Chișinău in 3 Days: A Moldova Circuit

October 31, 2026

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.

A Three-Day Circuit

Three days is enough to see the capital and the best sites around it. The plan below keeps every stop west of the Dniester and uses Chișinău as the base, so you unpack once. A short trip into the countryside each day replaces long transfers.

Day 1: City Centre

Start at the Nativity Cathedral and the Triumphal Arch, then cross Central Park to the museums on Strada 31 August 1989. The National Museum of History and the National Museum of Art each charge 50 MDL for adults. The History Museum closes on Mondays, so plan this day for another weekday if you can. Finish with Valea Morilor Park and the Cascade Staircase, and dinner on Pușkin street.

Day 2: Orheiul Vechi and Curchi

Orheiul Vechi is 55 km from the city, about an hour away. The cave monastery above the Răut river is the draw, and lunch in Butuceni village follows. Entry is 20 MDL, and a guide costs 200 MDL in Romanian or 300 MDL in a foreign language. Add Curchi Monastery, about 14 km southwest of Orhei town, to see its Baroque cathedral from 1872. Return to Chișinău for the evening. By public bus, the five daily departures from the Central Bus Station are listed on orheiulvechi.com , and the last bus back leaves Butuceni at 16:30.

Day 3: Wine

Choose Mileștii Mici, about 20 km south, or Cricova, about 15 km north. Mileștii Mici lists a 50-minute tour for 350 MDL and tastings of 800 and 1,200 MDL. Cricova’s six tours range from 400 to 3,100 MDL. Castel Mimi, about 35 km east, rounds off the day with a tour from about 400 MDL and dinner at the White Owl restaurant, open daily until 22:00. Book every tour a day or more ahead, and use a taxi or a hired driver so nobody drinks and drives.

Optional Extra Nights

Castel Mimi overnight: the property describes itself as a zero-emission five-star wine resort and offers a spa package for 2,500 MDL on weekdays, with an indoor pool, jacuzzi and saunas.
Southern night at Château Purcari: the estate is in Ștefan Vodă, roughly 100 to 115 km south-east, and has a four-star hotel. Distances and rates vary, so check before booking.
Northern night at Soroca: the fortress is about 160 km away. Tipova and Saharna monasteries lie on the return route.

All of these stay within Moldova proper. Ukraine is not a sensible add-on, as crossings can close at short notice.

Getting Around

From the airport, trolleybus 30 runs to Great National Assembly Square in about 40 to 60 minutes, and minibus 165 also serves the airport. City fares are 7 MDL. The airport code is RMO. Power cuts are possible, so keep a charged phone and a small torch.

Where to Stay

Book a central hotel for the three nights. Browse rooms on Booking.com .