Underground wine in Moldova starts with a monastery stop. You’ll spend a full day in Chisinau and then head down to Cricova’s underground world, where history, religion, and winemaking all share the same calendar.

I love the way this trip gives you two very different “Moldova” moods: the calm, story-heavy stop at Capriana Monastery and then the guided city walk in Chisinau. I also really like the wine portion—proper wine tasting in a place that feels like a real underground city, not a themed showroom.

The only real drawback is the pace: it’s a 12-hour day with a lot of driving from Iași, so go in expecting long seats and early starts.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• Capriana Monastery’s ties to Moldova’s rulers and its role as a residence for the Metropolitan of Moldova
• Chisinau highlights in a focused 2-hour guided walk, including the Holy Gates and a local Arc de Triomphe
• Cricova’s underground depth (50–80 meters) and the scale of the cellars, reached via a ride through the tunnels
• Famous wine-world stories inside Cricova, including items linked to Herman Goering and claims about Vladimir Putin’s cellar holdings
• English-speaking guides—past groups have praised guides such as Leo, Leonard/Leonardo, Iulian/Ijulian, and Florin for clear explanations and helpful attitudes
• Wine tasting included, with lunch only if you choose to add it (extra cost)

From Iași to Chisinau and Cricova: How This Day Trip Fits Together

This is the kind of day trip that works when you want a lot of “see something real” time, but you don’t want to plan transport, entrances, and timing yourself. You start in Iași, roll into Chisinau with a guide who explains what you’re looking at, then finish at Cricova, one of the most famous wine cellars in Moldova.

Here’s what makes the flow work: you’re not just moving between landmarks. You’re moving between eras. Capriana gives you religion and power. Chisinau gives you a city shaped by rebuilding and trauma. Cricova gives you winemaking at an almost sci‑fi scale—underground, organized, and full of stories that connect to Europe’s bigger 20th-century history.

The group setup is simple. You’ll have hotel pickup and drop-off, you’ll be in a modern car or minibus/coach, and you’ll get a live English guide. You’ll also have bottled water waiting, which matters on long days.

Capriana Monastery: A Calm Start With Real Political Backstory

Capriana Monastery isn’t just a photo stop. It’s one of those places where the setting makes the history feel personal. You’ll get a guided visit of about 30 minutes, so you should use that time to slow down and actually listen.

The key details you’ll hear help you understand why this monastery mattered so much: for a long time, it was the residence of the Metropolitan of Moldova, and it was patronized by rulers including Stefan the Great. That turns “a church building” into a window on how religion and leadership were tied together.

If you like sacred sites, this is a good match because it’s not rushed into a quick glance-and-go. You’ll also be able to connect the monastery stop to what you’ll see later in Chisinau—religious architecture, monuments, and the way power has been displayed through buildings.

Practical note: wear comfortable shoes. Even when the visit is short, you’ll still want stable footing.

Chisinau Highlights: Holy Gates, a Local Arc, and a City Rebuilt Twice

Chisinau can feel surprisingly direct: there’s a plan to how you see it, and you cover it in about 2 hours with a guide. You’re also seeing the city through a “what happened here?” lens, which makes even ordinary streets feel meaningful.

One of the big landmarks you’ll encounter is the Holy Gates, built in 1841. These sit right at the center of town, so it’s an easy anchor for your orientation. Then you’ll see Chisinau’s own version of a triumph-style monument—an Arc de Triomphe—which helps you understand how public symbolism shaped the city’s identity.

Another stop in the walk is a park where you’ll learn about Prince Stefan, tied to Moldova’s medieval past. This kind of detail matters. Without it, you might see statues and call them decoration. With it, you start noticing how the city remembers who it thinks it was.

What I appreciate most is the way the guide frames the city’s physical look. Chisinau was first documented in 1420, but much of it was leveled in World War II and again after a devastating earthquake in 1940. Rebuilding began in 1950, and you’ll see how Soviet-style development shaped both the center and the outskirts, with utilitarian high-rise buildings dominating the view.

That’s a lot of context for one day, but it changes your experience in real time. You’ll look at architecture differently because you know why it looks the way it does.

Cricova Winery: The Underground City (50–80 Meters Down)

Then comes the real mood shift: Cricova Winery, located 50–80 meters underground. This is not “cellar vibes.” It’s a whole underground system, big enough that you can’t really grasp the scale just by walking.

The cellars are described as enormous—so big that you drive through them. In past groups, the underground ride has included a golf-cart-style transport running through hundreds of meters, with countless bottles lining the tunnel space. If you’re the type who enjoys visual scale, this part is going to land.

Cricova also comes with serious name recognition in winelovers’ conversations, and the tour’s storytelling leans into that. You’ll hear about claims tied to Vladimir Putin and his wine storage, plus a remarkable artifact connection: Herman Goering’s private collection, taken from Berlin in 1945 by the Red Army.

The place has design too, not just storage. Inside, you’ll notice reliefs reflecting influences from Ancient Greece and the Roman period. It’s a strange mix at first—deep underground, yet referencing classical art—and that contrast is part of what makes Cricova feel like its own world.

