17 days in Moldova Itinerary

Chișinău Etymology and namesThe origin of the city's name is unclear, but in one version, the name comes from the archaic Romanian word chișla (meaning "spring", "source of water") and nouă ("new"), because it was built around a small spring, at the corner of Pușkin and Albișoara streets.The other version, formulated by Ștefan Ciobanu, Romanian historian and academician, holds that the name was formed the same way as the name of Chișineu (alternative spelling: Chișinău) in Western Romania, near the border with Hungary. Visit Capriana Monastery and Hancu Monastery for their historical value. Get outdoors at Goa Territory and Nistru Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chisinau: Condrita Monastery (in Condrita), Comrat (Monument of Lenin, Sankt Ioan Botezator, &more) and Asconi Winery (in Puhoi). There's still lots to do: do a tasting at Cricova Winery, contemplate the long history of Stephen the Great Monument, pause for some serene contemplation at Dormition of the Theotokos, and explore the wealth of natural beauty at Trip to Moldova Day Tours.

To find where to stay, reviews, maps, and tourist information, use the Chisinau online road trip planner.

London, UK to Chisinau is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and train; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Chisinau is 2 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) early enough to drive to Orhei.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): head off the coast to Hanul Lui Hanganu and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Saharna Monastery. Keep things going the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Curchi Monastery and then see the interesting displays at Old Orhei Archeological Complex.

To find reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, read Orhei road trip app.

Drive from Chisinau to Orhei in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Thu) early enough to travel to Tipova.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Fri): take in the pleasant sights at Rocky Monastery of Tipova and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tipova Monastery.

For other places to visit and tourist information, read our Tipova journey planner.

Traveling by car from Orhei to Tipova takes an hour. In March, daily temperatures in Tipova can reach 11°C, while at night they dip to 5°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to travel to Tiraspol.

Tiraspol is internationally recognised as the second largest city in Moldova, but is effectively the capital and administrative centre of the unrecognised Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). Popular historic sites such as Tighina Military Cemetery and Bendery Fortress are in your itinerary. Get a sense of the local culture at Et Cetera Winery and Eternal Flame. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tiraspol: The Tank monument (in Comrat) and Castel Mimi Wine Resort (in Bulboaca). Next up on the itinerary: do a tasting at Kvint, appreciate the history behind Mig-19 Monument, take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Christmas Cathedral, and experience rural life at Aquatir Sturgeon Complex.

Before you visit Tiraspol, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by car from Tipova to Tiraspol takes 2.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time to travel back home.