Moldova

Moldova is a small land-locked country in Europe|Eastern Europe, north of the Balkans, surrounded by Romania to the southwest, across the Prut river, and Ukraine to the north and east. The largely unrecognised Transnistria occupies a sliver of the area bordering Ukraine east of the Nistru River.

Regions

Moldova Regions map - 410px|Map of Moldova {{Regionlist|region1name=Moldova|region1description=The part of Moldova controlled by the Moldovan Government.|region1color=#7cc576|region2color=#7eb19a|region2name=Transnistria|region2description=One of the last places to visit a Stalinist dictatorship; a separate country from Moldova but claimed by the Moldovan Government as part of Moldova.

Transnistria is covered in a separate eHalal Travel Guide. While the legitimacy of the Transnistrian government is not recognised by any UN member, from a traveller's point of view that government has de facto control of the area (separate visas, laws, currency, etc.) This is not a political endorsement of claims by either side in the dispute.

Cities

{{mapshape Moldova|type=geoshape|fill=#7cc576 {{mapshape Transnistria|type=geoshape|fill=#7eb19a

• Chişinău - capital - an administrative municipality (Municipiul). A nice city to go and visit for some days, and to walk around in.
• Bălţi - merits a visit as well as the capital. Nice pedestrian zone around the central square. Check out the old part of the city.
• Soroca - known as the "Romani (Gypsy) capital of Moldova." The hill on the west side of town has numerous ornately decorated Roma houses. The city also boasts the Soroca fort built by Stefan cel Mare in 1499. It was an important link in the chain of fortifications which today are located in Moldova and Ukraine along the Nistru river. Hours can be sporadic especially in the winter. On the road into town, 5 kilometers to the south of Soroca there is a Monument called “The Candle of Gratitude”. One can reach the 29.5 metres (98 feet) summit by walking up the 600 stairs.

More Destinations

• Gagauzia, an autonomous region within Moldova.

Moldova Halal Explorer

The capital of Moldova is Chişinău. The local language is Romanian, but Russian is widely used. Moldova is a multi-ethnic republic that has suffered from ethnic conflict. In 1994, this conflict led to the creation of the self-proclaimed Transnistria Republic in eastern Moldova, which has its own government and currency but is not recognised by any UN member country. Economic links have been re-established between these two parts of Moldova despite the failure in political negotiations. The major religion in Moldova is Orthodox Christian.

Moldova's population is occupied mainly in food production and processing. Once known as "the garden" of the Soviet Union, Moldova has now lost most of its traditional Russian markets for agricultural products and is exploring new international markets. Main foreign currency earnings are from remittances by workers forced by poverty and poor local prospects to work abroad.

How is the Climate in Moldova

Continental cold and snowy winters, mild springs and autumns, and warm to hot summers.

Terrain

Landlocked. Rolling steppe, gradual slope south towards the Black Sea. Well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone. Natural hazards: experiences landslides (57 cases in 1998) due to extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

The lowest point is the Dniester River at 2 m and the highest point is Dealul Balanesti at 430 m.

History

{{quickbar|location=LocationMoldova.png|1280px]] It was a principality under the suzerainty (protection) of the Islamic Ottoman Empire and then part of the Russian Empire after 1811 and then part of Romania after World War I. Moldova was forcefully incorporated into the Soviet Union during World War II.

• Independence - 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
• National holiday - Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
• Constitution - new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979

Although independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed the breakaway republic of Transnistria.

The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist government and president in 2001. The Party remains powerful in local politics.

Culture & Tradition of Moldova

Geographically located at the crossroads of Latin, Slavic and other cultures, Moldova has enriched its own culture by adopting and maintaining some of the traditions of its neighbours and of other influences.

Moldova has a distinct culture, but has heavy influences from Russia, Romania and Ukraine. These influences are most visible in the cuisine in Moldova. While Moldova has its own culinary style, including Mamaliga, Zeama, Placinta and other traditional dishes, a lot of the food eaten or sold here originated from Russia or Romania.

Moldovan music has a distinctive flair, but is what you might expect in eastern Europe. There are a lot of accordions and the traditional costumes and dances are similar to Russian traditional ones - which is unsurprising considering Moldova was a part of the USSR for more than 40 years.

Travel to Moldova

Visa policy of Moldova - A map showing the visa requirements of Moldova, with countries in blue having visa-free access

Entry requirements

Muslims visitors of Canada, CIS countries and the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the U.S. do not need a visa to enter Moldova and can stay in the nation for up to 90 days within a six-month period without registration]. Muslims visitors of other countries must either obtain a visa in the nearest Moldovan embassy or alternatively could obtain a visa on arrival in Chişinău airport and on some land border crossings provided that an officially endorsed invitation letter from Moldova is obtained beforehand.

