Piatra Neamț lies in the Bistrița River valley, surrounded by mountains — Pietricica (530 m), Cozla (679 m), Cernegura (852 m), Bâtca Doamnei (462 m) and Cârloman (617 m) — at an average height of 345 m (1,131.89 ft).

The city is informally divided in several districts (in Romanian: cartiere): Of these, Ciritei, Doamna, and Văleni are formally separate villages administered by the municipality.

The oldest traces of human civilisation in the present territory date back to the higher Paleolithic, about 100,000 years BCE.

The Cucuteni culture, whose development lasted approximately one thousand years (c. 3600–2600 BCE) was attested in the territory of Neamţ county by a remarkable number of settlements (approx.

As far as the existence of a local leader is concerned, historians tend to suggest the identification of the Kingdom of Dicomes in the very political centre at Petrodava.

The complex of strongholds without peer in Moldavia and Wallachia is evidence as to a powerful political and military centre both in Burebista’s time and in the period that preceded the reign of Decebalus.

The Neamț citadel, whose documentary attestation dates back to 2 February 1395, was also erected during the same consolidation period of the Moldavian principality east of the Carpathians.

In recent times, the most important Romanian commercial brands originating from Piatra Neamț are Rifil (synthetic fibers manufacturer), Altex (Media Galaxy) (TV, hi-fi, home appliances national dealer), Köber [ro] (paints manufacturer), Amicii-Kubo Ice Cream[5] (ice cream producer) and Dasimpex (mobile phones dealer).

Piatra Neamț is home to Teatrul Tineretului (Youth's Theatre), the G. T. Kirileanu Library, and many cultural events, including the International Theatre Festival in the springtime, the classical music event Vacanțe muzicale (musical holidays) in the summertime and more folkloric festivals all year round.

Other special programmes include live concerts, skiing and workshops.The city's main attractions are the natural environment of the area (the mountains and the lakes), the historical buildings, the museums, and the festivals.

[9] FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț is the local football (soccer) team; its best performance was third round in UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999, after two matches versus Juventus Torino.

Piatra Neamț is the residence of Constantin "Ticu" Lăcătușu, the first Romanian alpinist who reached the top of Mount Everest.