“Orheiul Vechi” Reserve named Romania’s “Destination of the Year 2026” from the Republic of Moldova
The "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve has reaffirmed its position as the most significant attraction in Bassarabian tourism by winning the grand trophy for the Republic of Moldova in the prestigious regional competition "Destination of the Year 2026." This is one of the most important contests aimed at promoting authentic and sustainable tourist destinations on both sides of the Prut.
The awards ceremony was held on May 14 at the Constanta Casino in Romania, a venue filled with symbolic significance.
This year's competition was highly competitive, featuring over 130 finalist destinations. Among these, nine destinations from the Republic of Moldova were represented, competing in 12 thematic categories.
The "Orheiul Vechi" Reserve's victory not only highlights the area's stunning landscape but also recognizes the concerted efforts to promote sustainable and authentic tourism on an international scale.
A tourist magnet: 150,000 annual visitors
Regarded as the most iconic site on the country's tourism map, the reserve achieved record visitation numbers in the past year. With over 150,000 visitors each year and nearly 20,000 tourists in just the last month, the destination remains popular due to its accessibility—only 55 km from Chisinau—and its diverse offerings.
The reserve offers more than just visits to historical sites; it includes a variety of activities such as:
Adventure and sports: kayaking on the Răut River, mountaineering, paragliding, cycling, and hiking trails;
Nature and relaxation: birdwatching and scenic horse or cart rides;
Culture and gastronomy: workshops focused on local traditions and authentic culinary experiences available at approximately 20 tourist facilities in the villages of Trebujeni, Butuceni, Mașcăuți, and Brănești.
"This success is the result of the hard work of local communities and an important opportunity to position the Republic of Moldova as an authentic and competitive destination on the regional tourism map," stated Ana Sandra, interim director of the National Tourism Office (ONT).
In addition to the winner of the trophy, several other Moldovan destinations were highlighted at the "Destination of the Year 2026" awards:
Chisinau Municipality: Nominated in the categories for "Inspiring Cities," "Urban Nuclei," and "Landmark."
Butuceni Village: Competed in the "Fairytale Villages" category.
Lower Nistru National Park: Recognized in the "Enchanted Realms" category.
Tâpova Waterfalls: Nominated as a "Natural Treasure."
Laguna Family Resort and the Peasant Museum in Dubăsari: Acknowledged in the "Play and Adrenaline" and "Realm of Knowledge" categories, respectively.
The final rankings were determined based on public votes, expert jury assessments, results from a sociological survey on the popularity of the destinations, and an analysis of development and sustainability criteria.
The "Destination of the Year" is a national competition in Romania organized in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism of Romania. It is supported by major tourism associations. In the Republic of Moldova, the strategic partners include the Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Office, with the aim of creating a shared tourist space on both banks of the Prut that appeals to global visitors.
