Founded in October 1889, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography is the oldest museum in Moldova. It was established as a museum of agriculture but then expanded its horizons to study the culture of Bessarabia. Today, the museum has grown to become an important scientific and cultural centre of the region and is known world over.
The Museum was brought to its current location after the completion of construction of the building in 1905. Architect V. Tsigankov gave the building its signature frontal façade which consists of triangular pediment supported by two Doric columns. The remainder of the structure with its part stone part plastered walls looks like a semi-basement. Inside, the building is divided into two main sections. One displays the flora and fauna of Moldova and the way it has changed over the years. The other section portrays the people of Moldova and their traditions. One can easily track the progress of the Moldavian people in this section. Galleries exhibit the paleontological, ethnographic and archaeological collections of the Museum.
After visiting the Museum, one can also take a stroll in the oldest botanical gardens of the Bessarabia region located just outside the Museum. One can visit anytime between 1000 and 1700 hours on all days except Monday. A small fee is charged at the entrance and using public transport to reach the Museum is advised.

Founded in 1974, the Pedagogic Museum documents the development of Moldova's education system. The museum has in its possession 10,000 exhibits: documents, photos, and manuals dating from 1940.

The Sciusev museum is the former residence of the Moldovan-born Russian architect Alexei Sciusev (the author of Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow). Sciusev supervised the restoration of Chisinau after the World War II. The exhibits include personal effects, documents and photographs of the architect. The museum is open seven days a week and provides guided excursions in Russian and Romanian.

No visit to any city is complete without touring the museums, where one can see the city’s history, culture and lifestyle unfold. The National History Museum is one of the best museums in the city. Known for its fantastic collection of artefacts, the Museum is considered one of the best in the country.
Founded and inaugurated in 1983, the National History Museum has come a long way since its inception. From a collection that merely comprised of exhibits from a closed military museum, today the National Museum boasts a vast collection of over 300,000 artefacts. Spread across 12 exhibition halls and a diorama, the Museum takes its visitors, through the history, culture and art of the Moldavian region.
The building in which the museum is housed in is no less of a monument itself. Although the building housed a number of institutes and departments, it was built as the first Men’s Lyceum in the Bassarabia region. Compounding power and demanding attention, the regal edifice of the building was the pride of Chisinau till the earthquake of 1977, which damaged the building beyond repair. The old building had to be demolished and a new one built, that bore similarities to the previous structure. In front of the Museum one can find the copy of the famous She- Wolf with Romulous and Remus.

One site that is invariably present on every visitors list in Chisinau is the Fine Arts Museum. Not only is it an haven of some of the best works of artists of the region, the structure that houses these works of art is no lesser than a monument itself.
Built in the mid 19th century by the famous architect Alexander Bernardazzi, unlike most historic structures in the city, this building has survived through numerous natural and manmade attempts of destruction. This is one of the reasons why this building is one of the most treasured monuments in Chisinau along with being a reservoir of tales from yesteryears. The structure was used as a school, a gymnasium, a hospital and a warehouse before serving as a home to the collection of Chisinau’s Fine Art.
The Fine Arts Museum was founded in 1939 by the city’s favourite sculptor, Alexandru Plămădeală, and Auguste Baillayre, a French painter, who later became the first director of the Museum. It is said that Alexandru Plămădeală personally selected 160 works of Bessarabian and Romanian artists to set up the first gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts. Apart from providing a feast for one's eyes, the Museum is also associated with many tales of lost art treasures, which are exciting to know about.

EuroFotoArt Gallery is a photo gallery on Pushkin Street. The gallery exhibits works from the famous local portal www.foto.md. The displayed photos are of different styles, from "street" to classic studio portraits. Anyone from beginner amateurs to seasoned professionals can exhibit they works here, if original and of good quality.

Located at the corner of Pushkin and Bucuresti streets, this small gallery displays an impressive, considering the lack of space, collection of paintings by contemporary Moldovan artists both, famous and not so. The paintings are for sale; the prices are reasonable. Within the gallery there is also a small souvenir shop.

