tiraspol travel

How to travel to Transnistria in 2024 (Tips + Itinerary)

By Joan Torres 44 Comments Last updated on May 8, 2024

Have you ever visited a country that doesn’t exist?

As strange as it may sound, the world is filled with ghost countries which are basically, countries not recognized by the international community, therefore not members of the United Nations. 

In Europe, you can find 5 unrecognized countries, one of them being Transnistria, located within present Moldova. 

Transnistria is a real Soviet theme park and an actual off the beaten track destination within Europe.

This guide contains everything you need to know to travel to Transnistria , including information regarding visas, how to get there, things to do and historical context.

Don’t forget to read my ultimate Moldova itinerary , which also includes plenty of tips

In this Transnistria travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• How to get in
• Where to stay
• Is it safe?
• Things to do

Things to do in Tiraspol

Best day trips from tiraspol.

• More information

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Introduction to visiting the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria)

Transnistria, with Tiraspol as its capital, is a narrow territory within Moldova , which stretches from north to south, the Dniester river being the natural border with Moldova, hence the name in Russian: Pridnestrovian, meaning on the other side of the Dniester river.

The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a country not recognized by the UN, but traveling to Transnistria feels like traveling to a new one: they have their own borders, immigration rules, military, government, parliament, car registration, and even their own currency. 

It is a territory filled with Soviet nostalgia and Communist symbols.

In fact, the Transnistrian official flag is the only one in the world still using the hammer and sickle.

The only more Soviet places I have been to is Minsk. Check my travel guide to Minsk

Why did Transnistria separate from Moldova?

Short story: Transnistrians are pro-Russian people who didn’t want to be part of Moldova (culturally Romanian) after the dissolution of the USSR.

Longer story:  However, I’d like to add a few points because the story is obviously more complicated than that.

The fact is that Transnistria is an artificial, fake territory taken from Western Ukraine in an attempt by the Soviets to take over Bessarabia , a region from Romania which joined the Soviet Union in the 40s, which later became present-day Moldova. 

The reason why Transnistria is mostly inhabited by ethnical Russians is the same as why you find Russians in Eastern Ukraine: they were sent there as part of the Russification process. 

After WWII, the Soviets created the Moldavian SSR, composed of both Bessarabia and Transnistria but then, at the end of the 80s, during the dying years of the USSR, Moldovan nationalism grew and the Transnistrians were afraid of becoming the minority within Moldova, especially when Romanian was declared an official language, so Transnistria proclaimed independence from Moldova.

Tensions between both parties increased until 1992, when the Moldova-Transnistria war happened, which lasted for 3 months, and from whose Peace Agreement, the fake Semi-Presidential Republic of Transnistria was founded. 

For more information, read this great summary from the BBC.

Who recognizes Transnistria?

Unlike other unrecognized republics in the region such as Abkhazia or South Ossetia, Russia doesn’t recognize Transnistria as an independent country.

Transnistrians would like to be part of Russia but since Russia doesn’t want them – because the territory doesn’t have much value – and they don’t want to be part of Moldova, they are kind of stuck in between. 

In fact, Transnistria is an unrecognized country only recognized by unrecognized countries :

• Abkhazia – within Georgia. Read my travel guide to Abkhazia
• South Ossetia – within Georgia
• Artask – formerly known as Nagorno Karabakh and only accessible from Armenia.

Also, don’t forget to read my Georgia Travel Guide

This is one of the reasons why the economy in Transnistria is really struggling and, if you think Moldova is a developing country compared to the rest of Europe, wait until you travel to Transnistria.

Still, traveling to Transnistria is a worthwhile experience for anyone interested in offbeat, Soviet stuff. 

Continue reading my Transnistria Travel Guide.

🪪 Visa for Transnistria

Things have gotten smoother for visiting Transnistria, and pretty much any nationality who can visit Moldova can get a visa on arrival in Transnistria. 

Typically, once you arrive at the border, they will give you an immigration card valid for the number of days you requested, and which you need to show upon exit, like the Israeli visa .

How many days can you stay in Transnistria?

At the border immigration office, they will ask how many days you are planning to stay for. 

They claim your visa can be valid for up to 45 days, as long as you have a hotel booking confirming the length of your stay.

However, they did ask us the name of our hotel but never asked for the booking confirmation.

We had booked 3 nights in Tiraspol but, just in case, we said we wanted a 5-day permit, and the officer granted it to us without any further question. 

Extending your stay in Transnistria

If you wish to spend more time traveling in Transnistria, visa extensions can easily be got in a few minutes – and free of charge – at the immigration office located in Kotovskogo 2a Street, Tiraspol.

A common problem: Moldovan exit/entry stamp

Since Moldova doesn’t recognize Transnistria as an independent country, the Moldovan authorities will never give you an exit stamp upon your entrance in Transnistria, for the simple reason that, in their eyes, you never left Moldova.

Therefore, there could be two possible scenarios in which you won’t get your entry/exit stamp automatically, so here’s what you need to do:

• You are leaving Transnistria through Ukraine, hence you are not coming back to Moldova – In this case, at the Ukrainian border, you need to ask for the Moldovan immigration office, but be aware that this isn’t an automatic procedure, so you need to look for it.
• You travel to Transnistria from Ukraine, and then you plan to enter Moldova – If arriving by train, you will find the immigration office at the train station itself in Chisinau but once again, this is not an automatic procedure. If you are arriving by bus and don’t get the entry stamp, according to the Lonely Planet Forum , you need to get it at the Immigration Office in Chisinau , but only if you plan to stay in Moldova for more than 72 hours. 

In any case, there are reports from travelers saying didn’t manage to get the entry stamp for Moldova but, upon their exit, the Moldovan authorities didn’t give them any trouble because they are fully aware of the situation.

🛺 How to get to Transnistria

There are different ways of traveling to the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic:

How to travel to Transnistria from Ukraine

• By train – The train that goes from Odessa to Chisinau stops in Tiraspol. Not sure if there are daily trains, but you can check timings, prices and buy your ticket on the official Ukrainian Railway site . That’s where I bought mine. By the way, if you book the Odessa-Chisinau route, make sure to type the Russian transliteration Kishineu, otherwise, you won’t find it.
• By bus – If you miss the train, you can also take the Odessa-Chisinau bus which goes through Tiraspol. I personally used the train because it is apparently much faster than the bus .
• Other entry points – The Ukraine/Transnistria border is pretty long, so there are other points of entry which you can use. The city of Pervomaisk, located 200km north of Odessa, is a city with regular buses to Moldova.

Don’t forget to read my Ukraine travel guide

How to travel from Chisinau to Tiraspol

• By bus (marshrutka) – Marshrutkas leave all day long from the Central Bus station in Chisinau, here . It is a 2-hour journey and costs around 50 Leis (Moldovan currency), even though they might charge you more if you carry a suitcase.
• By train – I believe the train also works but marshrutka is a better option, as you get loads of them every day, whereas there are only a few trains.

💰 Money in Transnistria

Transnistria acts like a separate country and, unlike other unrecognized republics such as Abkhazia or South Ossetia, which are fully backed by Russia and so use the Russian Ruble, in Transnistria, they use their own currency: Transnistrian Rubles (PRB) . 

1 USD = 16.10 PRB 1MDL = 0.90PRB

Plastic Coins – In Transnistria, in addition to their regular coins and notes, they also use some weird plastic coins which look like a joke, but they are totally valid, even though they will soon remove them from the market. They have plastic coins worth 1, 3, 5 and 10PRB.

Paying with a credit card and withdrawing money

You can pay by credit card in only a very few places, so it is better to bring cash. 

I was able to withdraw money from one ATM, but I believe this will depend on your bank. 

Just in case, bring some extra cash. 

Exchanging money

American Dollars, Euros, Moldovan Leis and Russian Rubles are widely accepted in all exchange offices.

Paying in other currencies WATCH OUT!

The local economy in Transnistria is always struggling, so that is why they always like to accept any currency different from their own, including MDL, RUR, € or USD. 

However, on our last day, we had dinner in a relatively fancy restaurant where I thought credit cards would be accepted but they weren’t, so they brought us the bill in MDL and charged a 20% commission on the exchange rate. 

Luckily, while Adriana waited in the restaurant, I was able to find an ATM that worked but the guys from the restaurant strongly insisted I should not bother to go the ATM, ’cause they knew they’d get an extra 20% that way.

How much does it cost to travel in Transnistria?

Transnistria is a cheap destination as per European standards, and I’d say that it is a 15% cheaper than Moldova. 

🏨 Where to stay in Tiraspol

Best Backpacker Hostel – Like Home Hostel – The best backpacker hostel in town is run by a lovely local family, has a garden, a good location and vibes. 

Best Budget Hotel – Elektromash Hotel – Good quality budget rooms in a hotel which also has a kitchen.

Best mid-range hotel – Hotel Russia – If you want a more comfortable stay, this hotel is the best value-for-money mid-range option in town.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Transnistria?

