Tourism in the Republic of Moldova focuses on the country's natural landscapes and its history. Wine tours are offered to tourists across the country. Vineyards/cellars include Cricova, Purcari, Ciumai, Romanești, Cojușna, Mileștii Mici. In 2015, Moldova received 2.85 million visitors.
Travel regulations
CIS citizens do not need a visa to visit Moldova: Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Turkmenistan.
Since January 2007, Moldova has established a visa-free regime for the US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Israel.
From 2012 Moldova allows Turkish citizens to visit the country without having to obtain a visa.
There is a visa-free regime between the Republic of Moldova and citizens of the European Union (27 states), including Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and others whose citizens can enter the Republic of Moldova without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Tourism options
Wine tourism
The traditions of Moldovan wine are more than 7000 years old, so winemaking has become an integral part of Moldovan culture. There are more than 150 wineries in the country that produce gorgeous wines, cognacs and champagne. The apotheosis of the local alcoholic paradise is the annual National Wine Day, the largest wine festival in Eastern Europe, held on the first weekend of October. From 2013 Moldova put its focus on implementing a EU model based on protected geographical indications (PGIs, which means the wine is originated in a particular region and its quality can be guaranteed). This system now covers four growing areas of Valul lui Traian, Stefan Voda, Codru and Divin. As the result, Moldova has made impressive progress in upgrading the quality of its wines over the last five years which was clearly appreciated by wine lovers and professionals across the world: In 2018 Moldovan wines won over 420 medals at such prestigious international contests as: Decanter World Wine Awards, Mundus Vini, Concours Mondial du Bruxelles, International Wine Challenge, etc. In 2019 with more Moldovan wines meeting the PGI standard the country's vintages earned over 800 medals in global competitions, 300 of them were gold ones. So it's no wonder that more and more wine connoisseurs around the world are enjoying unique Moldovan varieties: Purcari Pinot Grigio, Feteasca Neagra, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Rara Neagra, Viorica. Milestii Mici is included in the Guinness Book as the winery with the largest collection of wines in the world (1.5 million bottles) Castel Mimi. The vineyards were planted by the governor of Bessarabia, Konstantin Mimi, in 1893, and a chateau was built in 1901. Poiana Wine. Brand new winery opened in 2018 in the heart of Moldovan Codri Cricova is a real “underground city” 120 km long and with a collection of 1.25 million bottles of rare wines. Purcari was founded in 1827, and the quality of the wines is best illustrated by the fact that Negru de Purcari was the favorite wine of the British Queen Victoria. Chateau Vartely, arelatively new winery with two tasting rooms and a tourist complex. EtCetera, a family winery in the south-east of Moldova with hotel and swimming pool.
Religious tourism
Moldova is an Orthodox country with deep Christian traditions. There are over 50 monasteries and 700 churches in the country. Most popular monasteries are:
Curchi monastery
Căpriana monastery
Hâncu monastery
Tipova monastery
Saharna monastery
Old Orhei monastery
Noul Neamț Monastery
Attractions
Căpriana monastery - is one of the oldest monasteries of Moldova, located in Căpriana Central Chișinău Hâncu monastery Muzeul Memoriei Neamului - is a museum in Chişinău dedicated to the "victims of the Soviet occupation" of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, and commemorating anti-communist resistance in the region National History Museum of Moldova - is a museum in Central Chişinău Noul Neamț Monastery - an all-male Moldovan Orthodox monastery located in Chiţcani Old Orhei - historical and archaeological complex, located in Trebujeni, Orhei National Park Saharna Monastery Soroca Fort - historic fort in the Republic of Moldova, in the modern-day city of Soroca. Mansion of Manuc Bey - is a museum near Chişinău
Gallery
Tourism statistics
Tourists in Moldova by country of origin, 2015:
Tourists in Moldova by country of origin, 2018: