Moldova offers stunning natural landscapes alongside its rich culture and affordable living
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If you think Europe is all about expensive cafés and pricey tourist traps, think again.
Hidden between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is one of the continent’s best-kept secrets — and it’s ridiculously affordable.
While the crowds rush to Paris or Rome, Moldova quietly offers incredible food, fascinating culture, and a warmth that feels like stepping back to a simpler time.
And yes — you really can enjoy a meal at a restaurant for just five euros.
Why Moldova is Europe’s best-kept secret for travellers
Less than 150,000 tourists make it to Moldova each year.
It’s not that there’s nothing to see — far from it — but it’s a place that somehow stays off the radar.
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Flights from Spain can cost as little as €18, and once you land, you’ll find prices that barely seem real.
In the capital, Chisinau, you can rent a flat for around €80 a month or check into a hotel for less than €30 a night.
Order a drink and you might spend just €1. It’s the kind of place where your money stretches in a way you’d forgotten was possible.
Politically, Moldova stands in a strange in-between.
It officially applied for European Union membership in 2022, but the shadow of Transnistria — a breakaway region loyal to Russia — keeps things complicated.
Still, everyday life moves at its own gentle pace, and visitors find themselves welcomed with genuine smiles and hearty meals.
Discover Moldova’s wine, rich history and hidden treasures
If Moldova is famous for anything, it’s its wine — and rightly so.
This tiny country holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest wine collection, with a staggering 1.5 million bottles resting in underground cellars carved during Soviet times.
Wine tasting here is not just a tourist activity — it’s a way of life.
A glass of good local wine costs less than €1, unless you’re splurging on a rare vintage, some of which are said to have been reserved for world leaders like Vladimir Putin.
But Moldova isn’t just about wine.
It’s about unexpected beauty — grand boulevards in Chisinau, peaceful monasteries tucked away in the countryside, and a sense of authenticity that much of Europe has lost.
Travelling to Moldova: no passport needed for EU citizens
Here’s another bonus:
Even though Moldova isn’t officially part of the EU, travellers from the European Union can visit without a passport — just an ID card will do.
Since 2014, Moldovans themselves have been allowed to travel freely through Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
It’s an open door for anyone curious enough to step through — and honestly, it’s one worth opening.
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