Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery worth booking?
Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery is a 6-hour experience in Chisinau, Moldova, from $262 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (4)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $262 per person
The tour is planned in such way, that you never get bored: - Pick up at hotel/apartment - 1 hour drive to Old Orhei - 1 hour exploration of the site - 2 hour for relaxing lunch/dinner - 45 minutes drive to Cricova
What you get
About this experience
The tour is planned in such way, that you never get bored: - Pick up at hotel/apartment - 1 hour drive to Old Orhei - 1 hour exploration of the site - 2 hour for relaxing lunch/dinner - 45 minutes drive to Cricova - 2,5 hours excursion in the wine cellars - 1 hour drive back to Chisinau/hotel Total time needed: 7 hours
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Wine tasting
- Snacks
Not included
- Lunch
- Drinks
What you'll see and do
Hi Moldova DMC
They say, the most precious thing in our life is time. If you have really limited time in Moldova and you want to see the best this country can offer – then our trip to Cricova and Old Orhei is for you. Cricova represents a unique underground city well-known all over the world by its huge labyrinths, and especially by its excellent wines. Cellars of Cricova are the house of a remarkable collection of wines — The National Oenotec and Old Orhei , open air museum, and archeological complex together form the most famous tourist attraction in Orhei and possibly Moldova. Sounds good right?
Pass by without stopping
Cricova Winery
wine tasting
120 minutes here · Admission included
Old Orhei
cultural tour
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ru, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hi Moldova DMC
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Cricova winery & monastery
I took a tour with local guide Valery Bradu which my hotel (Hotel Plai) organised for me. I was picked up from my hotel by Valery at around 11:30am and shared the trip with two ladies from Lithuania. Valery made sure we were all comfortable in his car and spoke to the ladies in Russian and myself in English and made sure we all had a good day. We visited Cricova winery where a guide spoke to the other guests in Russian and Valery gave me a private talk about the winery in English. As part of the trip we drove around underground on a small open bus seeing the caskets and how they make wine & Prosecco, we then took part in wine tasting which was very informative and relaxing in one of the tasting rooms. The tour lasted around 2 hours. Once we left the winery, Valery drove us for around an hour to the monastery which was in a remote location in the Moldovan countryside/hills which was so peaceful with a quintessential little village. We went to the hidden monastery and again Valery taught us everything we needed to know about the area and how & why the monastery was formed. We stopped for a drink in a local restaurant too & we’re watching locals working the land. Valery was a very knowledgeable guide with perfect English & was clearly very passionate about his job & his love for Moldova was clear. Very enjoyable day & would definitely recommend Valery as your guide, he seemed to know everything there was to know about Moldova & it’s history.
via Tripadvisor
Nice trip
The guide picked me up at hotel and drove on beautiful country road and visited cave monastery first, in the afternoon toured the winery. A nice experience!
Response from the operator: Hi! Thank you for your kind review. Our team, wish you all the best)
via Tripadvisor
The Contrast Could not be Greater
After a little bit more than one hour drive from Chisinau, the Moldovian capital, we reached Old Orhei. The very skillfull guide explained the geology and the settlement of the region, becoming apparent that actually it is a kind of ethnical island within Moldova. We visitied a small homestead and made a stroll along a steep hillslope to the monastery on a rocky promontory. Afterwards we had a light lunch (à la carte), to be paid on our own, before we left Old Orhei. After passing the outskirts of Chisinau we reached the Cricova Winery. We got a new guide who showed very professionally but in an apparently daily routine the huge Winery which requires a tramride to cover the distances. For the wine tasting we received 4 samples: two sparkling and to still wines, of which one was a red one, accompanied by a light snack. At the very end we had the possibility to buy their products in their gift shop. The selection is very extensive but tasting was not possible. Another hour due to traffic jam brought us back to the hotel. The car was convenient, the driver drove safely and the travel agency was reliable.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review. best regards, Hi team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $262 to $279
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chisinau.
How much does Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery cost?
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Prices start at $262 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chisinau usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chisinau is not rushed.
Is Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chisinau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chisinau can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chisinau and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cricova Winery - Old Orhei & Cave Monastery start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chisinau within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chisinau?
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On Outty we rank every Chisinau experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soviet Era Tour of Transnistria from Chisinau Moldova, Tiraspol and Bender Back in the USSR Tour, One day tour in Transnistria. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chisinau?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chisinau?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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