Something you need to remember when you visit Transnistria is that, unless you have a Russian passport, you won’t have any consular representation if the unlikely happens, so always travel with caution. 

Other than that, Transnistria and Tiraspol are as safe as Chisinau or any other country, even though I heard stories from people getting mugged at late hours, but I guess it was a one-off event. 

Taking photos when you visit Transnistria. Is it allowed?

Before traveling to Transnistria, I had read in a few blogs that taking photos of Government buildings like the House of Soviets was not allowed but this isn’t the case anymore. 

You can take photos of all the monuments and buildings mentioned in this article, with the exception of course, of military buildings, but this happens everywhere around the world I’m afraid.

Things to do in Transnistria

Traveling in Transnistria can certainly keep you busy for 2 or 3 days.

We stayed for 3 nights, spending most of our time in Tiraspol, but we also did some trips outside of the capital. 

Map of the things to do in Transnistria

Today the largest open-air Soviet Museum in the world, Tiraspol is a Soviet theme park or, like my Moldovan friends like to say, a Soviet zoo, even though I find this last term a bit disrespectful.

Jokes aside. 

The best things to do in Tiraspol are all related to Transnistria’s Soviet Heritage, but there is also a lively market worth to check out, as well as a few churches. 

House of Soviets and Lenin bust

The first crazy Soviet thing you may want to see is the City Hall of Tiraspol, whose main peculiarities are that they still call it the House of Soviets (Dom Sovetov in Russian) and they kept a bust of Lenin in front of it. 

It is a Stalinist style building from the 50s.

I managed to get inside the building but I was kicked out after 1.5 seconds. 

Suvorov Square: Suvorov Statue and Transnistria emblem

In Suvorov Square, you find the largest national emblem in the country, consisting of the hammer and sickle, and depictions of bread, grapes, corn, and potatoes.

You know, Communist stuff.

Next to it you find the statue of Alexander Suvorov , the last Generalissimo of the Russian Empire in the 17th century, at whose side wave the flags of the unrecognized republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Artask.  

Presidential Palace and Lenin Statue

The favorite postcard of Tiraspol is the Presidential Palace, which is guarded by a massive Lenin statue. 

The T-34 tank and Saint George Chapel

Very close to the Presidential Palace you find a war memorial to those who died during the Moldova-Transnistria war, in which you find a T-34 tank, the most common tank used during WWII. 

Controversially, next to the Soviet tank, you also find a cute church that creates a big contrast, the Saint George Chapel church.

If you like Soviet stuff, read Soviet stuff to do in Belarus

Abkhazia and South Ossetia embassies

Like I said, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, along with Artask, are the only countries that recognize the existence of Transnistria, so they won their right to get their respective embassies in a prime location. 

Here you can see other unrecognized countries I have visited

Monument to Aviators

Quite at the edge of town, you find the Monument to Aviators, consisting of a MiG-19 plane, the world’s first mass-produced supersonic aircraft.

Zeleni Market and the Christmas Cathedral

If you have some spare time, the Zeleni market in the center of Tiraspol gets quite lively in the morning. We were told that it also contains a flea market where they sell all sorts of old Soviet artifacts but we couldn’t find it.

Next to the market, you find the most important cathedral in Tiraspol, Christmas Cathedral, which is worth a few minutes of your time.

Kvint Cognac Factory

One of the few non-war-related things Transnistrians are proud of is their brandy , especially their Kvint Brandy, a distillery which has been completely functional since 1870, today producing more than 20 million bottles a year. 

I actually recommend you buy a small bottle from any supermarket or, at least, get a glass of brandy in any relatively good restaurant found across the city. 

Otherwise, you can also visit the factory, located just a 15-minute short walk from the city center. 

They offer daily tours in English and I recommend you go there the day before to book your tickets and ask for timings. We decided to visit the factory on our last day in Tiraspol but we arrived a bit late, and the next scheduled tour wasn’t until 4pm, so we missed it. 

Dniester river crossing

The Dniester is the natural border between Transnistria and Moldova but there are a few towns across the river that also belong to Transnistria, especially around Tiraspol. 

You can cross to the other side by walking over the bridge but, if you have time, there is also a ferry (shown on the map) that takes you to the other side for a few cents. 

In the evening, the shore of the river is a hanging-out-spot for locals.

These are some other things to visit in Transnistria:

Most travelers come here to just visit the famous Bendery Fortress but, if you visit Transnistria is because you like visiting Communist stuff, then Bendery has a hell load of it, perhaps not as monumental as its neighbor Tiraspol, but good enough to keep you busy for 1 or 2 hours. 

Things you need to check out are the slightly deteriorated Lenin Statue in Madagascar Park, the mosaic inside Bendery’s main bus station and the tank monument near the fortress, all of them marked on the attached map. 

By the way, entering the fortress costs 50PDR but the inside is not particularly exciting. Next to the fortress there is a fancy hotel with a cool bar-terrace that sells inexpensive beer. 

How to get to Bendery – There are buses every 10 minutes going to Bendery from the Tiraspol city center.

Chitcani is an unattractive Transnistrian town located across the river which has not much to offer except for Noul Neamt Monastery , a pretty Orthodox complex inhabited by Transnistrian monks who make a living from the wine they produce and vegetables they grow. 

There is a very tall bell tower which you can climb to the very top.

Well, you can but I think it is not allowed. I did it because there wasn’t anyone around, but I had to go through some doors which weren’t locked, but they were closed.

How to get to Noul Neamt Monastery – Marshrurkas leave from right across the river by the bridge. Otherwise, if you cross the Dniester by ferry, you can hitch a ride with any other car on the boat.

I missed this place, basically, because I only found out about it after visiting Transnistria.

In Sucleia there is a Youth Sports Complex containing a set of pretty amazing Soviet murals and a disproportionately large Lenin Statue.

Sucleia is around 7km east of Tiraspol.

If you want to know more about it, read this post from Kathmandu & Beyond . 

This was everything you needed to know to travel to Transnistria . If you have any questions or suggestion, please leave a comment below

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📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

More Travel Guides to Moldova

• Travel Guide to Moldova
• Unusual Reasons to Visit Moldova

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• Travel Guide to Abkhazia
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44 comments

very interesting and informative artical I will definitely put Transnistria on my list

Interesting reed. On my schedule for 2020. Thx.

Nice article. Just you are wrong when you say you will not get any consular support if you need it. All countries are obligated to provide consular support to their citizens anywhere in the world. Even those who went to live in ISIL and are now in camps receive consular support from their countries and are returning there. Ofc it can be a bit harder here than in Chisinau for example, but not so much

Hi Rick, you might be right, I don’t know!

“Transnistria”? Die from the coronavirus, a Nazi animal.

Thank you for this review. I am great excite to visit beautiful land Transnistria.

Currently the marshruka from central bus station to Tiraspol is 46 lei. Problem is, getting in now requires a Covid test not more than 72 hours before arrival, a photocopy of hotel reservation and formal permission from the Commissar which is a several day process.

Hi Paul, thanks for the update. I had no idea about these Covid restrictions but hoping the situation will be back to normal once this bloody pandemic is gone.

I sincerely hope that your children will die in a concentration camp for your fascist insults.

Such mean-spirited remarks have no place in civil society. Moreover, you fail to state what it is about the article that troubles you. Maybe the author is not as far left as you are politically, but this doesn’t make him a fascist.

Are you really an idiots or followers of war criminals? You used the term of the Nazi war criminals “transnistria” to refer to modern people, thereby essentially wishing them death. I wish the author of this text the same again.

The only reason I use this term is because ”Transnistria” is accepted and the most commonly used term in the English language, hence what most travelers use & understand. Thanks for your wishes.

Where did you read this? Hardly even a fraction of the percentage of English speakers have heard about Pridnestrovie, there is no any “accepted and commonly used term”, the term is determined exclusively by the context. You wanted to offend people and question their right to a peaceful life – you did it.

If you like such cynical and blasphemous provocations, try next time traveling to Islamic countries with a gay flag or to North Korea with a caricature of their leader. I am sure that you will not return from there, and the world will become cleaner.

It’s a pity that I didn’t meet you: you would definitely have less teeth. Do not come to this country again and in general to the territory of exUSSR, you are not welcome here.

Xyeta, The first time I learned of this country, it was referred to as “Trans Dniester.” It was in a book called “The Game” written by Savoy and concerns the subject of how men can better succeed at attracting beautiful women, and chronicles the life of some men who call themselves “pickup artists.”

Do you like the term “Trans Dniester” any better or worse than “Transnistria”?

Proof that the world is a better place without the USSR.

It’s not that I don’t like the ugly Romanian word “Transnistria”, but what it actually means. It means only one thing: the occupation and genocide committed by the Romanians in southwestern Ukraine during the Second World War and the Romanian claims to lands “beyond the Dniester” (meaning in relation to Romania, therefore the prefix “trans-“). In English sources, Pridnestrovie is called whatever they like, I have come across more than a dozen variants (that is, there is not even a hint of a “common name”, as written above), but any terms built using the prefix “trans-” are variations of the Romanian term and imply offensive and derogatory context. The author of this text is clearly aware of this, because you need to be completely limited and stupid to write so much text, but not even find out the name of the country about which you writes.

