Chișinău Activities: Wine Cellars and Day Outings
Before you go (October 2026 advice): The US State Department rates Moldova at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, and Transnistria at Level 3, Reconsider Travel (travel.state.gov ). The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Transnistria and gives no warning for the rest of the country (GOV.UK ). Drones from the war in Ukraine have entered Moldovan airspace this autumn, and flights from Chișinău have been disrupted at times. Check with your airline and your government before booking.
What to Do in and around Chișinău
Visitors spend most of their time on three kinds of outing: underground wine cellars, a village-and-cliff day at Orheiul Vechi, and city museums. All prices here are in Moldovan lei (MDL), and card payment is common in the capital.
Choosing a Cellar
| Estate | Distance | Shortest tour | Longest tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricova | about 15 km north | 70 min, 400 MDL | 4 h, 3,100 MDL |
| Mileștii Mici | about 20 km south | 50 min, 350 MDL | menus up to about 2,200 MDL |
| Castel Mimi | about 35 km east | 1 h 10, from 400 MDL | 2 h 30, 1,350 MDL |
Cricova suits first-timers who want a choice of tour lengths. Mileștii Mici suits anyone curious about scale. Castel Mimi suits a long lunch with a spa or an overnight stay.
Cricova in Detail
Tours move through underground galleries and cover the sparkling-wine section and the national collection. The Business tour (700 MDL, 1 h 30) and the Expert tour (950 MDL, 2 h) sit between the entry-level and the long tastings. Bottles to take home cost 250 MDL extra. Phone +373 79 202 999 or write to office@cricova.md , and see the tour list at cricova.md .
Mileștii Mici in Detail
Guinness World Records recognises the cellar for holding over 1.5 million bottles along 55 km of galleries. Tickets: 350 MDL for the 50-minute Winery Tour, 800 MDL for “Hai, Noroc!” with three wines, 1,200 MDL for “Univers” with five. A surcharge of 100 MDL per paying guest applies to late-afternoon starts, weekends and holidays. Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Thursday and 10:00 to 19:00 from Friday to Sunday. Reserve through turism@milestii-mici.md or +373 67 121 121, and read about the cellar at milestii-mici.md . Pack a sweater, since the temperature underground is between +12 and +14 C.
Castel Mimi in Detail
The estate at Bulboaca welcomes visitors seven days a week. The Iconic tour (five wines, 90 minutes) is 850 MDL midweek and 950 MDL at weekends. The Authentic tour (four wines, two hours) is 1,100 and 1,200 MDL. A Wine Spa package costs 2,500 MDL on weekdays. Read the full list on castelmimi.md .
Orheiul Vechi Extras
Besides the cave monastery, the reserve lists a Răut river kayak route of 16.5 km, taking 5 to 6 hours, at roughly 750 to 850 MDL a head. Paragliding flights of 15 to 20 minutes cost around 400 MDL. Carriage rides and village cooking classes can also be arranged.
Evenings in Town
Try a flight at Carpe Diem Wine Shop and Bar on Columna street, or book a seat at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre through tnob.md .
Money, Transport and Safety
- City buses and trolleybuses charge 7 MDL a ride, and there is no metro.
- After a tasting, let a taxi or a hired driver do the driving. Moldovan law treats drink-driving strictly.
- Pickpockets target busy squares and markets.
- Keep passport copies separate from the original.
Compare cellar tours on Viator .
Read more: attraction tours and walking tours .