Călărași District
Administrative seat: Călărași
A district set in the heart of the Codrii of Moldova, a winemaking and forest area with hilly landscapes and picturesque villages.
Călărași district lies in the central zone of the Republic of Moldova, in the heart of the Codri region, and is part of the Centre Development Region. Its seat is the town of Călărași. The district borders the districts of Nisporeni, Ungheni, Strășeni, Orhei and Telenești, being one of the most wooded and most picturesque territories of Moldova.
Geography
The relief is hilly, specific to the Central Moldavian Plateau, with altitudes reaching about 400 metres and slopes covered by the beech and oak forests of the Codri. The district covers approximately 754 km², and according to the 2014 census the population was about 64,401 inhabitants, with a density of approximately 85 inhabitants per km². The population is majority Moldovan/Romanian, with small Ukrainian and Russian communities. The forest, the valleys and the springs give the area a particular charm and a microclimate favourable to viticulture.
Economy
The district's economy is agricultural, with a strong emphasis on viticulture and winemaking: one of the oldest distilleries in Moldova operates here, renowned for its production of wines and brandies. Cereals, tobacco, fruit trees and vegetables are also cultivated, and the food industry includes the processing of milk and sugar beet. The Codri forests provide forestry resources and significant tourism potential.
What to see
Călărași district is known for its four monasteries laid out, according to tradition, in the shape of a cross: Frumoasa, Răciula, Hîrjauca and Hîrbovăț, important centres of spirituality and tourist attraction. Wooden churches and traditional villages are also preserved. The "Plaiul Fagului" nature reserve, with over 5,600 hectares of protected forest, conserves valuable ecosystems of the Codri.
History
The district's settlements are documented from the medieval period, the Codri region having always been one of the most wooded and most defensible areas of the Principality of Moldavia, where the population found shelter in times of hardship. In the interwar period the territory belonged to Romania, within Lăpușna County, and after 1944 it was integrated into the Moldavian SSR. The monasteries founded over the centuries made the area an important centre of monastic and spiritual life. Through its monasteries, forests and vineyards, Călărași district represents one of the most attractive destinations in central Moldova.
What the area is known for
More to see in the area
Key facts
- Type
- District
- Region
- Central region
- Administrative seat
- Călărași
Detailed statistics (population, area) are updated from official sources (the National Bureau of Statistics).
What to find in Călărași District
Everything we have documented here — sights, places to stay, meals and wineries, with real Google ratings.
Attractions
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Casă Părintească
„Casă Părintească" in the village of Palanca, Călărași district, is a private museum of the Moldovan village, set up in a traditional homestead in the heart of the Codri. Unlike state museums, the emphasis here is on experience: peasant-house interiors, textiles, everyday objects and the story of rural life told on the spot. With a rating of 4.7, it is one of the most highly regarded ethnographic stops in the centre of the country and a fixed point in many themed tours out of Chișinău.
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Parcul Orășenesc Călărași (Călărași Town Park)
The town park in Călărași is the town's central green space, in a landscape of hills and forests that forms part of the Codri area. Shaded paths, benches, room to walk and free access round the clock — an everyday spot for locals to relax, but also a convenient stop for anyone crossing the centre of the country on the way to Ungheni or the region's wineries. The entrance is marked as wheelchair-accessible, and parking is on the surrounding streets.
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Where to stay
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Bahmut Club
Bahmut Club is at Bahmut, next to the village station, in the wooded hill country of central Moldova — a part of the Codri rarely included in the usual routes. The place functions as a mixed operation, with a restaurant component and a travel-organising one, and has its own website. Parking is free, in the yard and on the street, and the entrance and parking spaces are adapted for wheelchair access. The available data does not confirm rooms for rent, so anyone planning to stay overnight should check in advance.
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Manas Yurt Village
Manas Yurt Village is at Leordoaia, in the Călărași district, in the middle of the Codri — the most heavily forested part of Moldova, with hills and country roads that climb through beech woods. The accommodation is in camping cabins, a rare formula in the country and suited to anyone who wants to sleep close to the forest rather than in a town hotel. The data does not detail the facilities, so the operating season and the conditions are worth checking in advance. From here it is a quick trip to the Codrii reserve and the monasteries around Călărași.
See detailsWhere to eat
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La Gura Cuptorului
La Gura Cuptorului is a café in Călărași, a town set in the forests between Chișinău and Ungheni. It opens at half past seven in the morning and closes at eight in the evening, every day — the rhythm of a morning venue, with breakfast served, not of a long evening. The terrace works in season. It takes children and groups and accepts bookings, at mid-range prices. Parking is on the street, free. There are no wheelchair adaptations, and pets are not admitted.
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Cezar
Cezar occupies a space on strada Alexandru cel Bun in Călărași, with a daytime profile: it opens at eight in the morning and closes at ten at night, on every day of the week. It serves breakfast and has vegetarian options — something that in the provinces cannot be taken for granted. The terrace works in season, the dining room takes children and groups, and bookings are accepted. The parking, the entrance and the seating are adapted for wheelchair access, and dogs are admitted. The price level is mid-range.
