Beciurile Cricova, Chisinau County Travel Guide

4.8 (4055)

Explore Cricova Winery, Moldova: Descend into a vast underground city of wine cellars, historic collections, and unique tasting experiences.

Descend into the depths of Cricova, Moldova, and discover a sprawling underground city dedicated to wine. With over 120 km of tunnels, this unique winery houses a vast collection of wines, offering visitors an unforgettable journey through its cellars and tasting rooms.

A brief summary to Beciurile Cricova

Strada Chișinăului 124, Cricova, 2084, MD
Click to display

Monday 9 am-9 pm
Tuesday 9 am-9 pm
Wednesday 9 am-9 pm
Thursday 9 am-9 pm
Friday 9 am-9 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Beciurile Cricova.

Book your tour in advance, as walk-ins may not be accommodated.
Wear warm clothing, as the temperature in the cellars is a constant 12-14°C.
Consider booking a tour with wine tasting to fully experience Cricova's offerings.
Allow ample time for your visit, as tours can last 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Check the Cricova website or call ahead for special events and holiday hours.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Explore Beciurile Cricova on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Beciurile Cricova, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Chișinău, take bus number 2 from the corner of Strada Vasile Alecsandri and Strada Alexandru cel Bun towards Cricova. The ticket costs approximately 4.5 MDL and the journey takes around 30-40 minutes. Get off at the Cricova Primaria stop in the town center. From there, it's about a 1 km walk to the winery. Cost: 4.5 MDL (approx. €0.20).
Taxi

A taxi from Chișinău to Cricova Winery takes approximately 20-40 minutes, depending on traffic. Cost: Expect to pay around 80 MDL (approx. €4).
Driving

Cricova Winery is located approximately 15 km north of Chișinău. From Chișinău, follow Strada Chișinăului/M21 to Cricova. Parking: Parking is available at the winery. Parking costs are not specified.

Discover more about Beciurile Cricova

Cricova Winery, located just outside Chișinău, is more than just a winery; it's an underground city with a rich history and a vast network of tunnels stretching over 120 kilometers. These tunnels, originally carved out in the 15th century as limestone mines to build Chișinău, were transformed into a wine emporium in the 1950s. Today, half of these roadways are used for wine storage, with streets named after the wines they house, such as Cabernet, Feteasca, and Sauvignon.Descend to depths of up to 80 meters below ground, where the temperature remains a constant 12-14°C and humidity hovers around 97-98%, creating ideal conditions for aging wine. Explore the cellars by electric mini-train, and discover the National Oenotec, a remarkable collection of over 1.3 million bottles of wine, including unique exhibits like the "Jerusalem of Easter" vintage from 1902. Legend has it that cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin once spent two days exploring these cellars, and Vladimir Putin celebrated his 50th birthday here.Cricova produces sparkling wines using the traditional French method, "Méthode Traditionnelle," and is the first company in Moldova to do so. The winery also boasts five underground tasting halls, each uniquely decorated, including the European Hall, Casa Mare, and the Presidential Hall. Visitors can also see the underground cinema, museum, and even a chapel.