One more reason Cricova is a smart stop for a day trip: it’s self-contained. While Chisinau requires your attention to streets and landmarks, Cricova gives you a controlled environment where time feels “spent well,” especially with wine tasting included.

Wine Tasting at Cricova: Learning the Steps, Then Trying the Wines

Cricova doesn’t treat tasting like a hurried pour at the end. You’ll get about 2 hours for the wine experience, including the chance to learn the steps to wine tasting and sample from a selection of wines.

That matters if you’re not a hardcore wine nerd. Even if you don’t know your reds from your whites yet, a structured tasting helps you notice what you usually miss—aroma, finish, how a wine changes on the palate, and what to pay attention to when you’re comparing bottles.

This stop also gives you a bit of “taste and context” balance. You’re not only tasting products; you’re inside the production story. The underground environment, the massive cellar scale, and the classical reliefs all become part of the tasting narrative, not just the background.

You can also add a meal if you want. There’s an optional lunch at Cricova, and it’s typically priced around 12 EUR per person (extra, not included). If you prefer to keep costs predictable, you can skip it. If you’re the type who enjoys turning winery time into full day comfort, eating there can make the experience feel less like rushing.

Transport, Timing, and What to Bring for a Smooth Day

This is a full-day format, with a total duration of 12 hours. The ride time back and forth from Iași is part of the deal, and you should plan your energy around it. Bring something to pass the time, and expect the day to move even when you’re tired.

The schedule is straightforward:

• Morning pickup from your hotel in Iași
• A short guided visit at Capriana Monastery
• A guided sightseeing window in Chisinau
• A longer tasting session at Cricova Winery
• Return transfer back to Iași

Because your day includes an underground portion, the “what to wear” advice is practical: comfortable shoes and dress for being in and out of temperature changes. Even if you’re only underground briefly, it can feel cooler down there.

Passport/ID matters too. You’ll need a passport or ID card, and that’s not the moment to discover yours is missing or expired.

Also note what this trip does not work well for: it’s not suitable for wheelchair users. The underground winery experience and general walking time make it tough. If mobility is an issue, double-check fit before booking.

One more helpful note: pets aren’t allowed.

Price and Value: Is $296 Worth It?

At $296 per person, the headline cost is not “cheap,” but it’s also not just a seat on a bus. You’re paying for a guided, structured day with real inclusions.

From what’s included, you get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Modern transport (car/minibus/coach)
• A travel guide
• Entrance fees
• Wine tasting
• Bottle of water

What’s extra:

• Lunch (optional, about 12 EUR)
• Personal expenses

So where’s the value? You’re covering three major components that are usually harder to coordinate on your own: reliable cross-country transport from Iași, guided context in Chisinau (where history is part of the experience), and the tasting time in a place where entry and access typically require planning.

I also think Cricova adds “premium value” because the cellar scale isn’t something you replicate cheaply with DIY planning. Underground access, guiding, and tasting time all fall under one organized roof—literally and figuratively.

If you enjoy tours, this is the kind that doesn’t feel padded. It’s built around a tight set of stops where the time is used for explanation, not for waiting around.

Guide Quality: What the English Explanations Are Like

The experience runs on the guide. Here’s the good news: the English-speaking guides for this tour have been repeatedly praised for being friendly and for knowing the material.

In previous departures, guides named Leo, Leonard/Leonardo, Iulian/Ijulian, and Florin have been singled out for giving clear, detailed explanations—especially about the monasteries, Chisinau sights, and the winery. If you care about context (why a monument exists, why the city looks the way it does, why Cricova matters), that kind of guiding turns a tour into an education you can actually feel.

If you prefer a more relaxed, less talkative style, you’ll still likely get enough structure to keep the day moving well. Just be ready that there will be storytelling.

Should You Book This Trip?

Book it if you want a day trip that mixes religion, city history, and wine without making you juggle logistics. It’s a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and anyone based in Iași who wants to see Chisinau and Cricova with guidance and included tasting time.

Skip it if you’re extremely sensitive to long travel days or if underground walking and uneven surfaces could be a problem for you. Also consider whether you’re okay with Chisinau’s Soviet-influenced look—this trip doesn’t hide that part; it explains it.

If you like structured sightseeing where the guide helps you connect landmarks to bigger stories, this is an efficient way to experience Moldova in one long, memorable day.

FAQ

How long is the day trip?

The total duration is 12 hours.

Where does the tour pickup happen?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Iași, in front of the hotel.

Is the tour guide available in English?

Yes, the live tour guide speaks English.

What’s included in the price?

Included are transport (modern car/minibus/coach), a travel guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, wine tasting, and a bottle of water.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. It’s listed as optional at around 12 EUR per person.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or ID card and comfortable shoes.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

No, pets are not allowed.

You Might Also Enjoy

Alicante: Old Winery with Tastings & Gaudí’s style of ChurchAlbufeira, Olhão, Faro: Visit a vineyard, Free time in SilvesWine Tasting Experience at Alpeta WineryFrom Montpellier: Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour