Chișinău

Understand

thumb|300px|Chișinău City Hall Chișinău (Russian: Кишинёв (Kishinyov), Ukrainian: Кишинів (Kyshyniv)) is very wealthy compared to the rest of the country, as Moldova is not a very rich country, and the countryside is especially poor. As is common in developing countries, you are likely to see great disparities in wealth. It's also very much a post-Soviet city, with both the good and bad qualities associated with that. You'll see many modern and great buildings of steel, concrete and glass.

The majority of the middle- and working-class population lives in blocks of flats. These look standard, maybe not too nice but are not as dangerous as similar areas may be considered to be in Western Europe. Do not expect Western standards everywhere, but the situation is improving every year. There are 4- and 5-star hotels, good restaurants and cafes, coffee houses and bars.

The city's territory with the nearest suburbs covers the area of . Visit Chișinău tourism information.

Get in

thumb|300px|Opera and ballet palace

See

thumb|Botanical garden thumb|Arch of triumph

Buy

There are many shops, malls and markets in Chișinău. The majority of restaurants and almost all the hotels in the city accept credit cards. There are hundreds of ATMs throughout the city. If you do not have an account with the bank or its parent company (e.g. Santander), expect a fee of approximately 2%.

If you are just visiting Chișinău, consider buying a special brandy selection of about 30 small bottles, with different sorts of brandy. It can make a nice gift. Moldovan wines are deservedly famous across the former Soviet Union, yet are little known in Europe. Take the opportunity to sample them. Cigarettes are also much cheaper in Moldova than in the EU, so you might do well to stock up before leaving the country, although the number of cigarettes you can bring across an EU border is restricted. There are special rules for the land borders to Romania. The maximum number is lower.

Eat

Chișinău is a good place for food lovers. There are plenty of good places to eat all over the city. The cheap, tasty food that is very popular with the locals is served in most places. For better service and a more diverse food selection, there are a lot of small restaurants and cafes. Some restaurants have prices comparable to Western Europe, although if you eat only in those you may find yourself being ripped off. For a quick lunch, try fast food stores and pizzerias, which can be found on nearly every corner. Beef is often listed under the veal part of the menu.