Iasi Private City Tour

Welcome to Iasi, the ‘Cultural Capital of Romania’ and ‘City of Hundred Churches’!

You will enjoy a few pleasant hours in the second largest city in Romania, enter its bohemian atmosphere, and witness the animated occidental lifestyle.

The tour of Iasi starts at one of the most impressive buildings of the city, The Palace of Culture, where you will notice its flamboyant Neo-Gothic style and admire the beautiful Palas Garden, in the back. Next, the tour guide will take you to a walk along the main historical street of Iasi: Stefan the Great, dedicated to one of our most iconic historical figures.

The next stops will be at The Three Hierarchs Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral, both connected by the biggest Christian Orthodox pilgrimage in Eastern Europe.

Next, you will visit Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre, one of the ‘Seven theatres that take your breath away’. It’s not a spelling mistake; you read it right. According to BBC, Iasi National Theatre is one of the seven in the world. The building is a true architectonic jewel with one of the most amazing theatre halls in the world, beautifully decorated with gold and allegoric paintings.

Mid-tour, you will take a quick stop in Union Square, one of the most iconic historical places in Iasi – here, one hundred and sixty years ago, modern Romania was born.

If you are getting hungry, and you probably will, the guide will accompany you to a restaurant nearby, where the food is made only with local products, as our grandparents are doing.

In the second part of the tour of Iasi, you will explore the University’s Hill. We probably (definitely) forgot to mention, but Iasi is also known as ‘The city on seven hills’. Here, the university is the main attraction, with the Hallway of Lost Steps and the Library. Not any library, but again, one of the most majestic in the world. Gheorghe Asachi Technical University Library is a hidden gem of Iasi and a must to see.

The last stop of the tour will be in the Jewish area, known as Cuckoo’s Market, near Golia Monastery. Here, you will visit the Grand Synagogue, the oldest Jewish house of worship in Romania. 

The tour will come to an end and you will be transferred to your hotel in Iasi. Or not, you might want to explore more of this beautiful city by yourself.

Starting time: 10:00 AM

Trip duration: 6 hours

Tour highlights

The Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii) – This remarkable construction was inaugurated in 1925 by Ferdinand of Hohenzollern and was built on the ruins of a medieval royal court dating from 1434. The Palace has a flamboyant Neo-Gothic style, with ornamental details and heraldic elements outside. The Clock Tower is the main architectural piece of the entire Palace and the Carillon in the tower has eight bells that are singing each hour the Union Hora. Today, the Palace of Culture houses 4 of the city’s museums: the Moldavian History Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Art and the Museum of Science and Technology, and we will stop to see a true delight for our eyes, an ethnographic exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum.

The Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre (Teatrul Național Vasile Alecsandri) - the oldest national theatre and one of the most prestigious theatrical institutions in Romania, and one of the most notorious city highlights. It was founded on 15 May 1840 as the Great Theatre of Moldavia and was given the name of the renowned Romanian playwright and poet Vasile Alecsandri in 1956. The Theatre is located near the city hall, close to the Stefan cel Mare Boulevard. If in Iasi, check availability for a play at the theatre in the main hall.

The Grand Synagogue (Sinagoga Mare)– the oldest preserved Jewish sanctuary in Romania, built in 1671. The Synagogue could not have been larger than the nearby churches, but the Jewish law mentioned that it must to be the most imposing building in the Jewish district. The sober exterior is in contrast to the richly adorned interior.

The Three Hierarchs Church (Mânăstirea Trei Ierahi)– built between 1637 and 1639, the church has since stunning decorations: the entire exterior is covered in delicate and intricate patterns sculpted into the stone and spread over 30 friezes. This "stone embroidery" is a mixture of western Gothic, Renaissance, and Oriental motifs. The interior boasts the tombs of a number of famous Romanians, including the founder of this church and two other important figures in Romania’s history.

Cancellations can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure.