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Places / Europe / Moldova

Chișinău

Visited in November 2018

At a glance

Country
Moldova
Region
Chișinău Municipality
Population
567,038
Best time to go
May to September
Main airport
Chișinău International (RMO)
Coordinates
47.01°N, 28.86°E

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Overview

Moldova's capital is green, low-key and surprisingly easy-going. Wide boulevards lined with chestnut trees, Orthodox churches and blocky Soviet buildings sit side by side, and the city has more parks than you might expect.

Few visitors come for the sights alone. The real reasons are the wine, the food and the countryside: some of the world's largest wine cellars are a short drive away, and a cave monastery above a river gorge makes a fine day out.

Things to see

  • Ștefan cel Mare Central Park
    Photo: Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Ștefan cel Mare Central Park

    The city's oldest park, with shady paths, chess players and a statue of Moldova's medieval hero prince at the gate.

  • Nativity Cathedral
    Photo: Pelin Oleg, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Nativity Cathedral

    The city's main Orthodox cathedral, set in a peaceful park with a separate bell tower and the Triumphal Arch nearby.

  • National Museum of History of Moldova
    Photo: Alexandru Panoiu from Bucharest, Romania, CC BY 2.0

    National Museum of History of Moldova

    A good overview of the country's past, from Dacian gold to the Soviet era, in a grand former school building.

    Tickets and tours
  • Central Market
    Photo: Bagriton, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Central Market

    A sprawling, noisy market for cheese, pickles, honey and seasonal fruit, and a glimpse of everyday life.

  • Valea Morilor Park
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Valea Morilor Park

    A lake ringed by woodland and a long stone staircase, popular with families at weekends.

Things to do

  • Tour the wine cellars at Cricova
    Photo: Cepaev, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Tour the wine cellars at Cricova

    Drive through underground streets lined with barrels in a vast limestone cellar just north of the city, then taste the sparkling wines.

    Find tours
  • Day trip to Orheiul Vechi
    Photo: Alex Prodan md, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Day trip to Orheiul Vechi

    A monastery carved into a cliff above a loop of the Răut river, about an hour north of the capital.

  • Eat plăcinte
    Photo: Unknown photographer, Public domain

    Eat plăcinte

    Order these flaky pies, filled with cheese, potato or cabbage, with a glass of local wine.

  • Mileștii Mici
    Photo: Dave Proffer, CC BY 2.0

    Mileștii Mici

    Another huge cellar complex south of the city, home to one of the world's largest wine collections.

    Find tours

Where to stay

  • City centre

    Around Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard; walkable to parks, museums and restaurants.

    Hotels in City centre

  • Botanica

    A residential district south-east of the centre, close to the airport and with good-value apartments.

    Hotels in Botanica

  • Râșcani

    Quieter and leafy, north of the centre, with easy trolleybus links.

    Hotels in Râșcani

Getting around

Trolleybuses and minibuses cover the whole city and the centre is walkable. Taxis booked by phone or app are reliable.

The airport is about 13 km south-east of the centre; a taxi takes around 20 minutes, and buses and minibuses also run into town.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn is warm and sunny, and September brings the grape harvest. National Wine Day, held on the first weekend of October, fills the centre with tastings. Winters are cold and grey.

Plan your trip to Chișinău

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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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