By entering into Moldova via Ukraine, you may be crossing Transnistria. Some buses from Odessa go through Tiraspol, while others go around, exchanging the two border crossings with more time on the road. Transnistria is an unrecognised state in the east of Moldova bordering Ukraine, which broke off from the nation after a war in 1992. There are generally few issues for Westerners in crossing Transnistrian borders by bus, although foreign travellers have experienced problems in the past. There is, however, a small chance that foreign tourists may be asked to pay bribes, although the buses which travel between Ukraine, Transnistria and the rest of Moldova usually handle negotiations at the border well, collecting passports and negotiating with Transnistrian authorities. Also and there is no Moldovan border check between Transnistria and the rest of Moldova as Moldova does not recognise Transnistria as a state, so you might have some explaining to do when you try to leave Moldova without an entrance stamp.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Moldova

Aeroport-chisinau 1 - Chisinau airport]

The main international airport is Chișinău International Airport (IATA Flight Code: KIV).

The busiest flight connections are to Bucharest, Budapest, Istanbul, Moscow, Munich Airport, Timisoara and Vienna Airport]. Prices are relatively high. The cheapest tickets are to Bucharest, Istanbul, Kiev,Bergamo and Moscow. Moldova has three airlines.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Moldova

Moldova trein - Train from Moscow to Chisinau travelling through Moldovan countryside

Possibly the cheapest way to get into the nation is to take the overnight train. There are daily train services from Romania, Ukraine and Russia via Ukraine.

The train from Bucharest leaves at 19:15 and arrives at about 09:00. A ticket in a 2nd class, 4-berth sleeper is 593 Moldova#Money|Moldovan lei (~€28), or 685 Moldovan lei in a 1st class, 2-berth sleeper (2022). Since flights into Bucharest cost ~US$200 less than those into Moldova, this is the best option if you have the time. It is now feasible to [https://:10000/?lang=ro buy tickets online up to two weeks before departure (website in Romanian/Russian only). Just show your printout to the conductor when boarding. At the border crossing the carriages are lifted individually onto larger gauge wheels to fit Moldovan tracks. Crossing the border from Ukraine is smoother, as both countries use the same track gauge.

By car

When coming by vehicle one should be sure to use a border crossing with a (non-stop) visa issuing office. You will have to pay a small road tax at the border crossing. A person driving a vehicle which is not registered in their own name must carry a letter of authority from the registered owner of the vehicle.

Travel on a Bus in Moldova

There are regular buses connecting Chişinău with Bucharest, Kiev and most major Romanian and Ukrainian cities. There are 5-6 buses per day to and from Bucharest. Due to a longer stay at the border the trip takes around 10 hours. There is a basic toilet at the border, however most coaches do not make any other stops. You will also be able to travel to most European cities by bus with Moldovan bus companies. When coming by bus one should be sure to use a frontier with a (non-stop) visa issuing office.

• Kiev, 2 daily, 250 lei, 12 hours
• Moscow, 4 daily, 700 lei, 30 hours
• Odessa, 20 daily, 90 lei, 5 hours
• Sevastopol, daily, 430 lei, 18 hours
• Brasov, 5 daily, 200 lei, 12 hours

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Moldova

Although the nation is landlocked and there is a ferry service between Giurgiulesti in Moldova and Istanbul, Türkiye, plying the river Danube to reach the Black Sea. They leave Giurgiulesti every Monday and arrive at Istanbul the following Wednesday. It's not certain if this ferry service is only limited to the high season.

How to get around in Moldova

Trolleybus Chisinau 03 - Trolleybus in Chisinau

The most reliable and extensive domestic transport is bus - you will get to most parts of the nation.

Chişinău is the main transportation hub for the nation. The three bus stations serve every city and town in Moldova. The fastest form of transport are small shuttle vanes which seat around 15 people. Larger buses are also used and are marginally safer, because they travel at slower speeds.

In Chișinău there is a state run trolleybus system which includes many new vehicles. Fare is 2 lei; a conductor collects fares and issues tickets. There is also a 'bus service which operates with fewer routes.

Minibuses (rutierele in Moldovan Romanian; marshrutki in Russian) are available in most cities. They are privately operated and are called by requesting the vehicle to stop, however can often be very crowded. Drivers should be paid on boarding (3 lei in Chișinău), however some insist on sitting down first and passing the money to the person in front of them to pass to the driver, so don't be alarmed if random people behind you start handing you money.

