Home / Moldova / Chisinau
Flag of Moldova Capital of Moldova

Chisinau

Chișinău is the capital and largest city of Moldova, situated on the river Bîc in the heart of the country. As Moldova's main industrial, commercial, and transport hub, it is also the most economically prosperous locality in the nation.

Quick facts

Population
—
Currency
Moldovan leu (MDL)
Language
Moldavian
Timezone
EET (UTC+2)
Local time now
19:49:58

Hotels in Chisinau

See all hotels →

4 ★
Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel
Municipiul Chișinău · 325 m from centre
Bristol Central Park Hotel
Municipiul Chișinău · 341 m from centre
Richmond Hotel
Municipiul Chișinău · 412 m from centre

Airports in Chisinau

See all airports →

Aeroportul Internațional Chișinău „Eugen Doga”
Municipiul Chișinău · 12.9 km from centre
Aerodromul Vadul lui Vodă
20.3 km from centre
Aerodromul Horești
21.6 km from centre

Car Hire in Chisinau

Chisinau offers several car hire options for visitors and residents alike. Companies including Sixt, Nagol Rent, Rent4You, Emil & Ian Service, and Motomix provide vehicle rental services throughout the city. See all car hire →

Things to Do in Chisinau

Chisinau offers visitors a range of cultural and historical attractions to explore. From the iconic Arcul de Triumf and Monumentul lui Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt to memorials such as Piatra Comemorativă a Victimelor Ocupației Sovietice și ale Regimului Totalitar Comunist, the city's landmarks tell stories of its past and heritage. See all things to do →

Piatra Comemorativă a Victimelor Ocupației Sovietice și ale Regimului Totalitar Comunist
Municipiul Chișinău · 31 m from centre
Arcul de Triumf
Municipiul Chișinău · 34 m from centre
Clopotnița
166 m from centre
Mitropolit Bănulescu-Bodoni
171 m from centre
Monumentul lui Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt
187 m from centre
Monumentul celor trei martiri ai neamului
207 m from centre

Restaurants in Chisinau

Chisinau offers a diverse dining scene with restaurants ranging from Italian cuisine at Gusto Italiano to Czech beer traditions at Kozlovna Česká Pivní Restaurace. Whether you're seeking quick sandwiches from Urbanic Sandwicherie or casual pizzas from Pizza Mania, the city's restaurant options cater to various tastes and preferences. See all restaurants →

Swimming Pools in Chisinau

Chisinau offers several swimming pool facilities for residents and visitors. Popular options include Bazinul de Înot al Universității de Stat de Educație Fizică și Sport, Bazinul de înot al USM, Piscina, Bazin, and Energy Fitness Swimming Pool. See all swimming pools →

Bazinul de Înot al Universității de Stat de Educație Fizică și Sport
212 m from centre
Bazinul de înot al USM
1.6 km from centre
Piscina
4.4 km from centre

Spas in Chisinau

Chisinau offers several spa facilities where visitors can unwind and enjoy wellness treatments. Options include Nobil Spa, Spa Roxen, and 011Cryo, providing various relaxation and therapeutic services for those seeking rejuvenation during their stay. See all spas →

Nobil Spa
Municipiul Chișinău · 411 m from centre
Spa Roxen
Municipiul Chișinău · 1.1 km from centre
011Cryo
Municipiul Chișinău · 1.6 km from centre

Nightlife in Chisinau

Chisinau offers a vibrant nightlife experience with a variety of clubs and bars to suit different tastes. From intimate private clubs to energetic dance venues like Boom Boom Room, XO Night Club, Skal, Studio Club, and Kamora Private Club, the city's after-dark scene caters to both locals and visitors seeking entertainment. See all nightlife →

Boom Boom Room
Municipiul Chișinău · 347 m from centre
XO Night Club
Municipiul Chișinău · 352 m from centre
Skal
Municipiul Chișinău · 354 m from centre

Bars in Chisinau

Chisinau offers a vibrant bar scene with excellent venues for wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. From specialized wine bars such as Invino Wine Bar, Plincuvin Wine Bar, and Taste of Blu Wine House to spots like Roast & Wine and Albion, the city provides diverse options for an evening out. See all bars →

