Your Last BordersBEST THINGS TO DO IN TIRASPOL TRANSNISTRIA
This post summarizes the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria so you can have a great time exploring this unrecognized and so-called independent republic within Moldova. Indeed, traveling to Tiraspol for a day or two is one of the best things to do in Chisinau Moldova and it feels like going back in time to a land ruled by the Soviets.
The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, known as Transnistria, is an unrecognized country within Moldova. It stands between the Dniester river and the Moldovan-Ukranian river and Tiraspol is its largest and capital city.
Transnistria has about half a million inhabitants and claims to be an independent republic since 1992. One that honours the ex-USSR and has their own borders, army, government, rules, flag, car plates, and currency.
However, there’s no sovereign state that recognizes Transnistria as a country. Not even Russia. Only the unrecognized states of Abkhazia, Artsakh, and South Ossetia acknowledge Transnistria as an independent country.
Nevertheless, despite its disputed status and lack of international embassies, similarly to what happened in Kosovo, Tiraspol and Transnistria are safe to visit.
As you can see on my Instagram Moldovan stories highlight, I visited Transnistria with my family in November 2021. We rented a car and explored independently, yet the area can also be visited by public transport or via a guided Transnistria tour from Chisinau. Either way, the following are the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria.
Things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria
Tiraspol, as the capital city of Transnistria Moldova, is home to most of the Transnistria tourism highlights. This quirky city feels like a time capsule, a nostalgic open-air museum of the old soviet times shut from the rest of the world. There’s lots of places to visit in Tiraspol and plenty of communist remnants to fill your Tiraspol sightseeing. The following are my favourite.
1. Spot the T-34 at the Memorial of Glory
Most of Tiraspol attractions stand along the famous 25th October street, by Dniester river. Among them, an absolute must see is the Memorial of Glory, so common in soviet cities.
This is a large T-34 tank from WWII, locally known as the Great Patriotic War. The memorial honors those who perished fighting in WWII, the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s, and the Transnistria war in 1992.
By the tank stand the tomb of the unknown soldier, an eternal flame, a large wall of carved stone sculptures, and a small Orthodox chapel.
Taking some pictures by the T-34 is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria. And so is walking through the nearby park, enjoying the views over the river, and reflecting about the past and those lost at war. That’s exactly where I ran into Cris, the local entrepreneur behind Sovietpmr.
2. Visit Lenin at the Presidential Palace
Also along 25th October street and not far from the War Memorial stands the Republic’s Presidential Palace. This is a massive building serving as the seat of power in Transnistria. Thus, the central offices of the government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
Guarded by an also massive statue of Lenin by the local and national flags and topped with the soviet red star, it’s one of the must see sights in Tiraspol. As it’s not open to visitors, taking a picture with Lenin at the entrance of the Presidential Palace is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria.
3. Feel the vibe at the House of Soviets
Just a few metres from the Presidential Palace stands the House of Soviets, which is Tiraspol’s city hall. This is a monumental stalinist-style white building from the 1950s featuring strong angular lines yet decorated with colorful columns. Topped with the local flags and communist star, of course.
Unsurprisingly at this point, the place is also guarded by Lenin. On this occasion, by a giant bust of himself staring quite defiantly to visitors.
Despite the building is also closed to the public, exploring the outside of this political symbol is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol.
4. Attend mass at the Nativity Church
The Nativity Church or Christmas Cathedral of Tiraspol is a new addition to things to see in Tiraspol as it was only built in 1999. Nevertheless, it’s the largest church in town and the center of the Orthodox Christian Diocese of Tiraspol.
Its golden domes, green roofs, and white walls really stand out among the nearby buildings. An endless sea of yellow gas pipelines, black electric wires, and grey soviet facedes.
The interior of the church, free to enter, is also quite beautiful. Moreover, enjoying a local mass and chatting with some locals onsite makes one of the nicest things to do in Tiraspol.
5. Go shopping at the Green Market
The Green Market is the best place for people-watching in Tiraspol. If you are anything like me and love soviet markets, make sure to add it to your Tiraspol Transnistria itinerary.
It might not be as huge as those of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan or Almaty in Kazakhstan, yet it does the job.
Despite the modern look of its green building, the market is a traditional farmers bazaar. Here you’ll find fresh locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, honey, and meat. Along with some old soviet artifacts.
Most of the vendors will only speak Russian, yet we found them very friendly and had a great time trying to chat about our different origins and similar tastes.
6. Relax at Park Pobeda
Pobeda Park for culture and Leisure, also known as Victory Park, is a large green space among must-see Tiraspol attractions.
It was built in the outskirts of the city in 1956 to commemorate the Soviet victory in WWII, yet after Tiraspol’s expansion it’s fair saying it now stands within the city centre.
The park makes a great place to walk and relax. It also features playgrounds, an amusement park, walking and cycling trails, and some cafes.
Therefore, this green oasis is a great place to unwind when in Tiraspol. While spoting sights and monuments one would only encounter if they travel to Transnistria.
7. Go to the beach at Dniestr River
The natural border between Moldova and Transnistria, the Dniestr river, is another beautiful natural place to visit in Tiraspol. It serves as a local beach, so expect to see many locals sunbathing and refreshing by its waters.
The place is also popular in the evenings, when locals gather to watch the sunset and share a picnic or some drinks. Joining them is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria.
And so is taking a sightseeing boat trip along the river, or crossing it in the public ferry. The scenic views combined with the historical and political significance of the river make it a highlight of every Tiraspol trip.
