Chișinău makes a good base because almost everything worth seeing in the Republic of Moldova is less than two hours away by car. It is not a large country. That means you can sleep in the same bed for a week and still see underground wineries, cave monasteries, a canyon and an autonomous region with a language of its own.
We have ordered these ten trips by real road distance from the capital, from nearest to furthest. The times are approximate and assume normal road conditions.
Under 30 minutes
1. Cricova — 14.5 km, about 20 minutes
The shortest drive to something spectacular in the whole country. Cricova is an underground city of galleries cut into the limestone, travelled by car, with streets named after wines.
What you need to know: booking is compulsory. You cannot turn up at the gate and walk in. It is cold underground all year — take a jacket even in August.
Who it suits: anyone, including people who do not drink wine. The scale of the construction is the argument, not the tasting.
2. Mileștii Mici — 19.4 km, about 30 minutes
The second underground winery, south of the city — that is, in the opposite direction from Cricova. Between the two lie 38 kilometres and the whole city. Do not put them in the same half-day.
Mileștii Mici is known for its enormous bottle collection. Children under 10 enter free, which makes it one of the few wineries that makes sense for families.
Under an hour
3. Castel Mimi — around 40–50 km, under an hour
Castel Mimi is the opposite of the cellars: everything happens above ground, in a restored manor house with gardens, a restaurant and a hotel on the estate. The estate also offers tailored tours for families with children.
Who it suits: those who want a slow day with a long lunch. It is also one of the few destinations where you can stay the night rather than drive back — useful if you want to drink.
4. Codrii Reserve — 43 km, about 45 minutes
The country's oldest nature reserve, in the heart of the forests of central Moldova. It is deciduous woodland, the paths are gentle, and you need no special equipment.
Who it suits: those who have already seen wineries and monasteries and want a day without monuments. More in the nature section.
5. Château Vartely / Orhei — 49 km, about an hour
A modern winery on the edge of Orhei, with tourist villas on the estate. Its great advantage is the position: it is a few kilometres from Orheiul Vechi, so it links naturally with the next entry. The background on the varieties you will taste is in our guide to grape varieties.
Around an hour
6. Orheiul Vechi — 52 km, about an hour
If you have only one day outside Chișinău, this is it. Orheiul Vechi is an archaeological and natural complex on a meander of the Răut: a cave monastery cut into the rock, a traditional village, and layers of settlement reaching far back in time.
What you need to know: the trails range from about 1 kilometre to 22.5 kilometres. That means it works both with small children and with serious walkers — it depends what you choose on the spot.
7. Curchi Monastery — 58 km, about an hour
One of the country's most important monastic complexes, with architecture that justifies the drive in itself. Curchi Monastery combines well with Orheiul Vechi in a single day, being in the same direction.
If you want the full format, we have built it into a route in the pilgrimage guide, and the rest of the complexes are in the monasteries section.
Over an hour and a half
8. Țipova — 93 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes
The most dramatic cave monastery in Moldova, carved into a rock face above the Dniester.
A serious warning. Access involves a descent of around 200 metres of elevation on a path, and the climb back takes about 40 minutes. Walking boots are essential — not city trainers, not sandals. In the rain, the path becomes slippery.
Who it does NOT suit: small children, people with knee or heart problems, anyone in unsuitable footwear. Details in the Țipova entry.
9. Saharna — 97 km, about 1 hour 50 minutes
Four kilometres from Țipova as the crow flies, and often visited on the same day. Saharna combines a monastery, a gorge with waterfalls and a trail through the forest. The effort is less than at Țipova, but you still need good footwear.
The classic combination: Saharna in the morning, Țipova in the afternoon. It is a long day — set out early.
10. Comrat — 101 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes
The capital of Gagauzia, an autonomous region with its own language and identity. This is not a trip "for the scenery", it is one for context: you understand better how Moldova is put together after spending a day there. See the territory section for background.
Bonus, if you have a whole day to give up
Purcari — 114 km, about 2 hours
Purcari is Moldova's best-known winery abroad and the furthest of the destinations here. Four hours of driving there and back. It is worth it, but do not combine it with anything — it is a whole day, or a night on the estate.
How to group them sensibly
- Northward: Cricova, Curchi, Orheiul Vechi, Château Vartely, then Saharna and Țipova further on.
- Southward: Mileștii Mici, Comrat, Purcari.
- Centre: Codrii, Castel Mimi.
Do not mix directions on the same day. Chișinău is in the middle and crossing it costs real time.
Practicalities
Transport. Most of these places are hard to reach without a car, and if the destination is a winery, the drink-driving problem arises — the legal limit is zero. The options are in the transport guide, and the accompanied variants in tours and excursions.
Accommodation. For Țipova, Saharna, Comrat and Purcari, a night on the road turns an exhausting day into a relaxed one. See the accommodation options.
Food. Outside Chișinău, the options drop off sharply. Check in advance whether the destination has somewhere to eat. The culinary background is in the food and drink section.
Season. April to October is the good window for anything involving a path. In winter, the wineries remain, but Țipova and Saharna become risky.
The rest of the planning is in the practical guide.
