Moldova is rarely anyone's first choice. But those who come — come back. A country where monks carved temples into rock, where wine is stored underground at depths of tens of metres, and the forests remember the times when Stephen the Great's armies marched through here. We've gathered the places worth seeing — and told you where to stay.
Nature breaks in Moldova — where to go
Moldova is one of the smallest countries in Europe. But that's exactly why everything is close. In a single day you can see an ancient forest, descend into an underground wine city and sleep in a castle.
The Codru Nature Reserve — 5,000 hectares of ancient forest in the centre of the country. Oak groves, over a hundred species of birds, deer and wildcats. Trails are marked and routes are accessible even without prior experience. It's on the edge of Codru that Castel Unghern stands — a castle-hotel ten minutes from Old Orhei.
The Răut River Valley — limestone cliffs, caves and monasteries carved directly into the rock. In the 13th century monks built temples here with their bare hands. Today these places are open for hiking, kayaking and cycling.
Tipova — a cliff-face monastery above the Dniester, one of the oldest in Moldova. A place where silence can be felt physically. The drive from Castel Unghern is about 45 minutes.
Wine tourism — what to try
Moldova stores its wine underground. Literally. The underground galleries of Cricova stretch for tens of kilometres — it's one of the largest wine cellars in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Château Vartely in the Orhei district is a more intimate winery with tastings and a restaurant among the vineyards.
Purcari — wine that was once supplied to the British royal court. All three wineries are accessible on a single route from Chișinău. And for dinner — the Castel Unghern restaurant, where the chef combines Moldovan recipes with European gastronomy.
Monasteries and historical sites
Moldova is a country of monasteries. Here, temples were built not in squares but in cliffs, in forests, on riverbanks — where nature itself created the walls. Curchi Monastery — white walls among an oak forest and a lake reflecting the sky.
Saharna — a cliff monastery from the 10th–12th century with a waterfall. Căpriana — a 15th-century monastery in the heart of Codru.
Old Orhei brings it all together: archaeology, nature, architecture and faith. A 13th-century cave monastery stands on the edge of a limestone cliff — below, the Răut winds its way, and all around is a silence that has lasted for centuries.
Countryside retreat near Chișinău — where to stay
Most routes through central Moldova begin and end in Chișinău. But sleeping in the city when there's a castle nearby means losing half the experience.
Castel Unghern is 40 km from Chișinău, 10 minutes from Old Orhei, on the edge of the Codru forests. Seven rooms, each with its own name and character — Grape, Napoleon, Wolf, Esenin, Stefan cel Mare, Rose, Sparrow. A restaurant with European and Moldovan cuisine. Full eco-autonomy — their own sun and water.
This is not just a place to sleep. It's a base from which you can plan any route through the region — and a place you'll want to return to in the evening.
Moldova fits into a single weekend — but stays with you for a long time. Start your journey at the castle. Book a night at Castel Unghern and build your itinerary around it.