☰Chisinau

Chisinau (also spelled Kishinev) is the capital and by far the largest city in Moldova, home to roughly a third of the country's population. Soviet-era boulevards lined with chestnut trees, a lively central market, and a growing café and restaurant scene make it a more pleasant base than its reputation suggests. Most travelers use it as the hub for day trips to the wine cellars, Orheiul Vechi, and Transnistria.