If you are more of an active tourist, the shores of the river feature nice walking and cycling trails and there’s also some kayaking available.
8. Explore the back streets of Tiraspol
Besides checking the soviet architectural highlight of Tiraspol, one of the best things to do in the city is wander its streets trying to figure out how locals live in such a quirky place. So do step aside of the 25th October street, the river, and the parks.
Take any smaller street and observe the homes and the cars. Do some shopping using local currency in its tiny stores and local supermarkets, such as those of the Sheriff brand.
Get lost a bit, practice people watching, and try chatting with locals. Look for the embassies of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. You name it. One of the main reasons to travel to Tiraspol is to experience how life in an unrecognized country must be, so get some exposure and figure it out.
9. Sample local food and caviar
Sampling local food is a must-do when traveling. And eating local food is indeed one of the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria.
Transnistrian cuisine is a mixture of Romanian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Russian dishes featuring the freshest produce at the most affordable prices.
Get ready for some delicious hearty soups, fresh salads, rice-filled vine leaves, sauteed vegetables, awesome cheeses, grilled meats, and much more. Must-try Transnistrian dishes include borscht soup, pelmeni dumplings, mamaliga, miteiti rolls, and placinte pastries.
Although you won’t find any international food chains here, Tiraspol does have some restaurants serving international cuisine. So you’ll be able to have some pizza, burgers and sushi near a Lenin bust, which is quite an experience in itself.
Finally, foodies will be glad to hear that Transnistria has their own factories of Russian sturgeo caviar and that it’s quite inexpensive compared to western standards. You can sample it in Tiraspol’s nicest restaurants or via a caviar tour in Tiraspol Transnistria.
10. Tour the Kvint Brandy Destillery
Moldova is famous for its wine and Transnistria is known for its brandy. Tiraspol’s best brandy is Kvint, produced in the local distillery since 1870. They produce over 20 million bottles per year and have won over 100 medals at international competitions.
As with Ararat and Noy in Yerevan Armenia, touring the Kvint distillery and sampling some brandy is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria. Kvint distillery offers daily guided tours in English.
Through them, visitors learn about the local grapes, fermentation and distillation processes, and the art of ageing and bottling brandy. Tourists also get to see the cellars and aging rooms, and to sample some of Kvint’s most famous brandies.
Additionally, or perhaps alternatively, to taking the tour, travelers can enjoy some Kvint Brandy at a local pub or purchase a bottle in a local supermarket.
Things to do in Transnistria outside Tiraspol
No Transnistria travel experience is complete without wandering outside of Tiraspol city. And that is because it’s away from the hustle and bustle of this somehow soviet city that stand the non-soviet Transnistria tourist attractions. Thus, make sure to add Bendery and the Noul Neamt Monastery to your trip to Transnistria as this fortress and monastery are major places to visit in Transnistria.
11. Visit the Bender fortress
Bender is a beautiful town of 90,000 inhabitants about 15km from Tiraspol, in Transnistria. It features cool soviet remnants such as a Lenin statue within park Madagascar, some mosaics at the central bus station, and an old tank by the fortress. The museum on the Transnistria conflict is also an interesting Bender attraction.
Another must-visit in Bender is the Alexander Nevski church. It honours the last Russian tsar and host beautiful paintings of the Romanov family. Additionally, visit the nearby 19th century St. George’s Cathedral. This neo-Byzantine Orthodox church features colourful frescos and mosaics, a large dom, and a bell tower with some of the best views in town.
Nevertheless, the main tourist attraction in Bender Transnistria is Bendery Fortress. This is a well-preserved 16th century Ottoman fortress featuring wonderful views over the town and nearby river. Strolling through its walls, towers, gates, cannons, and secret passageways is one of the best things to do in Transnistria.
Although the fortress is partially used as a Russian army base, the onsite museum and remains of the castle are open to the public daily from 9am to 6pm. It can be visited independently or with a guided tour.
12. Listen to the chants at Noul Neamt Monastery
Noul Neamt, in Chitcani town, is the most important monastery in Transnistria. This all-male Eastern Orthodox monastery dates back to 1861. Although used as a tuberculosis hospital during Soviet times, the monastery was restored in 1989.
Nowadays, it hosts several monks who make a living making wine and growing vegetables. And it’s so beautiful it makes one of the best places to visit in Transnistria.
The complex includes the main church, bell tower, several chapels, gardens, and a small museum. The beautiful church features colourful frescoes, orthodox icons, and intricate details.
The museum hosts ancient religious artifacts, manuscrits and icons offering a great cultural insight into the life, customs, and traditions of local communities. If you can, visit the monastery during religious services to enjoy the chanting of the monks.
Recap on the best things to do in Tiraspol Transnistria
Transnistria is ‘the North Korea of Europe’. An unknown breakout state within the already off-the-beaten-path country of Moldova that embraces its soviet past and perhaps aspires to become part of Russia again.
Being the only country in the world bering the soviet sickle and hammer on its flag, one cna only expect lots of soviet remnants among the places to visit in Tiraspol. And that’s certainly the case.
Tiraspol tourist attractions include Lenin statues, old tanks, war memorials, and brutalist architecture. However, there’s also lively markets, green parks, fresh rivers, and delicious cuisine among the best things to do in Tiraspol.
Therefore, when in Chisinau Moldova, make sure to spare some time to visit Transnistria and travel to Tiraspol. You can see more of my trip on my Instagram Moldova stories highlight.
Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through Instagram and/or Tiktok to hear more about my experience. Traveling from Chisinau to Tiraspol is a wonderful experience and one I strongly recommend. Happy and safe travels everyone!
