Cricova.
Home to the world's second-largest wine cellar, Cricova is a literal underground city of wine, with streets named after famous grape varieties.
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Hotels in Cricova
Find the perfect stay from historic boutique hotels in the city center to modern budget suites.
Stay near the Old Centre for walking access.
Flights to Cricova
Compare all major airlines and low-cost carriers flying into Cricova's main airports.
Mid-week flights are usually 20% cheaper.
Local Transport
Book your airport transfer, local city passes, or regional train tickets for exploring beyond Cricova.
Most cities offer 24/48h unlimited travel cards.
Guided Tours
Explore hidden corners with expert-led walking tours, food tastings, and day trips.
Free walking tours are a great first-day activity.
48 Hours in Cricova.
Day 1: The Underground City
Wine Cellar Tour
Take an electric train through the 120km of limestone tunnels filled with millions of bottles of wine.
The Sparkling Wine Section
Learn how Cricova produces traditional-method sparkling wine in its deep subterranean galleries.
Underground Tasting
Enjoy a guided tasting of premium wines in one of the themed banquet halls deep underground.
Day 2: Vineyards & Views
Above-Ground Vineyards
Walk through the rolling hills of vines that supply the massive cellars below.
Local Gastronomy
Enjoy a traditional Moldovan lunch at the winery restaurant, featuring mamaliga and grilled meats.
Sunset over the Steppe
Take in the peaceful rural landscape surrounding the town before heading back to the capital.
Where to Stay?
The Underground City
SubterraneanA literal network of streets (Cabernet, Pinot) located 100 meters below the surface.
Cricova Town
Quiet ProvincialThe modest surface-level town that sits atop the famous wine labyrinth.
The Vineyard Slopes
AgriculturalThe surrounding countryside dedicated entirely to viticulture.
Local Secrets
Putin's Collection
The cellars house private wine collections of many world leaders, including a rare collection from Vladimir Putin.
The Cosmonaut's Visit
Yuri Gagarin once got 'lost' in these cellars for two days, famously claiming it was harder to leave the cellars than to enter orbit.
The Goring Collection
Cricova holds part of Hermann Goring's wine collection, seized by the Soviets as war reparations.
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