Moldova · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Moldova
These are the places worth your time in Moldova, from the museums, markets and wine bars of Chișinău to the great cellars, the cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi, Soroca's fortress and the Gagauz south. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Chișinău
Arts and Culture
- National Museum of History of Moldova (Centru)
The best overview of Moldova from prehistory to independence, in a grand old building. - National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History (Centru)
A striking Moorish revival building with dioramas, folk costumes and a mammoth skeleton. - National Museum of Fine Arts (Centru)
Moldovan and European painting in a calm, central setting. - Holocaust Memorial Chișinău (Ierusalim Street)
A quiet memorial to the Jews of Chișinău, once one of the region's great Jewish cities. - Organ Hall (Centru)
A historic concert hall with classical, organ and folk performances. - National Opera and Ballet Theatre Maria Bieșu (Centru)
Opera and ballet at accessible prices in a monumental Soviet era theatre. - Mihai Eminescu National Theatre (Centru)
The main Romanian language drama theatre, in a handsome central building. - Alexander Pushkin House Museum (Centru)
The small house where the Russian poet lived during his exile in the city.
Things to Do
- Nativity Cathedral (Cathedral Park)
The city's main Orthodox cathedral, with its bell tower and a lively park around it. - Arc de Triumf (Great National Assembly Square)
The city's landmark arch, the natural starting point for a walk along the main boulevard. - Hotel Cosmos (Negruzzi Square)
A bold Soviet modernist tower that architecture fans love to photograph. - Chișinău State Circus (Râșcani)
An enormous Soviet circus building, restored and hosting shows again. - Gates of the City towers (Dacia Boulevard)
Twin Soviet apartment towers that greet you on the road in from the airport. - Ciuflea Monastery (Centru)
A small, blue domed monastery church that is one of the city's prettiest. - Eternity Memorial Complex (Centru)
A large war memorial with an eternal flame and stone rifles forming a pyramid.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ștefan cel Mare Central Park (Centru)
The oldest park in the city, with the national hero's statue and the Alley of Classics. - Valea Morilor Park (Valea Morilor)
A lakeside park with a long cascading stairway, paddle boats and summer crowds. - Dendrarium Park (Buiucani)
A quiet arboretum of trees and ponds, perfect for a slow walk. - Botanical Garden of Chișinău (Botanica)
Wide gardens and greenhouses on the city edge, lovely in spring blossom. - La Izvor Park (Buiucani)
A long chain of lakes where locals walk, cycle and picnic.
Shopping and Markets
- Piața Centrală (Centru)
The central market, a noisy maze of cheese, honey, pickles, fruit and homemade wine. - Mall Dova (Centru)
A modern mall for practical shopping, a cinema and a food court.
Restaurants
- Vatra Neamului (Centru)
Traditional Moldovan dishes in a cosy, folk styled dining room. - Gastrobar (Centru)
Modern Moldovan cooking paired with a strong local wine list. - La Plăcinte (Several locations)
A popular chain for plăcinte, soups, mămăligă and quick traditional meals. - Andy's Pizza (Several locations)
A homegrown chain locals love for pizza and Moldovan basics. - Propaganda Café (Centru)
A quirky, vintage filled café restaurant with a broad, family friendly menu. - Kumanek (Centru)
Ukrainian and Moldovan village dishes in a rustic setting with folk decor. - Tucano Coffee (Several locations)
A Moldovan coffee chain with good sandwiches and pastries for a quick breakfast.
Cafés
- Tucano Coffee Ștefan cel Mare (Centru)
Reliable coffee and a busy terrace on the main boulevard.
Bars and Nightlife
- Carpe Diem Wine Shop and Bar (Centru)
A beloved wine bar with a huge choice of Moldovan small producers by the glass. - Robin Pub (Centru)
A friendly pub popular with locals and expats for beer and match nights.
Events
- National Wine Day (Great National Assembly Square)
The country's biggest party, with producers pouring wine in the main square each October. - Mărțișor Festival (Citywide)
A spring festival of music each March, when people exchange red and white charms. - Chișinău City Day (Citywide)
Concerts and street events each October celebrating the capital.
Stays
- Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel (Centru)
A reliable international hotel in the centre with a spa and pool. - Bristol Central Park Hotel (Centru)
A comfortable hotel right by Ștefan cel Mare Park. - Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel (Centru)
An elegant central hotel favoured by business and leisure travellers. - Hotel Chișinău (Centru)
A big, central hotel with simple rooms close to the main sights.
