Moldova is one of those countries in Europe that rarely seems to make it onto the average travel itinerary. When I visited, it felt like I had much of the country to myself. Moldova is relatively poor by European standards, but that never translated into a bad travel experience for me. The cities were clean, the people I met were respectful, and prices were extremely low compared with most of Europe.
As far as travel goes, Moldova seemed to revolve around wineries, monasteries, rural villages, and a few unusual historic sites. The countryside still has a slower and more traditional atmosphere, while the capital of Chisinau gives you a more modern side of the country. Then there is Transnistria, which feels almost like a preserved fragment of the former Soviet Union.
Explore Chisinau
Chisinau is Moldova’s capital and by far its largest city, but it still feels small compared with most European capitals. This isn’t the kind of city packed with famous landmarks or huge tourist crowds, and even some locals seemed surprised that I had come to Moldova simply to travel.
For me, that was part of the appeal. Chisinau had restaurants, parks, nightlife, Soviet-era architecture, and extremely affordable prices. It was a different kind of European capital and a good place to begin exploring the rest of the country.
Explore Orheiul Vechi
Orheiul Vechi is one of Moldova’s most unusual historic sites. The landscape has been occupied by different civilizations over the centuries, with caves and rooms carved directly into the limestone cliffs. Some of those spaces were used by monks, and an Orthodox monastery still remains active today.
The combination of archaeology, monasteries, caves, and the surrounding countryside made Orheiul Vechi one of the most interesting places I visited in Moldova.
Explore Milestii Mici
Wine is an important part of Moldovan culture, and Milestii Mici is probably the country’s most famous winery. An enormous network of underground tunnels was transformed into wine cellars, where the naturally cool conditions are ideal for storing and aging bottles.
The underground complex is so large that visitors actually drive through parts of it. With seemingly endless tunnels lined with wine, Milestii Mici was easily one of the most memorable places from my trip through Moldova.
Explore Capriana Monastery
Capriana is one of Moldova’s best-known monasteries and has been an important religious site for centuries. The complex sits in a quiet rural setting surrounded by forest, with several churches and other buildings maintained by the monks who live there.
Of the monasteries I visited in Moldova, Capriana was one of the most beautiful and gave me a good look at the country’s Orthodox religious traditions outside the cities.
Explore Moldova’s Countryside
Outside the cities, Moldova becomes a country of small villages, farmland, forests, and quiet roads. Horses and older vehicles are still common in some rural areas, and life often feels much more traditional than in the larger cities of western Europe.
Driving through the countryside was one of the best ways to see this side of Moldova. Some of my favorite moments came from simply passing through villages and seeing everyday life rather than visiting a specific tourist attraction.
Explore Transnistria
Along Moldova’s eastern border is the breakaway region of Transnistria. Although internationally recognized as part of Moldova, Transnistria operates with many of its own institutions and has a very different atmosphere from the rest of the country.
Soviet symbols, monuments, older architecture, and the region’s own currency give parts of Transnistria the feeling of stepping into another era. Most travelers only visit for a day, but for me it was one of the most unusual experiences in this part of Europe and definitely worth seeing while traveling through Moldova.
