Moldova Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Local time: 10:10
Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Capital: Chișinău
Calling code: +373
Drive on the: right

Overview

One of Europe's least visited countries: huge underground wine cellars, a cave monastery at Orheiul Vechi and a relaxed capital, Chișinău.

Moldova is a small, landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine, mostly gently rolling steppe, and one of the least visited countries in Europe. Its two great draws are wine and monasteries. Mileștii Mici and Cricova, near the capital, have wine cellars with more than 100 km of underground roads, and Orheiul Vechi has a 13th-century monastery cut into the cliffs. Wine is good and inexpensive, and tours of cellars and monasteries leave from Chișinău.

Chișinău is the transport hub and a pleasant city to walk around for a few days, with museums, restaurants and lively nightlife. Romanian is the official language and Russian is widely spoken; few people speak English well. The east of the country, Transnistria, is outside the control of the Moldovan government: the UK advises against all travel there and Canada against non-essential travel. Moldova uses the leu (MDL).

Mileștii Mici and Cricova: Wine cellars with 200 km and 120 km of underground roads, close to Chișinău.
Orheiul Vechi: Moldova's best-known sight: a 13th-century cave monastery, half an hour's drive from the capital.
Chișinău: The capital, with museums of archaeology, natural history and fine arts, and a busy nightlife.
Soroca: A town with a fortress built by Stephen the Great in 1499.
Saharna and Țipova: Two monasteries above the Nistru, one a major pilgrimage site, the other cut into the rock.

Places to visit

City
Park
Historic site

Cities

Chișinău: The capital and transport hub, with museums, restaurants and nightlife.
Bălți: The second city, with a pedestrian zone around the central square.
Soroca: Home to the Soroca fortress of 1499, and known as Moldova's Roma capital.
Orhei: A town fortified since the 6th century BC, near the cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi.
Ungheni: A border town with a bridge over the Prut to Romania, designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Comrat: The capital of autonomous Gagauzia, known for the wines of the south.
Cahul: A southern town known for its spas.

Beyond the cities

Orheiul Vechi (site): A 13th-century cave monastery, with more cave complexes in the cliffs nearby.
Orhei National Park (park): Moldova's only national park, 337 km², protected since 2012.
Mileștii Mici (site): A wine cellar with over 200 km of underground roads, listed by Guinness World Records as the largest wine collection in the world.
Cricova (site): The second-largest wine cellar, 120 km of tunnels, 15 minutes' drive from Chișinău.
Căpriana Monastery (site): One of the country's most important monasteries, 40 km from Chișinău.
Saharna Monastery (site): A major pilgrimage centre on the Nistru, about 110 km north of Chișinău.
Țipova Monastery (site): A rock monastery on the Nistru in the centre-east of the country.

Regions

Moldova: The country under government control, with Chișinău, the wine cellars, the monasteries and autonomous Gagauzia.
Transnistria: A breakaway region east of the Nistru, outside the government's control; the UK advises against all travel there.

Things to do

See

Orheiul Vechi cave monastery Orheiul Vechi: Six minibuses a day from Chișinău's central bus station; explore the other cave complexes in the cliffs only with a guide.
Căpriana Monastery Căpriana Monastery: Hourly morning buses from the Sculeni district of Chișinău.
Saharna Monastery Saharna Monastery: A pilgrimage site with the relics of the Blessed Macarie and a legendary footprint on the cliff top.
Soroca fortress Soroca: Built by Stephen the Great in 1499.
Chișinău museums Chișinău: Archaeology and Ethnography, Natural History and the National Museum of Fine Arts, all in the centre.

Drink

Wine cellar tours Cricova: Cricova and Mileștii Mici are the big ones; for Mileștii Mici you need a car, so an agency tour is easier.
Brănești cellar: A smaller, cheaper cellar close to Orheiul Vechi, so you can combine wine and monastery.

After dark

Nightlife in Chișinău Chișinău: Plenty of clubs and bars, more than you might expect.

Tours and tickets in Moldova PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Chișinău, wine and monasteries in 4 days (4 days)

Chișinău (3 nights): Museums, and day trips to Cricova, Mileștii Mici and Căpriana.
Orheiul Vechi (1 night): The cave monastery; the tourist centre has a small hotel.

