Chișinău in 48 Hours: What to Do Now Wizz Air Flies There Direct from Gatwick

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By Max Letek, Lost Land Travels · 1 October 2026

Chișinău is two days well spent: leafy Soviet-era boulevards, a cheap and serious food scene, and the world's largest wine cellar 20 minutes out of town. From 25 October 2026 it's also a direct hop from Gatwick, with Wizz Air fares from £36.99 one way.

Moldova's capital has spent years as Europe's "where?" city. That's exactly why it fits Lost Land Travels: no queues, no tourist traps, and a pint-sized budget goes a long way. Here's how I'd spend 48 hours there, with what it costs and what to skip.

Chișinău at a glance

• Flight: Wizz Air, Gatwick–Chișinău, about 3h 20m, from 25 October 2026

• Visa: none for UK passports (up to 90 days)

• Currency: Moldovan leu; £1 ≈ 23.5 lei

• Time: UK + 2 hours

• 48-hour budget: about £265–295 per person, flights included

In this guide

1. Getting there

2. Before you go

3. Day 1: The city on foot

4. Day 2: Wine cellars and Orheiul Vechi

5. Where to eat and drink

6. Where to stay

7. What 48 hours costs

8. FAQ

Getting there: Wizz Air from Gatwick to Chișinău

Wizz Air's Gatwick–Chișinău service starts on 25 October 2026 and runs year-round, four times a week. It sits alongside Wizz's existing Luton route, so you now have two London airports to play with (Wanderlust, Breaking Travel News).

Wizz Air Gatwick–Chișinău route details

The schedule suits a long weekend nicely: fly out Friday, home Sunday or Monday. Budget fares mean a small under-seat bag only, so book cabin luggage at the same time if you want to bring wine home.

From Chișinău Airport into town

Chișinău International (KIV) is about 13 km from the centre, roughly 20–30 minutes by road (Airport Transfer Portal).

• Trolleybus 30: the cheapest option at about 7 lei, but hours are limited and it's awkward with bags.

• Ride-hailing: Yandex Go and Bolt show a fixed fare before you confirm. This is the best value for a car.

• Airport taxis: agree the price first, or check the app fare to compare. Drivers sometimes quote tourists more.

• Pre-booked transfer: from about €49 for two, with meet-and-greet.

ATMs in arrivals dispense lei, so take out cash before you leave the terminal.

Before you go: visas, safety and money

British passport holders don't need a visa for Chișinău, and the capital itself is calm and easy to walk. The one firm no-go is Transnistria, the breakaway strip to the east.

• Entry: UK citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 6-month period visa-free. Your passport needs 3 months' validity beyond departure and a blank page, and you may be asked for a return ticket (FCDO entry requirements).

• Safety: the FCDO advises against all travel to Transnistria and urges caution near the Ukrainian border. Going against FCDO advice can void your travel insurance (FCDO Moldova advice). Everything in this guide is in or near Chișinău, well away from both. Petty theft on busy trolleybuses and at the market is the realistic risk.

• Power: Moldova has had an energy state of emergency since December 2024, and the FCDO notes managed blackouts may occur. Keep a power bank charged.

• Money: the Moldovan leu (MDL). £1 buys roughly 23.5 lei (Wise, Oct 2026). Cards work in most restaurants and hotels; keep 300–400 lei in small notes for trolleybuses, markets and the odd café. Exchange offices advertising "0% commission" are the norm.

• Language: Romanian is the official language and Russian is widely spoken. English is common among younger people in the centre; a translation app covers the rest.

• Getting around: the centre is walkable. Trolleybuses and minibuses cost a few lei, paid in cash to the conductor. Yandex Go and Bolt are cheap for anything further.

• Tipping: 5–10% for table service if you're happy; not expected in cafés, bars or taxis (Elena Plescan).

• Data: a local Moldcell or Orange SIM is about 29–49 lei for 20GB, far cheaper than UK roaming.

Day 1: The city on foot

Day one stays in the centre: a market breakfast, the grand boulevard, a dose of Soviet modernism and a wine bar to finish. Everything is walkable, with a cheap ride for the outliers.

Morning: Piața Centrală and Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard

Start at the Central Market, where you'll find mountains of cheese, pickles, honey and flowers sold by the people who made them. Grab a plăcintă (a flaky pastry stuffed with cheese, potato or cabbage) for breakfast and keep your phone in a front pocket.

From there it's a short walk to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard, the city's main artery. At its heart is the statue of Stephen the Great, erected in 1927, guarding the entrance to the park that bears his name (Wikipedia).

Late morning: Cathedral Park

Across the boulevard, Cathedral Park holds the city's best-looking ensemble. The Nativity Cathedral was built in 1830–36 and has its own bell tower; the Triumphal Arch beside it dates from 1840. On weekends the park fills with flower sellers and families, and it's the easiest place to feel the city's pace.

