Things to do in

Chisinau

Together with a professional guide, visit the must-see places in Chisinau, Moldova, on this walking tour. As you explore, learn stories hidden in the streets, buildings, and corners, and discover what makes living here special. Start your tour outside the National Museum of History of Moldova. From there, continue to explore the city while hearing facts and legends. Spot one of Chisinau’s main attractions, the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which features a Neoclassical design. Having once produced nearly two-thirds of all the wine that was consumed in the Soviet Union, Moldova is well known for its wine industry. Get a chance to learn more about the history of local wine production in Chisinau. This tour is perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most out of their visit.

In the morning the tour guide will pick you up and your day trip in the Moldavian capital, Chisinau, will begin. On the way, you will discover the history of one of Moldova’s most beautiful monasteries. For a long time, the Capriana Monastery was the residence of the Metropolitan of Moldova and it was patronized by many Rulers of Moldova including Stefan the Great. Chisinau was first documented in 1420, but most of it was leveled in WWII and by a tragic earthquake that struck in 1940. They started rebuilding the city in 1950 in Soviet-style, and both the center and outskirts are dominated by utilitarian high-rise buildings. On the tour, you will discover Chisinau’s main attractions: their own Arc de Triomphe, the 1841 Holy Gates at the center of the city and we will stroll through one of the city’s parks and learn about Prince Stefan, the noble symbol of Moldova’s medieval past. Next on the itinerary is Cricova Winery, situated at a depth of 50-80 meters, representing a real underground city. The Moldavian cellars where Vladimir Putin keeps his wine are so big you need to drive through them. You will also find Herman Goering’s private collection, taken by the Red Army from Berlin in 1945. Considered to be the pearl of Moldovan winemaking, Cricova is the founder of production of high-quality elite wines. The influence of Ancient Greece and the Roman period is reflected in the reliefs you will discover inside the winery. In this unique place, you will have to opportunity to discover the steps to wine tasting and try a selection of the great range of wines. Optionally, you may choose to enjoy a delicious lunch in this fantastic place. Afterward, you will be transferred back to Iasi.

Day 1: Your first day starts at the reception of your hotel in Iasi, where you will meet your guide. Following your meet-up, you will start your trip to the Republic of Moldova, a country famous for its wines and for the fact that it is the least touristic country in all of Europe. The main attraction of the day is the capital city of the country, Chisinau. Known as the "City of White Stone" and the "City on Seven Hills". Chisinau does not stop to impress there though, also boasting massive socialist architecture that perfectly blends with the modern buildings and monuments. During the city tour you will visit the most iconic sites of the city, such as parliament and the Presidential House, together with the City Hall which was designed by the famous Russian architect Alexander Bernadazzi. Next on your itinerary is the Cricova Winery. Situated at a depth of 50-80 meters, it represents a real underground city. The Moldavian cellars where Vladimir Putin keeps his wine are so big you need to drive through them, at a length of more than 120 kilometers. In this unique underground city you will have the opportunity to discover the steps to wine tasting and try a selection of the great range of Moldavian wines. Following your wine experience, you will overnight in Chisinau. Day 2: Your second day will begin early in the morning with a 2-hour drive to the unrecognized state that split off from the Republic of Moldova after the dissolution of the USSR. This is a country with borders, a president, its own currency, an emblem, and a flag flying, yet nobody recognizes its existence. It is called Transnistria, and is a strip of land between the river Dniester and Ukraine. Right from the border checkpoint, you will notice the presence of the Russian peace troops who have been deployed in Transnistria since the Cold War. Nowadays, almost thirty years after the Cold War ended, Russia is still very present and maintaining peace in the region. You will then visit the towns of Bendery and Tiraspol, the two biggest in Transnistria which are home to around 200,000 people. Your guide will present to you the stories about the war against Moldova as well as their personal opinion on the events that took place in 1992. Following this historical experience, you will reach Iasi in the evening where your tour will conclude.

Get into the holiday spirit on this guided walking tour in Chisinau, Moldova. Together with a professional local guide, visit the most festive places including the local Christmas market. Learn Christmas legends about Chisinau. This special time of year brings magic to Chisinau. Take photos beside the festive Christmas tree in front of the city’s government building and visit an intimate family fair outside the opera and ballet theater. Then, head to the local old-fashioned Christmas market to shop and taste traditional Moldovan food, including snacks, sweets, pies, cakes, and plenty of wine. Prepare to be spellbound by the charming Christmas atmosphere that’s all around, something you can only experience in Chisinau this time of year.

The first day of your tour begins early in the morning with a trip to Kishinev, where you will take a city tour. But first, you will stop and visit two of Moldova's most important religious sites, the Hâncu Monastery and the Căpriana Monastery.  After the city tour, your guide will take you to the hotel for check-in and lunch. Next, you will visit the underground wine city of Cricova, where you will sample some of the wine. The second day of your tour will begin with a trip to the Old Orhei Archeological Complex, located in a rocky gorge at a depth of more than 200 meters. The highlight of the day is the Palanca Village, a place where ancient traditions have been kept alive for hundreds of years. The tour will then take you to the ‘Parents House’, a household from the 1900’s where Mrs. Tatiana will delight you with some of the best traditional Moldovan dishes you will ever taste. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to craft your own hand-made bracelet to remind you of your trip to Moldova and then you will return to Iasi.

Enjoy a one-way private transfer from your accommodation in Bucharest to your preferred location in Chisinau. Relax knowing that you are traveling safely in a licensed vehicle. Your driver will be waiting for you at your location in Bucharest. Experience a comfortable journey in an air-conditioned vehicle. Let your driver navigate you through the traffic smoothly. Travel conveniently without having to worry about pre-booking or last-minute searching.

Enjoy a one-way private transfer from your accommodation in Chisinau to your preferred location in Bucharest. Relax knowing that you are traveling safely in a licensed vehicle. Your driver will be waiting for you at your location in Chisinau. Experience a comfortable journey in an air-conditioned vehicle. Let your driver navigate you through the traffic smoothly. Travel conveniently without having to worry about pre-booking or last-minute searching.