Xyeta, You use such hateful speech to the writer when you don’t know him or his intentions. This entire blog is highlighting the region in a good way and to show people that it is nice to travel there. His intentions were definitely not malicious. Now to your points about the name – I am an English speaker from North America. When I first learned about this country, it was introduced to me as “Transnistria.” I have seen it called this many times and had no knowledge of the history. I am assuming the same is for the author. It wasn’t until I did more research on my own that I came across the other names. To your point that “no one uses this hateful term”, that is not true. When I was looking to visit, many of the hotels use “Transnistria” in their address. Just look at CityHotel or Hotel Russia as examples. The author did not use it out of disrespect; he simply did not know the history. This is the same in my case – I had no idea it was a disrespectful term until you posted your comments. You should focus on educating, not threatening; especially when you do not know the person. I look forward to visiting this beautiful area in the near future.

Hi Peter, thanks for your comment. This person is just a fanatic and a sad human being who has nothing to do but to use his or her hateful speech to random people on the internet. In any case, regardless of what he or she says is true, Transnistria is the term which most people get introduced with, as you well say, and not only this, but it’s the term used by Wikipedia, the Lonely Planet and pretty much any international media outlet like the BBC and even the New York Times so yeah, using Transnistria seems unavoidable for foreigners, especially because the official Russian name Pridnestrovian or Pridnestrove can be difficult to pronounce. I think this person will have some hard time wishing death to all Western writers and journalists who ever wrote about Transnistria. In addition to what you said about hotels, in our visit, we also did talk to several English-speaking locals who had no issues or whatsoever in saying Transnistria. Therefore, I can only think that the term Transnistria may have some negative historical connotations but nowadays, educated people will know that foreigners just use it for convenience, and only the most fanatic and closed-minded people in Transnistria will find it offensive. Anyways, I just wanted to reply to you because I know you have read some of my articles, but I don’t think this person is worth any more seconds of our time, that’s what he or she would like. Big hug,

A man who insulted a whole people and the memory of hundreds of thousands of people on the Internet was offended that he was answered in the same spirit on the same Internet. Is it funny? No, it’s stupid and disgusting. As well as attempts to link to Wikipedia and other rubbish on the Internet. I repeat once again: the choice of a term in relation to concepts that are not conventionally fixed and do not have wide circulation in the language is determined solely by the author and the context. Is the country’s name harder to pronounce than the ugly Nazi term? I personally know many native speakers of English, German, Polish and some other languages. All of them, with whom I spoke on this topic, confirmed that the word “Transnistria” in English pronunciation is impossible to pronounce the first time. In any case, you had a choice from a range of neutral country names that you could find on the Internet: Pridnestrovie, Pridnestrovia, Cisdniestria, Dnestr Republic, Nistrenia, Cisnistria, Nistria, PMR, etc. But you chose the term Romanian Nazis, clearly aware of what it means. This is confirmed by the fact that you have not apologized or repented, having corrected your text, but continue to insult people. Such people are not worthy of a respectful and condescending attitude towards themselves.

What about you shut up you damn fanatic, no one gives a sh** about your pseudo country, the autor is just trying to give a touristic perspective of TRANSNISTRIA, that’s all. Now go screw yourself.

Does it highlighting the region in a good way? Okay, let’s see what he wrote. So, as a travel guide for travelers, the article is of little value, because it contains obvious nonsense in the spirit of “Transnistria” (“artificial, fake territory taken from Western Ukraine”, “they were sent there as part of the Russification process”, ” Bessarabia, a region from Romania which joined the Soviet Union in the 40s”, ” on the other side of the Dniester”, “Soviet zoo”, etc.), plus a lot of mistakes. I could comment on this, so that the author would use the information and make corrections, but not in the article under the heading “Transnistria”. The latter fully expresses the intentions and point of view of the author.

I could write it off as a philistine ignorance and complete illiteracy in the history of the region to which he decided to go (which in itself is disrespectful towards him), so I see all sorts of nonsense here about “Soviet churches” and “hellish Lenins “, but no. I met “trippers” who appeared in Pridnestrovie and spat this “Transnistria” out, making excuses: “Well, it is written in Wikipedia, it can’t be a lie!!!”, but after a moment they forgot this word. I do not even doubt that the author who visited Pridnestrovie and wrote the article after that was clearly aware of what he wanted to write, whose point of view to express and who to offend.

You want the author of to apologize after you wished death to his children and showed your psycho attitude? OMG, you are so unbelievable. I don’t know the author personally but I have followed his work for a long time and I can say is that his intentions are always good and for this article in particular he triggered the interest of many people wanting to travel to this part of the world and discover your country, which only benefits your people but it seems you are too stupid to realize. Get a life xyeta

Thank you for that detailed explanation and for not wishing horrible things upon me for asking the question.

You got totally wrong, I been there for 3 months there and never ask me where I will go. I told them I go for 1 or 2 weeks and if I wanted to extend I had to go to immigration of Tiraspol and told them, I would like to stay longer and never had any problems there.

I’m in the territory now (scared to death to call it anything at this point :P) and I had no issues coming by bus from Ukraine. I’m an American citizen and they didn’t ask for a covid test or vaccine proof. They gave me a six-week visa without even asking how long I’d be here. I didn’t have to show them proof of accommodation, I merely mentioned that I’m staying at a hostel. Definitely bring cash with you as I cannot use any of the ATMs and I’m yet to find a place that takes cards or Ukrainian money. Hope all is well!!!

lol. Thanks, Brooke for the heads up!

hi, im travellint to Moldova in few days..including 3 days in Transnistria.. .Thanks for your Review.

If I travel from Ukraine to Transnistria and back to Ukraine and if I have Ukraine single entry visa. Do I need one more visa to enter Ukraine again?

Nav I was in Transnistria earlier this month. I would say yes, as although the border control is not official therefore cannot stamp your passport, you are still exiting Ukraine to enter what is still recognised as Moldova

Hi everyone!

I’d like to ask a few questions about this fascinating republic. My parents are Russian speakers from Ukraine and I, myself, was born and raised in the UK. I have British and Ukrainian documents.

Would the fact that I decide to move to the country (either using my Ukrainian passport which clearly lists me as having been born in Great Britain on the main page, or with my British passport) arouse suspicion within the KGB? Are there people from western countries who live in the republic and are they suspected of being spies? I’ve heard of genuine tourists being detained and questioned… what happens to people who want to relocate there?

If I wanted my friends from “exotic” nationalities (who’s citizens usually need visas to visit Moldova) like Moroccans, Algerians, Indians, etc that live in neighbouring Odessa to join me on my travels, would they be able to enter the PMR without a visa or would the PMR customs officials insist that they request a Moldovan visa first? To add to this question: if someone manages to make it into the PMR, is it possible to proceed into Moldova without a visa?

Can I sneak into Moldova without going through passport control, withdraw MDL from an ATM and then return to the PMR and exchange the cash for PMR rubles? I saw a video once of Moldovan police officers standing on the side of a road with no PMR officials on the other side… I presume that it is possible to walk across and come back without getting checked?

Moldova recently passed a law on the recognition of documents issed by the PMR. What do I need to do to documents issed in the PMR for them to be recognised in other countries? I speak, namely, of birth certificates and university diplomas. If a family moves to the PMR and has a child, how would that child get documents from the family’s country of origin?

Thanks in advance! Ivan

What, another scum who only has the courage to insult on the Internet? Why didn’t you say your “transnistria” in the face of the Pridnestrovian people? I’d love to watch your filthy tongue cut off with a rusty knife.

Just to let everyone here know that these two commenters (Qwer and xyeta) are both the same person, and that’s the owner of Lenin Hostel in Tiraspol. We had a small, simple argument back when I visited his city, and these are his ways of resolving things. Just for you to keep in mind when looking for a hostel in Transnistria.

American wants to know if it’s cool to travel to Transnistria now? With everything happening in Ukraine, and with a few Russian troops stationed in Transnistria.

Hi Joan! I was there last year. I must have had a bad experience. In Tiraspol, I asked a group of young people who, it seemed to me, could speak English, how to get to the migration center of Transnistria. As a result, they broke my nose. When I finally got to this center, they called the police. Then I had to explain how I ended up there and why my nose was broken. As they explained to me, I was beaten for the word “Transnistria”, which I carelessly used and which is a terrible insult. As a result, after several hours of interrogation about why I was engaged in provocations, I was forced to take a bus and urgently leave the region. I still don’t understand what I did wrong.

oh man, I am deeply sorry to hear that, that sucks

Thank you for your article. Apparently some nuttz read it as well. Amazing how lame some people’s lives are. So thank you. Any idea if I can take a rental car there from Moldova?

