Hidden quietly between Romania and Ukraine, The Republic of Moldova is one of Europe’s most overlooked tourism destinations. The beautiful hills, ancient monasteries, underground wine tours, and authentic cuisine will charm the heart and soul of everyone visiting this captivating land. Moldova is a place that deserves to be on everyone’s vacation list this summer.
A Well-kept Secret
The Republic of Moldova is among Europe’s most budget-friendly countries. It is a place full of life, music, good food, and beautiful experiences. The local currency is the Moldovan Leu (£1≈23.19 MDL*), and whilst card payments are widely accepted in the cities, it is a good idea to have cash when travelling into the rural areas of the country.
There are diverse options for accommodation that cater to all types of travellers—from hostels and Airbnb’s to traditional homestays beyond city limits, and four-star hotels in the capital. This country is proof that you can avoid emptying your wallet on accommodation, while still enjoying comfort.
Most citizens here speak Romanian, and there is a significant number of people who also speak Russian, but you will be pleasantly surprised that the younger demographic speaks English flawlessly (as of 2023, a quarter of the residents of the Chișinău Municipality speak English). So you can rest assured that you wherever you go the staff will be able to help you out in English.
Off the radar, and onto something real
The first impression that people get of Moldova is its capital, Chișinău — a bit rough around the edges, it isn’t the usual postcard type of city. But why is it so interesting for travellers? Because it is full of energy like they’ve never seen before. The juxtaposition of the concrete buildings and the boulevards lined with trees offers a window into a life that combines all different aesthetics in one beautiful city.
Stephen the Great Central Park is a must-visit for those who seek to witness the warm ambiance that the locals enjoy on a daily basis (the weekends are the best days to go—different festivals and local markets take over the atmosphere in the park). Just a few minutes away, you can find two key museums: The National Arts Museum of Moldova (50MDL/£2.15) and The National History Museum of Moldova (50MDL/£2.15). Each of them shows the beauty of this country uniquely, through beautiful art and key history. After witnessing beautiful art and enriching your knowledge about this country, grab a sweet bite at the café next door, Délice D’Ange. It offers the best coffee in town and the best choice of desserts — the dragobete mousse (55MDL/£2.37) will leave you speechless.
Plăcintă? Please, and thank you!
The must-try delicacy while travelling in Moldova is plăcinte (55- 70 MDL/£2.37- £3). They are golden pastries that can be enjoyed in a restaurant or on the go (La Mămuca bakeries all over town are an excellent choice, there you can buy a plăcintă for only 22 MDL/£0,95), filled with an array of different fillings, sweet or savoury, including sheep or cow cheese, potatoes, cabbage, pumpkin, apples, or cherries. Following Moldovan traditions, one cannot leave the table without trying a bit of everything. This is why you must also try sărmale, cabbage rolls with rice and meat (200MDL/£8.62) and mămăligă with tocană, cornmeal with meat served with sour cream and sheep cheese (200MDL/£8.62).
Don’t forget to leave some room for dessert! Moldovans are famous for their babă neagră, a cake concocted of various ingredients including vodka (100MDL/£4.31). To completely immerse yourself in this country’s cuisine, the Fuior restaurant is your best choice (≈500-700 MDL/ £20-30 per person, for a starter, main dish, dessert and a drink). This is how one can truly understand why, in Moldovan culture, meals are never rushed and are always accompanied by amazing wine.
The Grape Escape
Every year, wines produced in Moldova gain international recognition in many competitions. Different from its French or Italian counterparts, Moldovan wines are made out of grapes that cannot be grown anywhere else, such as Feteasca Albă, Feteasca Regală, Feteasca Neagră, Viorica, and Rară Neagră. The southern climate allows the grapes to ripen and produce robust, unique wines that cannot be found anywhere else. You can’t leave without trying Viorica from Purcari Winery. Here, wine isn’t a luxury—it is a love language.
If you want to see the behind the scenes of wine-making, Moldova has got you covered. You must visit the cellars of Mileștii Mici—they are the holders of the Guinness World (2005) record for the largest wine cellar by number of bottles — 1.5 million. This winery offers tours of the cellars (prices range from 350 MDL/£15 per person to 2100 MDL/£90 per person) with a lovely surprise at the end, a tasting of sparkling wine or wine.
The wineries in Moldova offer extremely tasty food in a traditional setting that sweeps you off your feet. If you are searching for a more culturally enriched atmosphere, The Asconi Winery offers 12 traditional cottages for those willing to truly experience what it is like to live on this beautiful land. The houses open for the guests look exactly like any other house you would see while travelling in the countryside. One can really feel at peace in a place like that.
If you travel with a large group (a minimum of 6 people required), The Asconi Winery proposes a beautiful experience called Food and Wine pairing (1000 MDL/£42.89 per person). It is exactly as its name suggests, and for a duration of two hours.
Hiking boots tied and ready to wander off
While Moldova isn’t famous for its hiking trails, it can still surprise those who enjoy a more sporty approach to travel. The scenery is beautiful, from lavender fields to the Old Orhei hills. Old Orhei offers eight hiking trails, all different in length. A personal favourite is the one that allows you to see the history of the place, the Butuceni–Piatra Trail. All the trails are clearly marked on the territory of the reserve and are free of charge, unless you opt for an organised expedition. (500MDL/£21.56 per person). Other areas wonderful for hiking include Congaz (south of Moldova), and The Dnister River.
The Republic of Moldova offers a possibility for the traveller to choose the road less travelled. The only thing you need is a good pair of shoes and a car, because most of the hiking spots are not accessible by public transportation.
So while Moldova might be light on popular tourist attractions, it brings to those who choose to visit it something rarer: experiences that are tailored to nobody else but you, because the versatility of Moldova is unmatched. It offers a unique side to the Europe that we know — it is unfiltered, raw, and humane.
*Conversion rate as of 19.05.2025
Words by Ecaterina Vasiloi
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