Places to Visit in Cricova
Things to Do
- Cricova Winery (Cricova)
A vast underground wine city with tunnels named after grapes, toured by little train. - Mileștii Mici Winery (Mileștii Mici)
Enormous cellars holding a world record collection of bottles. - Castel Mimi (Bulboaca)
A restored castle winery with gardens, tastings, a restaurant and rooms. - Asconi Winery (Puhoi)
A family winery with a welcoming restaurant and long tasting lunches. - Château Vartely (Orhei)
A winery with tastings, a restaurant and a hotel on the road north. - Cojușna Winery (Cojușna)
A historic winery close to Chișinău with cellars and tastings. - Fautor Winery (Tomai)
A modern family winery in the south known for local grapes. - Purcari Winery (Purcari)
One of the oldest estates, famous for its Negru de Purcari, with a restaurant and rooms. - Et Cetera Winery (Crocmaz)
A family winery with a restaurant, rooms and relaxed tastings.
Stays
- Purcari Wine Château rooms (Purcari)
Cottages by the lake on one of Moldova's most famous estates. - Et Cetera guesthouse (Crocmaz)
Comfortable rooms overlooking vineyards in the south east. - Castel Mimi hotel (Bulboaca)
Sleep at the castle and wake up among the vines. - Château Vartely hotel (Orhei)
Rooms on a working winery, handy for Orheiul Vechi.
Restaurants
- Asconi restaurant (Puhoi)
Long, generous Moldovan lunches with the winery's own bottles. - Castel Mimi restaurant (Bulboaca)
Fine Moldovan dining paired with estate wines.
Shopping and Markets
- Cricova wine shop (Cricova)
Sparkling and still wines to take home, sold at the winery.
Events
- Harvest season tastings (Wine country)
September and October bring grape picking, festivals and open cellar days.
Places to Visit in Orheiul Vechi
Things to Do
- Orheiul Vechi Cave Monastery (Butuceni)
A candlelit chapel carved into a cliff above the Răut river bend. - Church of the Ascension of Saint Mary (Butuceni)
A white hilltop church with the best view of the whole valley. - Curchi Monastery (Curchi)
A handsome blue and white monastery on the way from Chișinău.
Arts and Culture
- Orheiul Vechi Museum Complex (Trebujeni)
Archaeology from Dacian times to the Golden Horde town on the site. - Butuceni Ethnographic House (Butuceni)
A traditional village house showing rural life in old Moldova.
Stays
- Agro Pensiunea Butuceni (Butuceni)
A village guesthouse with traditional rooms and huge home cooked meals. - Eco Resort Butuceni (Butuceni)
Rustic rooms, a garden and village dinners in the heart of Old Orhei.
Restaurants
- Butuceni guesthouse lunch (Butuceni)
Soup, plăcinte, mămăligă and homemade wine at a family table.
Nature and Outdoors
- Răut river ridge walk (Butuceni)
A gentle loop along the limestone ridge with the best views in Moldova. - Trebujeni caves (Trebujeni)
Quieter rock caves and paths along the gorge. - Sunset at the hilltop cross (Butuceni)
Watch the river bend glow at the end of the day.
Places to Visit in Soroca
Things to Do
- Soroca Fortress (Soroca)
A perfectly round medieval stone fortress on the Dniester river. - Candle of Gratitude (Soroca)
A clifftop tower with sweeping views over the Dniester valley. - The Roma hill (Soroca)
A hill of extravagant mansions unlike anywhere else in Europe. - Țipova Monastery (Țipova)
The largest cave monastery in Moldova, cut into the high riverbank. - Saharna Monastery (Saharna)
A busy monastery in a wooded gorge with waterfalls nearby. - Rudi Monastery (Rudi)
A quiet forest monastery near the Dniester, far from the crowds.
Nature and Outdoors
- Țipova waterfall (Țipova)
A small waterfall hidden in the gorge below the monastery. - Saharna waterfalls walk (Saharna)
A shady walk past streams and small cascades. - Dniester riverside promenade (Soroca)
An easy evening stroll by the river.
Shopping and Markets
- Soroca market (Soroca)
A small town market for fruit, cheese and local life.
Places to Visit in Comrat
Arts and Culture
- Gagauzia Regional History Museum (Comrat)
Gagauz history, costumes and traditions explained in one stop. - Besalma Gagauz Museum (Besalma)
A village museum of Gagauz history and daily life. - Taraclia Bulgarian villages (Taraclia)
Churches, festivals and food of Moldova's Bulgarian community.
Things to Do
- Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (Comrat)
The town's main Orthodox cathedral on the central square. - Comrat central square (Comrat)
The heart of Gagauz life, with the regional government buildings.
Shopping and Markets
- Comrat market (Comrat)
Gagauz pastries, cheese and seasonal produce.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lower Dniester wetlands (Ștefan Vodă)
A protected wetland loved by birdwatchers.