Hi Joseph, good question, I am not entirely sure but I can’t see why not?

I was there yesterday! Totally worth the trip! Super cool. Visit the market and just walk around and drink some wine. Great place. Clean. Nice people. Your cards won’t work but it’s easy to change money. The idiot talking about being punched and the other idiot talking about what to call it are just that, idiots. Wonderful place. There are two borders. Go through the one to the north as it is way small and adorable. The one to the south was way more formal. Anyways. Please go. Funny place and wonderful.

Thank you Joseph, glad to hear you had a nice experience 🙂

As a citizen of Pridnestrovie, I was very upset by this unmotivated hatred against us. I can only wish for your country what you wished for us by using the word “Transnistria”: war, mass bloodshed and genocide.

I agree with what was written above. This article was written as a political provocation against Pridnestrovie. And the use of a term whose meaning implies the physical destruction of Pridnestrovians is not even a provocation, but simply cretinism. The author’s level of hatred is as if the Pridnestrovians killed his relatives and raped his children.

thanks for reading it!

Everything is safe and now? I am in Moldova for 1 week maybe thinking to be one day in Tiraspol if it is not problem.

I have a good friend who is from the region and she calls it Transnistria…. Anyway, she has invited me to accompany her on a visit there later this year. However, the US embassy in Chisinau told me I shouldn’t go there, even though I would be with her at all times, because they can’t help me if I go there. Is this really something I need to be concerned about?

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The Ultimate Tiraspol Travel Guide

Understanding tiraspol.

Tiraspol is the bustling capital of the unrecognised state of Transnistria. Trans-say-what-now? Perhaps the full title will jog your memory: the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. No? Then let us enlighten you…

Transnistria is a breakaway unrecognised state sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. De jure part of Moldova (de facto it most certainly is not) it’s the biggest city in Transnistria and, if they abided by that de jure nonsense, would be the second biggest in Moldova.

Getting to Tiraspol

Transnistria is visa-free for a good number of countries, which is good. Tiraspol Airport is banned from receiving international flights, which is bad. This means you’re basically getting in overland from either Ukraine or Moldova.

The nearest airport is Chisnau in Moldova, which is only a few hours by bus away from Tiraspol.

The best way to travel to Tiraspol is via train: it’s linked twice daily to Kiev via Odessa , and there are also services from Chisinau. Transnistrian border guards are no longer allowed to enter the train before it gets to the capital; previously it was necessary to register at the border, but this is no longer the case.

There are buses from all over Moldova, including regular ones from Chisinau. There are also connections from Gagauzia and Odessa.

Technically, you can drive here; I’d suggest doing this with a local if opting for this.

Getting around Tiraspol

There are trolleybuses and marshrutkas (a sort of share-taxi) that will take you around the city. Standard taxis are also pretty cheap.

Sights of Tiraspol

Did someone say communist chic?

• Parliament and statue of Lenin;
• The Abkhazia and South Ossetia (fellow unrecognised countries) embassies;
• The posters of the president, and those of other unrecognized countries;
• War-torn Bender (name of the town rather than an epithet for ‘gay person’);
• The KVINT factory ;
• More hammers and sickles than you can shake a hit stick at!

Eating and drinking in Tiraspol

Word of warning (or cause for celebration, depending on your proclivities): vodka is cheaper than water here. All the cool kids hang out at 7 Frydays (See what they did there?), and for late-night drinkies there’s always the bowling alley.

How can I visit?

You could go alone like a Billy No-Mates, or you could join one of our fab tours .

About Post Author

Gareth Johnson

Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.

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The Best Things to do in Tiraspol and Transnistria

This post is a travelguide about the best things to to do in Tiraspol and why you should travel to Transnistria.

I decided to travel to Transnistria during independence day in September in 2018 and had a great experience. Let me explain why you should travel to Transnistria too before I delve into the best things to do in Tiraspol, its quirky capital.

Where is Transnistria?

I don’t blame you if you never heard of Tiraspol or Transnistria before. The tiny piece of land between Moldova and Ukraine is one of those forgotten conflicts in Eastern Europe. A country that does not exist and is sometimes called the North Korea of Europe.

A nostalgic place that still embraces its Soviet past, but with an uncertain future. It was only in February 2022 when the war broke out in neighbouring Ukraine that Transnistria once more attracted attention. Will things finally change in this small piece of land that Europe forgot and that lingers in an unrecognized state of the unknown? The answers remain as obscure as ever.

Why travel to Transnistria?

With my love for strange places I was of course keen to travel to Transnistria and learn more about some of Europe’s least known independence struggles.

Transnistria declared itself independent from Moldova in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But nobody recognized the break away republic. Officially it is still part of Moldova. In practice though, it is a seperate state with its own government, currency and army.

Most countries in the region quickly moved away from communism, but Transnistria was reluctant to let go of the Sociaist Soviet ideals. While Moldova is keen to join the European Union, Transnistria has no desire to do so and remains in favour of the East.

In fact, they would love to become part of Russia again. But with politics in between, Putin prefers a more covert support in the form of a Russian peacekeeping mission that is maintaining the current status quo. So far, even Putin did not recognize the independence of Transnistria. That was the situation when I visited in 2018. Of course, with the war in Ukraine, there is now speculation if Putin is willing to go further.

Transnistria’s independence comes along with the country being shunned by the rest of the world. And despite a longing to return to communism, the current reality is one of wild west capitalism with democracy being of secondary importance.

What to do in Transnistria

Transnistria celebrates their independence day every year on the second of September. Only two days after Moldova’s Limba Noastra that I witnessed in Chisinau . I decided that this was the best time to travel to Transnistria. I found out that Transnistria is not only worth visiting because of its politics. There are plenty of things to do in Tiraspol for a day or two. This area is a unique destination for any adventurous traveller that prefers to go off the beaten path. What about visiting a cognac factory or the largest sturgeon facility producing excellent caviar. These are just some of the things to do in Tiraspol. Despite the political tensions, things stay relatively quiet in Transnistria at the moment.

The best things to do in Tiraspol

1. independence day.

Independence day is probably the best day to travel to Transnistria. We arrived in Tiraspol the day before, when preparations were already in full swing. In the evening families strolled through the park near the river where there was an exhibition of tanks on display. Obviously Transnistria is proud of its army and independence day is partly about showing off its military strength.

The next morning started straight away with a military parade. There were a lot of important officials around, but the people of Tiraspol couldn’t be too bothered. There were few visitors, most of them tourists, and it was actually a rather dull affair with various sections of the army marching and chanting.

It was only after the military parade that more people showed up for the fair with local food and traditional dance performances. Most popular of all were the stalls selling shaslyck. Even though it was only 10 in the morning, beer and vodka were already consumed in large quantities.

The fair lasted throughout the day and at night there was a big concert with fireworks. Unlike the military parade, it seemed that now everyone in Tiraspol had come to party the night away.

2. Soviet Architecture

For those that have an interest in the Soviet Union there are plenty of things to do in Tiraspol. Tiraspol is a time capsule and at times it feels like an open air museum of Soviet times. Along the main boulevard you find the House of the Soviets and the presidential palace. Both are still guarded by a stern looking Lenin.

It is definetly worth it to stay the night and take the time to simply wander around. Some urban exploring away from the main street brings you eerily quiet neighbourhoods with Soviet flats and abandoned factories where you are likely to be the only tourist around.

3. Memorial of Glory

No Soviet city is complete without a war memorial and a visit is among the top things to do in Tiraspol. The memorial of Glory at Suvorov square remembers those who died in the Great Patriotic War (WW2), the Soviet-Afghan war and the Transnistria war.

The Transnistria war in 1992 was short, but lives were lost on both sides. It resulted in the current set-up in which Russian peacekeepers support its independence that is not recognized by any country. 

4. Park Pobeda

Like the war memorial, every Soviet city has a park of victory. Strolling around in the evening together with families and young couples is one of the fun things to do in Tiraspol. In 1947 the park was made on the outskirts of the city for recreation. Since then Tiraspol has extended its borders. Nowadays the park is more in the centre of the city and remains popular.

5. Green market

At last every Soviet city has a market. The one in Tiraspol looks like a modern affair with its green building, but inside is a traditional farmers bazaar with fresh fruits and vegetables. This is the best place in Tiraspol to buy and try some delicious honey or homemade cottage cheese.

6. Christmas cathedral

Next to the green market is the rather new christmas cathedral. It was completed in 1999 to become the largest and most important Russian orthodox church in Transnistria.

7. Dniestr River 

In september it was still very warm in Tiraspol and nothing looked more inviting than joining the families swimming in the Dniestr river. A closer look revealed that the water isn’t all that clean. If you are brave enough you can swim in the Dniestr, but one of the things to do in Tiraspol is a boat trip on the river. They leave near the Aist hotel.

8. Visit the Kvint Cognac Distillery

One of the things to do in Tiraspol is a visit to the Kvint liquor factory. The factory won more than 100 medals for its brandies at international competitions. A visit allows you to taste and buy the locally famous cognac.

