Things to Do in Chișinău

The city’s main park, right next to the Government House. It has wide avenues shaded by old plane trees, a few statues and a fountain. Lively in the evenings with families and groups of teenagers.

🕐 Always open

💡 The free-to-use fountains are a good spot to cool off in summer. Avoid the restaurant here — mediocre food, steep prices.

A large urban park with a lake, walking paths and a beach. Locals come here to jog, cycle or just sit and watch the water. The views from the observation deck across the lake grab most visitors’ attention.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go on a weekday morning when it is quiet. The small beach cafe sells drinks for 20 lei, half the price of places near the centre.

The main Orthodox cathedral in Chișinău, built in 1830 in a Neoclassical style. The exterior is plain white stone; inside, the iconostasis is gilded and the domes are painted. Free to enter and quiet most days.

🕐 Daily 07:00-20:00, liturgy 08:00-10:00 on Sundays

💡 Arrive before 9am on Sunday to see the liturgy — it is more atmospheric and less crowded than later in the day. Women should bring a headscarf to cover their hair.

The main art museum of Moldova, housed in a former boys’ gymnasium. It holds a modest collection of Orthodox icons, 19th-century portraits and Soviet-era works. The permanent exhibition is free; only temporary shows cost money.

🕐 Tue–Thu 10:00-17:00, Sat–Sun 10:00-16:00, closed Mon–Tue

💡 The free entry applies only to the permanent collection, which is on the first floor. Visit Wednesday morning to dodge school groups. You can get a printed English map at reception for no charge.

A bustling open-air and covered market where locals buy meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Also good for dried herbs, nuts and artisan bread. Not a tourist attraction — just real daily life in Chișinău.

🕐 Tue–Sun 07:00-16:00, closed Monday

💡 Try the smoked cheese (telemea afumată) from the wooden stalls on the left side — 150 lei per kilo. Go before 11am for the freshest produce. Haggling is not expected but rounding down by 10 lei is fine.