Photo authentic experiences in the Republic of Moldova. Tourist attractions to be unraven from Ștefan cel Mare’s old land

Accessible and friendly with tourists, the Republic of Moldova offers travelers some unique tourist attractions in Eastern Europe. From the capital of Chisinau, usually the travels to the less known lands of Moldova, bidders as relief, local traditions and authentic experiences.

Over 500,000 tourists visited the Republic of Moldova in 2024, according to official statistics, the number of visitors being increasing compared to previous years.

According to the data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS), over half of the tourists accommodated last year in the tourist reception structures were foreign citizens, mainly from Romania and Ukraine. Other visitors came from the United States, Israel, Turkey, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia and Poland.

The average duration of the stay of a tourist in Moldova was 4.3 days, and the most common accommodation options were hotels, motels, tourist and agrotourism pensions, sanatorium structures and holiday camps.

Although it is a country with a Soviet past, limited natural resources and without access to the sea, and in some abandoned villages the houses are sold for 4,000-5,000 euros, Moldova-a country of contrasts-manages to attract visitors through a series of tourist destinations with a western air, which can also satisfy more demanding tastes.

Among the most popular attractions are the capital Chisinau, the famous wine regions such as Cricova and Purcari, as well as the traditional villages, transformed into points of tourist interest.

Chisinau, the tourist landmark of Moldova

The most visited tourist destination in Moldova is the capital. Chisinau, a metropolitan center with about 800,000 inhabitants, is the place where most of the adventures of travelers in Moldova start.

“The capital is proud of its expansive green spaces, including over 23 lakes and numerous large parks, as well as many other interesting tourist attractions, such as museums, churches, outdoor markets, historical monuments, theaters and more. Research the streets of Chisinau and you will discover a diverse architecture, made of white limestone and modern urban design ”shows the Tourist Information Center in Moldova.

The capital includes numerous restaurants, hotels, winemakers, local clothing brands, brewers and shopping centers, and services are often more accessible than in many other European cities.

Orhei’s rock monasteries

Located less than an hour’s car in Chisinau, Orheiul Vechi is one of the most important historical sites in Moldova.

“Here, the Răut river snakes among the rocks and flirty villages, the most important to visit are Butuceni and Evădjeni, which in recent years have undergone an impressive development of tourism. In June, when the Festival discovers, Orheiul Vechi is particularly beautiful.”shows the Tourist Information Center in Moldova.

In this area, tourists can discover monasteries and rock chapters, such as the Birth of the Virgin, the cave or the Bosie.

“Old Orhei is renowned by its rock monasteries. This area was ideal for monasticism in the early Christian community. In those days, when Christians came to this country, it is possible that the caves were already in the rocks, carved by prehistoric tribes that lived in the area. The monks go deep into the inaccessible rocks. transmits Visit Moldova.

Also here are the vestiges of the Geto-Dacian fortress in Butuceni, dating from the 7th-8th centuries BC, as well as the ruins of the Tătărești baths, from the Age of the Golden Horde (starting with the second half of the 13th century). The area offers a broad perspective on the historical and cultural evolution of Moldova, and the tourist offer also includes outdoor activities, such as hikes, cycling, climbing or kayak on the Răut River.

The fortress of Stephen the Great

North Moldova impresses with spectacular landscapes and valuable historical monuments. Among the attractions of the region are the Criva cave – the northernmost point of the country, the village of Naslavcea, the mansions and the old churches in Drochia and Bocancea, as well as the Dendrological Park.

The city of Soroca houses the fortress of Soroca, a medieval monument founded by Stefan cel Mare and rebuilt from the stone by his son, Petru Rareș.

“The fortress of Soroca was raised by Stefan cel Mare in the last quarter of the fifteenth century, against the prey Tatars, who, passing through the Dniester’s Vads, made their way to Moldova. Guard against the Tatars ”informs Visit Moldova.

Another point of interest is the hundred mounds, a natural set consisting of thousands of hilly reliefs, associated with legends about Getic tombs or ancient signal systems. In the city of Balti, the second largest in the country, the interwar, Soviet and neo-Romanian architecture combines in an urban mosaic with its own identity.

