Iasi is located in the Moldavian Plain, being crossed by Bahlui river. The climate is temperate with values specific of a plain area (annual average temperatures of 11° C and moderate rainfall, 500-600 mm annually).

Iasi is, alongside Bucharest and Cluj, one of the cities with the greatest influence in Romania. With an intense cultural life, Iasi has contributed enormously to the Romanian culture. The city is also an important univesitary and historic centre.

From the architectural point of view, Iasi is a mix of old and new. Drastic changes in the city's architecture were brought by the communists who demolished entire neighborhoods. Not even the center escaped the reformist momentum of the communists. The Union Square (already devastated by the bombing during the war, 1943-1944) lost important buildings, and Cuckoo Fair neighboorhoods or Stefan cel Mare Boulevard were partially demolished.


However on a walk in Iasi we can see important buildings, like St. Nicholas Church (founded by Stefan cel Mare), Three Hierarchs Church, Metropolitan Cathedral, Palace of Culture and Casa Doftanei. Another thing unique in Iasi is Eminescu's lime tree located on the Copou park alleys. The lime tree has this name because it is said that Mihai would prefer its shadow, often resting under it, and occasionally writing lyrics in the fragrant spring evenings of Iasi.