15-Day Moldova Adventure Itinerary

  • Day 1: Cricova Winery
    30 minutes (12 miles) from Chisinau

    Begin your adventure with a tour of one of the world's largest underground wine cellars, Cricova Winery. You will travel through old limestone galleries and taste some of the best Moldovan wines.

  • Day 2: Saharna Monastery
    2 hours (54 miles) from Cricova Winery

    Visit the stunning Saharna Monastery, located in the picturesque Nistru River valley. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, a scenic hike, and exploring the cave monastery where monks once lived.

  • Day 3: Orheiul Vechi
    45 minutes (26 miles) from Saharna Monastery

    Explore the ancient city of Orheiul Vechi and see the iconic remains of the Moldovan citadel. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Raut River valley and visit the nearby monastery.

  • Day 4: Castel Mimi
    2 hours (70 miles) from Orheiul Vechi

    Visit the beautiful Castel Mimi, a winery with a rich history and stunning neo-Gothic architecture. Take a tour of the winery and enjoy a wine tasting while admiring the beautiful scenery.

  • Day 5: Tighina Fortress
    2 hours (85 miles) from Castel Mimi

    Explore the ancient Tighina Fortress, also known as Bender Fortress, which dates back to the 16th century. Take a guided tour and admire the beautiful views of the Dniester River.

  • Day 6: Gagauzia
    2 hours (93 miles) from Tighina Fortress

    Explore Gagauzia, the autonomous region of Moldova, rich in traditions and culture. Visit the Gagauz History and Ethnography Museum and the Old Gagauz Wine Cellar.

  • Day 7: Comrat
    20 minutes (9 miles) from Gagauzia

    Visit the charming capital city of Gagauzia, Comrat. Take a guided tour and discover the beautiful parks and monuments, local markets and traditional gastronomy.

  • Day 8: Saharna Nature Reserve
    1 hour (25 miles) from Comrat

    Experience the beautiful nature reserve of Saharna with stunning waterfalls, canyons and cliffs. Take a scenic hike and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

  • Day 9: Tipova Cave Monastery
    2 hours (74 miles) from Saharna Nature Reserve

    Explore the impressive Tipova Cave Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located on the banks of the Dniester River. Take a guided tour and admire the beautiful Orthodox frescoes.

  • Day 10: Comrat Wine Cellar
    1 hour (11 miles) from Tipova Cave Monastery

    Visit the Comrat Wine Cellar and learn about the local winemaking traditions. Take a guided tour and enjoy a wine tasting of the best Gagauz wines.

  • Day 11: Soroca Fortress
    3 hours (120 miles) from Comrat Wine Cellar

    Visit the impressive Soroca Fortress, built in the 16th century to protect Romania from Ottoman invasions. Climb the steep steps to the top of the fortress for an amazing view of the surroundings.

  • Day 12: Old Orhei
    2 hours (81 miles) from Soroca Fortress

    Explore the ancient monastic complex of Old Orhei and discover the beautiful caves, rock churches and fortifications built into the natural limestone cliffs. Take a guided tour and learn about the Moldovan history and religion.

  • Day 13: Padurea Domneasca
    1 hour (33 miles) from Old Orhei

    Experience the beautiful natural reserve of Padurea Domneasca with dense forests and tranquil lakes. Take a scenic hike and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

  • Day 14: Chisinau
    1 hour (31 miles) from Padurea Domneasca

    Explore the vibrant capital city of Chisinau and discover the beautiful parks, landmarks and museums. Take a guided tour and learn about the Moldovan history and culture. Don't miss the National Museum of History of Moldova and the Central Park.

  • Day 15: Milestii Mici Winery
    30 minutes (12 miles) from Chisinau

    Wrap up your adventure with a tour of Milestii Mici Winery, a Guinness World Record holder for the largest wine collection in the world. Travel through old galleries and taste some of the best Moldovan wines, enjoying scenic views of the surrounding vineyards.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Cricova Winery Tour (2 hours, $15)
  • Saharna Monastery Tour and Hike (3 hours, $5)
  • Orheiul Vechi Tour and Monastery Visit (4 hours, $10)
  • Castel Mimi Tour and Wine Tasting (2 hours, $15)
  • Tighina Fortress Tour (1 hour, $5)
  • Gagauz History and Ethnography Museum Visit (2 hours, $10)
  • Comrat Guided Tour and Local Gastronomy (3 hours, $20)
  • Saharna Nature Reserve Hike (4 hours, Free)
  • Tipova Cave Monastery Tour (2 hours, $5)
  • Comrat Wine Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting (2 hours, $10)
  • Soroca Fortress Climb and Tour (2 hours, $5)
  • Old Orhei Monastic Complex Guided Tour (3 hours, $10)
  • Padurea Domneasca Hike (5 hours, Free)
  • Chisinau Guided Tour (4 hours, $8)
  • Milestii Mici Winery Tour and Wine Tasting (2 hours, $20)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $143

Transportation

A traveler can rent a car for a comfortable trip throughout Moldova. A standard car can be rented for around $25-35 per day, with additional costs for insurance and gas. Public transport is also available and affordable, with buses and trains being the most popular option, with ticket prices ranging from $1-10.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Milestii Mici Underground City, which is also part of the largest wine cellar complex in the world. The underground city is over 250km long and has a constant temperature of 12°C. If you have less time, you can skip some of the destinations or take a guided tour to see the highlights in a shorter amount of time.

Airports

Chisinau International Airport (KIV) is the main airport in the country, located in the capital city of Chisinau, about 10km southeast of the city center. It is the only airport in Moldova that offers regular commercial flights. Taxis and buses are available for transportation from the airport to the city center, with the journey taking around 30 minutes.

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