9. Drink Kvas

Kvass is a traditional fermented beverage made from rye bread and water, sweetened with sugar or honey. It has a slightly sour and refreshing taste. It is honestly not my favourite, but it seems I am the exception. The stalls on the street selling kvas from yellow jerrycans are very popular among the locals.

10. Try Caviar

Tiraspol has the second largest sturgeon breeding facility in the world. Tours must be arranged beforehand at hotel Rossiya. Even if you can not visit the Aquatir facility, caviar is sold in Tiraspol’s shops at affordable prices.

Aquatir sturgeon complex : Sovetskaya street 1

The best things to do near Tiraspol

11. bendery fortress.

The town of Bendery is only 18 kilometers from Tiraspol and it is easy to visit. The main atraction is the 16th century Ottoman fortress that saw intense fights between the Turks and the Russians before it became part of Russia in the 19th century.

The fortress is well preserved and used to be a Russian army base. The fortress is now open to the public and has a small museum and wonderful views on the river. The army base is still there and you can see some interesting mural paintings on the walls if you leave the fortress from the south gate.  Be aware that it is not a good idea to make pictures of the Russian army base

How to get there : trolley bus number 19 travels frequently between Tiraspol and Bender (20 minutes). You can get out at the first stop after the bridge over the river and walk to the fortress. Keep in mind that you now have to enter through the north gate. This is quite a walk and you might consider taking a taxi. You can exit again through the south gate and catch the 19 trolley bus back to Tiraspol.

12. Bendery Alexander Nevski church

Next to the fortress is the Alexander Nevski church dedicated to the last Russian tsar and his family. The paintings inside the church show several pictures of the Romanovs including an image of the moment the Bolsheviks killed the family. I am not sure when this church was built, but it looked pretty new to me.

13. Noul Neamt monastery

I had no time to visit the Noul Neamt monastery, but it is easy to visit from Tiraspol. Most churches in Tiraspol are new, but this all male monastery is from 1861 and is one of the most important religious sites in Transnistria.

During Soviet times the monastery was used as a tuberculosis hospital, but in 1989 it was beautifully restored and opened its door again for believers.

How to get there : The monastery lies in Kitskany village 7 kilometer south of Tiraspol. Take the car ferry over the Dniestr river at the Aist hotel and then take the bus to Kitskany (15 minutes).

Tiraspol and Transnistria Travel tips

The best hotels in tiraspol.

Budget : Like Home hostel is one of the most popular hostels in Tiraspol. It is a great hostel in the center of Tiraspol. The Old Tiraspol hostel is another hostel with great reviews.

Midrange : For more privacy and recommend the Cityclub Hotel offers clean and nice rooms in the center of Tiraspol.

What to eat in Tiraspol

My main reason to visit Tiraspol was its odd status in Europe as a country that doesn’t exist. I had zero expectations about things to do in Tiraspol for food lovers. Little did I know that there is great food on offer. Transnistria offers a unique culinary experience with a blend of traditional Moldovan, Russian, and Ukrainian dishes.

Borscht is one of my favourite soups. It is a traditional beetroot soup that is popular in many Eastern European countries, including Transnistria. It is usually made with beets, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Borscht can be served hot or cold and is often accompanied by a dollop of sour cream.

Pelmeni are dumplings filled with a mixture of minced meat (often pork or beef) and spices. They are typically served with sour cream or butter and are a popular comfort food in the region. You can find both meat-filled and vegetarian variations.

One of the most famous Romanian dishes is Mămăligă . Mămăligă is a polenta like dish made from cornmeal. In Moldova it is often served with brânză (cheese) and smântână (sour cream). This combination creates a delicious and hearty meal.

A great lunch dish are Mici. Mici, also known as “ Mititei ,” are grilled minced meat rolls made from a mixture of beef, lamb, and pork. They are seasoned with garlic, thyme, and other spices, giving them a distinct flavor. Mici are usually served with mustard, bread, and a side of pickles.

For a light lunch you should try Plăcinte . Plăcinte are savory or sweet pastries that are a common snack in Moldova. They come in various fillings such as cheese, cabbage, potatoes, meat, apples, or cherries. Plăcinte can be found in bakeries and food markets throughout the cit y.

The best restaurants in Tiraspol

Kumanek : Kumanek is without doubt the best restaurant in Transnistria and is aming the top things to do in Tiraspol. It serves some of the best borsht, vareniki and other traditional ukrainian dishes with a transnistrian twist. 

Sverdlov street 37

La Placinte : La placinte has several branches in Tiraspol and has an extensive menu with Moldavian and Ukrainian food. The food is ok, but nothing compared to Kumanek. 

Sverdlov street 75

Café bar Volna : Travel back in time at this local cafe where Lenin and Stalin watch you eat. This is probably the cheapest and quirkiest place to eat in Tiraspol. The homemade soups and meat dishes aren’t too bad either.   

Sverdlov street 54

How to travel to Transnistria

The best way to visit Tiraspol is from Chisinau in Moldavia. From the bus station there are frequent minivans that go to Tiraspol.

In Chisinau they leave from the main bus station. There is a fixed location with minivans to Tiraspol and the journey takes 2 hours. Just ask people at the bus station where it is and ignore private taxi driver suggesting there are no vans. They leave when full and you can expect a van to leave every 30 minutes or so. 

The best time to travel to Transnistria

Overall, the best time to visit Tiraspol is typically during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild. However, if you prefer warm weather, the summer months can also be an excellent time to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

I recommend to visit Transnistria during independence day on the 2nd of September. It is great to see Tiraspol in such a festive atmosphere. Other interesting holidays to experience in Tiraspol are Victory day on the 9th of May and Maslenitsa in the beginning of march.

Transnistria Visa

EU and US citizens can travel to Transnistria without any problems. All you have to do is fill in a migration card at the border. If you arrive by bus tell the driver you need to get out for registration. When you enter by train register yourself at the immigration counter in the train station.

This will give you access to Transnistria for 10 hours. If you intend to stay longer make sure you mention this. Tell them how long you plan to stay and provide the address of your accomodation. Since 2018 visas are issued for up to 10 days without further obligation to register at the immigration office.

They will give you a piece of paper that you have to keep carefully, because you need it again when you leave the country.

Safety in Transnistria?

Transnistria is a self-proclaimed state that is not internationally recognized, and its status is a subject of dispute. While the region has maintained relative stability for many years, it’s essential to stay informed about any political developments or changes in the situation.

Transnistria used to have a negative image for corruption and the border crossings were notorious places. But this also  seems to be the past and I crossed the border without any problems.

What remains strictly forbidden is taking pictures of military facilities or the security forces. When you are in doubt it is better to ask rather than flashing your camera around. In the best case people become suspicious of you, but in the worst case you could get arrested.

Another no go is overstaying your visa. Check the date on your slip of paper. If you want to stay longer and forgot to mention this at the border just go to the immigration office in Tiraspol. It is an easy process to extend your stay.

Know before you go

Transnistria uses the Transnistrian ruble that can only be used in Transnistria itself. ATM’s are unreliable and its best to bring enough Moldovan lei, Ukrainian Hryvne, Euro’s or US dollars to exchange.

There are no embassies or consulates in Transnistria, with the exception of the break away republics of Abchazia and Ossetia. Together they form the commonwealth of unrecognized states. Their consulates are at the 25 October street number 76. 

Books about Transnistria

A great book is back to the USSR: heroic adventures in Transnistria by Rory Maclean and Nick Danzig

Teens of Transnistria is a beautiful collections of photo’s on what it means to grow up in a country shunned by the rest of the world.

My visit to Tiraspol was part of a larger trip to Iasi in Romania , Chisinau in Moldova , Lublin in Poland , Odessa and Kiev in Ukraine.

Disclaimer : This post about the best things to do in Tiraspol and travel to Transnistria contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

11 thoughts on “The Best Things to do in Tiraspol and Transnistria”

Such a unique place to visit and I do love a bit of Soviet architecture and that feeling of time stood still.

Cool post.. And yes, I never heard of Tiraspol or Transnistria. Might have to go for a visit now.

Do you know if the hostel has single rooms,or is it just dorms?What price of single room?Dorm room?Phone number of landlord?Is it difficult to travel just speaking english?

The hostel has one double room and one dormitory room. english is not widely spoken, but i had no trouble travelling around.

The fortress was actually build around 1500 by Stefan the Great,. Moldavian ruller and it was meant to keep the turkish empire away. It was called Tighina Fortress

Absolutely correct. In West they know nothing about the real history in these places.

Nice perspective on Transnistria! It is always good to see articles on Transnistria, it is a very interesting place. It has a lot to offer travellers but without any recognition. Political Holidays (www.politicalholidays.com/transnistria) works a lot with Transnistria and other unrecognized countries. Let us know if you want to share ideas on the subject!

Ellis, thank you for sharing your travels with the world. I am happy that I found your site!