Chisinau is the cultural and artistic hub of Moldavia. From magnificent theatres to historical lyceums, the city takes its performing arts very seriously.
The Organ Hall is one such place. Situated in one of the most splendid buildings in Chisinau, the Organ Hall is considered the heart and soul of the cultural arena in the city. Playing host to a number of musical events year round, the Organ Hall has garnered an international reputation of representing the Moldavian artistic circle at its best. Not only does it bring out the cultural aspects of Moldavia, it is also a popular stage for musicians from all over the world.
The building in which the Organ Hall is housed, came into existence in the early 20th century. Built in an eclectic style, the structure housed many governmental departments and till recently the National Bank. However, it was in the 1970’s that an idea was put forth by Timofei GURTOVOI, the first conductor of Philharmonic Symphonic, for a new concert hall with a grand organ inside. The idea was accepted and implemented immediately.
Painstaking efforts were made to make the Organ Hall an epitome of opulence, grandeur and elegance. Craftsmen and artists were hired from all over Moldavia and its neighbouring countries to make the concert hall magnificent. In fact, the chandeliers are said to be made of crystal and each white chair is coated with gold!

Also referred to as "Arbat" (due to similarity with the alike Moscow venue), the square between the Eminescu Theater and the Orhan Hall is one of the densest tourist spots in Chisinau. It is where artists and craftsmen come to sell their works; hence the variety of traditional paintings, clay and wooden items on display, and folk music instruments, which makes it an ideal place for souvenir hunting. Overlooking the square is the statue of Mihai Eminescu, the renowned Romanian poet.

The Mihai Eminescu also known as the National Theatre of Chisinau, was built in 1954, and is considered the epitome of the performing arts, not only in Chisinau but the whole of Moldova.
The region was long contemplating a centre for their much beloved performing arts and a platform for artists from all over the region to showcase their talent. Although the theatre was initiated in 1930’s, the construction of the Mihai Eminescu only started in 1950. This was fairly due to the dark period of Depression that the region went into after war. But no soon as they bounced back, the dreams of building an elegant and royal theatre were put into motion.
The Mihai Eminescu is not only known as the theatre of Chisinau, the building is also counted amongst one of the most treasured monuments in the city. Designed by renowned architect Galadjeva, the building boasts a fantastic Neo-classic façade, giving the building a timeless appeal. The interiors are credited to architects V.F. Alexandrov and V.P. Smirnov, which is regal, elegant and opulent. With walls painted with mural depicting the ‘Hora’ to balconies and lodges having ornate and delicate decoration, the interiors of the Mihai Eminescu is nothing short of splendour.

To get a true feel of the city one is visiting, one must taste the local cuisine, interact with the people, visit the magnificent buildings that showcase its architecture and spend an evening listening to the local music. There can be no better music performer than the city’s philharmonic orchestra and The National Philharmonic is the place to be in Chisinau.
In the 70 years since its inception in 1940, the National Philharmonic located in the capital city of Chisinau has garnered attention and admiration of music lovers in the country. Although the Philharmonic itself may not have received a lot of publicity, the core team of the Orchestra has always performed with the world famous Academic Symphony Orchestra and Choral Chapel “Doina”.
Since its establishment, the management and members of the National Philharmonic have tirelessly worked to bring the best level of performances to the people while also working towards increasing popularity of music amongst the public. To this effect, the Orchestra organises various music concerts across different genres of music while also conducting various music festivals to attract local and foreign talent to showcase their skills. So, after visiting the museums and churches, reserve an evening to visit the National Philharmonic. With so many events, it won’t be very difficult to find one that will suit your plans as well.

Artum Art Gallery is a small trendy art salon located on Mitropolit Varlaam Street in the city center. Like most art galleries in Chisinau, Artum Art specializes in contemporary art; currently exhibits over 100 paintings. The salon aspires to reveal a new wave in contemporary art and, at the same time, to support the local artists by promoting their works.