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Itineraries

How to spend 3, 5 or 7 days in Moldova.

Moldova is compact enough to base yourself in Chișinău and day-trip to everything that matters. The full 7-day route below covers the capital, the cave monastery at Orheiul Vechi, the wine country, Transnistria and the south. Short on time? Jump to the 5-day or 3-day version.

Last reviewed: June 2026

7 days in Moldova

The complete trip — city, monastery, wine, the breakaway east, and the wine-and-spa south. One base in Chișinău, with a night in the south optional.

  1. Day 1 — Chișinău

    Ease in along the central green spine: Ștefan cel Mare Park, the Nativity Cathedral and the Triumphal Arch, then the National Museum of History. Browse the Central Market and have a first dinner of mămăligă and plăcinte with a glass of Fetească Neagră. See the city tours page for walks and guides.

  2. Day 2 — Orheiul Vechi

    Day-trip ~1.5 hours north to the cave monastery carved into the cliff above the Răut — Moldova's signature view — and lunch in Butuceni village. Add Curchi Monastery or the Vartely winery on the way back.

  3. Day 3 — Wine country

    The headline day: Mileștii Mici — the world's largest wine cellar, with 200+ km of tunnels you drive through — or Cricova, then the fairy-tale architecture of Castel Mimi for lunch and a tasting.

  4. Day 4 — Transnistria

    A day in the Soviet time-capsule of Tiraspol — Lenin statues, the KVINT brandy factory, and the Bender fortress. Bring your passport and read the safety notes first.

  5. Day 5 — The south

    Head to Southern Moldova for the grand Purcari estate and Et Cetera, with the Cahul thermal spa to unwind. Overnight in the south or return to Chișinău.

  6. Day 6 — Gagauzia

    Comrat and the Gagauz autonomous region — a Turkic, Orthodox-Christian culture with food and festivals found nowhere else in Europe — then back to the capital.

  7. Day 7 — Slow Chișinău & out

    A relaxed last day: museums and cafés you skipped, a final cellar visit, last-minute wine to carry home. Travelling north instead? Swap in Soroca — its fortress and Roma Hill — for one of the southern days.

5 days in Moldova

The best of the country without the long southern loop.

  1. Day 1 — Chișinău: central sights, National History Museum, the Central Market, a first Moldovan dinner.
  2. Day 2 — Orheiul Vechi: the cliff-top cave monastery and Butuceni village.
  3. Day 3 — Wine country: Mileștii Mici or Cricova, plus Castel Mimi.
  4. Day 4 — Transnistria: Tiraspol, KVINT, Bender fortress.
  5. Day 5 — South or Gagauzia: Purcari and the south, or Comrat — pick one, then fly out.

3 days in Moldova

The essentials — perfect for a long weekend.

  1. Day 1 — Chișinău: the central walk, the museum, the market, and dinner with local wine.
  2. Day 2 — Orheiul Vechi: the signature cave monastery and lunch in Butuceni.
  3. Day 3 — Wine: Mileștii Mici or Cricova, or Castel Mimi for the architecture — your pick from the wine tours.

Making it work

  • Base in Chișinău and day-trip — distances are short and the capital has the best beds and food.
  • For the wineries and Transnistria, a small-group or private tour is far easier than public transport; marshrutkas cover the rest cheaply.
  • Plan the rest of the trip: getting here, what it costs, and the best time to visit — time it for the harvest if you can.