Chișinău Guided Tours: Wineries, Museums

Travel advisory, as of October 2026: The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Transnistria and has no warning for the rest of Moldova (GOV.UK ). The US State Department lists Moldova at Level 2 and Transnistria at Level 3 (travel.state.gov ). Russian drones have crossed Moldovan airspace during the war in Ukraine, and Chișinău airport has had brief closures. Check flight status and both governments’ advice before you book.

Winery Tours

Guided cellar visits are the headline tour in Moldova. Every winery below runs set tours that you book in advance, and the tour is the only way in.

  • Cricova, about 15 km north: six tours from 70 minutes to 4 hours, priced from 400 MDL to 3,100 MDL per person. Tour details are on cricova.md .
  • Mileștii Mici, about 20 km south: from 50 minutes to 2 h 30. The basic Winery Tour is 350 MDL, and tastings with wine and food cost more. Prices exclude transport. See milestii-mici.md .
  • Castel Mimi, about 35 km east: tours from 1 h 10 to 2 h 30, with the shortest from about 400 MDL.

A wine tour is not a car-free outing. The estates sit outside the city, so plan a taxi, a booked transfer or a tour that includes the ride. Whoever drives should not taste, as Moldova has strict drink-driving rules.

Museum Guides

The National Museum of History offers group tours of 5 to 30 people. A Romanian-language tour costs 150 MDL for adults and 100 MDL for reduced tickets. A foreign-language tour costs 300 and 200 MDL. Book 24 hours ahead on +373 22 24-04-26. Entry to the museum is separate, at 50 MDL for adults. The museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays, and the programme is on nationalmuseum.md .

The Ethnography and Natural History Museum takes guided groups on request. Its collection includes a Deinotherium skeleton, which the museum describes as the only complete skeleton of the species in Europe.

Orheiul Vechi Guide

At the Orheiul Vechi reserve, a guided tour lasts about 1.5 hours for 1 to 10 visitors. It costs 200 MDL in Romanian and 300 MDL in a foreign language. English, Italian and French guides must be booked a day ahead on +373 676-11-711. Entry is 20 MDL on top of the guide, and parking for a car is 30 MDL.

Free Walking Tours

Tip-based walking tours run through GuruWalk and FreeTour.com, led by independent guides. Meeting points differ by guide. Typical spots are on Ștefan cel Mare boulevard, at the top of Columna street, near the National Opera and by the lions at the Organ Hall. Reserve on the platform, check the start time for your date and tip the guide at the end.

Jewish Heritage Guiding

The Jewish Community of Moldova, at jcm.md , and private guides lead visits to the sites of Jewish Chișinău. These tours are solemn. A typical route takes in the ghetto monument, the former Choral Synagogue building and the old cemetery.

Choosing a Tour

Put a winery in the morning and a museum guide in the afternoon if you have one day. For two days, add Orheiul Vechi. Bring lei for tips and entry fees, and wear layers for the cellars, which stay at +12 to +14 C at Mileștii Mici.

Compare group tours on Viator .

Read more: walking tours in Chișinău and day trips .