Located in northern Moldova, this industrial center has grown from a 14th-century trading post into a modern university city with over 120,000 residents.
Bălți sits on three hills in northern Moldova, 135 kilometers from Chișinău. You'll find cafes and local musicians along Independence Street, Orthodox churches with detailed frescos, and a historic theater in the city center. The 1609 boyar house stands as the oldest building in this calm regional hub of 150,000 people.
Getting Around Bălți
You can walk between most central points within 20 minutes from Independence Square. The trolleybus network runs three main lines from 6 AM to 10 PM. Taxis charge fixed rates by zone, and you'll find public buses and minibuses running along Stefan cel Mare Street every 10-15 minutes during peak hours.
Religious Buildings
St. Nicolas Cathedral (1795) combines Orthodox design with Roman Catholic elements, and its walls display frescos painted by Moldovan artist Evstaviem. The blue domes of St. Constantine and Elena Cathedral (1934) rise above Independence Square. At the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (1884), you can attend daily services in the original 19th-century building.
City Streets and Squares
After 6 PM, Independence Street closes to traffic, and cafe tables fill the street. Local musicians often play here in the evenings. On parallel Stefan cel Mare Street, you'll find shops and businesses. In the central square, people gather around the 2003 Stephen the Great statue and its surrounding gardens throughout the day.
Climate and Best Times to Visit
Spring (April-May) and early fall (September) bring mild temperatures between 15-25°C, ideal for exploring the city on foot. Summer days typically reach 30°C, when locals cool off in shaded squares and cafes. Winter temperatures usually stay between -5°C and 5°C, with occasional snow.
Getting There and Away
From Bălți International Airport, 15 kilometers north of the center, you can fly to several European destinations. For train travel, use Bălți-Slobozia station for main routes or Bălți-Oraș station for trains to Ungheni and Chișinău. Coaches to Chișinău depart every 30 minutes during the day, with the journey taking about two hours.