Afternoon: museums and Soviet modernism

Pick one museum rather than rushing three:

• National Museum of History of Moldova: over 236,000 exhibits, from prehistory to the Soviet era. The Cărturești bookshop inside is good for Moldovan books and souvenirs.

• Pushkin House Museum: the modest house where Alexander Pushkin lived in exile in the 1820s.

Then go hunting for Soviet architecture, which is half the reason to come. The Hotel Cosmos, the cylindrical Romănița tower and the Telecom building with its mosaic are all a short ride apart. The Soviet-era State Circus is the showpiece of mid-century futurism. A Bolt between them costs pennies.

Evening: dinner and a wine bar

For a first dinner, La Plăcinte is a dependable local chain for Moldovan home cooking (see Where to eat and drink). Then head to Plincuvin, a wine bar that's an easy introduction to Moldovan grapes like Fetească Neagră and Rara Neagră. If you'd rather a cocktail, Marlene is the call (Elena Plescan).

Day 2: Underground wine cities and a cliff-top monastery

Day two leaves the city for what Moldova does best: wine stored in miles of old limestone mines. Pick one of the two great cellars for the morning, then add Orheiul Vechi if you have the energy.

Morning: Mileștii Mici or Cricova

Both are vast former limestone quarries turned wine cellars, and both need booking in advance. You can't do both well in a morning, so choose:

Mileștii Mici vs Cricova: which Moldovan wine cellar to visit

Sources: Travel Tramp, wine.md, Wanderlust.

My pick for a first visit is Mileștii Mici, for sheer scale. Cricova wins if you like sparkling wine or want a long lunch: its National package adds Moldovan dishes and seven wines (minimum four people). Bring a jumper either way: the tunnels sit at a steady 12–14°C.

One warning: getting a ride back from Mileștii Mici can be slow. Ask your hotel to book a return taxi, or take a tour with transport included.

Afternoon: Orheiul Vechi

Orheiul Vechi, about 50 km north, is Moldova's most dramatic landscape. A cave monastery is cut into a limestone cliff above a looping river, with a white bell tower and a village of painted houses below in Butuceni.

Minibuses run from the outdoor bus stands behind the Central Market and take about an hour. Return buses leave mid-afternoon, around 15:45 from Butuceni in recent reports, so check on the day (A Piece of Travel). With only 48 hours, a taxi or a private tour that pairs Orheiul Vechi with a winery is far less stressful. Women should cover their heads in the monastery.

Evening: a last dinner in town

Back in Chișinău, book somewhere for mămăligă and a bottle you tasted earlier. If you have energy left, ATU Winery is an urban tasting room for one more glass.

Where to eat and drink in Chișinău

Moldovan food is hearty, cheap and built around cornmeal, cheese, cabbage and pork, and the coffee and wine scenes punch well above the city's size.

Dishes to order

• Mămăligă cu friptură: cornmeal polenta with roast meat, sour cream and salty sheep's cheese. The national dish.

• Plăcinte: flaky pastries filled with cheese, potato, cabbage or pumpkin.

• Sarmale: cabbage or vine leaves rolled around meat and rice.

• Zeamă: a sour chicken and noodle soup, the local hangover cure.

• Cușma lui Guguță: a crepe-and-sour-cherry dessert shaped like a folk hero's hat.

Places to try

Recommended restaurants, cafés and bars in Chișinău

Source: Elena Plescan's Chișinău guide.

Ask for Fetească Neagră or Rara Neagră if you want a red you can't get at home.

Where to stay in Chișinău

Stay in the centre, near Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard: almost everything on Day 1 is then a walk away. Prices are a fraction of London's.

Chișinău hotels by budget

Price bands from Elena Plescan; check live rates before you book, as late-October prices may differ.

What 48 hours in Chișinău costs

A comfortable mid-range weekend comes to roughly £265–295 per person, flights included. The figures below are my estimates built from the prices above.

Estimated 48-hour budget per person

Chișinău travel FAQ

Is Chișinău safe for British tourists?

The capital is generally safe, with pickpocketing the main risk. The FCDO advises against all travel to Transnistria and urges caution near the Ukrainian border; check its latest advice before booking.

Do I need a visa for Moldova?

No. UK passport holders can stay up to 90 days in any 6-month period visa-free.

When does the Wizz Air Gatwick to Chișinău flight start?

25 October 2026, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Wizz Air also flies to Chișinău from Luton.

Is late October a good time to visit Chișinău?

It's autumn: cooler days, golden parks and the end of harvest season. Pack layers, and bring a jumper for the cellars whatever the weather.

How much does 48 hours in Chișinău cost?

Roughly £265–295 per person, including flights, a shared mid-range hotel, food and wine, a winery tour and local transport.

Can I bring Moldovan wine home?

Yes, within UK duty-free allowances, but you'll need a checked or cabin bag. Book it with your flight, as adding it later costs more.