North of Chișinău in 4 days (4 days)

Chișinău (1 night): Start in the capital.
Orhei (1 night): For Orheiul Vechi and Orhei National Park.
Soroca (1 night): The fortress of 1499.
Bălți (1 night): The second city, with its pedestrian centre.

Climate and best time to visit

Chisinau
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max °C	0	2	7	16	22	25	26	26	22	15	8	3
Min °C	-6	-4	-1	6	11	14	16	15	11	6	2	-3
Rain mm	40	38	35	42	51	76	69	45	46	27	40	38

Moldova has a continental climate: cold, snowy winters, mild springs and autumns and warm to hot summers. In Chișinău the average maximum is about 0 °C in January, with nights around -6 °C, and 26 °C in July and August. June is the wettest month (about 76 mm), and autumn is fairly dry.

May, June and September are warm without the midsummer peak.

Holidays and events

1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
7 January 2026 · Christmas Day (Orthodox)
8 January 2026 · Christmas Day (Orthodox)
23 February 2026 · Day of Veterans of the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies
8 March 2026 · International Women's Day
12 April 2026 · Easter Sunday
1 May 2026 · Labour Day (Moldova)
9 May 2026 · Victory and Commemoration Day
22 May 2026 · Bălţi Day
27 August 2026 · Independence Day (Moldova)
31 August 2026 · Memorial Day
31 August 2026 · Limba Noastra (National Language Day)
3 September 2026 · Day of the Moldovan National Army
14 October 2026 · Capital's Day
21 November 2026 · South Capital's Day Cahul
25 December 2026 · Christmas Day

Getting around

Main airports	RMO

Buses and minibuses (rutiere) are the most reliable way around and reach most of the country from Chișinău's three bus stations; minibuses are faster, larger buses travel more slowly and are slightly safer. Pay the driver as you board. Canada notes that bus accidents are common and many vehicles are old, and that trains are often delayed or cancelled without warning. In Chișinău trolleybuses are cheap, with a conductor selling tickets on board.

Driving is risky: roads are poorly maintained and lit, with tractors, carts and livestock, and driving standards are poor. Avoid driving outside towns, especially at night. A UK photocard licence is valid; Canada advises carrying an International Driving Permit. The blood alcohol limit is 0.03%, and you must carry a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle. Taxis: ask your hotel to call a reputable company, agree the fare if there is no meter, and never share with strangers.

Flying to Moldova? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flights

Where to stay

Hotels: Surprisingly expensive in Chișinău; prices are often in euros or US dollars. Old Soviet hotels in smaller towns charge a lot for what they offer.
Hostels: Still few, mostly in Chișinău.
Apartments: Many locals in Chișinău rent apartments of varying quality; a booking site helps if you do not speak Romanian or Russian.
Homestays: In the countryside you can often stay in a local's house, arranged informally on arrival.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Mămăligă: One of the traditional dishes to try, ideally with homemade wine.
Plăcintă: Another essential traditional dish.
Sarmale: A traditional dish shared with Romanian cooking.
Zeamă: Part of Moldova's own culinary style.

Drinks

Moldovan wine: High quality at low prices; reds are especially popular, and many village households make their own.

Tipping	Moldovans are not used to tipping.

Chișinău has many good places to eat, from cheap local canteens to restaurants with European prices. Much of what is eaten comes from Russian and Romanian cooking. If you are invited to a meal, expect it to be long and to include plenty of wine.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	At least 3 months beyond your departure for UK passports, 6 months for Canadian passports, with one blank page

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
EU / EEA	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 6-month period.
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	90 days in a 6-month period; you must show a return or onward ticket.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	90 days per 6-month period; you must show a return or onward ticket.
United States	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 6-month period.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

Visitors from the EU, the UK, the US and Canada can stay up to 90 days in a 6-month period without a visa. The authorities register your arrival automatically and enforce fines and expulsion for overstays. Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared.

