Cahul, a southern spa town on the Prut in Moldova

Cahul is the main town in the south of Moldova, with about 22,000 inhabitants (2024 census), close to the Prut and the border with Romania. It has a mineral-water spa and a university, and lies an hour from Lake Beleu and the port of Giurgiulești on the Danube. It is a logical stop on a route through the south.

Why go

Cahul is the base for the far south: the Prut lowlands, the wetlands of the Prutul de Jos reserve and Moldova's only access to the Danube at Giurgiulești. The town itself is quiet and green, with a spa tradition that draws visitors from all over the country. If you drive south from Chișinău via Comrat, this is where you end up. It is also a practical place to link up a tour of Moldova and Romania.

History and character

The town was first mentioned in 1502, under the name Scheia. The current name is linked to the Battle of Cahul (Kagul) in 1770, in which the Russian army defeated an Ottoman force nearby. Like the rest of Bessarabia, Cahul then changed hands several times.

Today it is an administrative and educational town. The Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University was founded in 1999. The surrounding area is farmland, with fields, orchards and vineyards. The population fell sharply between the 2014 census (about 30,000) and the 2024 one, mainly because of emigration.

What to see and do

The Nufărul Alb spa, with warm mineral springs rich in bromine and iodine.
The centre with its parks and churches, and the university campus.
An excursion to the Prutul de Jos reserve with Lake Beleu, about 40 kilometres to the south, for birds and river wildlife.
The border crossing to Oancea in Romania, handy if you are touring both countries.

Eating, drinking and sleeping

Cahul has a handful of hotels, including the complex at the spa, and restaurants serving Moldovan and Russian classics. At the market you see what the southern lowlands produce: vegetables, fruit and fish from the Prut and the lakes. In the surrounding villages you can taste local wine.

Practical information and tips

Cahul lies about 178 kilometres south of Chișinău, roughly three hours' drive via the R3 and M3 past Hîncești and Comrat. Buses leave from Gara de Sud in Chișinău and there is also a rail link with the capital. Cahul airport has no scheduled flights. Plan at least one night if you want to visit Beleu or Giurgiulești; summers here are hot and dry, so ideally schedule outdoor activities for the morning.