Best Hotels in Iasi

There are a lot of things to do in Iasi, which is a very nice cultural city, even a magical one I dare to say. You need more days in Iasi for sure, and nevertheless you won't be very happy when leaving it, feeling that you still have something to discover.

Hotel Traian was designed by Gustave Eiffel, 150 years ago, but still holds on!

The first mention as the best hotel in Iasi is for Traian. I can agree with you, might be a personal ranking and impression, it is to discuss. But doubtless the hotel represents the most significant and beautiful building in the city, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. The staff welcomes you warmly, they are very kind and speak more languages. Not very expensive, thinking to positioning or other factors, a room costs only 80 Euros.

The spectacular hotel Unirea in Iasi, at night

Very close to Hotel Traian is a sort of local skyscrapers, Hotel Unirea. Going to the last floor you can have a charming panorama of this wonderful city. Also the rooms offer excellent views, mainly the upper floors. The rooms are very modern and comfortable, but the service only satisfactory, comparing to Hotel Traian.

The boutique spa hotel Majestic in Iasi

A little cheaper is the small pension Majestic. Also central, but quiet, friendly and warm, proposes unique rooms organized with good taste. Really deceiving was for me the breakfast, unfortunately, but I can only hope that the things have improved.

Discover the Iasi museums, once you solved the lodging, and make also small trips to Bucium or Cotnari for wine tasting. The life flows so relaxing here in Moldavia, comparing with Bucharest. Walking on the streets and mixing with all the students gives an excellent youth feeling. Don't you dare to speak more to the local beauties from the Medicine School, wearing white tight gowns even in their spare time!

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Things to do in Iasi

If you are young, you will love in Iasi the Bohemian atmosphere due to its many students. It is really delightful for every teenager dreaming to be a student in Iasi, counting also the very good fame of some high schools (The Medicine University is the biggest and most prestigious in Romania, also the Computer School from the technical University, which gave big numbers of employees in Google or Microsoft).

Almost to forget between so many other important museums: The Botanic garden is the oldest and the biggest in Romania and welcomes you

The city of Iasi proudly counts 240 000 inhabitants, with 80 000 students. The proportion is overwhelming, and during the vacations the city seems to be sad and deserted. It is a big difference comparing to Bucharest where the students are much more diluted inside the huge city, like a drop in an ocean.

When in 1859 Moldavia and Wallachia have been unified after centuries long fights, the newly formed Romania had for two years literally two Capitals, Iasi and Bucharest. But in 1862 the final decision has been made in favor of Bucharest, with the promise to reimburse Iasi with a huge amount of money (no penny at all has been payed). As a compensation, Iasi kept on developing its intensive culture life. There are theaters, universities, and museums in this picturesque city demanding your attention for three days at least.

The Church trei Ierarhi from Iasi build in Middle Age, with a special Architecture style  ( next to the byzantine style, there Turkish influences)

Visit in Iasi its wonderful Parks, Ciric and Copou and walk long there. Copou is old, nice and very interesting. The most important Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu used also the walk here, it has a statue in his corner, surrounded by the beloved  linden trees he depicted in some of this poems. You can find Mihai Eminescu in English, but if I tell you about Ion Creanga there are very little chances to have heard of him. Nevertheless, he is one of the greatest story tellers in the Romanian literature. He used to have a special language with many regional words, and nobody dares translating it in English or other foreign language, fearing the complete loss of the original richness and sweetness. His biography is also extraordinary, he was first a priest, but a rebel one, and has been cancelled after more  punishment.

The Lion Monument, from the Copou Park, not far from Eminescu's statue and Linden trees.

Wine tastings in Bucium, very near, are possible for the thirsty gorges; a little further in Cotnari is much more professional and exquisite. As we are at this chapter, if I shall to recommend one of the many hotels and restaurants in Iasi, that is doubtless Hotel Traian. Very old, very stylish, with a long history and many legends behind, is simply lovely and charming. You are going to love this hotel from the first sight.

For the culture freaks, a visit in the Culture Palace is a must do. Be aware that the huge building hosts four different museums, has an exquisite flamboyant  neogothic architecture, requires a small fee and a full day for a complete visit. You can also visit only for its museums, but it is difficult to make the choice among History Museum, Etnography Museum, Technique and civilization Museum and the Art Museum. Absolving this task of your Iasi trip asks for a visit in Wine and Vineyards museum from Hirlau.

Visiting Iasi is a pleasure and an event, but you must be very fit, as the city lies on seven hills, similar to antic Rome.

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Iasi, the Cultural capital of Romania

The city of Iasi ( also referred as Jassy) is very important for the history of Romania, and every Romanian loves it unconditionally. Nowadays is the country's fourth most populuos city, after Bucharest, Constanta and Cluj-Napoca.

In many parts of the city, the history is very obvious. The House of Dosoftei, a Romanian writer, is 400 years old.

Iasi tries hardly not to live in the past, but in the present, which seems to be very difficult with such a long glorious history and so many old houses and monuments. Iasi is still today the most important economic hub for Moldavia, enjoying simultaneously a rich long history, as I said already.

The Iasi City Hall is old, monumental and impressive ( former Palace Roznovanu)

Coming from any direction you will admire the wonderful position of the city from far away. Iasi lies on 7 hills, similar to Rome, and the nicest, or most important is Copou , hosting the city's neighborhood with the same name. Traces of human beings in this wonderful area date back from the paleolithic in the VIth century b.C. (Cucuteni culture for the Archaeology freaks). Not very far, on these blessed hills there are vineyards for sure, in Bucium and Cotnari, and you can take part to wine tasting in those areas. Or you can further taste the best Romanian wines in one of the Iasi many leading restaurants (with a special mention for the Hotel Restaurant Traian, first opened in 1882).

Hotel and restaurant Traian from Iasi is the city's oldest and best

For centuries, during the Middle Age, Iasi has been the Capital of Moldavia, one of the three Romanian countries. After Unification with Vallachia in 1859, the new formed Romania had two Capitals, Iasi and Bucharest, which was amazing, and even overwhelming. Finally, in 1862, Bucharest has been nominated as c
Capital, and Iasi lost its supremacy. But not the importance, to be sure! Between 1916-1918, during WWI, because foreign occupation of Bucharest, Iasi enjoyed again its status of Capital!

The Culture Palace of Iasi is definitely a must do for your schedule in Iasi

The people of and the way of life in Iasi is not so crazing speedy like in Bucharest. The people still have time enjoying free afternoons in a restaurant and taste a glass of wine ( or even beer, if too hot)! The high schools of Iasi still have an excellent level, and the Computer school gave many people to Microsoft.

There are many things to do in Iasi: walking in the Copou Garden crossing the pairs of lovers (most of them are students); visiting the huge Culture Palace, which hosts four Museums; having a good meal or a  wine tasting. You may love Iasi, or hate Iasi, but simply visit it while in Romania. Be sure, I have some special offers for you.

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