Chisinau is Moldova's capital and one of Europe's most underrated destinations: wide boulevards, a mix of Soviet and European architecture, green parks, and — the highlight — one of the world's largest wine cellars, Cricova, just a few kilometres away. It's cheap and still largely undiscovered by tourists. Here's how to get there from Tbilisi and what to see.
✈️ Flights from Tbilisi/Kutaisi
- Chisinau is served by Chisinau International Airport (KIV), about 14 km from the centre
- Wizz Air flies seasonally from Kutaisi to Chisinau — one of the most direct and cheapest routes
- An alternative is connecting via Istanbul or Vienna if the seasonal route isn't running
- Flight time: around 2 hours direct from Kutaisi, 6-9 hours with a connection
- Ticket price: $95-210 round trip — one of the cheapest European destinations from Georgia, see the cheap flights from Kutaisi guide
🛂 Visa and entry
Georgian citizens need no visa for a short trip to Moldova — visa-free stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period are allowed. A valid passport is all you need.
Moldova isn't in the Schengen zone, so days spent there don't count against the Schengen 90/180-day rule. The currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL) — cards work widely in the city centre.
🍷 Top attractions
- Cricova — one of the world's largest wine cellars, with over 120 km of underground tunnels wide enough to tour by car, visited over the years by numerous foreign dignitaries and celebrities
- Ştefan cel Mare Central Park — the city's green heart, marked by a triumphal arch
- Nativity Cathedral — Orthodox architecture at the centre of the city
- The National Museum and the ethnographic park — Moldova's history in one place
- Central Market (Piaţa Centrală) — a lively slice of local life, from produce to handicrafts
💰 Budget
- Chisinau is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe
- Hotel: 3★ $35-60/night || 4★ $70-120/night
- Food: a local café $6-12; a restaurant $16-28
- A Cricova wine-tasting tour costs $20-35
- Public transport and taxis are both very cheap
🗓️ Best season and practical tips
The best time to visit is late spring (May) or early autumn (September-October) — mild weather, and grapes are ripening around exactly that time. Summer is hot, winter is cold and occasionally snowy.
Get an eSIM on arrival and carry travel insurance. If you're exploring the region further, Chisinau pairs well with a Bucharest route — reachable by a two-hour bus ride.
The Cricova cellar stays at a constant +12°C — bring warm clothing even in summer.
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