Moldova Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Moldova, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Moldova Information

Overview

Rich with history and fertile soils that produce abundant vineyards, Moldova is an unjustifiably forgotten tourist destination, as yet untouched by the budget airline brigade. In this land-locked eastern European country, you can wander round vast monasteries, sample the local wines, or trek through ancient forests.

Despite remaining one of the poorest countries in Europe, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the main centres, such as the capital Chisinau, have everything a visitor could need. Chisinau’s cathedrals, monuments and museums survived severe WWII bombings to the city, including the house where Pushkin spent his days in exile penning some of his most famous works.


Top Things To See

Wonder at Benderi (Tighina) - one of the oldest towns in Moldova. Its beautiful 17th-century fortress, as well as the town itself, were seriously damaged during the fighting in 1992.

Find out about Moldova’s history in the History and Regional Lore Museum, in Chisinau, presented in a beautiful Turkish-style complex, while the Fine Arts Museum houses good examples of Russian, West European and Moldovan paintings, sculpture and applied arts.

Pay respects at the two old cemeteries in Chisinau, the Armenian Cemetery and the Jewish Cemetery. The latter is famous as the burial place for the victims of the Chisinau Pogrom in 1903.

See the Monument of Stefan cel Mare (Stefan the Great) which was the focal point of meetings and violent clashes between Moldova’s Nationalists and pro-Soviet supporters in 1990-91.

Spot indigenous flora and fauna in the country’s forests, such as the Stanca-Jeloboc forest.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

Explore the Moldovan capital of Chisinau (formerly Kishinev), which stands on the banks of the small River Byk. Visit the Pushkin House - the place where the great Russian poet spent his days in exile and where he began working on his epic poem Eugene Onegin.

Watch a performance at the former Chisinau Choral Synagogue that today houses the Chekhov Drama Theatre.

Swim at the man-made Chisinau Lake with picturesque bathing beaches, and boats for hire.

Relax and unwind in Cahul - a town famous for its thermal spas and mud treatments and also a good local theatre. Hirjauca is a renowned spa in the area.

Sup the national wines - the vineyards and wine cellars of Mileshti and Krikova-Veki are renowned throughout the region.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

There are plenty of small restaurants and coffee shops. The service tends to be slow, but the cuisine is delicious, with a range of traditional national dishes and European food.

National specialities:
• Mititeyi (small grilled sausages with onion and pepper).
• Mamaliga (thick, sticky maize pie) which is served with brinza (feta cheese).
• Tocana (pork stew) should be tried with sweet-and-sour watermelons and apples.

National drinks:
There are more than 100 varieties of excellent wines produced in Moldova.
• White wines include Aligote, Riesling and Sauvignon.
• Moldovan Cabernet and Merlot are noteworthy reds.
• Doina or Nistru brandy is an ideal accompaniment with desserts.

Tipping: 5 to 10% will be gladly accepted.

Nightlife

In Chisinau, there is a good selection of theatres and concert halls, and an opera house. The Eminescu Music and Drama Theatre specialises in Romanian productions, as does the Youth Theatre Luceafarul (Poetic Star). All performances in the Chekhov Drama Theatre are exclusively in Russian (the building used to be the Chisinau Choral Synagogue). The Philharmonia Concert Hall houses Moldova’s Symphony Orchestra. It is also the base for the folklore Doina Choir, the internationally-renowned Zhok National Dance Ensemble and the Fluerash Orchestra of National Music. Russian and Romanian productions can be seen in the puppet theatre Licurici (Glow-worm). The country is famous for its tradition of folk arts and there are many lively musical groups (Tarafs), which play a variety of rare folk instruments including the tsambal (not unlike a dulcimer), cimpoi (bagpipe), fluier and nai.

Shopping

Good buys are the vividly-coloured costumes, handmade carpets and locally-produced wines and brandies. The main open-air market (tolchok) is on Calea Mosilor, about 10 minutes’ drive away from central Chisinau. Although crowded, it sells everything and is a good place for bargains. There are several craft centres where trades include woodcarving, enamel painting, embroidery, weaving, and the making of musical instruments.

Shopping hours: Larger shops open Mon-Fri 0800-2000; all others open 0900-1700. Grocery stores are generally open seven days a week.


Climate

Very mild and pleasant. Temperate with warm summers 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F), crisp, sunny autumns and cold, sometimes snowy, winters.

Required Clothing

Mediumweights, thick coat and waterproof shoes for winter; lightweights for summer. A light raincoat is useful.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7-8 Jan Moldovan Christmas.
8 Mar International Women’s Day.
28 Apr Easter Monday (Orthodox).
1 May Labour Day.
9 May Victory and Commemoration Day.
27 Aug Independence Day.
31 Aug Limba Noastra (National Language Day).

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7-8 Jan Moldovan Christmas.
8 Mar International Women’s Day.
20 Apr Easter Monday (Orthodox).
1 May Labour Day.
9 May Victory and Commemoration Day.
27 Aug Independence Day.
31 Aug Limba Noastra (National Language Day).


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

The standard of medical care in Moldova is below that available in some other European countries. Non Russian/Romanian speakers may encounter difficulties in a medical emergency. The embassy (see Contact Addresses) has details of English-speaking doctors.

A number of large medical institutions operate in Chisinau, including the Republican Clinical Hospital. Elderly travellers and those with existing health problems may be at risk owing to inadequate medical facilities.

There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK for urgent medical treatment. Otherwise, all services and prescriptions are charged for and doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment; medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Leu (MDL; symbol (plural) Lei) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of Lei 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and Leu 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 bani.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged in hotels or bureaux de change.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Credit cards are only accepted by a few banks. Moldova is essentially a cash-only economy. There are ATMs in Chisinau and other main towns.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller’s cheques are not generally accepted, though a few banks may exchange them.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Some banks and bureaux de change are open Saturdays and Sundays also.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No/1

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except nationals of Australia who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) 1. Nationals of Australia need a letter of invitation and in some cases a return ticket. (b) All foreign visitors must register with the police within three days of arrival. (c) For stays exceeding three months, a formal invitation is required. (d) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Simple: £22 (single-entry, one month); £27 (double-entry, one month). Service (business): £22 (single-entry, one month); £27 (double-entry, one month); £36 (multiple-entry, two month); £61 (multiple-entry, three month); £81 (multiple-entry, six month); £100 (multiple-entry, 12 month). Transit: £12 (single-entry); £22 (double-entry).

Validity

Tourist, Simple and Service visas must all be used within one month of date of issue; Transit visas are valid for five days from date of issue.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Five; same day for urgent visas with surcharge of 50% of visa price.


Contact Addresses

Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Piata Marii Adunari 1, Chisinau, MD 2033, Moldova
Tel: (22) 227 620.
Website: www.turism.md

Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the UK

5 Dolphin Square, Edensor Road, London W4 2ST, UK
Tel: (020) 8995 6818.
Website: www.moldovanembassy.org.uk

Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the USA

2101 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 667 1130 or 1137 (ext. 15 for consular section).
Webste: www.embassyrm.org


Travel Advice

Warning

The threat from terrorism is low. But travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Caution is advised if considering travelling to Transnistria; consult your embassy in Chisinau for the most up-to-date information.

You should be vigilant to petty crime, particularly in Chisinau. It is advised to always carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes, as police checks are frequent.

There are strong penalties for possession or use of drugs.

Avoid taking photographs of military or government installations.

The Moldovan authorities are now strictly enforcing penalties (including deportation) against foreign visitors who overstay the terms of their visas.  

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.