Moldova
One of Europe's least-visited countries is one of its most rewarding for wine lovers: Cricova and Mileștii Mici store vast collections in tunnels carved from limestone, and family estates pour bold reds at a fraction of French prices. Add cave monasteries in the cliffs above the Răut and Dniester, leafy Soviet-era Chișinău and the oddity of breakaway Transnistria.
Overview
Moldova is small, rolling and agricultural, wedged between Romania and Ukraine, and most trips use Chișinău as a base, with day trips radiating out. Within an hour or two you can reach the great underground cellars of Cricova and Mileștii Mici, the cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi in its limestone gorge, and boutique estates such as Castel Mimi and Purcari. Further afield lie the medieval fortress of Soroca on the Dniester, the cliffside monastery at Țipova, and Gagauzia, a Turkic-speaking autonomous region in the south. Transnistria, the unrecognised Russian-backed strip east of the Dniester, keeps its own checkpoints, currency and Soviet iconography.
Moldova is among Europe's cheapest destinations: a good dinner with wine costs little, and tastings at even the grandest wineries are inexpensive by western standards. Tourism infrastructure is still developing, so public transport into the countryside can be sparse and English is limited outside Chișinău; a hired car or driver makes a big difference. It suits wine travellers, Soviet-history enthusiasts and anyone curious about Europe's edges. Many visitors are surprised by Chișinău's leafy boulevards and café culture, by the warmth of rural hospitality, which usually involves homemade wine, and by how widely Russian is still spoken alongside Romanian.
Map of Moldova
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Orheiul Vechi
A cave monastery dug into limestone cliffs above a loop of the Răut river, still tended by monks, with a bell tower above and the village of Butuceni below. The wider archaeological reserve includes Golden Horde and Moldavian ruins.
- 2Food
Cricova underground winery
Some 120km of tunnels beneath the town of Cricova, with street names and room for electric cars, store well over a million bottles. Book a tour for tastings and a look at the collection of historic vintages.
- 3History
Soroca Fortress
Stephen the Great's 1499 wooden fort on the Dniester was rebuilt in stone in the 1540s as a perfect circle with five bastions. On the hill above town, the Roma community's ornate mansions make a curious contrast.
- 4Sacred site
Țipova Monastery
Moldova's largest cave monastery, a warren of chambers and chapels hewn into cliffs high above the Dniester; legend says Stephen the Great married here. Paths lead down past waterfalls to the river.
- 5Architecture
Castel Mimi
A turreted château-winery founded by Constantin Mimi in 1893 at Bulboaca, restored and reopened in 2016 with cellar tours, tastings, a restaurant and rooms. Easily combined with a drive towards the Dniester.
Biggest cities
Chișinău
A green, low-rise capital of Soviet boulevards, parks and Orthodox churches, with a good café and wine-bar scene. The natural base for day trips to wineries and monasteries.
Tiraspol
Capital of breakaway Transnistria, with Lenin statues, a T-34 tank memorial and Kvint brandy. Moldova's government has no control here, so check the FCDO travel advice before going.
Bălți
Moldova's northern hub, sometimes called the 'northern capital', is a functional, largely Russian-speaking city; useful as a stop on the way to Soroca and the northern monasteries.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Moldova
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Chișinău
Festivals & events
- Jan, DecChristmas
Moldova marks Christmas twice, on 25 December and on the Orthodox date of 7 January, with carol singers going house to house and a festive market in Chișinău.
- MarMărțișor
On 1 March Moldovans exchange red-and-white tasselled tokens to welcome spring, worn through the month; Chișinău also hosts the long-running Mărțișor music festival.
- OctNational Wine Day
On the first weekend of October, central Chișinău fills with winery stalls, folk music and tastings to celebrate the harvest; it is the country's biggest party.
How much does Moldova cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Mămăligă
Golden cornmeal polenta served with brânză (salty sheep's cheese), smântână (sour cream) and often a pork tocană stew or fried eggs.
Plăcinte
Flaky stretched-dough pies filled with brânză, cabbage, potato, pumpkin or sour cherries, sold at bakeries and served as a starter in homes.
Zeamă
Soured chicken soup with homemade noodles, lovage and vegetables, sharpened with borș; Moldova's favourite cure after a long night of toasting.
Getting around
In Chișinău, trolleybuses and minibuses (rutiere) are cheap and frequent. Minibuses from the city's Central, North and South bus stations reach most towns, though rural services thin out by afternoon. Wineries and monasteries are far easier with a hired car or driver, or on a tour from Chișinău. Taxis are inexpensive and usually ordered by phone or app. Trains are few and slow; main roads have improved, but rural lanes can be rough.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +373
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% is standard in Chișinău restaurants; round up taxi fares and tip winery guides if a tasting was generous.
- Etiquette
- Bring flowers in odd numbers (even numbers are for funerals) when visiting a home, and expect to remove your shoes. Women cover their heads in monasteries, and men remove hats.
- Main airports
- Eugen Doga Chișinău International Airport (RMO), Chișinău
Visas & entry for Moldova
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Moldova for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days in a 6-month period. You must be able to show a return or onward flight ticket.
You need a work permit or residence permit to work or for stays of more than 90 days. See more information on work and residence permits.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Moldova
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day (by new style) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Christmas Day (by old style) |
| Fri 8 Jan 2027 | Christmas Day (by old style) |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Workers' Solidarity Day |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Easter |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Easter |
| Sun 9 May 2027 | Europe Day · Victory Day and Commemoration of the heroes fallen for Independence of Fatherland |
| Mon 10 May 2027 | Day of Rejoicing |
| Tue 1 Jun 2027 | International Children's Day |
| Fri 27 Aug 2027 | Republic of Moldova Independence Day |
| Tue 31 Aug 2027 | National Language Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Romanian
| English | Romanian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bună ziua | BOO-nuh ZEE-wah |
| Thank you | Mulțumesc | mool-tsoo-MESK |
| Please | Vă rog | vuh ROG |
| Excuse me | Scuzați-mă | skoo-ZAHTS-ee-muh |
| How much is this? | Cât costă? | kut KOS-tuh |
Know before you go
- The cellars at Cricova and Mileștii Mici can only be visited on booked tours, and they stay at around 12°C all year, so bring a warm layer even in August.
- Transnistria has its own checkpoints, currency (the Transnistrian rouble) and rules, and UK bank cards may not work there. Check the FCDO travel advice and your insurance first.
- Rural hospitality revolves around homemade wine and toasts, and glasses are refilled the moment they empty; pace yourself, and arrange a driver if you plan a day of tastings.
Moldova travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Moldova?
The best time to visit Moldova is generally May–Sep. Peak months are May, June, July, August and September. Average highs in Chișinău range from 1°C to 28°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Moldova cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £140+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Moldova?
Moldovan leu (MDL).
What plug type does Moldova use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Moldova?
Traffic drives on the right in Moldova, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Moldova?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Moldova?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Moldova for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days in a 6-month period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Moldova before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/moldova/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Moldova?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
