Ciric

Ciric is the area of lakes and woodland in the north-east of Iași — where the city goes in summer. It is not a quarter in the classic sense but a leisure ground, and it is the answer to the question "what do I do in Iași in July, when the museums are empty and it is 35 degrees outside".

What is here

The Ciric lakes, the surrounding woodland, a laid-out beach, running trails and, in summer, open-air events. It is the only area of its kind inside the city: the Bahlui, the river crossing Iași, is channelled along most of its urban course and does not function as a waterfront, unlike in other cities.

The area has no heritage sights listed — and it is right to say so. Ciric does not compete with the centre or Copou; it is something else.

What it's like, practically

One restaurant listed, no accommodation — the infrastructure is seasonal and oriented towards leisure rather than overnight tourism.

Season matters enormously. With a July average of 22.4 °C and a January average of −2.1 °C, Ciric is a warm-season destination, roughly May to September. In winter it is woodland and quiet, but without the infrastructure that makes it attractive in summer.

The season

Ciric effectively has two lives. From May to September it is the city's weekend ground: beach, running, events, terraces. From October to April it is woodland and lakes, beautiful but without infrastructure — and in winter, with a January average of −2.1 °C, it is a walk rather than a destination.

That makes it the perfect complement to Iași's cultural calendar, which runs in exactly the opposite direction: theatres and concerts are full from October to May, when Ciric is empty.

Who it suits

Locals, first of all — this is their weekend ground. Visitors who catch Iași in summer, when the city empties of students and the cultural programme thins out: that is when Ciric becomes the best option for a free day.

For families with children it is the best option in the city in the warm season, alongside the Botanical Garden in Copou. See the guide to Iași with children and parks and nature.