Moldova may be Europe’s least-visited country, so visit its relatively undiscovered capital, home to theatres and palaces in Soviet simplicity as well as more elaborate mansions and churches. Stroll through Chișinău’s myriad parks, visit museums and massive monuments, and as evening descends, taste red wine varieties at wine bars in the city, or in the world’s largest wine cellar just out of town. Food and drink, transport and tours are priced about half what you might pay in more popular European cities, making your unusual city break even more worthwhile.
A retro city break
Although the Moldovan capital’s origins go back to 1420, much of the city had to be rebuilt after World War II and a devastating earthquake had left it in ruins. Today, Chișinău may seem dominated by Soviet-era architecture, but it’s also dotted with ornate Orthodox churches and delicate 19th-century buildings, plus an impressive collection of 23 lakes and numerous parks. Count yourself among the lucky as you discover this little-known city, toasting with a glass of superb Moldovan wine or cognac.
Soviet simplicity, Orthodox beauty and opera in Chișinău
Chișinău’s main sights surround the neoclassical Nativity Cathedral, a dome-topped Moldovan Orthodox church and the neighbouring Cathedral Park, home to a Triumphal Arch celebrating Russia's 19th-century victory over the Ottoman Empire. Similarly, nearby Stephen the Great Central Park is named for a Moldovan prince who resisted Ottoman rule. View the stark white Presidential Palace with gold-glinted windows, completed by Soviet architects in 1987 for the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR, and the absolutely Soviet-style Moldovan National Opera and Ballet Theatre, where you can catch a world-class performance for under 10 euros. A bit beyond the centre, walk to the 19th-century Ciuflea Monastery, its baby-blue walls topped with gilt onion domes, or the less-ornate but still golden-domed Transfiguration Cathedral, which under Soviet rule was forced to operate as a planetarium and fell into disrepair. It was fully restored by the Orthodox church after Moldova achieved independence. Museum-wise, visit the National Art Museum of Moldova for the beautifully renovated interior and exterior as well as the collection. The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History is well worth a visit, more for the Art Nouveau building by a local architect than for the collection, which does include national costumes and a life-sized reconstruction of the skeleton of a dinothere – an 8-ton elephant-like mammal. Fans of Russian poet and novelist Alexander Pushkin may want to visit the two-bedroom guest house where he stayed in 1920 and 1923, which along with its original furnishings, displays a small collection of his writings and drawings, photos and other memorabilia.
Wine and hearty country fare
Moldova has a well-established wine industry, though you may not have heard of it, cultivating a vineyard area of 147,000 hectares. One place to start your tasting of the local varieties is Carpe Diem Wine Bar and Shop, or INVINO Enoteca. To survey an array of Moldova’s culinary staples, visit the Piata Centrala market, where locals haggle for everything from live animals, fresh meats, cheeses and vegetables to electronics, clothes and furniture. Moldovan cuisine is close to Romanian, with Greek, Turkish, and Russian influences. Meaning you’ll find borscht and other sour soups on most menus, plus mămăligă, a polenta-like cornmeal dish to accompany hearty stews, briny cheese called brânză and thick lamb or goat stews called ghiveci. For excellent local dishes, dine at La Placinte or the huge but still-cosy Pegas Restaurant & Terrace – these are two of the best restaurants in Chișinău.
Shopping centres
Chișinău boasts an impressive array of shopping centres, most notably, the cleverly named Malldova, plus Zity and Sun City. Since tourism hasn’t yet taken off in Chișinău, souvenir shops are not to be found on every corner, so seek out Souvenirs Folk & Art or ABCMoldova near the Cathedral for gems and wine to take home.
Wine-tasting and a post-Soviet state
A must-see is Mileștii Mici, the largest wine cellar in the world, where you can taste some of Moldova’s best. The cellar stretches for 200 kilometres and holds almost 2 million bottles of wine, which age in the limestone galleries at a constant humidity and temperature. Just beyond Mileștii Mici, visit the 19th-century palace built by Armenian merchant Manuc Bey at Hîncești. Or discover Moldovan rural and religious life with a trip north to Curchi Monastery, and drive on to the Old Orhei archaeological reserve, with an outdoor museum spanning centuries of life in the area and an Orthodox cave monastery inside the cliffs. Visit nearby Trebujeni village for a taste of local culture – literally, you can dine at a villager’s home. Get a glimpse of life in a post-Soviet breakaway state with a trip to Transnistria, also known as Transdniestria, a narrow strip of land on the border with Ukraine. Internationally recognized as part of Moldova, Transnistria has been called the last remaining Stalinist dictatorship in Europe, with its own government, parliament, military, police, postal system, currency, constitution and flag – the latter is the only one still using the hammer and sickle. Visit the Lenin statue in front of the Supreme Council building and the Tank Monument in the “capital” at Tiraspol. Enough of back in the USSR? Perhaps a stop at the Kvint distillery for local brandy and vodka is the right remedy.
Chișinău airport
Chișinău International Airport is 13 kilometres from the centre, a short journey by trolleybus 30 or minibus taxi 165, or by private taxi. Car hire is also available. There are cafés, duty free shops, a children’s play area and a pharmacy in the airport, and you can order the “Bread and Salt” service to have a Moldovan couple in national costume meet you as you arrive, with traditional food and drink.
Chișinău weather
The weather across Moldova is mildly cold in autumn and winter and relatively cool in spring and summer. Summer temperatures rise to 25°C and beyond, and while it’s chilly in winter, it’s rather dry.
FAQs for booking flights to Chișinău
How to get cheap flights to to Chișinău?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Chișinău flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Chișinău?
The best time to visit Chișinău, Moldova is from May to July. The weather is warm and pleasant, with temperatures averaging 25 °C, ideal for exploring parks, hiking and wine tours. If you don’t mind cooler weather, the shoulder seasons of April to mid-May and September to mid-October see fewer tourists and lower hotel prices for the budget-conscious travellers. The Moldova Wine Festival in October is great for experiencing the rich viticulture of this region. For a winter fairy tale experience, plan a visit between December and February, when the city is cloaked under a layer of snow.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Chișinău flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Chișinău flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
