Cricova galleries
Former limestone passages used for winemaking
The underground scale is the experience; reserve the official tour in advance.
Cricova & Mileștii Mici, Moldova
Ideal: 1 dayBest: May–OctPrice: Moderate
In 60 seconds
Cricova & Mileștii Mici in 60 seconds
Cricova and Mileștii Mici turn old limestone galleries into whole underground wine landscapes. They are separate visits: Cricova is known for its bottle-aged sparkling wine, while Mileștii Mici holds an enormous collection in long cellar streets. Book through the wineries and choose one if time is short; driving between the cellars is not a wine-tasting plan. The two are on Moldova's UNESCO Tentative List, not the inscribed World Heritage List.
Best for
- Wine
- Industrial heritage
- Cellars
Known for
- Cricova galleries
- Mileștii Mici cellars
- Moldovan sparkling wine
Skip if
You prefer small vineyard tastings; these are large, organised cellar visits.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Cricova & Mileștii Mici fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Mileștii Mici cellars
Long bottle-lined cellar streets
Choose a guided visit rather than expecting to explore the galleries independently.
Moldovan sparkling wine
Traditional-method and other local sparkling styles
A tasting is more useful when paired with an explanation of how each cellar makes its wine.
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Limestone quarry history
Industrial origin of the cellar networks
The reused stone passages are as interesting as the bottles they now hold.
Local grape varieties
Fetească and Rară Neagră among the wines poured
Ask for local varieties rather than only international blends.
Go further
Routes through Cricova & Mileștii Mici
Multi-city trips that stop here, with the transport between them.