Millions of years ago there was a sea here. It receded and left behind hills, gorges, multicoloured rocks and a land on which one of Europe's oldest forests grew. Then came the Dacians, then the Romans, then the Moldovan princes. Each left a mark. Tourists — not yet. Moldova remains one of the least visited countries on the continent. And that is exactly why you should come now.
Moldova in 2026 — one of Europe's fastest-growing destinations
According to the World Tourism Organisation, Moldova entered the top three fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe — international arrivals grew by 62% compared to 2019. Only Uzbekistan and Albania are ahead.
But the growth hasn't yet turned into crowds. There are no queues at attractions, no overcrowded beaches, no tourist traps. There is a country that is only beginning to open — and those who come now see it as it really is. Without filters and without crowds.
What will surprise you in Moldova
Compactness. Moldova is one of the smallest countries in Europe. From any point in the country to any other — a maximum of five hours by car. In a single weekend you can see an ancient monastery, an underground wine city and a castle on a hill.
Food. Moldovan cuisine is not what people usually expect from Eastern Europe. Plăcinte, zeamă, mămăligă with tocană, braised rabbit, homemade wine from the cellar. Here they eat what grows nearby and cook the way their grandmothers cooked.
People. Moldova is not spoiled by tourism — and that is exactly why guests are treated not as customers but as guests in the literal sense. You'll be invited to sit at the table, wine will be poured and you'll be told the history of the village.
Landscape. There are no mountains or sea here. But there are hills stretching to the horizon, limestone gorges, rivers winding between rocks — and a silence that has almost disappeared from Europe.
Castel Unghern — a castle as your base for exploration
In the village of Ivancea, 40 km from Chișinău, stands the castle-hotel Castel Unghern. Seven rooms — Grape, Napoleon, Wolf, Esenin, Stefan cel Mare, Rose, Sparrow. A restaurant where Moldovan recipes meet European cuisine. Full autonomy — its own solar station and artesian well.
In the same village stands Conacul Baliz — a 19th-century boyar estate built by Armenian boyar Karabet Baliz. Today it is a branch of the National Museum of Ethnography with two permanent exhibitions. Admission is free.
From the castle — 10 minutes to Old Orhei, 20 minutes to Curchi Monastery, 15 minutes to Château Vartely. Chișinău — 40 minutes. Airport — 51 km. Everything within a single journey.
Castel Unghern works well as a base: mornings for exploring, evenings for dinner at the castle and a night in a room with character.
Moldova waited centuries to be noticed. Now is the best time to come. While it's still quiet here, while everything is authentic, while the castle stands on the edge of the forest and there are still rooms available.