Unique is certainly the key word! I can’t remember quite what sparked our curiosity in the first place to visit the unrecognised country of Transnistria. But there we were, parked up in Moldova and searching things to do in Tiraspol…
We crossed the border from Chisinau to Tiraspol as a day trip to Transnistria. Which I can now confirm, turned out to be a fascinating – albeit both unique and oddly so – travel experience.
Here are 10 things to do in Tiraspol plus some tips and things to know before visiting Transnistria.
- About Transnistria
- Visiting Tiraspol
- Best time to visit?Â
- Getting there
- How long do you need?Â
- Things to do in TiraspolÂ
- Other things to do in Transnistria
- Food to tryÂ
- Where to eat
- Parking in TiraspolÂ
- More about travel in Eastern Europe
About Tiraspol and Transnistria
Tiraspol is the capital and largest city of Transnistria, a breakaway state of Moldova.
It is a narrow territory within Moldova that is known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
Transnistria declared itself independent from Moldova in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Though still today, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a country not recognized by the UN.
Visiting Tiraspol and Transnistria
As a traveller to Transnistria, it is an unusual – albeit fascinating – place to visit.
While most countries in the region quickly moved away from communism, Transnistria was reluctant to let go of Socialist Soviet ideals. It is a territory filled with Communist symbols and Soviet nostalgia.
The official flag of Transnistria is the only flag in the world that still uses the hammer and sickle!
Admittedly it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you are curious or just want to visit one of the unrecognised countries of the world, it is worth the trip.
What is the best time of year to visit Tiraspol, Transnistria?
The best time to visit Tiraspol is during the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). This is the time of year when the weather is pleasant with long, dry days.
We visited Tiraspol in June during the summertime and had fantastic weather. Though it was a very hot June day!
Getting there
There are – in theory – several options for crossing the border to enter Tiraspol and Transnistria.
However, the two main options are:
- from Odessa, Ukraine
- from Chisinau, Moldova.
The train that goes from Odessa in Ukraine to Chisinau stops in Tiraspol. Or there is an Odessa-Chisinau bus that also stops in Tiraspol.
By road it is easy(ish) to connect with Chisinau from Romania.
There are two main border crossings to enter Moldova overland from Bucharest and Iasi.
Then you need to cross the border by road from Chisinau to Tiraspol. Which is absolutely doable on a day trip – that is what we did.
- Read about the border crossing to Transnistria from Chisinau to Tiraspol.
How long do you need?
Supposedly you can visit Tiraspol and Transnistria with a visa on arrival (by on-site immigration card) for up to 45 days.
However, if you are going to be staying in Transnistria you need to show proof of accommodation.
The most popular way to visit is on a day trip from Chisinau, Moldova. Which is what we did.
Things to do in Tiraspol, Transnistria
Certainly, some (most) of the sites in Tiraspol are unique!
Albeit there are a lot of post-Soviet sites. But it is an actual off the beaten track destination within Europe.
These are the main things to do in Tiraspol, Transnistria on a day trip from Chisinau.
Note that the things to do in Tiraspol below are all within walking distance in the centre of the city.
1. ‘I Heart Pridnestrovia’ Sign
The first thing you will see as you drive into Tiraspol is the iconic Transnistria coloured sign welcoming you to the city.
On your right is a huge heart shaped monument with the Cyrillic title of ‘Pridnestrovia’.
Check it out as you pass the large Sheriff service station. Though I admit I didn’t get a photo as we were still finding our feet with what to photograph and not in Transnistria!
2. Transnistria Government Building – Things to do in Tiraspol
This is inarguably the grandest and most recognizable of the buildings in Tiraspol. It is often referred to as the Presidential Palace. Though it is actually the building housing the Supreme Council Parliament and Government of Pridestrovie (Transnistria).
As soon as you pull into the centre of the city you will see the huge building guarded by a massive Lenin statue.
Note it is somewhat nerving taking photographs in Transnistria. Most of the blogs we read about things to do in Tiraspol and Transnistria caution not to photograph government buildings.
However, as long as you don’t photograph military buildings (as goes for anywhere in the world), taking a photo of the famous Transnistrian Government Building is one of the unique things to do in Tiraspol.
3. House of Soviets – Tiraspol City Hall
This is one of the other most famous things to see in Tiraspol. The Tiraspol City Hall is referred to (still) as the House of Soviets.
It is a huge Stalinist style building that is quite literally unmissable. The parameters are massive. There are more than 200 rooms and four storeys in the building.
It was built in the 1950s as the headquarters of the city’s administration. Though it also served as a monument to Lenin.
You can see the series of grand concrete columns, the colours of the Transnistria flag and (another) large mural of Lenin on its façade.
4. Green Market – Things to do in Tiraspol
This is the main central market in Tiraspol. The market itself is decorated quite literally and entirely in green colour. Which makes sense, given the name.
The market is akin to any Eastern European market with all kinds of fresh produce and lots of cabbage. There is an indoor market area for meat and butchery along with a bakery and dairy section.
5. Surovov Square
Surovov Square is the main square in Tiraspol.
To the left-hand side of the square, you can find the largest national emblem in the country. This is the coat of arms of Transnistria consisting of the hammer and sickle, and depictions of bread, grapes, corn, and potatoes.
