moldova
A Comprehensive Travel Guide
eastern europe
With the world's largest wine collection, a centuries-old monastery built inside of a mountain, and several fortresses from the Middle Ages, Moldova is one of Europe's best-kept secrets. The country is quite small in size, which is perfect for travelers who want to see as much as they can in a shorter time frame. Although the country has struggled financially since it gained its independence from the USSR, the country is filled with joyous and proud residents eager to show you everything their homeland has to offer. Oh, and did I mention there's a semi-autonomous nation inside of Moldova that the United Nations doesn't even recognize? Let's go!
bender, moldova
details
tallinn
Know
you go
before
Official Language(s) – Romanian
Currency – Leu (MDL)
Capital City – Chișinău
Credit Cards & ATMs – Credit cards are widely accepted in large cities, but less common in rural areas. If you venture into the countryside, be sure to withdraw or exchange currency beforehand.
Outlets – C & F
Popular SIM Card Providers – Orange, Moldcell, Unite
climate & weather
Moldova's climate is continental throughout the country, and experiences warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Because of its small size and relatively flat topography, there is little variation in temperature across the country. Although shorter than summer and winter, spring and autumn constitute the best months to travel to Moldova due to their pleasant temperatures and lack of tourists. Average temperatures per month and region are as follows:
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Average Maximum: 8 °C // 46 °F
Average Minimum: 0 °C // 32 °F
Average Sunshine: 6 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: 16 °C // 61 °F
Average Minimum: 5 °C // 41 °F
Average Sunshine: 8 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F
Average Minimum: 10 °C // 50 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
march
april
may
Average Maximum: 8 °C // 46 °F
Average Minimum: 0 °C // 32 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
Average Maximum: 16 °C // 61 °F
Average Minimum: 6 °C // 43 °F
Average Sunshine: 6 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F
Average Minimum: 12 °C // 54 °F
Average Sunshine: 8 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
march
april
may
spring
chisinau
soroca
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: 25 °C // 77 °F
Average Minimum: 13 °C // 55 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
Average Maximum: 26 °C // 79 °F
Average Minimum: 15 °C // 59 °F
Average Sunshine: 11 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 26°C // 79 °F
Average Minimum: 14 °C // 57 °F
Average Sunshine: 11 hours
Rainy days: 9 days
june
july
august
Average Maximum: 25 °C // 77 °F
Average Minimum: 15 °C // 59 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
Average Maximum: 28 °C // 82 °F
Average Minimum: 17 °C // 63 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 27 °C // 81 °F
Average Minimum: 17 °C // 63 °F
Average Sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 8 days
june
july
august
summer
chisinau
soroca
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F
Average Minimum: 10 °C // 50 °F
Average Sunshine: 9 hours
Rainy days: 7 days
Average Maximum: 16 °C // 61 °F
Average Minimum: 5 °C // 41 °F
Average Sunshine: 7 hours
Rainy days: 8 days
Average Maximum: 8 °C // 46 °F
Average Minimum: 1 °C // 36 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
september
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F
Average Minimum: 12 °C // 54 °F
Average Sunshine: 8 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
Average Maximum: 15 °C // 59 °F
Average Minimum: 7 °C // 45 °F
Average Sunshine: 5 hours
Rainy days: 6 days
Average Maximum: 7 °C // 45 °F
Average Minimum: 2 °C // 36 °F
Average Sunshine: 2 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
september
october
November
autumn
chisinau
soroca
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Average Maximum: 2 °C // 36 °F
Average Minimum: -3 °C // 27 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 0 °C // 32 °F
Average Minimum: -6 °C // 21 °F
Average Sunshine: 3 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Average Maximum: 2 °C // 35 °F
Average Minimum: -4 °C // 24 °F
Average Sunshine: 4 hours
Rainy days: 11 days
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Average Maximum: 2 °C // 36 °F
Average Minimum: -3 °C // 27 °F
Average Sunshine: 2 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
Average Maximum: 1 °C // 34 °F
Average Minimum: -4 °C // 25 °F
Average Sunshine: 2 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
Average Maximum: 3 °C // 37 °F
Average Minimum: -4 °C // 25 °F
Average Sunshine: 3 hours
Rainy days: 12 days
december
January
February
winter
chisinau
soroca
spring
summer
autumn
winter
what to
wear in
chisinau
soroca
Mămăligă
Plăcintă
moldovan wine
Sarmale
приятного аппетита!
browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info
Moldovan Cuisine
Plăcintă
Sarmale
MOLDOVAN WINE
SFINȚIȘORI
browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info
приятного аппетита!
Sarmale
MOLDOVAN WINEv
ZEAMA
SFINȚIȘORI
browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info
приятного аппетита!
PÂRJOALE
ZEAMA
SFINȚIȘORI
MOLDOVAN WINE
browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info
приятного аппетита!
Mămăligă
PÂRJOALE
ZEAMA
SFINȚIȘORI
browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info
приятного аппетита!
Mămăligă (Мамалыга)
Mămăligă, or Polenta, is a traditional Romanian dish that has been popular for centuries in modern-day Moldova. Mămăligă is made from a corn flour porridge mixture, salt, and butter. After the ingredients are heated and stirred together, the mixture is placed in a round-bottomed dish and then left to cool down. Once the contents have settled, the dish is ready to eat, often being paired with sour cream or cottage cheese.
PLĂCINTĂ (плацинды)
Plăcinte are traditional Romanian/Moldovan pies that are deep-fried and can be prepared either savory or sweet. Popular savory fillings include cheese, potato, and cabbage, and can be eaten as appetizers, side dishes, and quick snacks. The yummy, sweet pies can have a variety of fillings such as apples, cherries, and various types of jams.
Moldovan wine (молдавское вино)
Did you know Moldova is home to the largest wine collection in the world? Yeah, you read that right- Milestii Mici is in Moldova! Moldova has long been recognized as a haven for wine lovers in Europe, and is well-integrated in the country's history. During the Soviet Union, 1 in every 2 bottles of wine produced in the entire USSR came from Moldova, and today Moldovans have an entire holiday to celebrate the pride they feel for their successful export. If you are interested in visiting a winery, definitely look into booking a tour. The two largest in the country, Milestii Mici and Cricova, are so large, they are the size of small towns - and they're entirely underground!
sfințișori (сфинцишорь)
Sfințișori, also known as Moldova Martyrs, are delicious pastries that are drizzled with honey and nuts. These pastries are similar to croissants with a soft and doughy inside, and a warm and crispy outside. Sfințișori are made in a figure eight shape to represent March 8th, the day before an important Orthodox Christian holiday for which they're prepared.
Zeama (Зама)
The dish zeama is a traditional Moldovan soup that is similar to chicken noodle soup. Unlike that of Campbell's canned soup, zeama features all kinds of veggies and herbs, such as celery, dill, parsley, thyme, carrots, onions, leeks, and sweet peppers. Zeama is often regarded as a Moldovan hangover cure, and is usually served with lemon juice, sour cream, and a piece of mămăligă on the side.
Pârjoale (Паржоале)
Pârjoale are special meatballs and meat patties popular in Moldova and Romania. The meat is usually either pork, lamb, or beef - or even a combination of the three. In addition to the meat, pârjoale includes a mixture of herbs like parsley, thyme and dill, eggs, and garlic. After all of the ingredients are combined, the mixture is formed into the desired shape, covered in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Pârjoale is typically served on rye bread with mustard to pair.
приятного аппетита!
Melissa
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