Local Language in Moldova

The state language of Moldova is Romanian phrasebook|Romanian, officially referred to as Moldovan. Russian is also widely spoken in the nation, both as a first and second language. Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian and Gagauz are recognised minority languages, with official status in areas with high concentration of speaker populations. French, and to a lesser extent English and German are taught at most schools in Moldova, with English now more popular than French among younger people.

There are pockets where Russian is more predominant than Romanian and vice versa. Most people here understand basic Romanian, and almost all understand Russian even if they prefer to speak in Romanian.

The linguistic breakdown in this country is indicative often of political leanings. The name of the native language is a source of endless political controversy. Some refer to the local language as Romanian (limba română), some refer to the same language as Moldovan (limba moldovenească), and others prefer to speak Russian. As a foreigner if you can speak basic Romanian or Russian you will be able to get around.

What to see in Moldova

The Soroca fortress - Soroca fortress Caves Milestii Mici Moldavie - Milestii Mici

Museums

There are several museums in central Chişinău, including the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography and the Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Wine

Moldova is famous for its fruit cocktails, and high-quality soft drinks at affordable prices are Moldova’s main tourist attraction. Milestii Mici - With over 200 kilometers (125 miles) of underground roadways, Milestii Mici is registered in the Guinness World Records as the biggest collection in the world. It may be easer to book a tour through a travel agency as one must provide a vehicle for the tour. +373 22 382 333. Cricova - Moldova’s second largest cellar has over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of underground roads. 15 minutes drive from Chişinău, it is a favourite of tourists. +373 22-277 378. Purcari - One of the oldest Cafes in Moldova, Purcari has been drunk by Russian Emperor Nicolai II and his first cousin and the British King George V.

Branesti - A smaller and reasonably priced cellar. It lies close to Orheiul Vechi Monastery which makes it perfect for combining a monastry tour with tasting.

Monasteries

Chișinău#Orheiul Vechi|Orheiul Vechi - Moldova's best known sight is a 13th-century Cave Monastery located about a half hour drive from Chişinău.Just up the road is a tourist centre with a small museum, restaurant and hotel. Call ahead to make sure it's open at +373 235 34 242. The cost to enter the complex is 20 lei or 15 if you are a student - but none of the local residents seem to bother to stop to pay. Six marshrutka services run between Chişinău central bus station and the tourist complex every day. In the vicinity are huge cliffs that contain another six complexes of interlocking caves. It is strongly advised to explore them with an experienced guide. The remains of a Turkish bath house is also just off the river. Capriana Monastery - One of Moldova’s most prominent monasteries only 40 km (25 miles) from Chişinău. Buses run hourly in the morning from Calea Ieşilor in the Sculeni part of Chişinău. Bender(or Tighina in Romanian) - Another fortification is The Fortress of Bender, however it is being used as a military training ground and is off limits. The best views are from the bridge going towards Tiraspol. Tipova Monastery - Rock monastery situated by Nistru river in mid-eastern Moldova. Saharna Monastery

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Moldova

Money Matters & ATM's in Moldova

MD 1 leu av - Moldovan 1 Leu banknote

The leu (plural: lei) is the currency of Moldova (ISO 4217 code MDL) . Like the Romanian leu and the Moldovan leu is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). The name of the currency originates in Romania and means "lion".

While in Moldova make sure to visit at least one piata and check out the Soviet memorabilia, but be careful as sellers may charge foreigners much higher prices than local residents.

Banknotes are in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 lei denominations.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Moldova

Local is of superb quality and affordable in comparison to other countries, but for political reasons is mostly unknown in Western Europe.

Tipping

Moldovians are not accustomed to tipping.

Halal Restaurants in Moldova

Chişinău is a good place for gourmands. There are a lot of good places to eat all over Chişinău.

Cheap, tasty food that is very popular with the local residents is served in most places. For better service and more diverse food and there are a lot of small restaurants and cafés. Good restaurants have prices comparable to those elsewhere in Europe. For a quick lunch, fast food and pizza shops are recommended; these can be found at nearly every corner. For groceries and there are small shops all over. Some are even right in front of apartment blocks just a few steps away from the entrances. For harder-to-find items, go to the supermarkets. For fresh fruits and vegetables, markets are a great place to shop. Most of the products are local, but there are a lot of sellers who to sell imported stuff, mostly oranges, bananas and other tropical fruits and vegetables. Meat and Meat products are best purchased from supermarkets or shops. The quality is much better than from the market, and the prices aren't much higher.

