Moldova travel guide
Moldova is a small, landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine, with rolling hills, vineyards and some of the largest wine cellars in the world. It is one of Europe's least visited countries, which means quiet monasteries, village hospitality and wineries without crowds. It suits wine lovers and curious travellers who don't mind fairly basic tourism infrastructure outside the capital.
Places worth the trip
Chișinău
The capital is a green city of wide boulevards and parks. The Stephen the Great Park, the Nativity Cathedral and its bell tower, the Triumphal Arch and the busy Central Market are all close together, and the city has a growing café and wine-bar scene.
Mileștii Mici
South of Chișinău, a network of limestone tunnels running for some 200 kilometres holds a wine collection recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. Tours are usually by car or small train through the underground galleries.
Cricova
Just north of the capital, an underground wine city of tunnels and streets named after grape varieties, with cellars used for ageing sparkling wine. Visits are by guided tour and need to be booked in advance.
Orheiul Vechi
A dramatic bend in the Răut river where a cave monastery is carved into the limestone cliff, above a village of painted wooden houses. The archaeological complex includes remains from many periods, and it is one of Moldova's most memorable landscapes.
Soroca Fortress
A round stone fortress on the Dniester river in the north, built in the 15th and 16th centuries as part of a chain of defences. The town is also known for its hilltop district of large and unusual houses built by Roma families.
Saharna and Țipova
Two monasteries on the cliffs of the Dniester valley. Saharna is set in a forested gorge with waterfalls, while Țipova includes cave churches cut into the rock high above the river.
Wine country in the south
The regions south of Chișinău, including Ștefan Vodă and the lands around Cahul, are dotted with family wineries and estates that offer tastings of local grapes such as Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră, often with homemade food.
Interesting facts about Moldova
- Mileștii Mici holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wine collection, with around two million bottles stored underground.
- Romanian is the official language, a status confirmed in the constitution by parliament in 2023; Russian is also widely spoken.
- On 1 March, Moldovans exchange mărțișor, small red-and-white tokens worn to welcome spring, a tradition recognised by UNESCO.
- Moldova has only a few hundred metres of Danube riverbank, at Giurgiulești in the far south, which gives the landlocked country its access to sea-going shipping.
- National Wine Day, held in early October in central Chișinău, brings winemakers from across the country to one big tasting festival.
Best time to visit Moldova
May to October is the best time to visit, with warm weather for walking and touring the countryside. September and October are particularly good, when the grape harvest and National Wine Day bring festivals and the hills turn golden. Summers can be hot, especially in July and August. Winters are cold, often with snow, and many rural attractions keep shorter hours, although wine cellars stay a constant temperature underground all year.
Getting around
Chișinău has trolleybuses, buses and plentiful marshrutka minibuses, and taxis ordered by phone or app are inexpensive. Minibuses and buses from the city's bus stations reach most towns and villages, though timetables can be hard to find online. For wineries and monasteries, the easiest option is to hire a car with a driver or join a day tour. Rail services are limited. Transnistria, a region on the east bank of the Dniester, is not under the control of the Moldovan government; check your government's current travel advice before considering a visit, and also before travelling near the border with Ukraine.
Practical details
- Capital
- Chișinău
- Currency
- Moldovan leu (MDL)
- Languages
- Romanian
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 (all emergencies)
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants is customary for good service; round up for taxis.
Staying online in Moldova
Moldova has fast mobile internet, with good 4G coverage in Chișinău, in larger towns and along main roads. Coverage is generally reasonable in the countryside but can drop in river valleys such as the Dniester gorges, and is naturally absent inside deep wine cellars. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, restaurants and hotels in the capital. Moldova is not in the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Directions in Chișinău and driving routes to wineries and monasteries.
- Google Translate: Romanian and Russian translation for menus and signs outside the capital.
- XE Currency: Convert lei prices quickly in markets and shops.
Moldova travel FAQs
Yes, for the large underground cellars such as Cricova and Mileștii Mici, which run scheduled guided tours. Smaller family wineries often welcome visitors too, but it is best to arrange your visit in advance.
Yes, coverage is good across most of the country. Because Moldova is outside the EU, roaming charges on many European plans can be high, so a travel eSIM is a simple way to get local data while keeping your home number active.
Romanian is the official language and is spoken by most people. Russian is widely understood, especially in Chișinău and in some regions. English is common among younger people in the capital.
Three or four days is enough for Chișinău, a couple of wine cellars and Orheiul Vechi. With a week you can add Soroca, the Dniester monasteries and the southern wine regions.