National Wine Day (Ziua Națională a Vinului) — a 3-day weekend in Central Moldova

The weekend, day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Chișinău

   Land at Chișinău International Airport (KIV), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.

2. Day 2

   National Wine Day (Ziua Națională a Vinului)

   Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Mileștii Mici's catacombs hold 2 million bottles—book your underground cellar tour weeks ahead as same-day spots vanish instantly. Focus on estate bottlings from smaller producers like Purcari and Cricova's reserve section rather than the commercial pavilion pours; the real discoveries are in the back-road family wineries 20 minutes outside the city.

3. Day 3

   Wine country day in Central Moldova

   Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.

Where to stay

Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.

• Hotels in Chișinău

  Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.

• 4–5 star options near Chișinău

  Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.

• Apartments in Chișinău

  Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.

Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.

Practical

Nearest airport

Chișinău International Airport (KIV)

Festival site

Visit official site