Moldova is a small and uniquely charming country, tucked away between Romania and Ukraine in the furthest reaches of Eastern Europe. On the map it looks like a bunch of ripe grapes, which is no coincidence: Moldova has the highest percentage of land dedicated to vineyards in the world.
Fly to the capital, Chisinau, drive or jump on a train from one of our neighbors, Romania or Ukraine, or even take a ferry to our southern port on the Danube river.
Moldovan hospitality
It’s the people that make Moldova special! Travel to any corner of Moldova and you will find genuine, friendly interactions with warm and open people. When you arrive in a Moldovan village, before you know it you will be at a table groaning with food, and with the host treating you to local wine.
Our national cuisine will surprise you with its honesty, simplicity and richness. Close your eyes and dream of a savory soup called Zeamă, cooked with homemade noodles, and Mămăliga – a dish made from cornmeal – which is cut with a thread and served with Moldovan cheese, sour cream and a meat stew, Tocană.
Our special pies, Plăcintele, are prepared from a thin, flaky pastry with a variety of fillings: cabbage, cottage cheese, apple, pumpkin or cherry – the choice is yours! Is your mouth watering yet?
Wine, wine and more wine!
Wine is the pride of the Moldovan people and it’s what makes this country truly special! Every year, in October, we celebrate National Wine Day in our capital’s central square. Dancing, socializing and savoring national dishes creates a special atmosphere, but why not venture outside the festival and visit our hundreds of vineyards and wineries? Taste your way around Moldova, trying our historic local grape varieties and award-winning blends. Or is it wine history that you want? Come and see our special wine cellars, tens of kilometers long, and or a collection of millions of bottles of wine. Some of these cellars are included in the Guinness World Records.
Diversity
Each corner of Moldova has its own unique identity. In the south, you can find the Găgăuz, a lively people with their own culture, history, traditions, and of course, delicious cuisine. Travel just an hour from Chisinau in another direction and you will discover just how diverse our small country can be. If you cross the Dniester River to its left bank, you will find Transnistria, a territory where time has stood still. Visiting Transnistria can feel like you’ve traveled back to the USSR. Or, if you want to meet our Roma minority, then your way lies to the north of Moldova, to Soroca.
But if you do one thing when you come to see us, you should go to see the unique historical complex of Old Orhei. Seeing the cave monasteries and the ancient hermitage is a MUST. No visit to Moldova is complete without a trip to this picturesque valley, echoing with stories stretching back millennia.
Safe, secure, and connected!
Whether it’s the middle of the day or night, you can go for a carefree walk in a city or a trip to the countryside, because Moldova is one of the safest countries in Europe. Moreover, cheap mobile internet is available throughout Moldova, and it’s fast: we’re in the top ten fastest countries for mobile internet in the world, alongside Japan and Latvia. You can always connect to free Wi-Fi in our cafes, trolleybuses, and even in our green and tranquil city parks,so you can stay in touch, and share your impressions of Moldova.