Give the first day to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard: the Palace of Culture and its four museums at one end, the carved Three Hierarchs and the Metropolitan Cathedral on the way. Spend the second in Copou, with the university's Hall of Lost Steps, the park and the Botanical Garden. Use a third for the monasteries on the southern hills, or drive out to the Cotnari vineyards.
Updated · Wimup Editorial
Iași was the capital of Moldavia from 1564 to 1859 and Romania's capital again from 1916 to 1918, and it still behaves like one. The country's first modern university, its oldest national theatre and its largest pilgrimage are all here, spread over a run of hills above the Bahlui.
A neo-Gothic palace finished in 1925 on the site of the old princely court, now home to four museums: history, art, ethnography and science. The halls alone are worth the ticket; leave time for the clock tower.
Vasile Lupu's church of 1637 to 1639, its outer walls covered top to bottom in carved stone patterns. Walk all the way round before going in; inside lie Lupu, Dimitrie Cantemir and Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
Romania's busiest pilgrimage church, holding the relics of Saint Parascheva since 1888. Come on an ordinary day for the space; come in mid-October for the queue of pilgrims that runs down the boulevard.
The city's oldest park, laid out from 1834, holds the Lions' Obelisk and the old silver lime under which Eminescu is said to have written. It is small enough for an hour and pleasant enough for an afternoon.
The country's first modern university, founded in 1860, in a main building whose Hall of Lost Steps carries Sabin Bălașa's vast murals. Ask at the entrance; the hall is open to visitors outside events.
Founded in 1856 by Anastasie Fătu and run by the university, it is the oldest botanical garden in Romania and one of the largest. Greenhouses, a rose garden and long wooded paths reward a slow morning.
A walled monastery in the centre with a tower of about 30 metres, once a watchtower and fire lookout. Climb its 120 steps when it is open for the clearest view of the city's hills and domes.
Fellner and Helmer, the Viennese theatre builders, designed the house that opened in 1896 for a company dating to 1840. The gilded auditorium is the reason to book any performance, language or not.
Gheorghe Duca's fortified monastery from the late 1660s crowns a hill south of the centre, ringed by walls. The view back over the city is the payoff; take a taxi up and walk down.
The small Țicău cottage where Creangă lived from 1872 to 1889 opened in 1918 as Romania's first memorial museum. It is tiny, restored and best for anyone who grew up on his Childhood Memories.
Petru Șchiopul's walled monastery of the 1580s on a hill to the southwest, with a fine view back.
A men's monastery on the southern slopes, rebuilt in the 19th century on an older foundation.
Founded by Stephen the Great in 1491, the oldest church in the centre, beside the Palace of Culture.
Dated to 1671 and the oldest surviving synagogue in Romania, restored and still in use.
A neoclassical church of the 1840s with a tall belfry, a short walk from Piața Unirii.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza's town house, with the furniture and papers of the prince who united the principalities.
Costume, carpets, tools and village crafts of Moldavia, in the Palace of Culture.
Romania's oldest art museum, with a strong room of Nicolae Grigorescu, in the Palace of Culture.
The house of the statesman and historian behind the 1859 union, with his library.
The home of chemist Petru Poni and his family, kept as it was, with a science collection.
The Museum of Romanian Literature, in the house where Junimea met in the 1860s and 1870s.
A small museum on the poet in Copou Park, a few steps from the lime tree linked with him.
The Copou villa where the novelist lived and wrote, his study and library intact.
The modest home of the humorous poet, part of the Museum of Romanian Literature.
Recorded since 1786 and one of the city's oldest restaurants: Moldavian classics in a vaulted house.
On the 13th floor of the Hotel Unirea, with the best view over the centre and a broad menu.
A small, casual and lively place on Strada Vasile Lupu, popular with locals.
A hotel restaurant with a garden terrace south of the centre, Tex-Mex and grills.
The pedestrian spine from Piața Unirii to the Palace of Culture, lined with churches.
The square with Cuza's statue and the pedestrian street of cafés and terraces off it.
Moldavia's best-known wine region, home of the sweet Grasă de Cotnari, about 70 km northwest.
A large convent in a wooded valley, its church painted inside by Nicolae Grigorescu.
Voroneț and its painted neighbours are a long day north; better as an overnight.
The national holiday for the 1859 union of Moldavia and Wallachia, marked in Cuza's own capital.
A week of classical music concerts across the city's halls.
The Europe-wide late opening; the Palace of Culture and Golia tower usually take part.
Open-air screenings of Romanian cinema with guests, concerts and theatre; the 17th edition ran in 2026.
The international theatre festival for young audiences, aged 3 to 14.
Romania's largest pilgrimage: the relics leave the cathedral for a week of veneration in its courtyard.
The international literature and translation festival, five days of readings and talks.
The festive lighting goes on for Saint Nicholas Day, and the centre stays lit through the holidays.
About 8 km east of the centre and a Wizz Air base. CTP bus 50 runs to Piața Unirii and the railway station, or take a taxi.
Iași station, known locally as Gara Mare, is west of the centre. CFR Călători runs to Bucharest in roughly six hours and on to Suceava and Cluj.
CTP runs the trams and buses. A single trip costs 4 lei and lasts 120 minutes; pay by contactless bank card at the validator on board.
The centre is walkable from Piața Unirii to the Palace of Culture. Copou is uphill, so use the tram up and walk back down.
Firm cornmeal polenta, the side to almost every Moldavian main.
Thin pastry pies filled with cheese, cabbage, potato or pumpkin.
A sour soup with meatballs and lovage, soured with borș.
Fried cheese doughnuts under sour cream and sour cherry jam.
Pork stewed with bacon and sausage, served with polenta, cheese and a fried egg.
Cabbage rolls of minced pork and rice, slow-cooked and served with sour cream.
A sweet bread pie folded over cow's cheese, a Moldavian bakery staple.
The sweet white wine of the Cotnari hills, Iași's own vintage.
Subscribe to the Wimup newsletter for new guides, travel news and more.
Romania
