Chisinau Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Chișinău tours and things to do in Moldova’s capital and wine country: descend into the vast underground cellars of Cricova and Mileștii Mici, taste the wines of one of the world’s oldest wine nations, visit the cliffside cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi, and take a Soviet time-capsule day trip to Transnistria. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Chisinau by interest
Whatever brings you to Chisinau — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Cricova cellars
Underground wine.
ExploreMileștii Mici
World’s largest cellar.
ExploreOrheiul Vechi
Cave monastery.
ExploreTransnistria
Soviet time capsule.
ExploreSoviet history
USSR-era sights.
ExploreCountryside
Rural Moldova.
ExploreCity tours
Leafy capital.
ExploreChișinău highlights
Wine & history.
ExploreTop attractions in Chisinau
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Cricova Cellars
Underground wine.
Mileștii Mici
World’s largest cellar.
Orheiul Vechi
Cave monastery.
Transnistria
Soviet region.
Moldova Wine
Vineyard tastings.
Countryside
Rural Moldova.
City Centre
Leafy capital.
Cathedral
City landmark.
1 hr awayOrheiul Vechi
Cave monastery.
1.5 hr awayTransnistria
Soviet region.
30 min awayCricova
Underground wine.
30 min awayMileștii Mici
Largest cellar.
Region awayCountryside
Rural Moldova.
City awayCity Tour
Leafy capital.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Chisinau visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and green — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and lively, ideal for touring.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
The wine harvest and festival season.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold and quiet, cosy for cellar visits.
For wine
October brings the National Wine Day.
Best overall
May, June and September for fine weather.
One day
The city and the Cricova cellars.
Two days
Add Mileștii Mici and Orheiul Vechi.
Three days
Add a Transnistria day trip.
For wine
Cricova and Mileștii Mici cellars.
For culture
Orheiul Vechi and the city.
For history
A Transnistria Soviet day trip.
On foot
The leafy centre is easy to explore.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach the cellars, Orheiul Vechi and beyond.
By air
Chișinău airport links the city to Europe.
By car
A car or tour is handy for the countryside.
Where to stay
Stay in the central boulevard district.
Moldovan leu
Moldova uses the leu; carry some cash.
Cricova
Book the cellar tour and train ride ahead.
Mileștii Mici
Pre-book to tour the record-breaking cellar.
Orheiul Vechi
Join a tour for the cave monastery and views.
Transnistria
Bring your passport for the border crossing.
Wine tastings
Book a driver so everyone can taste.
Warm layer
The cellars stay cool — bring a jacket.
Cricova tours
Cellar tours fill up — book ahead.
Mileștii Mici
Cellar tours fill up — reserve early.
Orheiul Vechi
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Transnistria
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Wine Day
October’s festival is very busy — book well ahead.
Summer season
Summer is busiest — book ahead.
City tour
Around €25–50 for a Chișinău city tour.
Cricova tour
About €90–140 for a Cricova cellar tour.
Mileștii Mici
Roughly €99–150 for a cellar tour.
Orheiul Vechi
Around €79–130 for an Orheiul Vechi day trip.
Transnistria
About €32–90 for a Transnistria day trip.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Chisinau through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- City & country.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Touring.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
- Best for
- Wine harvest.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Cellar visits.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.