There are no official border checks between Moldova and Transnistria, but the de facto authorities run checkpoints and issue a migration card. If you enter Moldova through Transnistria, you must register within 72 hours at a border crossing, a Migration and Asylum Bureau or a Public Services Agency office, or you may have problems leaving. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Moldovan Leu (MDL)

Moldova uses the leu (MDL), plural lei. Cards are now widely accepted, but not everywhere outside Chișinău, so carry some cash. Euros and US dollars are the easiest foreign currencies to change; notes must be in perfect condition, and British pounds can be hard to exchange. Card and ATM fraud happens, so keep your card in sight. Transnistria uses its own ruble, which cannot be exchanged elsewhere, and its ATMs do not take foreign cards.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tick-borne encephalitis, if you will hike or camp in forests between April and November, Rabies, for travellers at higher risk, such as those in contact with animals
Tap water	Not safe

Drink only bottled or boiled water. Agricultural chemicals have contaminated some soil and groundwater, and boiling does not remove them, so use water from a known safe source. Rabies is carried by dogs and wildlife: avoid stray dogs. Check vaccines with a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.

State hospitals are generally poor and private clinics are better; medical supplies can run short and few staff speak English. Most providers expect payment at the time of treatment, so have travel insurance that covers evacuation. Medicine labels are in Romanian or Russian. Dial 112 for an ambulance; staff may speak only Romanian or Russian.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (2026-10-20)
Canada: Exercise a high degree of caution (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: Advises against all travel to parts of the country (2026-10-20)

The UK advises against all travel to Transnistria, and Canada against non-essential travel there; consular help in the region is very limited. Canada also advises a high degree of caution in the rest of Moldova because of the effects of the war in neighbouring Ukraine and the risk of demonstrations: stay away from protests, especially in central Chișinău, and be alert near the Ukrainian border.

Petty theft and pickpocketing happen, mainly in Chișinău, and streets are often badly lit, so carry a torch at night. Beware of people posing as police officers who ask for fines, of drinks spiking in bars and clubs, and of romance and business scams that start online. Do not photograph military or government sites, airports or power stations.

Customs and etiquette

Visitors attract curious stares, which are not hostile. Hospitality is generous, and a long meal with plenty of wine may be organised in your honour. At monasteries and churches dress conservatively: no shorts, and women cover their heads. In rural areas it is taboo for women to smoke or drink.

Politics, national identity and even the name of the language (Romanian or Moldovan) are sensitive subjects; avoid raising them, especially the Transnistria question. Always carry photo ID, as the police can ask for it. Exporting art or antiques needs permission. Public attitudes to same-sex couples are not tolerant.

Language

Official languages	Romanian
English	Limited

Hello	Salut sah-LOOT
Please	Vă rog vuh ROHG
Thank you	Mulțumesc mool-tzoo-MESK
Excuse me	Pardon pahr-DOHN
Goodbye	La revedere lah reh-veh-DEH-reh
Do you speak English?	Vorbiți engleză? vor-BEETZ eng-LEH-zuh

What to pack

Passport, plus a copy of the photo page: The police can ask for ID at any time.
A torch: Streets and paths are poorly lit, even in Chișinău.
Euros in clean, undamaged notes: Cards are not accepted everywhere, and worn notes may be refused.
Medicines you need: Some are not available, and local labels are in Romanian or Russian.
Modest clothes and a headscarf: Required in monasteries and churches.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Chișinău
Population	2,360,527 (2025)
Area	32,930 km²
Time zone	Europe/Chisinau (UTC+2)
Calling code	+373
Driving side	right

Staying connected

Roaming	The EU's roam like at home rules also cover Moldova, so with an EU SIM card calls, texts and data cost the same as at home. Others should check their provider's rates.

Staying connected in Moldova PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Emergency numbers

Emergency	112

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Moldova?

Not for stays of up to 90 days in a 6-month period with an EU, UK, US or Canadian passport. Check the official advice before you book.

Is it safe to visit Transnistria?

The UK advises against all travel there and Canada against non-essential travel; consular help is very limited.

Can I drink the tap water in Moldova?

No: drink bottled or boiled water, and prefer a known safe source.

Can I pay by card?

Usually in Chișinău, less often elsewhere: carry some cash, and euros in good condition.

Which language is spoken in Moldova?

Romanian is the official language and Russian is widely spoken; English is not common.

Do I need to tip?

No, Moldovans are not used to tipping.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Moldova