The River Prut constitutes the border with Romania. The country has rich pastures and wooded slopes, ideal for wine-growing.

Currency

Leu (MDL; symbol (plural) Lei) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of Lei500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and Leu1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 bani.

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular pins are used.

General business opening hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

2018

New Year’s Day: 1 January 2017
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 and 8 January 2017
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2017
Orthodox Easter: 8 and 9 April 2017
Labour Day: 1 May 2017
Victory and Commemoration Day: 9 May 2017
Independence Day: 27 August 2017
National Language Day: 31 August 2017

All information subject to change.

Chisinau’s finest concert venues join forces to stage 10 days of outstanding musical performances in early spring each year. Local and international artists and companies present an enthralling programme of over 40 concerts featuring classical and folk music, opera and dance.

Moldova’s international film festival invites documentary filmmakers and fans from across the globe to this juried competition. Films are judged under three categories: documentaries from any location on any theme; films focusing on Romanian communities around the world; and locally, independently produced documentaries.

Flag-waving crowds march through the streets to commemorate the Soviet Union’s WWII victory over Nazi Germany. The highlight of the day is a spectacular military parade and speeches next to the Victory Memorial. Veterans and their families lay wreaths of red carnations.

Chisinau’s museums stay open into the small hours and offer free admission on this special evening coinciding with International Museum Day in mid-May. Interactive exhibitions, poetry readings, theatrical performances and concerts take place, along with architectural city bus tours and historical re-enactments.

Thousands of cyclists take over the streets in this noisy and colourful mass bike ride. It’s a family-friendly event, with riders big and small decorating themselves and their bikes. Cyclists chill out at a festival afterwards with stalls, live music and DJs, puppet shows and face painting.

World-renowned conductors, opera singers and ballet dancers are invited to perform in Chisinau at this annual festival founded by, and now held in honour of, Maria Bieşu, a former prima donna of Moldova’s National Opera and Ballet Theatre. The programme includes an enticing mix of favourite and lesser-known productions.

Thousands of cyclists take over the streets in this noisy and colourful mass bike ride. It’s a family-friendly event, with riders big and small decorating themselves and their bikes. Cyclists chill out at a festival afterwards with stalls, live music and DJs, puppet shows and face painting.

Lively folk dancing and music, traditional embroidered <strong>cost</strong>umes, delicious regional dishes and plenty of fine local wine combine to create a colourful celebration of Moldovan wine-making. Visitors can pick up handicrafts, gen up on grape varieties at masterclasses, or head out of town on scenic vineyard tours.

The city’s main street closes to cars and is transformed into the venue for an important Russian Orthodox religious festival on 14 October, celebrating the Intercession of the Holy Virgin. Highlights include parades, traditional music and dance, an outdoor concert in Great National Assembly Square and a sparkling fireworks display.

Theatre companies from across Europe take to the stage at Chisinau’s biennial arts festival for a week of eclectic performances ranging from Shakespeare productions to Nietzsche interpretations to contemporary Romanian drama. Each festival takes a new theme such as ‘Chekhov Planet’, ‘Crossroads’ or ‘For a Better World’.