Chișinău, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, is located in the central part of Moldova, right on the banks of the Bîc River.

Chișinău was first mentioned in 1436 as a monastic village. In 1812, it became the capital of the Russian Bessarabia Governorate. During the Second World War, the city was almost entirely destroyed by earthquakes and bombing. Most of what you see today was rebuilt after 1945.

In 1991, Chișinău was declared the capital of the independent Republic of Moldova following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The city is often called the “Green City” because it has one of the highest ratios of natural green space to built-up area in Europe. It includes more than 23 lakes and numerous large parks and is also filled with interesting things to see, including museums, churches, outdoor markets, historical monuments, theatres and much more.

Chișinău has a continental climate and can be quite cold in spring and winter due to its geographical location. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 37°C. Summer, when nature is fully awake, is the best season to visit Chișinău.

With its high tourism potential, Chișinău is one of the European cities where visitors can enjoy an affordable holiday. Situated between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is waiting to be discovered by travel lovers and gastronomy enthusiasts.

Chișinău is a well-organized and compact city, and two days are enough to visit its main attractions. The city is affordable and safe, making it a perfect off-the-beaten-path weekend getaway.

Soviet-era monuments meet trendy wine bars and neoclassical architecture throughout Chișinău, a city of hidden courtyards. Many of the best cafés and bars are hidden behind restrained Soviet façades. Do not be afraid to walk through an archway into a courtyard, where you may find a modern terrace.

Architectural Heritage & City Layout

Chișinău was designed as a “garden city” in the 19th century by Alexander Bernardazzi and later redesigned after the Second World War by Alexey Shchusev. This resulted in a grid-like street plan in the centre, making it easy to navigate.

• The Soviet Layers: Brutalist influences can be seen in buildings such as Hotel Cosmos and the Romanita Collective Housing Tower, a 22-storey circular residential building.
• The Gates of the City: Two massive symmetrical apartment blocks mark the entrance to the city from the airport and were built to resemble a giant open gate.
• Religious Architecture: Beyond the main cathedral, St. Teodora de la Sihla Church is a Neo-Byzantine masterpiece designed by Bernardazzi.

Top Places to Visit

• The Triumphal Arch: Built in 1840 to commemorate the victory over the Ottoman Empire, it is the most famous landmark in the city centre.
• Nativity Cathedral: Located behind the Arch, this Orthodox cathedral stands in a large and peaceful park.
• Ștefan cel Mare Park: The oldest park in the country is ideal for people-watching and includes the Alley of Classics, with statues of famous Romanian and Moldovan writers.
• Valea Morilor Park: A large park with a lake, a grand granite staircase and a beach area. It is one of the best places for a sunset walk.
• Chișinău Botanical Garden: Covering 76 hectares, the garden offers nature lovers a unique experience and is home to flowers and trees that thrive even in harsh climatic conditions.
• Dendrarium Park: An 83-hectare green oasis in the Buiucani district, serving as an important oxygen reservoir and natural air filter. The Dendrarium received state protection on 16 July 1998.
• National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History: Its thematic collections offer an excellent introduction to the city’s culture and natural heritage.

Facts About Chișinău

• Tipping is common in Chișinău and throughout Moldova.
• Tourism is an important source of income, and local people are very hospitable to visitors.
• Romanian is the official language. Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Gagauz and English are also spoken.
• If you plan to visit Chișinău in autumn or winter, remember to bring warm clothing.
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash in Moldovan lei (MDL) is useful for local markets, boutiques, transport tickets and other small purchases.

Wine Culture and Local Food

Moldova has the highest density of vineyards in the world, and Chișinău is the gateway to its famous underground wineries.

• Cricova, 15 km away: An underground labyrinth extending for approximately 120 km. Its tunnels are large enough to be visited by car or electric train and house the National Oenotheque.
• Mileștii Mici, 20 km away: More than 200 km of limestone tunnels and a Guinness World Record wine collection of over 1.5 million bottles.
• Urban Wine Bars: In the city centre, venues such as Invino and Carpe Diem offer sommelier-led tastings of indigenous grape varieties including Fetească Neagră and Rara Neagră.
• Local Food: Try plăcinte, flaky pastries filled with cheese, potatoes, cabbage, meat, apples or sour cherries, and zeamă, a traditional sour chicken noodle soup.

More information and places to visit are available on the official tourism website: visit.chisinau.md.

The tourist map “Chisinau City Map” is distributed free of charge to visitors at the Chișinău Tourist Information Centre.