Things to see in Chișinău

Temples & religious sites

Nativity of Christ Cathedral

A Moldovan Orthodox cathedral built in 1830 at the commission of Mikhail Vorontsov. It's a place to experience Moldova's Orthodox culture right in the heart of the city.

Temples & religious sites

Cathedral of Divine Providence, Chișinău

This Roman Catholic cathedral in Chișinău serves as the center of Moldova's Catholic diocese. A quiet religious landmark in the heart of the city, it's worth a short visit.

Museums & galleries

National Museum of History of Moldova

The National Museum of History of Moldova, located in downtown Chișinău, presents the country's history. It's a great place to get an overview of Moldova's past during your trip.

Museums & galleries

National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Art Museum of Moldova is located in Chișinău. It's a pleasant place to spend a relaxed afternoon admiring a wide range of artworks.

Museums & galleries

Water Tower of Chișinău

This old water tower stands in downtown Chișinău, worth a brief stop to admire its unique architecture.

Culture & venues

National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova

Located on Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard in the heart of Chișinău, this opera and ballet theatre is considered one of Eastern Europe's leading performance venues. Since 2012 it has borne the name of legendary opera singer Maria Bieșu.

Castles & palaces

Presidential Palace in Chișinău

This is the official residence of Moldova's president. Located in downtown Chișinău, it's a nice stop during a walk around the city.

Temples & religious sites

St. Teodora de la Sihla Church

Located in the heart of Chișinău, this cathedral serves as the seat of the Diocese of Bessarabia. It makes for a pleasant stop while strolling through downtown.

Museums & galleries

National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History

This museum of ethnography and natural history is located in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. It offers a look at both local life and the region's natural history.

Temples & religious sites

Ciuflea Monastery

A Moldovan Orthodox monastery in Chișinău dedicated to Saint Theodore Tiron. It's a peaceful place of worship, well suited for a quiet visit.

Heritage & monuments

Stephen the Great Monument

This landmark monument stands in downtown Chișinău. It honors a key figure in Moldovan history and makes a nice stop during a walk through the city center.

Temples & religious sites

Wooden church of Hirișeni

This wooden church was built in 1642 and has since been relocated and preserved at an open-air folk museum in Chișinău. It offers a close look at traditional wooden architecture.

Parks & gardens

Rose Valley, Chișinău

This city park preserves traces of an ancient Slavic sanctuary. Visitors can explore historic remains alongside lush greenery.

Heritage & monuments

Eternity Memorial Complex, Chișinău

A memorial park in Chișinău built to honor Soviet soldiers who died in the Second Jassy-Kishinev Offensive. It's a peaceful place for a walk while reflecting on history.

Temples & religious sites

Măzărache Church

This church is located in Chișinău, Moldova. It's a nice stop to make while strolling through the city.

Zoos & aquariums

Chișinău Botanical Garden

A botanical garden in Chișinău's Botanica district, spanning an impressive 104 hectares. Established in 1950, it's home to a wide variety of plant life.

Museums & galleries

Memorial house of Aleksandr Pushkin, Chișinău

Pushkin's former residence in Chișinău has been turned into a museum. Designated a historical and cultural monument of Moldova, it's well worth a visit for travelers interested in literature and history.

Heritage & monuments

Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repressions

This memorial stands in the square by Chișinău's central railway station, honoring the victims of mass deportations during the Soviet era. Completed in its current form in 2013, it's a quiet place to reflect on history.

Temples & religious sites

Transfiguration Church of Chișinău

This is a Moldovan Orthodox church in Chișinău. It's a peaceful stop to visit briefly while exploring the city center.

Temples & religious sites

Armenian church "Saint Mary" of Chișinău

This Armenian Apostolic church in Chișinău, Moldova, was built in 1804 and carries a long history. Unlike ornate Orthodox cathedrals, its plain, calm interior makes it a pleasant stop on a walk.

Zoos & aquariums

Chișinău Zoo

This zoo in Chișinău is run in partnership with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. It's a great family outing where you can see a variety of animals up close.

Temples & religious sites

St. Pantaleon church in Chișinău

Built in 1891, this small Byzantine-style church was used as a warehouse during the Soviet era before Mass began being held there again. Visitors can enjoy both its richly painted interior murals and its peaceful atmosphere.

Museums & galleries

Army Museum (Moldova)

A museum in northern Chișinău dedicated to the history of the Moldovan armed forces. It's a good place to trace the military's history.

Heritage & monuments

Capitoline Wolf, Chișinău

A statue standing in central Chișinău, in front of the National Museum of History of Moldova. It's a nice quick stop while strolling through the city center.

Heritage & monuments

Monument to Nizami Ganjavi in Chișinău

A monument in Nizami Ganjavi Park in Chișinău, Moldova, erected to honor the medieval Persian poet. It was created jointly by an Azerbaijani sculptor and a Moldovan architect.