It is the evening of 2nd September and I am writing this from my room in the Hotel Russia, Tiraspol. The Hotel Russia is clearly at the top end of the offering here.

The military parade part of the Independence Day celebrations was very small possibly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but we were told the other celebration day here is Victory Day which is more militaristic. Today was about Transnistrians celebrating their unique identity. Definitely a carnival atmosphere

From what I have read (and now seen) amongst the young there is less nostalgia for the Soviet past. I think they see the way forward as being an independent Western democracy, but not as part of Moldova as their identity would be swamped.

Did you travel alone ? How did you get around the places ?

I travelled on my own and used public transport.

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Tiraspol travel guide

Tiraspol tourism | tiraspol guide, you're going to love tiraspol.

With a population of 157,000, Tiraspol is the largest city in Transnistria, Moldova by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Tiraspol to see all of its attractions.

When to visit Tiraspol

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Tiraspol in July, when the average temperature is 21 °C, and the highest can go up to 27 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -6 °C, with an average temperature of -3 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 72 mm. In contrast, October is usually the driest month of the year in Tiraspol, with an average rainfall of 26 mm.

How to Get to Tiraspol

Although Tiraspol doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Chișinău Intl (RMO), which is located 53 km from Tiraspol.

Another option to get to Tiraspol is to pick up a car hire from Chisinau, which is about 62 km from Tiraspol. You’ll find branches of FLIZZR and Hertz, among others, in Chisinau.

Airlines serving Tiraspol

Where to stay in popular areas of tiraspol, hiring a car in tiraspol.

Expect to pay £1.08 per litre in Tiraspol (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £12.91 and £17.22.

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Strolling through the central square of Tiraspol, tourists pause in front of a statue of 18th-century Russian military general Alexander Vasiliyevich Suvorov, who led troops in 60 battles and never lost.

Visit a Country That Doesn't Exist

Here's why bold travelers should visit Transnistria, a mysterious land in limbo.

Imagine a normal country with borders, a democratically-elected government, sealed passports for the population, a president, and a flag flying—yet nobody recognizes its existence. Welcome to Transnistria .

A small piece of land barely as big as Dallas , Texas , Transnistria once belonged to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova . In 1990, when the Soviet Union fell apart, Moldova gained independence and planned its union with Romania . That caused Transnistria, with a Russian-speaking majority, to declare its own independence to break from Moldova. A four-month war followed, with some 1,500 casualties, ending by a ceasefire still held today. Since then, Moldova has no control over Transnistrian authorities, and likewise, Transnistria acts as an independent country even though no other nation in the world recognizes it.

Local Anton Dendemarchenko , an urban sketcher and tour guide , says: “Showing my beautiful country to foreigners is my contribution to raise international recognition to my homeland. We do not officially exist, but when people visit us, we feel that somehow we do exist.”

For bold travelers interested in visiting this small and mysterious country, here’s what to see:

Find the Best Vantage Point: Bendery Fortress

Just across the Moldovan “border” lies the city of Bender, the second biggest of Transnistria. Visit the almost 600-year-old fortress built by the Ottomans. Not only do the thick stone walls, outdated weapons, and impressive military construction illuminate layers of history, but the roof of the fortress also offers the best view of the whole region.

Lenin towers over the Parliament building in Tiraspol, the de-facto capital of Transnistria.

Step Back in Time: Central Tiraspol

Take an old Soviet trolleybus to October 25th Avenue to stroll the central street of the de-facto capital, Tiraspol . Here one can admire the leftovers of Soviet times that locals proudly memorialize as a glorious time. Transnistria is one of the only places in Europe where travelers can still see former communist symbols in their original place, like statues of Lenin in front of the Parliament, and streets and avenues named after Marx, Engels, and Yuri Gagarin.

Get Cultured: Kitskany Monastery and Platsdarm

Barely four miles away from Tiraspol, discover the domed Orthodox Monastery of Kitskany, founded in 1861. Closed during Soviet times, the beautiful complex of four churches is also home to monks that cultivate their own organic food between prayers.

Related Photos: Places That Deserve More Travelers

Taste Luxury: Kvint Cognac Distillery

Then get a taste of the most important industry and main export of Transnistira. Living up to its name, a cognac called Divine is considered one of the world’s finest. One bottle can cost up to $1,700. More than 20 million bottles are sold every year to consumers around the world, representing a whopping five percent of the GDP. Visit the Kvint Distillery to understand the process, sample the spirit, and buy the perfect souvenir for a fraction of the price elsewhere.

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Soak in a Soviet Spa: Sanatorii Dnestr

About a two-and-a-half-hour drive north from Tiraspol, explore this hidden gem built just after World War Two. The last remodelling was completed in 1976, remaining stuck in its glorious communist past. Imagine the meetings of the bigwigs of the Party, while enjoying professional spa treatments , meals, and accommodations for an affordable price.

Based in Barcelona, writer Oscar Vaello frequently travels to unexpected places like Transnistria, North Korea, and Chechnya.

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• 10 Things To Do In...

10 Things to Do in Tiraspol

Exchange money

Transnistria has its own currency, the ruble , essential in order to buy anything, and it can be exchanged or used only there. Since you can’t pay with credit cards, this is the first thing to do. You shouldn’t worry; you can find exchange offices everywhere in the city. Remember to trade your rubles before leaving – there is no way you will be able to do it afterwards.

1. Explore the Soviet past

Building, Memorial, Museum, Park

Explore the Soviet past

As soon as you arrive in the city, you will immediately notice that it is filled with Soviet monuments back from the days of USSR ; that’s why it is usually called an open-air museum or a Soviet theme park. Get ready for an exciting journey into the past, and take a stroll down Tiraspol’s main street to face the parliamentary building with the impressive Lenin statue. Take a look at the soviet-style banners and the armored Russian T-34 tank before visiting the war memorial, where you will also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, flanked by the eternal flame. Last but not least, do not miss the neo-classical House of Soviets at the eastern end of the boulevard. Just keep in mind that taking pictures of certain sites, including monuments and roads, is not allowed.

Learn some Russian

Although young people usually speak English or even German and French, it is a good idea to learn some words and phrases since everything from road signs to menus is written in Russian. It will also be highly appreciated by the friendly locals you may meet.

Go to the museum

If you really want an in-depth history lesson, there’s a place you can’t miss: museums. Featuring an exhibition dedicated to poet Nikolay Zelinsky , the National United Museum is the closest thing you can find to a local history museum. Also pay a visit to the Museum of Local Lore near the parliament building. National United Museum: Strada 25 Octombrie 42 Museum of Local Lore: Strada 25 Octombrie 46, +373 533 90 426

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Take a boat trip

Dniester is the best place to relax after a busy day. Stroll along its sandy banks, drink a cool beer on the beach, hang a love lock with your significant other on the bridge, and take one the cheap boat tours. All you need to do is enter the boat and enjoy thirty minutes of amazing scenery.

2. Drink Kvint

Distillery, Store

Drink Kvint

Do not even think of leaving the city without a sample of Kvint . Being Transnistrian’s national treasure, Kvint factory produces the best cognac, extremely hard to be found elsewhere in Europe. Book a tasting tour at the Kvint wine and brandy distillery and visit the Kvint store just around the corner from its gates to buy some of its cheap yet excellent products . KVINT Wine & Cognac Distillery: Lenin St 38, Tiraspol, +373 533 96 125

Stay overnight

Due to its varied, exciting venues, it is highly recommended to spend the night in Tiraspol. In order to do this, you will need a temporary visa which can only be obtained upon your arrival at the Immigration Office. Do not worry though; the registration process is quick and easy. Be aware that you will be asked to provide the address of your stay in advance. In case you plan to stay less than ten hours, just indicate it on the migration card you will be provided for free at the border. By Maria Menegaki

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Daytrip to Transnistria – a country that doesn’t exist

Last Updated on 04/01/2024 by kami

One of the reasons why I wanted to visit Chisinau was to go on a daytrip to Transnistria – a breakaway territory that is officially part of Moldova.

I’ve always been fascinated with those unknown places, off the path, forgot by many, with difficult recent history.

I can’t really explain why I’m so interested in them, could be the fact that I vaguely remember when those places ( former Yugoslavia or Caucasus countries just to name few) were torn by the war or that I’m simply curious how life looks like there right now.

I just know that something pushes me there and even if I’m well aware that I won’t get answers to all my questions during these short visits they still are the highlights of my travels.

It was the same with my Transnistria tour, from Chisinau to Tiraspol.

Table of Contents

What is Transnistria?

Transnistria Republic is a small landlocked territory, spread along the river Dniester (hence the name) that borders with Moldova and Ukraine .

Its independence, declared on 2nd September 1990, is recognized only by Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Osetia (all of which are very high on my bucket list!), countries that aren’t widely recognized either.

It is very much connected with Russia : politically, economically and symbolically.

Even the Transnistria flag bears sickle and hammer, leaving no doubts which team the republic is.

My concerns before visiting Transnistria

I must admit that until the last moment I wasn’t sure if I’m going to visit Transnistria or not.