Invino Wine Bar
Municipiul Chișinău · 196 m from centre
Plincuvin Wine Bar
Municipiul Chișinău · 270 m from centre
Taste of Blu Wine House
Municipiul Chișinău · 319 m from centre

Cafes in Chisinau

Chisinau offers a variety of cafes where locals and visitors can enjoy quality coffee and refreshments. From specialty coffee roasters like Cafelini Coffee Roastery to established favourites such as Caffè delle Colonne and Naringi, the city's cafe scene provides diverse options for every taste. See all cafes →

Coffee Like
coffee_shop · 144 m from centre
Cafelini Coffee Roastery
Municipiul Chișinău · coffee_shop · 169 m from centre
SKULL COFFEE
171 m from centre

Shopping in Chisinau

Chisinau offers a variety of shopping experiences, from modern shopping centres like Gemeni, Sun City, and Onaris to smaller retail outlets such as Iris and Aviv. Whether you're looking for international brands or local products, the capital's shopping districts cater to diverse preferences. See all shopping →

Gemeni
Municipiul Chișinău · 200 m from centre
Sun City
Municipiul Chișinău · 362 m from centre
Onaris
Municipiul Chișinău · 818 m from centre

Nature & Wildlife in Chisinau

Chisinau offers several green spaces and public gardens where visitors can experience the city's natural environment. Notable areas include Grădina Catedralei, Grădina Publică "Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt", and various squares such as Scuarul Onisifor Ghibu, Scuarul "Mihai Eminescu", and Scuarul Nikolai Gogol, each providing distinct settings for outdoor exploration. See all nature & wildlife →

Grădina Catedralei
Municipiul Chișinău · 189 m from centre
Grădina Publică „Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt”
Municipiul Chișinău · 343 m from centre
Scuarul Onisifor Ghibu
Municipiul Chișinău · 372 m from centre
Scuarul „Mihai Eminescu”
Municipiul Chișinău · 375 m from centre
BC "MAIB" S.A.
Municipiul Chișinău · 570 m from centre
Scuarul Nikolai Gogol
Municipiul Chișinău · 616 m from centre

Climate snapshot

Chișinău experiences a continental climate with distinct seasonal changes. The city enjoys mild to warm summers and cold winters, with spring and autumn offering moderate temperatures as transitional seasons.

Interesting Facts About Chisinau — Weird & Wonderful

  • Nearly a third of Moldova's entire population resides in Chișinău's metropolitan area.
  • The city is home to Moldova National Wine Day and Wine Festival, held annually in the first weekend of October, celebrating a winemaking tradition dating back at least 3,000 years.
  • Chișinău's streets are filled with signs reading 'Patria Mea' (My Homeland) reflecting the city's strong ethnic and cultural identity.
  • The Daily Express described Chișinău in 2019 as 'Europe's latest hotspot', praising its wines, monumental wineries, and epic tasting sessions.

Events & Festivals Not to Miss in Chisinau

first weekend of October
Moldova National Wine Day and Wine Festival
An annual celebration held in Chișinău that honours the autumn harvest and Moldova's long history of winemaking. The streets are filled with people enjoying food, wine, dance, and music, making it a major cultural and tourist event.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chisinau

What is the population of Chișinău?

According to the 2024 Moldovan census, the city proper has over 567,000 inhabitants, while the Municipality of Chișinău numbered over 720,000 people.

What is the main language spoken in Chișinău?

Moldovan is the primary language spoken in Chișinău and throughout Moldova.

What currency is used in Chișinău?

The Moldovan leu (MDL) is the currency used in Chișinău.

Is Chișinău an important transport hub?

Yes, Chișinău is Moldova's largest transport hub and serves as the country's main commercial and industrial centre.

What is Chișinău known for regarding wine?

Chișinău hosts the annual Moldova National Wine Day and Wine Festival, celebrating the country's rich winemaking heritage dating back at least 3,000 years. Moldova has been called the wine capital of Europe.

Map of Chisinau

View larger map · © OpenStreetMap contributors