Last Updated on: 3rd August 2021, 11:31 pm
Chisinau does not have a reputation for being the most beautiful post-Soviet city (I’m not sure it has much of a reputation at all, actually). But the city is both quirky and beautiful, and you can find some great Instagram spots in Chisinau if you know where to look for them!
The Most Instagrammable Places in Chisinau
All of these places are described in more detail on my list of things to do in Chisinau, so I won’t be boring and repeat myself here. I do want to add a note of caution and a plea for Instagram etiquette. Please remain respectful in religious places and war memorials. Photographing these places (where allowed) is great. However, skip the yoga poses, over-the-top sefies, and other general disrespectful behavior in these sacred spaces.
My favorite Chisinau Instagram spots, in no particular order:
Triumphal Arch
Location: The Great National Assembly Square, Chisinau, Moldova
St. Theodor Tiron Convent (Manastirea Ciuflea)
Location: 2R7W+3R Chisinau, Moldova
Cathedral Park
Location: The Great National Assembly Square, Chisinau, Moldova
Ştefan cel Mare Central Park
Location: Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt, Chișinău 2012
Chisinau Botanical Gardens
Location: Gradina Botanica, Chisinau 2002, Moldova
The Village Museum
Location: Strada Aeroportului, Chișinău, Moldova
Chisinau Railway Station
Location: 2V75+4W Chisinau, Moldova
Lacul Valea Morilor
Location: Lacul „Valea Morilor”, Chisinau, Moldova
Victory and Eternity Memorial Park Complex
Note that this is a World War II memorial, so refrain from being disrespectful while here.
Location: Strada Pantelimon Halippa 5, Chișinău 2009, Moldova
From the Top of the Chisinau Water Tower
Location: Alexei Mateevici St 60A, Chisinau, Moldova
5 Things to Pack for a Trip to Chisinau
Planning a trip to Moldova? I have an entire Moldova packing list, but make sure you don’t forget these important items:
- Lonely Planet Romania & Moldova I find it’s actually really hard to find hard copy travel guides on the road, so if you love having a paper guidebook you need to buy it ahead of time. This guide also comes in a Kindle version for those who don’t want to carry the physical copy with them.
- A Backup Charging Bank so you can keep your phone (and thus phone camera) charged while you’re out sightseeing.
- A copy of Eugene Onegin so you can read it in the city (or even in the house) where it was written. Get this dual English/Russian version if you want to practice your Russian!
- A Primary SD Card and a Spare SD Card because it would be torture to run out of memory and miss out on your photos opportunities (especially because I’ve had a few SD cards fail on me).
- Travel Insurance Policy information, because things happen on the road. I pay for World Nomads, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’ll be hanging out in cities where tourists can be the victims of pickpockets.
I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for travel insurance for two years, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance when participating in outdoor activities. Even in the cities, though, you’ll be happy when you’re able to replace your stuff if it’s lost or stolen.
Pro Tip: Combining a trip to Moldova with Ukraine and want to visit Chernobyl? Make sure you follow the packing guidelines for Touring Chernobyl and Pripyat.
Where to Stay in Chisinau, Moldova
Chisinau offers a seriously great bang for your buck when it comes to staying in hotels and hostels here. I’m including a recommendation for hotels and hostels for each of the following budget categories:
- Budget: A room in a hostel, usually $10-15 USD per night for a dorm bed or under $25 for a double.
- Mid-range: Around $35-65 USD per night
- Luxury: Around $100 per night or more
Budget: For a great budget-friendly hostel, you can stay in the dorms at Amazing Ionika Hostel, which has some of the best reviews I’ve ever seen for a hostel. The rooms are clean, funky, and bright, with free wifi and in-room coffee makers. Check pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Mid-Range: For an affordable, yet elegant stay in Chisinau, pick the four-star Tulip Residence & Spa. This is a Thai-style hotel that has a spa, a Turkish bath, and a swimming pool, so you can really relax when you’re not out exploring Moldova. Check pricing, reviews, and availability here.
An alternative is the four-star Aria Hotel, which I stayed in for a week. The rooms are luxurious and clean, with stylish bathrooms and super-helpful staff. They helped me arrange private drivers when I needed them, and I really loved making this hotel my home for the week. Check pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Luxury: If you want to enjoy your Moldova vacation in true style, you can stay at the five-star Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel with updated and modern everything. With sleek decor, modern amenities, and an on-site spa and fitness center, it’s a fabulous place to call home for a few days or more. Make sure to check out the hotel’s gorgeous city views. Check pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Still looking? Check out my Chisinau hotel and hostel guide.
More Moldova Travel Resources
Headed to Chisinau? Make sure to check out my recommendations for the best things to do in Chisinau and a Moldova packing list.
If you’re looking to get out of the city, check out this list of best day trips from Chisinau, plus my write-ups on how to visit Rudi Monastery and the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Trying to figure out where to stay? Here is my guide to the best Chisinau hotels and hostels.
Many travelers choose to pair a trip to Moldova with a trip to either Ukraine or Romania.
If you’re also headed to Ukraine, check out my posts for going on a Chernobyl tour, pictures of what Chernobyl looks like today, my guide to what to pack for Ukraine, and my interview about what exactly happened at Chernobyl.
If you’re pairing Moldova with Romania, I run an entire Balkan travel blog l with TONS of articles about Romania. I’d suggest starting with our Romania trip planning guide.
Pin this Chisinau Instagram Guide
