Chișinău is Moldova’s leafy, laid-back capital, more akin to a relaxed provincial city than a bustling European metropolis. Set among wide, tree-lined boulevards and generous green parks, it offers an appealing blend of calm charm and quiet curiosity. In the city centre, elegant 19th-century buildings sit alongside stark Soviet-era architecture, reflecting the country’s layered past. A highlight is Memorial Park, where visitors can watch the goose-stepping guards change every hour, a ritual steeped in military tradition.
Beyond the capital, Chișinău is the perfect base for exploring Moldova’s most distinctive experiences. A day trip to the self-proclaimed republic of Transdniestr reveals Lenin statues, socialist banners and a Soviet atmosphere that feels frozen in time. Nature and history lovers should not miss Orheiul Vechi, a spectacular cave monastery complex carved into limestone cliffs by monks in the 13th century, one of Moldova’s most iconic landmarks.
Wine is central to Moldovan identity, and Chișinău proudly celebrates this heritage each autumn. The annual Wine Festival, usually held in early to mid-October, transforms the Central Square into a vibrant showcase of the country’s finest producers. Parades of wine-makers, horse-drawn carts and folklore ensembles in traditional costume fill the streets, before celebrations continue at the Moldexpo Centre with tastings, music and the chance to sample some of Europe’s most underrated wines.