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Tiraspol must-see tour - Transnistria

Overview
I do postcards with my drawings and budget tours to top attractions and hidden gems of Transnistria. Honestly, I can’t make Maldives of my country, because it is not Maldives. But i can make an unforgettable journey through all contrasts of what it really is - beautiful panoramas and impressive soviet lost places, curious history and nowadays life in the country that doesn't exist, combining classic walk with forays for true explorers and adventurers.

Tour takes 2,5 hours, though Transnistria deserves at least a week. It is not Stalinism, we are very volatile where to go and what to do, but default route covers must-see USSR era and modern bits of Tiraspol, plus my favorite nooks and crannies that I discovered doing my sketches. The trip won’t be exhausting, not boring at all, we will have time to talk about all peculiarities of past and present of Transnistria, real name is Pridnestrovie ☭
You won’t be meeting a guide, you will be meeting a friend!
- Anton Dendemarchenko -
City: Chisinau
Fri 20 Sep
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $26.96
Fri 20 Sep
Starting at $26.96
Make a reservation
What's Included
Transport - walking and private car. There is an option to try authentic trolley bus, made in USSR.
Postcard for the memory! Cards, magnets and maps made by the guide himself available for purchase!
Additional Info
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Sightseeing walk is perfect and transparent for all genders and ages. Optional foray may be challenge - climbing a talk or tasting kvas. But it is not obligatory experiences.
  • There are two versions of the tour - real and virtual. I would recommend to go in real life, border is open!
What To Expect
1
House of Soviets
Default route covers best modern bits and soviet relics of Tiraspol. It is not strict consumerist kind of deal, we are free to decide where to go and what to do. There is enough to see for a two day tour so you can imagine - no matter how much I will tell and no matter how fast I speak - it will be just top of an iceberg. But we will dive as deep as possible. Take a look behind the iron curtain, discover Pridnestrovie- the most epic remnant among USSR debris.
2
The Christmas Cathedral
Optional loop to the back of 100 rouble note
3
The Suvorov Monument
Since 1972 generalissimo Alexander Suvorov is standing at the central square of Tiraspol, he is considered to be the founder of the city. No spoilers, more curious history during the tour itself!
4
Green Market Center
and veggie market, surprisingly modern!
5
Palacio Presidencial
Government building from soviet era with comrade Lenin in front. You can find it on the back of fifty rouble note. Transnistrian roubles, of course.
6
The Tank Monument
Real combat tank that reminds of many important things, war and peace, darkness and sunshine. It is famous T-34. We will also walk out to the river bank, there is a nice view from the bridge.
7
Kvint
Optional walk inside kvint factory, no tasting.
8
Mig-19 Monument
Aviator memorial can be found at Balka dst. It commemorates thirty years of victory in the Great Patriotic war. I didn’t add all hidden gems in between these listed attractions, but they are great to make the tour really unforgettable and contrast! Highly recommend brutal tour - some lost places we have here are more impressive than Chernobyl. My wife says no one should go to Chernobyl, but every other traveler I meet either just came from there or is heading there next. Luckily there was no radiation here, it was ussr collapse. Finally we have an option to go to some eerie lost places from gone era that will satisfy lovers of Tarkovsky cinematography or post-apocalyptic movies, it is a way to explore “exclusion zone” without radiation risk or crowds of people you definitely see around in actual Chernobyl exclusion zone. I also can’t reveal these places here, just make notice, adventurers, it’s also tour of a lifetime!
9
Tiraspol
For lovers of Tarkovsky cinematography, post-apocalyptic movies and USSR legacy there is a brutal version of the tour. Impressive soviet lost places and Chernobyl style cityscapes of Transnistria will make your heart beat faster and leave you speechless, I can’t reveal where we go without the risk of subsequent demolition of these eerie gems, but I guarantee unforgettable trip. It is also important to keep these urban wastelands a secret for keeping melancholic atmosphere of solitude, you know, the best and only way to explore such things is to do it alone, let’s keep it this way. No one can predict how long these communism remains will be accessible so the whole idea is to discover everything while it still exists and do it without overcrowd of people. In a way, this journey is a chance to explore a version of Chernobyl “exclusion zone” without crowds of tourists that overfill real Pripyat and actual Chernobyl exclusion zone. There is no radiation here luckily, not here.
Show 6 more stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (102)
jswords91
Jul 2019
Transnistria is an interesting ‘country’. But without any local knowledge, it’d be hard to know where to start. That’s where Anton comes in. His knowledge is impressive, and his English is word-perfect. He seems to know a sight/experience that’s suitable for all tastes - and he’s a pleasure to be around. As an added bonus, he’s an artist. His hand drawn postcards and posters are now displayed proudly in our home. If you’re visiting Transnistria, you’re trip will be improved immeasurably if you involve Anton.
matthewf9292
Jul 2019
We spent a morning exploring Tiraspol with Anton, who provided one of the most genuine and interesting tours we've ever been on. As Anton explained at the start, this tour can be very different from the usual 'this building was built in 1945 etc' approach - we stayed flexible and spontaneous, with Anton taking us to places we'd never have visited otherwise. Perhaps the best part was Anton's willingness to strike up conversations with locals, whether at Kvas stalls or just on the street, and act as a translator for any questions we had. We really felt like we were on an explore with a friend, discovering this great place for the first time.
Kinaskidor
Jun 2019
I entered Transnistria in early May. Didn’t know what to expect. Arrived at the bus station. Quiet. No one spoke English whatsoever. Managed to exchange into the local currency. Started to walk towards what I thought was centre. Without noticing, I suddenly had a Tourist info centre on my right-hand side. I went in and some other people were inside, speaking Russian. As I was observing the different souvenirs, one man started to talk to me in English. I turned around and some stranger stretched out his hand while saying: “Hello Comrade, welcome to Transnistria”. I don’t know why that made me feel extremely welcomed, but it just did. I decided to walk around in the core city on my own and later get in touch with Anton for him to show me around. We met up later in the afternoon and we walked around in a suburb while he brought up interesting history pieces, funny anecdotes and just trivial information. It felt straight away like I walked around with a pal I’ve known for ages. In a way, that made it easier and more interesting to pick up on the stories he told. I think we spent 4-5 hours together and it was better than expected (honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from a Comrade from another mother). All in all, it was a history lesson, nerdy facts, urban exploration and stunning views. I can recommend anyone of any age to take any of Anton’s tours. I am convinced that you will have a fantastic time.

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