Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is a charming city with a rich history and vibrant culture. Despite being relatively small, it offers a delightful blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. Here’s a guide to exploring this underrated destination!

Discovering Chisinau’s Urban Treasures

Valea Morilor Park: This sprawling park is a haven for nature lovers, featuring picturesque lakes, walking trails, and lush greenery. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, rent a boat, or simply relax amidst the tranquil surroundings. Make sure you check out the cascade steps, and try and find the tiniest statue somewhere along the lake front.

Stephen the Great Monument: Pay homage to Moldova’s most revered ruler, Stephen the Great, at this imposing monument. The statue stands tall, symbolizing the country’s strength and resilience. You’ll see references to Stephen the Great everywhere but the statue and nearby park is a great spot to have a coffee and relax after some sightseeing.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity: Admire the grandeur of this magnificent cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe. Marvel at its intricate architecture and ornate interior. Head past the Chisinau Arc D’Triumph and onto the gorgeous central square with the church at it’s centre. I love how many cute green spaces are in Chisinau.

Strada Eugen Doga: Stroll down this charming pedestrian street, lined with colorful buildings, cozy cafes, and boutique shops. Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere and enjoy a leisurely shopping experience. Stop off at a bar, coffee shop or bakery and get yourself a treat.

Traditional Food at La Placinte: Indulge in authentic Moldovan cuisine at La Placinte, a popular restaurant renowned for its delicious pastries, dumplings, and hearty stews. We tried everything here! Gorgeous Moldovan wine, lots of delicious dumplings and Mamaliga, a polenta dish.

Exploring Moldova’s Rich History

Cricova Winery Tour: We were up early and a little hungover after finding a karaoke bar the night before. But it was time to embark on a journey through Moldova’s winemaking heritage at Cricova Winery. This place is huge, and it’s not even the biggest wine cellar in Moldova!

We explored the extensive underground cellars, had an amazing wine tasting of a variety of exquisite wines, and learnt about the country’s winemaking traditions. Can you believe there are 120km worth of tunnels here!?

Curchi Monastery: I’m not sure we had thought through the timing of our tours, as it was barely lunch time and we were a little tipsy from the wine tasting. But next up was a visit to this historic monastery. Dating back to the 16th century, it’s incredible. We wandered around, admiring its beautiful architecture, peaceful surroundings, and learnt all about its religious significance.

Old Orhei Cave Monastery: Discover this hidden gem in the Moldovan countryside at Old Orhei. These ancient cave dwellings still house one monk. It’s amazing that they live on the side of this cliff face. There’s a beautiful church along the ridge, and we got to eat at a traditional restaurant which was so cute.

A Wine Lover’s Paradise: Mileştii Mici Winery

Mileştii Mici Winery: Conclude your trip with a visit to Mileştii Mici Winery, the world’s largest wine cellar. Descend into the labyrinthine tunnels, admire the impressive collection of wine bottles, and indulge in a tasting of the winery’s finest vintages. There are 200km worth of tunnels but only 55km is used at present. We booked all our trips with Viator and it was so easy, the tour guides were really fun and friendly too.

This place is vast, and we rented bikes with a tour guide to cycle around 5km of it. it’s pretty amazing this was all dug out to rebuild the city and ended up being the perfect temperature to store wine. At the end we had a wine tasting and delicious snacks, we even got some traditional music played for us while we ate.

Moldova might seem like a small country with not much to do, but it offers a unique perspective of Eastern Europe and its history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a wine lover, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, this charming city has something to offer everyone. Spend an extended weekend here or combine it with a trip to Romania.

Published by Tom

Wanderluster, forever day dreaming of my next destination. Nurse by day, gay, geek, love sports and marvel comics. Determined to visit every country in the world! View all posts by Tom