Partly because I really enjoyed all the things to do in Chisinau and felt it deserves more of my time (even if it was probably the most boring and unpretty capital in Europe) but partly because I was anxious. I didn’t hear many positive reports from Transnistria tours, seemed like everyone dealt with some sort of problems there (either with bureaucracy or corruption).

Moreover, Transnistria tourism isn’t widely known and I didn’t really know what to expect there.

I was also going solo there and while I almost always have no problems with that on that very day for some reason I lost my confidence.

The fact that Transnistria is such a close friend with Russia and the conflict in East Ukraine was rather nearby (even if I believe Ukraine is a safe country to travel in general) didn’t help me either.

I believe that some things are simply not made to be and so I challenged myself and decided if I find a bus to Tiraspol (capital of Transnistria) easily – I will go, if not I will skip the trip.

How to get from Chisinau to Transnistria

The central bus station in Chisinau is located behind the Central Market, close to Boulevard Stefan Cel Mare, the main street of the center.

It might seem chaotic at first as there’re numerous minibusses for various destinations through Moldova parked in the streets around.

But in this mess it’s not difficult to find the actual bus station and once you enter the building things get very easy.

There’s a schedule with all the connection and numbered stands, each of them with a different destination.

Buses from Chisinau to Tiraspol leave from the stand no 13 on the right side.

The connections are frequent, every 10-30 minutes and the ticket costs 37 leu (you need to buy it from the small container that serves as the ticket office, it’s next to the stand).

Don’t expect anything fancy, the bus is typical marshrutkas – the most common way of transport in former Soviet Union countries.

Below you can find the picture of the schedule of all the buses from Chisinau to Tiraspol, valid in 2015 but I highly doubt much has changed over time.

In Chisinau I stayed in the apartament nearby bus station – if you decide to do your share of Transnistria travel this area would be good for you! Sadly that very place is not available anymore but I recommend staying at following properties:

• Mon Ami Villa (9.5/10 on Booking) – it is top rated for just about everything, from the location to comfort and personel. Click here to read the reviews and book the place!
• Astoria (9.1/10 on Booking) – travelers recommend it for personel, comfort and free wifi. Click here to see more details and book the place!
• Hostel City Center (9.4/10 on Booking) – it got high ratings on everything, but especially cleanliness, location and free wifi. Click here to see current prices and book the place!

Entering Transnistria from Moldova

The bus from Chisinau to Tiraspol Transnistria takes around 2 hours from one city to another, that includes “border” crossing.

Foreigners who want to visit Transnistria can only cross into the territory via few assigned checkpoints but fortunately, the one that the bus takes, close to the town of Bendery, is one of them.

I’m always slightly worried at all the borders and checkpoints but here I was more anxious than usual, all the rumors about the issues and corruptions messed up with my head.

There were no reasons why I wouldn’t have been let in but you never know.

As it turned out there was, of course, nothing to worry about, entering Transnistria from Moldova was really hassle-free.

You need to fill the migration card (it’s both in Russian and English so no problem with that) and with it, you need to proceed to the checkpoint building on the right side of the road.

Inside there are two windows where you can deal with the paperwork – I chose the one with the younger officer as I assumed he’s more likely to speak English. Well, he didn’t and asked the older one for help anyway.

After giving the filled migration form I was asked only two questions: how long I’m going to stay in their country and what’s the address of the place I’m going to stay at.

When I explained I’m going just for a day-long Transnistria tour they had no problems with that and issued me the migration card valid for 10 hours.

I was required to keep the paper with me all the time and leave Transnistria before 9:27 pm.

The whole procedure took maybe 10 minutes and it was rather straightforward, despite the minor language issues.

The bus waits at the side of the road for all the passengers to finish the border control. And most important – entering Transnistria is free of charge, if someone asks you for the fee it’s most likely a bribe.

An easier way to enter Transnistria is to use a train as then there’s no control at all.

There’s one train per day, connecting Chisinau with Odessa , that stops in both Bendery and Tiraspol.

Currently, it departs from Chisinau at 6.57am and arrived in Tiraspol at 8.21, in the opposite direction it’s in the afternoon. You can check the schedule at the website of Moldovan Railways (only in Moldovan and Russian though…)

But if you enter the territory by train you must leave by train too! Or you can register your stay in Transnistria in the local immigration office.

The way from the border to Tiraspol

From the border it’s a short, maybe half an hour ride to Tiraspol – the capital of Transnistria.

First stop is in the town of Bendery but before you reach the center look out to your left side to the Bendery Fortress – an impressive 16th-century structure built in the Ottoman style.

For years it used to serve as a military base but now apparently it is open to the public and you’re free to visit it (I honestly regret I didn’t do it!).

When you leave Bendery towards Tiraspol you will cross a bridge over the Dniester river.

Look carefully when entering the bridge as between two sides of the road there’s a camouflaged Russian tank guarding the bridge (the other tank can be spotted at the checkpoint, on the right side when leaving Transnistria).

The bridge itself is interesting too, painted in flags of Transnistria and Russia – guess this couldn’t be any more obvious that those countries have a pact.

What to see in Tiraspol, Transnistria

The bus station in Tiraspol, Transnistria capital is located next to the train station, within the walking distance of all the city’s attraction.

It took me 5 hours (including the lunch break) to see all the highlights of Tiraspol and to feel the atmosphere of the city.

Here’s the list of places to see and things to do in Tiraspol (in the order I’ve visited them):

• Kirov Park – located very close to the train station, with newly built Orthodox church and a pretty bells tower (they were stairs leading to the top but the entrance was closed, unfortunately)
• Kvint factory – on the opposite side of the Lenin street than Kirov Park. Founded in 1897 this is one of the best cognac factories in Moldova and getting a bottle of two of the finest drink is a real bargain here
• Victory Park with old school vehicles for children and a closed, rusty funfair. Apparently, this is one of the favorite places to relax for local people but when I visited on midday during the week there were only couple of mothers and grandmothers playing around with their kids.
• 25th October street – the main and most representative street of Tiraspol, where all the most important institutions are located
• Drama and Comedy Theatre and Transdniestrian State University, both located at the end of 25th October Street
• House of Soviets, now the City Hall, with a bust of angry Lenin in front and a display of the most memorable citizens of Tiraspol on the right side
• Transdniestrian Republican Bank where the local currency – rubel – is issued
• Old Believers’ Church
• de Wollant Park at the bank of Dniester river, with numerous sculptures (including Catherine the Great) and a pleasant cafe
• Bridge across Dniester river with a nice view of the city, a local beach and some rusty boats
• Small Orthodox Church, tank monument, eternal flame and war memorial with the names of all those who lost their lives in the 1990-1992 war. This is a rather sad place actually…
• Government of Transnistria building with a massive Lenin statue in front. Apparently, it is forbidden to take pictures of this building but I wasn’t bothered by anyone.
• Palace of Children and Youth Creativity
• Monument of General Alexander Suvorov, the founder of Tiraspol and a military hero of the 18th century Russian-Turkish wars.
• City House of Culture
• Tiraspol-Dubossary Diocese and the Christmas Cathedral – the biggest and most beautiful church in Tiraspol

Here’s the walking route I did in Tiraspol:

One interesting thing I’ve noticed in and around Tiraspol is the brand Sheriff .

The company was created by former KGB agents and until now they own more or less every branch of business: from local shops and supermarkets to petrol stations, local media and building companies.

They even have their own football club, Sheriff Tiraspol – that’s the only thing that links Transnistria to Moldova as the club plays in the Moldovan league and has won it several times.

Even the national football team of Moldova sometimes plays its games at the new stadium in Tiraspol!

Transnistria currency

Transnistria has its own currency, rubles .

You won’t be able to use Moldovan leu or any other currency when visiting Transnistria but there’re numerous exchange points around Tiraspol as well as a few ATMs.

I got my Transnistria currency in the bank on 25th October street and it was a rather straightforward process.

Unfortunately, the prices in Transnistria were slightly higher than in Moldova but still very affordable.

Remember to exchange all the remaining rubles before leaving Transnistria as they will be of no use anywhere else!

Leaving Transnistria to Moldova

Leaving back from Tiraspol to Chisinau was as easy as getting there.

The buses leave from the train station frequently, you need to buy the ticket in the office inside the train station.

The price, however, is more expensive than on the way to Transnistria, 68 Moldovan leu.

When leaving Transnistria the checkpoint control goes much faster – the border control enters the bus and collects the migration cards.

And that’s it, you’re free to leave Transnistria, the country that doesn’t exist.

Solo female travel in Transnistria

I traveled solo to Transnistria and despite all my concerns I was all fine.

I’ve heard about incidents with pickpockets aimed at tourists but there wasn’t even one situation when I’d have felt uncomfortable, let alone in danger and I dare to say Tiraspol is a rather safe city.

During my day trip to Transnistria it seemed like I was the only tourist in the breakaway territory, I haven’t seen anyone else wandering around with the camera.

