Bălţi

With about 150,000 residents, Bălţi is often referred to as the "northern capital".

The main traffic thoroughfare is Strada Ștefan cel Mare. One block south, the town's commercial centre continues on the pedestrianized Strada Independeţei.

There are two railway stations. The main one is the north station, Gara de Nord (confusingly tickets will have this station as Bălţi Sloboziya - Бэлць Слобозия). The other, more central, south station is Gara de Sud (labelled on tickets as Bălţi Orash - Бэлць Ораш, meaning Bălţi Town). All trains stop at the north station (even those heading south), though Orash station may be more convenient to travellers heading south towards Ungheni on the Romanian border and Chișinău.

Information can be found from Easyway which has also a journey planner.

Nice pedestrian zone around the central square. Check out the old part of the city.

• 1 St. Nicolas Cathedral (Catedrala Sfântul Nicolae din Bălți). An Orthodox church built from 179 –1795. Stephan the Great monument is just across the street. 
• 2 St. Parascheva Church (Biserica Sfânta Cuvioasă Parascheva). An Orthodox church built from 1924-1935. 
• 3 Museum of History and Ethnography (Muzeul de Istorie si Etnografie), Stefan cel Mare St 82, ☏ .  (updated Jun 2025)

• 1 Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre, MD-3120, Strada Independeţei 1. The programme is advertised outside on a board outside, usually they have a few plays a week. Tickets are sold from a counter on the ground floor, under the stairs. (updated Jul 2015)
• 2 Andrieș Park (Parcul Andrieș), M. Sadovyanu str. 3. Small amusement park. (updated Jun 2025)
• Football: FC Bălți play soccer in Moldovan Liga, the top tier. Their Municipal Stadium (capacity 5200) is near the bus station.

• 1 Pizza de Italia, Strada Ștefan cel Mare 76. Decent pizza, helpful staff, free WiFi 10:00 - 23:00. 

• 1 Konsul Hotel, MD-3112, str. Mircea cel Batrîn, 81. (at the end of the street, on the corner with Vasile Lupu), ☏ , hotelkonsul@mail.ru. 600 lei for a two-bed room. (updated Jul 2015)