Places to Visit in Transnistria
Things to Do
- Bender Fortress (Bender)
An Ottoman era fortress; read travel advice carefully before considering a visit.
Places to Visit in Hîncu
Things to Do
- Hîncu Monastery (Hîncu)
A forest monastery in the Codru hills with springs and quiet walks.
Places to Visit in Codru
Nature and Outdoors
- Codrii Nature Reserve (Lozova)
Moldova's oldest nature reserve of beech and oak forest.
Places to Visit in Căpriana
Things to Do
- Căpriana Monastery (Căpriana)
One of Moldova's oldest monasteries, set in the forest.
Places to Visit in Vadul lui Vodă
Nature and Outdoors
- Vadul lui Vodă (Vadul lui Vodă)
A summer riverside resort on the Dniester close to the capital.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Flea market at Piața Centrală (Centru, Chișinău)
Soviet badges, old cameras and curios spread out on blankets near the main market. - Artizanat craft shops (Centru, Chișinău)
Embroidered blouses, pottery and carpets made by Moldovan artisans. - Museum of the Victims of Deportations and Political Repressions (Centru, Chișinău)
A sobering look at Soviet era deportations of Moldovan families. - Pegas Terrace and Restaurant (Centru, Chișinău)
A romantic terrace for dinner with modern European and Moldovan food. - Grill House (Centru, Chișinău)
A smart steakhouse known for grilled meats and a good wine cellar. - Smokehouse (Centru, Chișinău)
American style barbecue and craft beer, a local favourite. - Bastion (Centru, Chișinău)
A stylish restaurant with a relaxed terrace and a modern menu. - Coffee Molka (Centru, Chișinău)
A cosy local café chain with homemade cakes. - Bon Appetit Café (Centru, Chișinău)
Pastries and cakes in a relaxed central spot. - Fourchette (Centru, Chișinău)
A friendly café for brunch and cakes near the centre. - Divino Wine Bar (Centru, Chișinău)
A cosy wine bar for tasting local reds over cheese and charcuterie. - Beer Garden Chișinău (Centru, Chișinău)
A big, lively beer hall with local brews and pub food. - Delice d'Ange (Centru, Chișinău)
A long running bar café with a good terrace and live music evenings. - Dublin Irish Pub (Centru, Chișinău)
An easy going pub with sport on screens and a mixed crowd. - Coliseum Palace rooftop (Centru, Chișinău)
City views and cocktails from above the centre. - Ethno Jazz Festival (Citywide, Chișinău)
An international festival blending jazz with folk traditions. - Ia Mania (Citywide, Chișinău)
A summer celebration of the embroidered Romanian blouse, with crafts and music. - Amigos Hostel (Centru, Chișinău)
A friendly hostel where solo travellers meet and swap tips. - Thomas Albert Hotel (Centru, Chișinău)
A boutique hotel with a quiet courtyard feel near the boulevard. - Hotel Cosmos rooms (Negruzzi Square, Chișinău)
A slice of Soviet style living with big city views. - Poiana Winery (Hârtopul Mare, Cricova)
A boutique winery making characterful local varieties. - Gitana Winery (Tănătari, Cricova)
A small winery with friendly tastings and food pairings. - Carpe Diem Winery (Ciumai, Cricova)
A small family winery whose owners also run a Chișinău wine bar. - Cricova village viewpoints (Cricova, Cricova)
Rolling vineyard views right above the cellars. - Casa din Butuceni (Butuceni, Orheiul Vechi)
A family guesthouse for a quiet night below the ridge. - Orhei town park (Orhei, Orheiul Vechi)
A pleasant central park and cafés on the way north. - Soroca History and Ethnography Museum (Soroca, Soroca)
Local finds and folk traditions in a small town museum. - Hotel Central Soroca (Soroca, Soroca)
A simple hotel in the centre for an overnight stay. - Soroca town cafés (Soroca, Soroca)
Simple local food and coffee in the centre. - Cosăuți (Cosăuți, Soroca)
A village of stone carvers above the river near Soroca. - Bender like river views at Japca (Japca, Soroca)
A peaceful riverside monastery village on the Dniester. - Gagauz home cooking (Comrat, Comrat)
Try kaurma and layered pastries in a simple local restaurant. - Gagauz Sofrasi (Besalma, Comrat)
A guesthouse village experience of Gagauz food and music. - Kazayak winery area (Kazayak, Comrat)
Gagauz villages where small wineries pour full bodied reds. - Hederlez festival (Comrat, Comrat)
A spring Gagauz festival of music, dance and food. - Comrat town hotels (Comrat, Comrat)
Simple hotels for a night in the Gagauz capital. - Hîrjauca Monastery (Hîrjauca, Hîrjauca)
A peaceful monastery in the hills of the Codru region.