Moldova · Religious & Spiritual

Tour to Old Orhei &Cave Monastery &Cricova cellar tour (optional)

8 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Old Orhei. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the beautiful Curchi Monastery
  • 02 Explore the archaeological and cultural heritage of Old Orhei
  • 03 See the Old Orhei cave monastery “Peștera”
  • 04 Experience the traditional atmosphere of Butuceni village
  • 05 Visit the Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary
  • 06 Enjoy time for lunch at Eco Resort Butuceni
  • 07 Optional Cricova Winery underground cellar tour
  • 08 Travel with a professional guide in an air-conditioned vehicle

Discover some of Moldova’s most evocative cultural and spiritual landmarks on this full-day journey to Old Orhei and beyond. Visit the elegant Curchi Monastery, explore the historic and archaeological heritage of Old Orhei, and experience the traditional atmosphere of Butuceni village, where rural life and local culture remain deeply rooted.

Along the way, see the Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary, visit the remarkable cave monastery at Old Orhei, and enjoy time for lunch at Eco Resort Butuceni. For those who wish to extend the day, an optional visit to Cricova Winery offers the chance to explore its famous underground wine cellars, with wine tour and tasting options available.

Discover some of Moldova’s most evocative cultural and spiritual landmarks on this full-day journey to Old Orhei and beyond.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Curchi Monastery

Curchi Monastery – The Pearl of Moldovan Orthodoxy  

Start your journey with a visit to Curchi Monastery, one of the most beautiful religious complexes in Moldova. Surrounded by hills and orchards, the site offers stunning architecture, peaceful gardens, and a deep spiritual atmosphere.

The Historical and Cultural Heritage of Old Orhei museum

The museums of Old Orhei help visitors explore and learn about the area’s history and cultural heritage. The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has two permanent exhibitions with about 186 thematic pieces, including two human skeletons found in archaeological excavations. The village of Butuceni offers an Ethnography Museum where visitors can learn about local architecture and cultural heritage. At the heart of this is the traditional Moldovan country house with a roof covered with reeds, and on the inside the iconic elements remembered by Moldovans spending their holidays at their grandparents', where the porch, traditional oven, pantry with handwoven carpets, festive clothes and dowry boxes are preserved.

Butuceni Village

Butuceni village.Old Orhei. The true spirit of Moldova.

You might know Moldovan traditions, the Moldovan way of being, local cuisine, and you might even feel on your skin what country life in Moldova is like… all in a single weekend spent in Butuceni. And we think that all the feelings and emotions you’ve gathered there will make you come back for a country weekend.

The Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary

This Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary is located in Butuceni village and dates back to the 15th- and 16th centuries when there was a little church made from wood at the site of the current building. The work of the monastery is closely linked to that of the Peștera (the Cave) hermitage. Over the course of the next three centuries, there is no evidence of the activity of the hermitages in the area.

Old Orhei Cave Monastery Peștera

The Old Orhei cave monastery “Peştera” located at the northern edge of Butuceni village, is one of the main attractions for visitors to Orheiul Vechi. The monastic complex dates back to the 15th century and consists of two basic units: the church and the body of monastic cells. Above the monastic complex, on the surface of the Butuceni promontory (ridge) is installed a stone cross (17th-18th centuries) and Bell Tower (1820).

Eco Resort Butuceni

Eco Resort Butuceni is the perfect place to stop for lunch. Traditional Moldavian dishes are served, and sometimes you can even see local women cooking nearby, preparing food for the winter season.

Cricova Cellar winery tour (optional)

Cricova Winery, Moldova, with wine tasting. It is a real underground wine city with wide streets, warehouses, and tasting rooms. The total length of this enterprise is 120 km

Visit to Cricova Winery:

Wine tour: €28 per person

Wine tour + tasting: €38 per person

Paid directly at the winery)

back to the hotel

After the tour, you’ll return to the hotel by car or minivan 

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Hotel/accommodation pickup (for applicable bookings)
  • Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle (car, van or minibus) depending on the group size
  • Professional guide
  • Visit to the Old Orhei archaeological and cultural complex
  • Visit to the cave monastery
  • Visit to the medieval town/museum area
  • Bottled water (on some versions of the tour)

What's Not Included

Based on the tour description you provided, the following are NOT included in the experience:

  • Lunch in Butuceni village (paid separately)
  • Visit to Cricova Winery (optional add-on)Wine tour: €28 per person
    Wine tour + wine tasting: €38 per person
    Payment made directly at the winery reception
  • Any additional food, drinks, or personal expenses not specifically listed in the inclusions

So if you book the basic 'Old Orhei & Cave Monastery' tour, you should expect to pay extra if you want:

  • Lunch in Butuceni.
  • A visit to Cricova Winery, including the underground cellar tour and optional wine tasting.

The winery fees are:

  • €28 — tour only
  • €38 — tour + tasting
  • Both are paid directly at the winery and are not part of the base tour price.

Know before you go

  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • Before You Go
  • If you choose the optional visit to Cricova Winery, bring a jacket or sweater because the underground cellars stay at about 12–13°C (54–55°F) year-round.
  • The winery is a vast underground complex with tunnels, storage galleries, and tasting rooms.
  • Pickup Information
  • Pickup is included from hotels and accommodations in central Chișinău.
  • When booking, provide your exact pickup address (hotel name or apartment address).
  • Your driver/guide will meet you at the main entrance of your accommodation.
  • The exact pickup time is usually confirmed one day before the tour.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Old Orhei.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Old Orhei.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Old Orhei..

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