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 belonging to the town of Costesti, Riscani district, in north-western Moldova, about 200 km from Chisinau. The drive takes around three and a half hours.
- From Romania you cross at the Costesti-Stanca checkpoint, 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 flows into Lake Costesti-Stanca. Administratively it belongs to the town of Costesti, Riscani district. Around it are Varatic, Petruseni, Saptebani and Cobani, names you will see on the road signs over the last few kilometres.
The model above, from the National Museum of Natural History in Chisinau, shows the terrain better than any map: the lake low on the left, the villages strung along the valleys between the limestone hills. Duruitoarea Veche is the small unlabelled one, between Costesti and Varatic.
By car, from Chisinau
It is about 200 kilometres, and the drive takes around three and a half hours with 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 Stanca-Costesti dam is itself a border crossing. The Costesti-Stanca checkpoint is an international road crossing, open since February 1992, and it was the first in Moldova to put the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) into operation, 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 need to go around 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 Lipcani to the north and Sculeni to the south.
By public transport
There is no direct service to the village. You take a minibus from Chisinau or Balti to Costesti or Riscani, and cover the last stretch by local taxi. The simplest thing is to message us on WhatsApp beforehand at +373 798 48 077. We will tell you the current times and help you arrange the last part of the trip.
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 cave | 20 min walk |
| The Paleontology Museum | 20 min walk |
| Stanca Dragostei (Love Rock) | 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 ban is 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 heads north through Balti, then west towards Riscani and Costesti. Duruitoarea Veche is a village belonging to the town of Costesti, Riscani district.
Can you get here directly from Romania?
Yes. The Costesti-Stanca border crossing is built on the dam over the Prut and is an international road crossing, open since February 1992. You come from Botosani and Stefanesti. It was the first crossing in Moldova with the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES). It closes from time to time for work on the dam, so check the Border Police notices before you set off.
Is there public transport to the village?
There is no direct service. You take a minibus from Chisinau or Balti to Costesti or Riscani, and cover the last stretch by local taxi. Message us on WhatsApp at +373 798 48 077 and we will help you arrange the last part.
What coordinates should I enter into my 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, included in the price of the room.
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.
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