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Taverna Drumețului
On strada Alexandru cel Bun, in Călărași, a town set in the Moldovan forests, on the road between Chișinău and Ungheni. The name takes on its function: an inn for those passing through. Hours from nine in the morning to ten at night, on every day of the week, with no weekend changes — so it suits both a lunch on the road and an evening meal. Terrace in season, bookings accepted, space for groups and for families with children. Free parking of its own and on the street, which counts for anyone stopping by car.
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La Ionel
La Ionel stands on strada Alexandru cel Bun, the main artery in Călărași, a town on the road between Chișinău and Ungheni. It opens early in the morning, serves breakfast and closes at ten at night from Monday to Thursday, or at eleven at the weekend — hours calibrated to the rhythm of a small town. It has a terrace, takes children and groups and accepts bookings. The seating is wheelchair accessible, parking, in the courtyard or on the street, is free, and prices sit in the mid range.
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Pizzeria PanCom
On strada Ștefan cel Mare, in the centre of Călărași, on the road between Chișinău and Ungheni, at the edge of the forests. A logical stop for anyone travelling west. Hours from ten in the morning to ten at night, with one exception to note: on Tuesday it opens earlier, at 8:45. It serves breakfast. Terrace in season, bookings accepted, a dining room that takes groups and families with children. Free parking in the courtyard and on the street. Prices in the mid range. The entrance is not adapted for wheelchairs, and dogs are not admitted.
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DRIVE karaoke & coffee BAR
DRIVE karaoke & coffee BAR stands on strada Alexandru cel Bun in Călărași, the street along which the town's venues line up. It combines the café with the karaoke bar, so it has two lives: a daytime one, with breakfast served from nine in the morning, and an evening one, until midnight. It takes children and groups and accepts bookings, and the menu includes vegetarian options. Parking is free in the courtyard, on the street and even in a garage — a combination rarely met in the provinces. Dogs are not admitted.
See detailsAnd nearby, beyond the district border
Places in neighbouring districts, less than 40 km away, if you want to stretch the route.
Restaurantunder 1 kmPizzeria PanCom
On strada Ștefan cel Mare, in the centre of Călărași, on the road between Chișinău and Ungheni, at the edge of the forests. A logical stop for anyone travelling west. Hours from ten in the morning to ten at night, with one exception to note: on Tuesday it opens earlier, at 8:45. It serves breakfast. Terrace in season, bookings accepted, a dining room that takes groups and families with children. Free parking in the courtyard and on the street. Prices in the mid range. The entrance is not adapted for wheelchairs, and dogs are not admitted.
See detailsRestaurantunder 1 kmTaverna Drumețului
On strada Alexandru cel Bun, in Călărași, a town set in the Moldovan forests, on the road between Chișinău and Ungheni. The name takes on its function: an inn for those passing through. Hours from nine in the morning to ten at night, on every day of the week, with no weekend changes — so it suits both a lunch on the road and an evening meal. Terrace in season, bookings accepted, space for groups and for families with children. Free parking of its own and on the street, which counts for anyone stopping by car.
See detailsRestaurant1.0 kmLa Gura Cuptorului
La Gura Cuptorului is a café in Călărași, a town set in the forests between Chișinău and Ungheni. It opens at half past seven in the morning and closes at eight in the evening, every day — the rhythm of a morning venue, with breakfast served, not of a long evening. The terrace works in season. It takes children and groups and accepts bookings, at mid-range prices. Parking is on the street, free. There are no wheelchair adaptations, and pets are not admitted.
See detailsRestaurant1.3 kmDRIVE karaoke & coffee BAR
DRIVE karaoke & coffee BAR stands on strada Alexandru cel Bun in Călărași, the street along which the town's venues line up. It combines the café with the karaoke bar, so it has two lives: a daytime one, with breakfast served from nine in the morning, and an evening one, until midnight. It takes children and groups and accepts bookings, and the menu includes vegetarian options. Parking is free in the courtyard, on the street and even in a garage — a combination rarely met in the provinces. Dogs are not admitted.
See detailsRestaurant1.3 kmCezar
Cezar occupies a space on strada Alexandru cel Bun in Călărași, with a daytime profile: it opens at eight in the morning and closes at ten at night, on every day of the week. It serves breakfast and has vegetarian options — something that in the provinces cannot be taken for granted. The terrace works in season, the dining room takes children and groups, and bookings are accepted. The parking, the entrance and the seating are adapted for wheelchair access, and dogs are admitted. The price level is mid-range.
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Restaurant1.5 kmCasa Armenească
Casa Armenească stands on strada Alexandru cel Bun, the main artery in Călărași, a town on the route between Chișinău and Ungheni. The cooking is declared Eastern European, with Asian influences — a combination rarely met in the provinces. The hours run from nine in the morning to three at night, daily, with breakfast served. It has a terrace, takes children and groups and accepts bookings. The entrance and the seating are wheelchair accessible, parking in the courtyard and on the street is free, and prices sit in the mid range.
See detailsWhere to stay in Călărași District
Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs in the area, on one map — prices compared across Booking, Airbnb and other platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
Questions about Călărași District
Which town is the seat of Călărași District?
The administrative seat is Călărași.
Which part of Moldova is Călărași District in?
Călărași District belongs to the Central region.
What is there to visit in Călărași District?
Among the highlights: Codrii Moldovei, Zonă viticolă.
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From record-breaking underground cities to family wineries. Almost all of them take visitors by appointment.
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