Home › Destinations › Cricova
Cricova, Moldova - Things to Do in Cricova

Cricova

Cricova, Moldova - Complete Travel Guide

Cricova is a small town in Moldova famous worldwide for its extraordinary underground wine cellars, which form one of the most impressive subterranean wine cities on Earth. Located just 15 kilometers north of Chișinău, this unassuming town sits atop a vast network of limestone tunnels stretching over 120 kilometers, with about 50 kilometers currently in use for wine storage and production. The underground labyrinth maintains perfect conditions for wine aging, with constant temperatures and humidity levels that have made Cricova wines legendary among connoisseurs. What makes Cricova truly special is not just the scale of its wine cellars, but the unique experience of exploring an underground city complete with street names, traffic signs, and even underground lakes. The cellars house an incredible collection of over 1.2 million bottles, including rare vintages dating back centuries and wines that once belonged to famous figures like Hermann Göring. Visitors can drive or take guided tours through these illuminated tunnels, stopping at tasting rooms carved directly into the limestone walls, making Cricova a pilgrimage destination for wine enthusiasts and a fascinating attraction for anyone interested in unique underground architecture.

Top Cricova

Underground Wine Cellar Tour

Explore the famous Cricova wine cellars through guided tours that take you deep underground via car or minibus through the illuminated tunnel network. The tour includes visits to different aging sections, explanations of the wine-making process, and culminates in professional wine tastings in atmospheric underground chambers carved from limestone.

Booking Tip: Tours cost around $15-30 per person and must be booked in advance through the official Cricova website or local tour operators. Best times are weekday mornings when it's less crowded, and tours are available in multiple languages including English.

Premium Wine Tasting Experience

Participate in exclusive tastings of Cricova's finest wines, including their renowned sparkling wines and rare vintage collections. These sessions are led by expert sommeliers who explain the unique characteristics of wines aged in the underground cellars and the history behind special bottles in their collection.

Booking Tip: Premium tastings range from $25-60 depending on wine selection and can be added to cellar tours. Book the VIP experience for access to rare wines and private tasting rooms, best scheduled during weekdays for more personalized attention.

Underground Photography Tour

Capture the dramatic beauty of the underground wine city with specialized photography tours that provide access to the most photogenic sections of the cellars. These tours offer unique opportunities to photograph the tunnel architecture, wine storage areas, and atmospheric lighting that creates impressive underground landscapes.

Booking Tip: Photography tours cost around $40-50 and require advance booking with specific mention of photography equipment. Best lighting occurs during midday tours, and professional photography equipment is allowed with prior arrangement.

Wine Production Workshop

Learn about traditional Moldovan winemaking techniques through hands-on workshops that cover grape selection, fermentation processes, and bottling methods used in the underground facilities. Participants get to blend their own wine and understand why the underground environment is perfect for wine aging.

Booking Tip: Workshops are offered seasonally (mainly during harvest time) for $35-45 per person and require advance booking. Best experiences are during September-October harvest season, though year-round educational sessions are available.

Historical Collection Tour

Discover the fascinating history behind Cricova's legendary wine collection, including bottles from famous historical figures and rare vintages from the Soviet era. This specialized tour focuses on the stories behind the wines and the geopolitical history that shaped this unique collection.

Booking Tip: Historical tours cost $20-35 and are best booked as add-ons to regular cellar tours. Available mainly on weekends with advance notice, and English-speaking guides should be requested when booking for the most detailed historical context.

Getting There

Cricova is easily accessible from Chișinău, located just 15 kilometers north of Moldova's capital city. The most convenient way to reach Cricova is by car or taxi, which takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Regular marshrutka (minibus) services run from Chișinău's central bus station to Cricova throughout the day for around $1, though having your own transportation is more convenient for cellar tours. Many visitors opt for organized tours from Chișinău that include transportation, or rent a car for the flexibility to explore the surrounding wine region at their own pace.

Getting Around

Cricova is a small town that can be easily explored on foot, with the main attraction being the underground wine cellars located at the Cricova Winery complex. The underground cellar tours are conducted by vehicle (provided by the winery) as the tunnel network is too extensive to walk. Above ground, the town center is compact and walkable, with most restaurants and shops within a few blocks of each other. Taxis are available for longer distances, and having a car provides the most flexibility for exploring nearby wineries and returning to Chișinău at your own schedule.

Where to Stay

Chișinău City Center
Cricova Town Center
Nearby Wine Estates
Codru Village
Strășeni Area
Chișinău Airport Area

Food & Dining

Cricova's dining scene centers around traditional Moldovan cuisine with a strong emphasis on wine pairings, reflecting the town's viticultural heritage. The winery complex itself features an excellent restaurant serving local specialties like mămăligă (cornmeal porridge), sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), and fresh local cheeses, all designed to complement their wines. Several family-run restaurants in town offer authentic Moldovan dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, while the nearby countryside features rural guesthouses serving farm-to-table meals. Most dining establishments are casual and affordable, with many offering wine from local producers, making every meal an opportunity to explore Moldova's diverse wine offerings.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Moldova

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Trattoria Della Nonna

4.6 /5
(6542 reviews) 2

Trattoria Della Nonna

4.8 /5
(5537 reviews) 2

Trattoria Della Nonna

4.9 /5
(2526 reviews)

Mi Piace

4.6 /5
(2425 reviews) 2

Trattoria Della Nonna

4.8 /5
(2117 reviews) 2

Trattoria Della Nonna

4.8 /5
(1685 reviews) 2

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The best time to visit Cricova is from late spring through early fall (May to October), when the weather is pleasant for traveling and the above-ground areas are most enjoyable to explore. The underground cellars maintain constant temperatures year-round, making them comfortable to visit in any season, but summer months offer the best overall experience with longer daylight hours and better road conditions. September and October are particularly special as they coincide with harvest season, when you can witness active wine production and participate in harvest-related activities, though this is also the busiest time requiring advance bookings.

Insider Tips

Book cellar tours well in advance, especially during harvest season and weekends, as daily visitor numbers are limited to preserve the wine aging environment
Bring a light jacket even in summer as the underground cellars maintain cool temperatures around 12-14°C (54-57°F) year-round
Consider staying overnight in Chișinău and making Cricova a day trip, as accommodation options in Cricova itself are limited but this allows you to explore multiple wineries in the region

Activities in Cricova