Often referred to as the “Northern Capital”, Bălți is the second-largest city in Moldova, after Chișinău. It sprawls across three hills in the north of the country, surrounded by the fertile landscapes of the Bălți steppe and framed by the Răut and Răutel rivers.
Things to do in Bălţi
In the heart of the city is the Bălți Museum of History and Ethnography, which occupies a two-storey Constructivist-style building that once served as a Jewish high school. In addition to Roman and Byzantine coins, antique weapons and centuries-old documents, the museum’s collection includes ethnographical artefacts such as national costumes.
A short stroll from the museum is Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral, a white and blue masterpiece constructed between 1923 and 1935. It was designed in a Neo-Romanian style and rises to 46 metres in height, with the capacity to accommodate more than 1,000 people during services. Adjacent is a picturesque garden where you can stroll while admiring the cathedral’s blue domes.
Travelling with kids? Take advantage of the amusement rides in Andriesh Park, which is traversed by a network of leafy walking trails. In the summer months, kids can splash around in the family-friendly pools of Cashalot Aquapark where you’ll find plenty of sun loungers, water slides and play equipment. The waterpark is positioned on the northeastern shore of City Lake, which is ringed by boardwalk trails and dotted with benches for soaking up the views.
Getting around Bălţi
Bălți is just under two hours’ drive from Chișinău and Chișinău International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from the Moldovan capital to the Bălți railway station while buses, minibuses and trolleys travel throughout the city. The centre of Bălți can easily be explored on foot.