Practical · Getting here
How to get to Duruitoarea Veche
The village is small, it does not show up on every map, and you cannot pass through it by accident, because the road ends at the lake. That is exactly why it is worth knowing the route in advance.
In short
- Duruitoarea Veche is a village next to Costesti, Riscani district, in the north west of the Republic of Moldova, about 200 km from Chisinau. The drive takes around three and a half hours.
- From Romania you cross at the Costesti-Stancacheckpoint, built on the dam itself, a few kilometres from the village.
- The guesthouse coordinates: 47.8799559, 27.2533032. Parking is free. If you get lost, call us at +373 798 48 077.
Where the village is
Duruitoarea Veche sits in the Ciuhur valley, right where the river widens and runs into Lake Costesti-Stanca. The nearest town is Costesti, 2.4 kilometres away. Over the last few kilometres the signs read Varatic, Petruseni, Saptebani and Cobani.
To get your bearings before the drive: the village lies between Costesti, to the south, and Varatic, to the north, on the left bank of the Ciuhur. The hills around are limestone, and the road into the village comes down between them. The last few kilometres have no large signs, so stick to the coordinates.
By car, from Chisinau
It is about 200 kilometres, and the drive takes around three and a half hourswith stops. The usual route heads north through Balti, then turns west towards Riscani and Costesti. From Costesti it is a few more kilometres to the village.
One tip about navigation
Enter the coordinates 47.8799559, 27.2533032 , or search directly for "Hanul cu Noroc", not just the village name. Duruitoarea Veche is small, and some navigation apps confuse it with Duruitoarea Noua, which is a different village. The Plus Code for the place is V7H4+X9 Duruitoarea.
From Romania
Many visitors from Romania do not know this: the Costesti-Stanca dam is itself a border crossing. The Costesti-Stanca point is an international road crossing, open since February 1992, and it was the first in the Republic of Moldova to switch on the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES), with automatic document scanning and biometric data.
In practice, you come from Botosani and Stefanesti, cross the dam and you are a few kilometres from the village. No more detour through Sculeni or Lipcani.
Check before you set off, though. The crossing closes from time to time for work on the dam, sometimes for several days. Notices appear on the Border Police and Customs Service sites. If it is closed, the nearest alternatives are Lipcanito the north and Sculenito the south.
By public transport
You can get here without a car, there are buses to the area. Call Nicolae on +373 798 48 077 and he will tell you what runs on the days you are coming.
What waits for you at the end
Hanul Cu Noroc has 9 rooms and 36 beds, with free parking in the yard. Check-in is from 14:00 and the room is vacated by 12:00. The standard room costs 1200 lei a night, the private room with shared bathroom 800 lei. Each takes up to four people. We welcome guests from May through October. Pets are welcome if you tell us in advance.
Distances, once you have arrived:
| From the guesthouse to | Distance |
|---|---|
| The shore of Lake Costesti-Stanca | 100 m |
| the Duruitoarea gorge and the cave | 20 min walk |
| The village museum | 15 min on foot |
| Stanca Dragostei | 3 km walk |
When to come
The season runs from May through October. May and June are the greenest, and the gorge looks its best then, but that is also when the fishing banis in force. July and August are the months for the lake, the kayaks and the pedal boats. September is, in our view, the best time: the water is still warm, the hills turn golden, and mist settles over the lake in the morning.
If you have two days, we have put together a full weekend plan.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Duruitoarea Veche from Chisinau?
About 200 kilometres, and the drive takes around three and a half hours. The route goes north through Balti, then west towards Riscani and Costesti. From Costesti you have another 2.4 kilometres to the village.
Can I come straight from Romania?
Yes. The Costesti-Stanca crossing sits right on the dam, over the Prut, and has been open to international traffic since February 1992. You come from Botosani and Stefanesti. It closes now and then for work on the dam, so check the Border Police notices before you set off.
Is there public transport to the village?
Yes, there is public transport. Call Nicolae on +373 798 48 077 and he will tell you what runs on the days you are coming.
What coordinates do I enter in the navigation?
47.8799559, 27.2533032. Or search for "Hanul cu Noroc", not just the village name, because some apps confuse Duruitoarea Veche with Duruitoarea Noua, which is a different village. Plus Code: V7H4+X9 Duruitoarea.
Is there parking at the guesthouse?
Yes, free parking in the yard.
When is the guesthouse open?
From May through October. Check-in is from 14:00 and the room is vacated by 12:00.
Sources
- The Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova and the Border Police. These give the status of the Costesti-Stanca crossing, its opening date and the introduction of the EES system. customs.gov.md, border.gov.md
- The accommodation details, prices, check-in times and distances are those of the Hanul Cu Noroc guesthouse.
- The National Road Transport Agency. This gives the regular routes serving the village, from the minutes of the working group for the northern zone, January 2021. anta.gov.md
We will hold your room and tell you the way
Message us before you set off. We will confirm the state of the road, whether the crossing on the dam is open, and what time to expect you.
A guesthouse in Duruitoarea Veche, Riscani district. 9 rooms and 36 beds, 100 metres from Lake Costesti-Stanca. Open from May through October.
Phone and WhatsApp: +373 798 48 077