6. Suvorov Monument
Also, in Surovov Square is a monument to Russian generalissimo Alexander Suvorov. Like many ex-Soviet states, Transnistria has countless statues and busts to past leaders.
Though I read that, according to the director of the Tiraspol United Museum, this monument is considered one of the best artistic monuments to Suvorov in the territory of the former USSR. It is certainly rather grand!
7. Catherine The Great Park – Things to do in Tiraspol
Directly across from the Suvorov statue is Catherine the Great Square. This is the city’s largest park.
It was built in honour of Catherine II – most known as Catherine the Great – who was the reigning empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.
During her reign, Catherine II extended the borders of the Russian Empire southward and westward at the expense, mainly, of two powers – the Ottoman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. She also famously annexed the Crimean Khanate in 1783.
However, the park is nice to visit!
It was quite busy when we were there. There are small food kiosks, flower gardens and walking paths, ponds, fountains and of course more monuments.
Note especially the quirky giant swan seating rotundas – and real swans in the ponds!
8. Tiraspol Cinema
The state-run Republican Film Centre, also known as Cinema Tiraspol, is located in the centre of Tiraspol just on the edge of the park. It is the largest and most well-equipped cinema in the region.
However, after Transnistria declared its independence from Moldova in 1990, the region produced some short patriotic films and documentaries. These were for a long time the only films to be shown in the cinema.
We thought it quite surprising (paradoxical perhaps?) to see the current screening film when we visited was The Garfield Movie!
9. T-34 Tank – Memorial of Glory – Things to do in Tiraspol
Just near the ‘Presidential Palace’ (Transnistrian Government Building) you will see the huge monument of a T-34 Soviet tank.
It commemorates the Veterans and the dead of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet-Afghan War, and the Transnistria War.
We didn’t know it before, but in 1979 the Soviet Union entered the war in Afghanistan to support Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) against the Mujahideen. It is estimated that around 15,000 Soviet soldiers died during the 10-year conflict.
The text on the plinth says, ‘За Родину! For the Motherland!’
10. Tiraspol Nativity Cathedral
This is the largest and newest church in Tiraspol. Which you certainly can’t miss.
The Green Market is one of the best things to do in Tiraspol, and literally right next door is the white and green Nativity Cathedral.
Other things to do in Tiraspol and Transnistria
If you have more time, there are a few more things to do in Tiraspol and some sites to see in Bender.
- Saint George Chapel
- Abkhazia and South Ossetia Embassies
- Monument to Aviators
- Kvint Cognac Factory
- Dniester River
- Madagascar Park (Bender)
- Bender Fortress
- Noul Neamt Monastery
- Sucleia
We didn’t visit Bender on this trip but it looks fascinating to see the Bender Fortress.
Transnistrian Kvass to try in Tiraspol
I think that hands down the most famous food to try in Tiraspol is actually the fermented drink of ‘Kvass’.
This was everywhere – at stalls on the roadside, in the restaurant and café we ate in and for sale by the cupful from a huge vat inside the market.
Kvas is a fermented soda drink made from barley, wheat or rye that is popular in Transnistria, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.
It is very mildly alcoholic – a bit like Kombucha.
The lady selling Kvass in the market offered us a cup and asked if we wanted one for the kids.
We thought it was beer to start with. But with one look around we could see lines of kids and adults all sitting on benches drinking cups of Kvass!
Money and ATM’s
In Transnistria, they use their own currency: Transnistrian Rubles (PRB).
However, as this is not a currency that can be used anywhere else you need to bring cash to exchange to buy anything in Tiraspol.
Moldovan Leis, USD, Euros, and Russian Rubles are accepted in all the exchange offices.
- Tip: There are several currency exchange shops on the main road opposite Catherine the Great Park.
Parking in Tiraspol, Transnistria
We parked right on the main road – 25th October Street – in a free parking spot not far from the Tank Monument.
Parking in Chisinau, Moldova
During the daytime in Chisinau we parked at the NR1 Hypermarket.
Though we found a great park for the night in Chisinau with our motorhome and ended up there for two nights of our travels in Moldova.
CHISINAU, STRADA GHIOCEILOR
- Location: Parking Strada Ghioceilor, Chisinau
- Type: Parking Lot Day / Night
- Park4Night: #121984
- Cost: Free
- Services: Parking
About: This is a great (free) parking spot in Chisinau just near to the beach (yes; in Moldova) and promenade around the lakeside.
We had a quiet couple of nights stay here.
Although it is worth noting not to be alarmed if when the park does get busy in the late hours of the afternoon and vehicles may double park assuming you are staying the night.
People are friendly and we found it a good location to park. We headed into the city for a daytime carpark to explore the things to do in Chisinau.
READ MORE – About travel in Eastern EuropeÂ
- Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania.
- Border Crossing: Romania to Moldova.
- Border Crossing: Kosovo to North Macedonia.
- Things To Do In Podgorica, Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Belgrade, Serbia.
- Border Crossing: Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Border Crossing: Bosnia to Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Chisinau, Moldova.
More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on the things to do in Tiraspol and Transnistria!
