🏙️ Chisinau: a park city on seven hills

Chisinau is one of the few cities whose streets still retain a touch of the Soviet past. But when you get to know the Moldovan capital closely, you understand that modern trends in culture , leisure and gastronomy have not bypassed it.

Chisinau is beautiful at any time of the year, except winter. The city has many large, well-kept parks and more than 20 lakes, and it itself stretches along the Byk River.

Such natural diversity allows city residents to take long promenades, enjoying clean air and the warm southern sun. In winter, according to local residents, the capital is slushy and often foggy.

In the center of Chisinau there is a city museum. It is located in the building of a former water tower. Its construction in the 19th century marked the beginning of the city's water supply. The permanent exhibition is quite interesting, however, the main emphasis in it was on the Soviet period of the city’s existence. But what’s also attractive about the museum is that by paying mere pennies for tickets, you will get the opportunity to climb to the very top of the tower, from where a magnificent view of the city opens.

But one should not think that Chisinau is stuck in its past and can only attract nostalgic retirees. 

Connoisseurs of modern culture and music will be interested in ARTKOR – the Center for Creative Industries, located in the historical center of Chisinau in the courtyard of the Academy of Arts. ARTKOR has become a place of attraction for creative and imaginative people from Moldova. Exhibitions of contemporary artists and photographers, concerts and performances by the most notorious musicians – all this takes place here.

For lovers of nightlife, I can recommend the Skal club, where you will find entertainment for every taste: bright shows, performances by popular performers and parties until the morning with DJ sets.

Moldova is associated with fresh fruits and vegetables, and, indeed, during the season, shops and markets in Chisinau are filled with cherries, apricots, peaches, apples, and peppers. However, their quality is not always guaranteed.

To be sure that you do not buy products full of pesticides and other chemical elements, it is better to visit the eco-products market “EkoLokal”. It is organized in the city center, near the Kentford office building, on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 am. Most producers here have certificates confirming that they are natural farmers and grow only organic products.

Of course, it is impossible to imagine a trip to Moldova without tasting local wine. Not far from Chisinau is the Asconi winery, where you can take a tour of the plant and study the wine production process, as well as try wine in the restaurant.