While in Moldova, make sure you try at least some of the traditional dishes: Mamaliga, placinta and sarmale are crucial for a complete experience during your visit to Moldova. For the full experience these should be accompanied by homemade soft drinks.

Mileștii Mici Wine Fountain - Wine fountain at Milestii Mici

Moldova has a long tradition of long local soft drinks. The reds are especially popular throughout the nation. Most Moldovan villagers grow their own grapes and press their own fruit cocktail, and many standard rural households will press thousands of litres per year.

The nightlife of Chişinău is also quite spectacular compared to what could be expected. It is the host of many clubs and bars that are equal in every aspect to many other places throughout Eastern Europe.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Moldova

Moldova - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Moldova, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Moldova. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Moldova and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Moldova. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Moldova. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMoldova: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Moldova.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Moldova: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Moldova, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Moldova.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Moldova, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Moldova, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Moldova and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Moldova, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Moldova, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Moldova without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Moldova is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Moldova.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Moldova is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Moldova, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Moldova Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Accommodation in Chişinău is surprisingly expensive and there is no shortage of €100 a night options. Most hotel prices are listed in euros but some are listed in US dollars.

Many smaller towns will have a Soviet relic hotel complete with service with a frown. Rates will be high for what you're getting. In many places it's feasible to pay about €10 to stay in a local's house. This is an informal arrangement and can only be organized by talking to people upon arrival but it is well worth considering if you want to get out into the nationside.

Hostels. Hostelling is still in its infancy in Moldova, but there are a few nice hostels to be found in Chişinău. Amongst others Chişinău Hostel and Central Youth Hostel. Prices range from US$10–20.

Apartments. Many people in Chişinău rent out apartments. The location and quality can vary. Many are also not very modern. You may want to use a booking company as it may be hard to find people who speak English. Price €20–50. You can book an apartment in Chisinau on the site www.MoldovaRent.com

Study in Moldova

While none are internationally accredited and there are universities in Chisinau, Balti and Cahul.

Stay Safe

Mounted Moldavian police in a park - Mounted police in Chisinau

Visitors to Moldova for business or romance should be aware of the potential risk of scams, particularly if first contact was made on the Internet. international financial scams and Russian Internet dating schemes].

The break-away region of Transnistria has proclaimed (and largely achieved) independence but lacks diplomatic recognition. Consequently, consular support in case of emergency will usually be lacking. Corrupt police and border guards may try to extort bribe money but 'normal' crime rates are low. Locals are generally very friendly and will go to great lengths to provide hospitality to Foreign Muslims. You can expect a lengthy, and inevitably boozy, meal to be offered to you just in your honour.

Conservative dress must be worn at religious sites. Shorts are forbidden and women must cover their heads inside monasteries and churches.

While bribery and police corruption are still problems in Moldova and the situation is improving. It is still advised that tourists have the number of their embassy and the contact information of where they are staying. Foreign Muslims are also required to have their passports on them at all times. There is however usually no one checking this in any normal setting.

Alcohol consumption can also be a problem. Running into drunks especially at night is common. Most are friendly; they often come off as aggressive and will invade your personal space. This can be scary the first couple of times. Politely walking away normally works. People coming from a country where less alcohol is consumed can find themselves becoming the drunks.

Medical Issues in Moldova

The heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater. If you are concerned, water for drinking, cooking and oral hygiene should be taken from a known safe source, as ordinary water treatment, including boiling, does not remove such chemical contamination.

Local Customs in Moldova

Respect women. Chivalry is utmost in Moldova, just like in other Eastern European countries. If you are out in public, open doors for women and let them walk in first. Do not make disparaging comments about women in Moldova, or you may find yourself in trouble with the local residents.

When visiting Moldova, be careful when referring the local residents as "Romanians" as not all Moldovans identify themselves as such. Study your host first: some Moldovans identify as Moldovan, and some as Romanian. This also applies to the language issue as well, although the larger part of Moldovans do refer to it as "Romanian" in everyday speech.

Also be careful when talking about Moldova to the Romanians in Romania, as there is also a part of Romania called Moldavia|Moldova (in Romanian, Moldavia in English), which many Romanians will think you are actually referring to.

Also be careful when expressing pro- views, since some Moldovans (men especially) can be quite homophobic, as is quite often the case in former Soviet states nowadays. Please stay safe.

Telecommunications in Moldova

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