Discover Chisinau: Museums, history and parks

Chisinau can be explored through its different facets: art and history, historic squares, and expansive green spaces. The museum collections and park grounds offer concrete starting points for shaping your stay around the subjects that interest you most.

Museums and diverse collections

The National Art Museum of the Republic of Moldova houses more than 40,000 works from various artistic fields. Its visitor offerings include permanent exhibitions and interactive activities. The museum thus combines extensive collections with opportunities to engage actively with art.

The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History has a different historical focus: it was founded in the autumn of 1889 as the first public museum in Bessarabia. Its founding date alone sets it apart from the other institutions and makes it a distinct point of reference in the region’s museum history.

The National Museum of Romanian Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu” holds more than 100,000 exhibits, including books, art objects and documents. Its manuscript collection comprises 28,000 items. A comparison of the institutions reveals a different collection focus here than at the art museum: literary and documentary holdings sit alongside art objects here, while the art museum features works from various artistic fields.

Historic places in the cityscape

Scuarul Catedralei was established between 1830 and 1840. With the Metropolitan Cathedral, the bell tower and the Triumphal Arch, the square is part of a well-known and important historic ensemble in the capital. These features give the square a distinct historic character and make it a point of reference for anyone interested in Chisinau’s architectural heritage.

Ștefan cel Mare Public Garden is the oldest surviving city park and was laid out in 1818. Its history can therefore be traced to a specific date. Together with Scuarul Catedralei, it offers another perspective on the city’s historic places, although the two sites need not be experienced in the same way.

Green spaces and their size

The Botanical Garden is on the outskirts of Chisinau, in the Botanica district and near the area known as the city gates. It was founded on 1 September 1951. The tropical and subtropical plant section contains around 2,550 species collected from around the world. This approximate figure and the plants’ origins make the section a distinctive feature of the garden.

Parcul Dendrariu is in the Buiucani district and covers 83 hectares. It has been under state protection since 16 July 1998. Parcul Valea Morilor, in turn, lies on the shore of Lake Valea Morilor and covers 114 hectares; the lake itself is 34 hectares in size. The two different parks can therefore also be compared by their area.

Parcul Valea Morilor also has a beach and a boat rental station. If you plan to use these facilities, check their current operating status before your visit. This connects the park’s size figures with a practical question for your planning.

A ride and wine in Chisinau

The Troleibuzul Turistic Chișinău Sightseeing offers visitors a one-hour ride. Audio guides are available in Romanian, Russian and English. Check the schedule and languages offered in advance so you can fit the ride into your plans.

Vinăria ATU also offers guided tours and wine tastings in Chisinau. The winery manages approximately 17 hectares of vineyards. If you plan a tour or tasting, confirm the booking details before your trip.

Choose your hotel location based on your itinerary

When looking for a hotel, you could first consider which visits will shape your trip most: museums and historic places, green spaces, or a mix of both. Then compare the hotels’ location details with your own itinerary. This way, your choice is guided by the experiences you actually plan to enjoy in Chisinau.

Discover more destinations: Chisinau, Vadul Lui Vodă, Tohatin, Vatra, Trușeni, Ghidighici, Codru, Durlești.

For the broader travel overview: Moldova.