The village of Rogojeni, located on the banks of Răutului, is remarkable by the serpentine form of the river – known as the Răutului elbow – and by the traditional cordeni houses, built in the steep slopes of the rock. Here the vestiges of the ancient cultures, including the Cucuteni – Trypillia civilization are preserved, but also architectural traces of the Ottoman era and the Tsarist period.

“Curiosity brings you here to explore the brothel type houses, also called” Basca “, ingeniously built right on the edge of the rock. These distinctive residences are perfectly combined with the natural environment, offering a spectacular view and an adventure for those who visit them,” shows the tourist center in Moldova

The underground city of wine

The Republic of Moldova has a wine -growing heritage over 7,000 years old, certified by archaeological discoveries related to the Neolithic civilization Cucuteni -Tripolia.

Moldovan wines are matured under natural conditions, in some of the most extensive underground galleries in the world. The winery routes, gathered under the concept of the Wine Road, crossed four historical wine regions: Codru, Traian’s Wave, Stefan Voda and Divine.

One of the most important centers of the Moldovan winemaking is Cricova, famous for its vineyards and for the underground complex dug in limestone, used for both wines and tourism maturation.

“The cellars from Cricova are truly unstoppable in the world. Here, history, archeology and the art of winemaking, united in a whole, formed a real underground city. Currently, the wine city covers an area of ​​53 hectares, and the underground galleries, transformed into streets, have a total length of 120 kilometers. Depending on the relief ”informs the Cricova Wine Combined.

Founded in 1952, the Combined was arranged in former stone quarries, used for the excellent conditions of wine storage.

“The cellars appeared as a result of the extractive activity in these places, thus, from the beginning, the basements were a stone. Many buildings in Cricova, Chisinau, Balti and other cities in Moldova were built from the limestone extracted from here. In some arms of the galleries there are still limestone, so this huge underground city continues to grow.”, Announces the representatives of the handset.

The “exotic” areas of Moldova

The south of the Republic of Moldova attracts through various natural landscapes, authentic traditions and a distinct local gastronomy.

In Gagauzia, an autonomous region with their own ethnic identity, tourists can discover traditional dishes such as Gözleme or Shurpa, along with local wines produced in households and family wineries. In the Cahul district, Lake Beleu, part of the “Prutul de Jos” reservation, it is a true paradise of birds, with large colonies of pelicans, pikes and egrets.

The Transnistrian region, located east of the Dniester River, has a special political status and retains an atmosphere marked by symbols of the former USSR. The cities of Tiraspol, Bender and Rîbnița include buildings, monuments and elements of Soviet architecture, attracting tourists interested in an unusual foray into recent history.

Access to the region is easy from Chisinau, with road transport, only the travel passport is required.

How safe is Moldova for tourists

For tourists with a spirit of adventure, Tiraspol can be an interesting destination, but the Moldovan authorities show that visiting the region involves certain risks. Due to the unresolved conflict, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova cannot effectively control the situation in the east districts.

“We do not recommend travelers to visit Transnistria at this time, because the Republic of Moldova cannot ensure safety there, given the high level of alert and the current uncertainty in that territory,” It shows the Tourist Information Center of Moldova, citing a statement of the Government of the Republic of Moldova.

In the rest of the country, Moldova is considered a safe travel destination. According to the Tourist Information Center, “Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, in February 2022, over 450,000 Ukrainians crossed the border in Moldova, but the initial crisis has stabilized, and now the Moldovan authorities manage the situation effectively.”

The country was not affected by attacks or violence associated with the conflict in the region.

“The borders of Moldova are open for travelers, and the tourist industry prepared for visitors. Chisinau Airport and the Air Space of the Republic of Moldova have been reopened for trading flights of March 21, 2022. Most flights are to Chisinau, including direct flights from London, Rome, Bucharest, Istanbul, Other Big, our country. North, CSI and several other countries do not need a visa to enter the country ”, shows the institution.

Restaurants, cafes, wineries, shops, hotels, museums and other businesses work in ordinary, without restrictions. The same is true for internal transport.