Chisinau, Moldova - Travel Guide

Even though Moldova is not an affluent country as such, Chisinau boasts as the wealthiest city in the country and it is characterized by great wealth disparity. Being a post soviet urban area, Chisinau is characterized by both good and bad things. Generally, the city has numerous great and modern buildings built of glass, concrete and steel. Chisinau population is slightly below 1 million but despite this, about 250000 people travel in from near and far cities on a daily basis for both entertainment and work. 

While most of the places here but not be very nice, the good thing is that Chisinau is generally safe and visitors don’t have to worry of their visit. However, despite being in the Western parts of Europe, foreigners are advised not to come with a mentality of finding western standards all over the city.

Basically, Chisinau has made tremendous improvements over the past years and currently boasts of having many 5 star hotels, wonderful cafes and great restaurant, bars and coffee houses. Cathedral Park is one of the obvious attractions in Chisinau and is simply referred to as the Central Park. At the center sits Nativity Cathedral which is the main religious center. You will also find Triumph arch to its southwest which is the jewel of Great National Assembly Square. There is a Government House located nearby and a flower market as well. Stefan cel Mare statue is found just next to the flower market.

The Stefan Cel Mare Monument acts as the gateway to local beautiful park which most visitors visit for relaxation. Rose Valley is a huge park featuring several restaurants and three big lakes. Riscani Park is a big hectare park that offers tourists secluded and very pleasant walks. Then there is the botanical park which is the largest and most beautiful in the city. An old building at the park has been transformed to a village museum which is definitely worthy your time as characterized by its wooden gate which features traditional carvings. The Parcul Valea Morilor is a large park where visitors can experience life at the relatively untouched countryside in the city. Parcul Alunelul is located near a theme park and has some strange houses without doors and windows and it is also a memorial site. 

The Jewish Cemetery has both old and new graves and also houses a monument of Torah scrolls and a destroyed old synagogue. There is a military museum containing military vehicles of the Soviet Era like jets and tanks. Other museums in Chisinau include the Pushkin Museum, the National Archaeology and history museum, National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Ethnographic and Nature Museum. 

The memorial park in Chisinau is located just close to the civilian and military cemeteries in the city. Chisinau is also a city characterized by music and dance and entertainment is usually the order of the day for many residents and not only preserved for weekend. There are many theatres and cinemas along other entertainment spots distributed all over the city.