Museums & galleries

National Museum of Romanian Literature

The National Museum of Romanian Literature is a museum in Chișinău, Moldova.

Parks & gardens

Cathedral Park in Chișinău

A park in central Chișinău, a pleasant place for a relaxed walk alongside a visit to the nearby cathedral. It's a favorite resting spot for locals and travelers alike.

Temples & religious sites

All Saints Orthodox church in Chișinău

This handsome Orthodox church blends blue, white, and gold-domed architecture, and has served as a spiritual center for the local community since it was built in the mid-19th century. Visitors enjoy strolling its peaceful grounds to admire the intricate icons and architecture.

Temples & religious sites

St. Haralambios church in Chișinău

Built in the 19th century, this church served as an exhibition hall during Soviet times before being reconsecrated and restored after Moldova's independence. With its striking round dome, it's a good place to pause quietly while walking through central Chișinău.

Museums & galleries

Village museum of Chișinău

An open-air museum on the outskirts of Chișinău, recreating a traditional Moldovan village with relocated farmhouses and a wooden church. On weekends, folk performances and craft demonstrations make it a pleasant place to wander.

Temples & religious sites

St. George church in Chișinău

This is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Chișinău. Its modest facade holds traces of the city's long-standing faith.

Temples & religious sites

Synagogue of the Glaziers, Chișinău

Once Chișinău's only surviving synagogue, it remained open even through Soviet-era religious repression. Services and community events still take place here today, and its preserved murals bear witness to its long history.

Heritage & monuments

Monument of the victims of the Jewish ghetto in Chișinău

This monument was erected to honor the victims of the Jewish ghetto during World War II. It's a quiet place to reflect on a painful chapter of the city's history.

Temples & religious sites

Cathedral of the Ascension of the Lord and funeral monuments

This Orthodox cathedral in Chișinău, together with the historic funeral monuments surrounding it, is designated a national cultural heritage site of Moldova. Visitors come to take in Orthodox architecture and old gravestone carvings amid its quiet atmosphere.

Museums & galleries

Muzeul Memoriei Neamului

Muzeul Memoriei Neamului is a private museum in Chișinău that commemorates the victims of the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. Its exhibits on the anti-communist resistance offer a window into the painful chapters of Moldova's modern history.

Temples & religious sites

Chapel-Memorial to the Russian Army and Bulgarian Volunteers in Chișinău

A memorial chapel honoring the Russian army and Bulgarian volunteers who fought together in the 1877-78 Russo-Turkish War. It's a fitting place to reflect on the bond between the two nations.

Temples & religious sites

Church of the Annunciation in Chișinău

Regarded as one of the oldest buildings in Chișinău, this Orthodox church sits on a hill overlooking the river, lending it a peaceful atmosphere. Its two-tiered bell tower and vividly colored façade make it a lovely stop on a walk through the city.

Temples & religious sites

Church of the Dormition in Chișinău

A wooden church in Chișinău's Village Museum, considered one of Moldova's oldest wooden buildings. Relocated from another village and carefully restored, it offers a close look at traditional roofing and timber framing.

Parks & gardens

Ștefan cel Mare Central Park

Ștefan cel Mare Central Park, in the heart of Chișinău, is Moldova's oldest park and a favorite meeting spot for couples, earning it the nickname "Lovers' Park." You can stroll along the "Alley of Classics," lined with mulberry and acacia trees over a century old.

Temples & religious sites

Saints Constantine and Helena Church, Chișinău

Located in Chișinău's Râșcani district, this church was built in 1777 as a cemetery chapel and has long served as a spiritual anchor for the city. The old graveyard beside it and its quiet atmosphere make it a good stop for travelers seeking a peaceful reflection on history.

Shopping & districts

Poșta Veche

Poșta Veche is a neighborhood in Chișinău's Rîșcani sector, the capital of Moldova. Its main roads are Calea Orheiului and Ceucari, and the M21 highway marks the district's northwestern edge, which is also the city boundary.

Culture & venues

National Dramatic Theatre Anton Chekhov

A leading theatre in Chișinău that stages plays in Russian. You can take in the city's cultural atmosphere while watching classic works, including those by Chekhov.

Heritage & monuments

Equestrian statue of Grigory Kotovsky (Chișinău)

An equestrian statue in downtown Chișinău, striking for its dynamic depiction of a mounted rider. It's a nice stop for photos while strolling through the city center.

Museums & galleries

National History Museum of Moldova

A popular and landmark attraction with rich history and picturesque surroundings, highly recommended for visitors.

Culture & venues

Philharmony Concert Hall, Chișinău

This is Chișinău's leading concert venue, hosting classical music and other performances. Worth a visit if you'd like to spend an evening enjoying local culture.