Moldova | Travel Information
So, why visit Moldova? Well, why not? It’s a chance to visit a European country sitting well outside the usual tourist routes. Chișinău is a genuinely fascinating city break. It’s a walkable city with nice parks; Moldova is known for its wine and winery culture, good food, and for welcoming visitors. It’s a former Soviet republic, where, in places, things haven’t changed much. There are long-distance sleeper trains, and from Chișinău it’s straightforward to visit the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic PMR, also known as Transnistria, aka ‘the country that doesn’t exist’. There are so many beautiful churches and monasteries all over Moldova. I can highly recommend a visit to the cave monastery and archaeological complex at Old Orhei.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered exclusively by two countries: Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. It’s a great choice as an extension to a wider Balkan adventure.
Here are some useful things to know about Moldova, to help you plan your visit.
- Capital: Chisinau
- Language: Romanian/Moldovan is the official language. Russian is widely spoken. English is understood in some tourist-facing places.
- Currency: £1 = approx 22 Leu. €1 = approx 19 Leu. Currency converter
- Visas: Since 2007, UK, EU & US citizens no longer need a visa to enter Moldova.
- Electricity & adapters: Standard European plug types (C/F) at 230V; no adapter needed for most European devices.
Recent posts from Moldova, including Chișinău, Old Orhei, Transnistria, and cross-border rail journeys.
My Favourite Moldova Experiences
I like to travel independently wherever I can, but sometimes, in some places, taking a group tour is absolutely the right decision. Moldova can be one of those places. These are tours I have taken myself, paid for with my own money, and I can highly recommend them.
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