Local people were also curious of me, I was stopped numerous times and asked where I’m from and how I like Transnistria. Everyone seemed to be genuinely happy I’m visiting Transnistria.

Those who could speak better English told me that they can’t really travel outside of their homeland yet they are very curious of the world out there so even the short conversations like we had are a great source of information, inspiration, and motivation for them!

At this point, I regretted I didn’t stay there any longer.

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Moldova

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Moldova here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Transnistria too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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50 Comments

Magdalena Broda

Tak bardzo szanuję podróże w takie miejsca :3 i zazdroszczę!

Kami and the rest of the world

Julia Kulik

Nice post Kamila!! I was there twice and in 3 days again will be there for a short tour. The most interesting is how locals live there despite the fact the country is not recognized, how they sell goods to Europe, etc and many many more! Very unique place and worth visiting for an experience!

I am not sure I am eager to visit this place. But its history and people’s will to build their own place they would accept and call home are definitely worth learning.

true! this is one of the places that you visit for people and the overall experience, not just the pretty views.

Łukasz Kocewiak

Taki mają klimat. Wiele tam się chyba przez ostatnie lat nie zmieniło, prawda?

porównania nie mam, ale klimat dawnych czasów zdecydowanie jest!

Darek Jedzok

Uwielbiam te nieistniejące/półistniejące państewka :) Przy okazji tripa do Beneluksu otarliśmy się o terytorium Moresnet, w którym esperantyści chcieli założyć swoje państwo Amikejo. Tego nie wymyślisz.

Monika Marcinkowska

It doesn’t exist so you haven’t been there :D

Darek Sekula

yay! that’s what i wanted to write :P

Pola Henderson

Znajomi byli i zawsze uwielbialam ich opowiesci z tej wycieczki. Zdecydowanie chcialabym tam pojechac.

Thanks Kami, perfect timing! We leave Chisinau the day after tomorrow for Tiraspol, where will spend the night before crossing back into Ukraine. I was only kidding about finishing your blog on Transnistria but I am happy that you have!!!

I know you were kidding but I was about to write that post anyway so your trip to Transnistria was a good motivation for me! I’m really curious about your experience there!

i went to transnistria from chisinau for a long day in march and i found it to be overhyped and easier than imagined. everyone acted like it was some huge achievement to get there but it was really easy and tourists are more prevalent than i think many people imagine.

this is a great guide for those seeking to do a day trip- im glad you covered things like money/exchange, visa, etc! i had a blast in tiraspol for the day i was there (it was maslenitsa though haha) and id def go back and explore other parts, or even tiraspol again.

Exactly! All the rumors about going to Transnistria made me really anxious but there was really nothing to worry about, I’ve been through more challenging borders and it was in some “civilized” countries. I guess it’s such an off the path place that people make a huge deal of going there so they can look more like a badass ;)

I really wish there was some sort of event or celebrations when I visited Tiraspol as the city really felt calm. but I still enjoyed it a lot!

So interesting – this really looks like every small-ish Russian city I’ve ever seen (in fact, it looks a lot like the first Russian city I ever lived in!) so it’s fascinating that it’s such a mysterious ‘non-country’!

I bet most medium size cities with USSR past look somehow similar but Tiraspol was kind of special for being a capital of non existing country!

One odd thing I noted is that there are virtually no people in any of your photos…

this is partly my fault, I always tend to take pictures with not many people around as I still need to learn the confidence for people pics. And the other thing was that I was wandering around Tiraspol in midday so the majority of people were at work I guess and streets were rather empty

How many capitals from Europe you have visited that Chisinau was the most ‘boring and unpretty’ one?

I’ve just counted as I haven’t done that before – 41, all but 5.

Evi Mielczarek

I know that you are specialist with destinations off the path, but this time you suprised even me! Although I’m not that big a fan of Soviet Union and it’s former republics it’s always good to discover new place on a world map, especially when you think you saw a lot already :)

thank you, I take it as a compliment ;) And I think you should give a chance to former USSR, you might be really surprised! After all you enjoyed Georgia!

David Amando Trombetta

Yes I have been there too, some years ago and it was a bit strange there but interesting :) Funny that officially in the world this country doesn’t exist but if you are there, you feel like being in an own country!-

Kami, very interesting text. Thanks for sharing. It’s curious – just few days ago we were sitting in Manali, India with our friends who are travelling overland back to Europe. Transnitria is one of the places they want to go to from Moldova. We spent a lot of time talking about Transnitria. I have to admit that even though few months ago we were cycling so close (next to the Moldavian border in Romania), we didn’t go there and I feel so ignorant. The same happened to us in Nagorno Karabakh, but this time it was just lack of time – we had enter Iran quickly, our visa was expiring. These are the magical places, not recognized by the majority, but not less interesting. On the contrary. Even though it might not be the nicest or the most attractive (in general sense of the word) place, I would still like to visit it. Thanks for the inspiration.

Thank you for your nice comment! I’m sure there’ll be still some opportunities for you to visit Transnistria! Too bad about Nagorno Karabakh!!! I’ve been planning to go there so many times but always Yerevan sucked me in ;)

łukasz kędzierski: podróże i fotografia

A lot of people tell weird stories about how difficult and demanding is crossing some borders but very often it is very easy like in your case, so it’s better to try it by yourself. The other thing is that (It’s shame to admit that), but I’ve never heard about this “country”. Thanks for sharing.

True! But all these rumour just makes us nervous, and for no reason!

And well, it’s good to learn something new every day, isn’t it? :)

Absolutely interesting place! I have been thinking about visiting when I was in Odesa, many, many years ago, but it never happened. Thanks for providing exact information about getting in there, this is actually quite useful! I will follow at some point! :)

Too bad you didn’t go, it’s really easy to get to Transnistria from Odessa! Hopefully soon you will have another chance!

Sometimes not the most beautiful place is worth visiting because of “somenthing”. From your post im sure that Transnistria is one of them :)

it definitely is!

This post is so detailed! I hope one day to explore former Soviet countries, but right now I can only afford to explore Russia. The capital reminds me a lot of Moscow. I love Moscow, so I think I would live to visit Tiraspol.

Living in Russia I find it so funny how much they will support anyone who is against those countries who don’t want anything to do with them (Ukraine and Georgia). My boyfriend and I were in Moscow and there was some kind of gathering and they were singing about how Ukraine is a traitor. Even my friends ex-boyfriend who was born in Ukraine hates Ukraine. It’s such a shame.

Exploring Russia must be pretty incredible too! I’m slightly jealous ;) I guess Tiraspol is mayb 10% as interesting as Moscow but if you’re into these kind of obscure places you’d enjoy Transnistria for sure! It’s really terrible what’s happening with Russia’s relations with half of the world, so much hatred and misunderstanding…

Hi Kami, Visited Tiraspol in April and like you we felt like we were the only visitors there. One place I think you missed that we found very interesting is a small museum about the breakaway conflict as well as displays and pictures of those who lost there lives. If we hadn’t been with a guide we wouldn’t have found it. All the best with the travels. Davy

thank you for your comment. I did miss the museum indeed! I so wish I had known about it before as it definitely sounds like the place I’d like to visit. At least I have a reason to return to Transnistria but I don’t think this will happen anytime soon ;) Happy travels!

What was the food like in Tiraspol? Are there any good eateries there? Was it affordable? Cheers

I only stopped for a quick lunch at Andys Pizza (the chain restaurant in Moldova) and it was actually around twice as expensive as in Chisinau… I wouldn’t expect the food in Tiraspol to be the best, to be honest. The farmet markets, however, must be really good!

Christopher Walsh

Kami you are the authority on Transnistria! I used your guide when we went last month. It was awesome! We loved the military marches, as well as the city and beach!

Hope you can visit New Zealand one day, our home.

I’m really glad the post was useful although I’m not an authority at all :) Just a regular tourist who went there too and shared her experience :) I’m actually going to New Zealand later this month! I’m super excited! :)

¡Qué hermosos escritos! El mejor que he leído de Transnitria. Me ha servido de gran ayuda. No fue un relato basado en el miedo ni en lo desconocido. Una amena experiencia. Saludos desde Argentina.

Jawad Hussain

Kami hey. I am pakistani and in Baku for visit. I want to visit transnistria but i have no visa of transnistria. Plz help me what i do. I am also disabled person. But i have a heart for visiting.

Best would be to contact the embassy of Moldova, they are the best source of information. I’m sorry but I can’t help you as I simply don’t know the rules for Pakistani citizens.

I’m doing the Chisinau-Tiraspol marshutka tomorrow and plan to follow your path. Thanks for the helpful advice. As a foreigner in Moldova who doesn’t speak the local language, it’s good to know what to expect on tomorrow’s route.

I hope everything went smoothly for you and you enjoyed your trip to Transnistria!

Boris Kolker

I was born in Tiraspol 80 years ago!

Interesting perspective on Transnistria. It is always nice to see articles on this interesting place. It has a lot to offer travellers, just not enough people know about it.

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