cultural and spiritual life of Moldavia. The inside reflects the founder’s aspiration to the Byzantine world as it combines traditional structures and shapes with precious materials and a sumptuous decoration.
Daily Iasi City Tour
The tour will start in the Union Square, one of the places that contributed to the birth of modern Romania. The first stop will be at the "Vasile Alecsandri" National Theatre, named by BBC a "theatre that will take your breath away". The Iași National Theatre is the oldest and one of the most prestigious institutions in Romania, and it was opened for the first time in 1840. The tour will then reveal the religious face of Iași with a trip to two of its monastic sites, The Metropolitan Cathedral and the Three Hierarchs Church.Our final landmark for the day is the Palace of Culture, the cultural symbol of the city. Built in a Neo-Gothic style on the ruins of the old Royal Court of the city, it is to this day one of the main attraction points for tourists.
Full-Day Private Tour to Chisinau from Iasi
Your tour will start at the hotel where you will meet with your travel guide. On the way to the Moldavian capital, stop and visit one of the country’s most amazing monasteries, Capriana. The monastery, built in 1429, was the former the headquarters of Moldova’s bishop. After reaching Chisinau, located in the middle of the country, constructed on seven hills, begin exploring. Mainly built in the Soviet manner, the Moldovan capital is also considered to be one of the greenest cities in Europe. There are many parks in the city and most streets are flanked by leafy trees. Cruise around the city, seeing the Arc of Triomphe, the large victory arch with marble tablets telling the story of the 1944 liberation of Moldova from the German and Romanian armies. Last, but not least, journey to Cricova Winery. Venture down deep into a wine cellar from Greek and Roman times. Have a wine tasting session, learning about how Moldova is one of Europe's budding wine regions.'The tour concludes when you're taken back to Iasi.
Rural Experience from Iasi
You will meet with your guide and enjoy a day trip to one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Discover the wilderness of the Carpathians, the fresh air, the wonderful mountain landscapes and the serenity of this area. We will start with a visit to Neamţ monastery, the oldest monastic establishment for monks which shelters an impressive, well-preserved library. Nor far is the Neamt fortress – an important military and historical objective that survived the siege of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will take a stroll up the hill and enjoy the beautiful view offered from this impressive fort. We will continue with a one of a kind experience: you will visit a bison reservations and have the opportunity to observe the wilderness. Our journey continues with a visit to Agapia, not only a charming church and a great tourist attraction but also an important center of promoting the traditional crafts. Be amazed by the picturesque traditional villages where time seems to be standing still. The locals still use horse-drawn carts and prepare food above an open fire with ingredients from their back yard. Witness their vivid tapestry of old customs, handicrafts and folklore by visiting the Nicolae Popa Museum. You will have the opportunity to study the symbols of the national costumes. Try on the traditional costumes and take pictures so you will have some one of a kind souvenirs! Afterwards, you will be transferred back to Iasi.
Hiking Tour in the Bicaz Gorges from Iasi
On our biking tour we will head to the Bicaz Gorges, where the region offers an amazing scenery. Lakes, rapid springs, waterfalls, rocky peaks and exciting landscapes are just waiting to be discovered. In this area we can explore hidden caves, we can spot the famous rupicapra (chamois) in its natural habitat or we can hike on wild tracks. A wide range of activities can be done during this trip and you can choose from the following: Hiking in the Sugau Gorges and the nearby routes (2-3 hours of moderate effort). We will climb and cross the mountain through the Tunnel Cave in order to reach a bellevue point from where you can have a beautiful view over the Bicaz Gorges. On the way you will witness the beauties of the calcareous cliffs and the relict pine forests. Hiking around the Red Lake, the largest alpine lake in Romania (1-2 hours with little effort). Here you can admire the natural barrage lake and you can take a short ride on a boat. Hiking in Bicajel gorges (2-3 hours of moderate effort). The small Bicajel River forms a spectacular landscape and a path takes us above the cliffs of Bicaz Gorges, right in the den of the chamois. Hiking in the Garden of fairies and Suhardul mic (2-3 hours of moderate effort). The spectacular aerial view given over the Bicaz Gorges and the Red lake is one of a kind. We will reach the Suhardul Mic Peak at 1345 m. Starting point: Hotel or any other pick-up point at 08:00 am Difficulty: Low - High – depending on the client’s desires and choices Duration: 4 up to 6 hours of hiking and enjoying mountain outdoor experience