Moldova is the least-visited country in Europe, but it’s a surprising destination — did you know it has a winery with the world’s largest wine collection stored in 200 km of underground cellars that you can drive through, along with Europe’s last remaining unrecognized independent state, Transnistria? Moldova is sandwiched between Romania (with whom it shares its official language) and Ukraine (not the side of the country where the Russians are).
I loved my short week in Moldova and can’t wait to return to explore the rest of the country.
It’s also quite inexpensive, being one of the 34 best affordable countries to travel to for $40 total per day. To continue our accommodation prices feature, we’ll share a separate post with many lodging price examples for these Moldovan destinations soon.
Here are the 6 best destinations in Moldova.
Map of the 6 best destinations in Moldova
Moldova is a small country, a bit less than half the size of New Brunswick. It has 2.5 million inhabitants, which is about half of Alberta.
Those figures exclude the area of the breakaway state of Transnistria/Pridnestrovie, even though I include it as a Moldovan destination here.
Here’s a map to locate all the destinations in this post.
1. Chișinău
With 800,000 inhabitants (similar to Winnipeg), Chișinău is the capital and largest city of Moldova, and it’s surrounded by beautiful vineyards and farmland. Nearly a third of Moldova’s population lives in the metropolitan area!
Key landmarks include the Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity, Ștefan cel Mare Central Park, and the Arch of Triumph. The city is home to several museums, such as the National Museum of History of Moldova and the National Art Museum, as well as the bustling Central Market. The local nightlife is very good, too.
Take a day trip from Chișinău to Mileștii Mici, known for its enormous wine caves and world-record wine collection of 2 million bottles. Explore the 200 kilometers of underground tunnels (you can drive around in your rental car as I did), taste local wines, and enjoy lunch at the winery.
2. Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)
Transnistria (Pridnestrovie in Russian, the local official language) is a small, unrecognized state, meaning no UN country recognizes its existence. So it’s technically part of Moldova in the eyes of the international community. Therefore, we put it as a destination in Moldova — because it deserves to be visited — even if it’s not really in Moldova.
It is a de facto country since it declared its independence in 1990: it fully controls its territory and has its own customs checkpoints, government, military, currency, license plates, etc.
It’s a unique opportunity to visit a place stuck in a frozen conflict (there aren’t many of these in the world) and a country that does not exist. It’s only about a 2-hour drive from Chișinău. You can get there by bus for just $6.In the capital, Tiraspol, you can explore Soviet-style monuments, including the Memorial of Glory, Park Pobeda, and the Green Market. It is truly a unique experience. You can read my post about my trip to Transnistria.
3. Gagauzia
Gagauzia is an autonomous region in the south of the country, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the capital. It has its own administrative and territorial autonomy within the Republic of Moldova.
In Comrat, the capital, you can explore memorials, the Comrat Regional History Museum, and the vibrant Sankt Ioan Botezator Cathedral.
4. Soroca
Soroca, a city in northern Moldova, has earned the title of the “Roma capital of Moldova.” It’s renowned for its historic fortress and Gypsy Hill, a distinctive quarter mainly settled by the Roma people, commonly called gypsies (they don’t like the term, though).
The Roma community is known for its colorful and ornate houses, often inspired by global landmarks. When visiting, it’s important to approach the community with respect and sensitivity.
5. Ungheni
The city of Ungheni is relatively close to Iași, one of Romania’s major cities, so it’s your getaway if you want to also explore the Land of Dracula. There’s a bridge to cross the Prut River by train, connecting the 2 countries, the Eiffel Bridge. You’ll be surprised to know that the engineer who designed the bridge was Gustave Eiffel, the same one who designed the Eiffel Tower!
In Ungheni, you can visit the Ungheni Museum, which showcases local history and culture, and the City Hall, which reflects the city’s architectural heritage.
6. Bălți
Bălți is located in the northern part of Moldova, about 140 kilometers from Chișinău. Often referred to as “the northern capital,” it’s the 2nd-largest city in terms of population (around 150,000 people) and economic significance.
You can wander around Vasile Alecsandri Square and shop in the Central Market. If you’re into high-quality spirits, you will love Barza Albă, one of the largest producers of Moldovan brandy.
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Summary
Moldova may be one of Europe’s smallest countries, but it’s packed with surprises (and very affordable)! You should experience its rich winemaking heritage, the unrecognized independent state of Transnistria, the vibrant Roma culture of Soroca, and authentic places in the old continent’s least visited country.
What would you like to know about the best destinations to go in Moldova? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Caves Milestii Mici, Moldova (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
