Tiraspol must-see tour with Anton Dendemarchenko - Pridnestrovie
Description
I do postcards with my drawings and budget tours to top attractions and hidden gems of Pridnestrovie. Transfer from Chishinau or start in Tiraspol. 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 relics, 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. 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 -
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
Optional loop to the back of 100 rouble note
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!
and veggie market, surprisingly modern!
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.
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.
Optional walk inside kvint factory, no tasting.
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! Each tour is tailored, itinerary is always different.
Are you heading to Transnistria, the country that doesn’t exist? Spoiler alert! Transnistria really doesn’t exist! Because the real name of the country is Pridnestrovie. Or, if you have enough breath, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic! Read between the lines, dig up history and and you will know, or much better, come for real! Beyond borders, restrictions and propaganda! Welcome to Pridnestrovie, we make cognac not war!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Contact in advance or last minute to set venue point, duration and budget of the tour. Starting time can be customized too. There are two versions of the tour - real and virtual. There are two versions of the tour - with transfer from Chisinau/airport and without. Even when you choose minimalistic version of the tour - pickup from Chisinău can be arranged extra - it is 30€ one way, about two hours driving. Discover Transnistria, the borderline where you turn from tourist into traveler! This tour is provided by Anton Dendemarchenko, urban sketcher and sightseeing hunter. Welcome to Pridnestrovie, we make cognac not war
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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!
Reviews(208)
Thanks to Anton for a great loop of the city, it’s been great to visit Tiraspol through his eyes. It was a very personal and unique experience which gave a good insight into current life in Tiraspol.
You want to get off the tracks ? Talk about real life in Prednistrovie (and know why it’s not called Transnistria ?). Call Anton. You want to meet locals ? Call Anton. You want a personnalized trip in a non existing country ? Call Anton. You want boring mainstream trip ? Don’t call Anton. We spent a wonderful time with Anton, tasted cognac and local sweets, saw hidden gems of Prednestrovie and learned a lot from a true local. P.S. don’t be afraid of the fact that he doesn’t pick you up in Chişinău, he will explain everything in details (schedule of the buses, how to arrive, what to bring and not).
I have lived all over the world and have been lucky enough to have done a huge amount of cultural tours in my time, but this tour/experience with Anton is nothing short of phenomenal. He is a wealth of knowledge and is excited to share it with all visitors. The entire tour from start to finish was seamless, engaging, completely safe, thought provoking, honest, and something that I would do again in heartbeat. Do yourself a favor and book this tour with Anton immediately! Absolute legend!
Great - day. So much more than just the sites. I step into the experience of living and breathing Pridnestrovie - not just the monuments. Highly recommend!!
One of the best tours I have ever had. Anton is very dedicated and provides a very good insight into the country that does not exist. Transnistria is a must for all travelers who want to experience something real. Anton helps to get to know this country better. I cannot imagine that there is anyone more qualified for this. I traveled independently, but Anton had already given me many valuable tips in advance. I often and gladly explore cities alone, but what I learned during this tour could never have been found out from the usual sources.
We spent today in Priednestrovie with Anton, and honestly, it felt less like a tour and more like spending the day with a friend who genuinely loves sharing his home and culture. The entire experience was incredibly baby-friendly for our 9-month-old girl, which made such a difference for us as traveling parents. When we unexpectedly ran out of baby milk formula, Anton immediately helped us find some locally without any stress. Small gestures like that say everything about the kind of person and guide he is. Even though the KVINT factory is closed on Sundays, he still managed to get us tasting local cognac. Along the way we picked up amazing little memories — plastic coins from an antique shop, fridge magnets and postcards designed by Anton himself — and at no point did anything feel forced or salesy. Everything was thoughtfully woven into the experience. And then there were the hidden gems… from secret spots to an unforgettable USSR-style cantine experience with local beer. Some parts are best left undisclosed because you really need to experience them yourself to understand the atmosphere and meaning behind it all. Huge thanks as well to Inna, who handled our logistics seamlessly between Castle Mimi and Tiraspol, including the border crossings both ways. She even managed to arrange a baby car seat for us on short notice, which we appreciated enormously. If you want a genuine, warm, insightful and human experience in Priednestrovie — not just a checklist tour — Anton and Inna are the people to go with. And folks… it’s Priednestrovie, NOT Transnistria 😉
This is not a tour — it’s an authentic day inside Pridnestrovie with someone who actually lives it. Anton Dendemarchenko doesn’t just throw dates and names at you; he pushes you to question, interpret, and really see what’s around you. Smart, raw, and unforgettable. Easily one of the most interesting travel experiences I’ve had.
did a tour with Anton yesterday and I was the only person on tour. He was very patient to answer all my questions about pridnestrovie(Transnistria). I actually didn’t know much about it. Traveling solo as a female ( i am from Hong Kong living in France) I felt super safe driven around and walked around with Anton, he connected me with local people and I get to know about the peaceful life in Tiraspol and the history of this place! I highly recommend especially for people who don’t speak the local language - it makes a huge difference! Je vous conseille à 100% cette petite excursion avec Anton. Je me sens tres en sécurité avec Anton en tant que femme voyageant solo. 非常推薦！價錢合理！Antón 是100% 住在Transnistria 的人!
Me and wife went on the tour and it was top class! From the moment we were picked up by an absolute legend Dima! He took us there and back and made us feel really comfortable and safe! He was more than a driver and was able to do all the things i wanted. Get some great souvenirs and see some wonderful mosoaics and purchase some soviet beer. Anton was working so Andrey delivered the tour instead. He was very informative and 100 percent worth paying for his great depth of knowledge, he answered many of my questions and personalised the tour for our liking. Thanks so much guys, I will recommend for.my friends!
Hola!!! During the tour with Anton, you’ll learn a whole lot. But don’t expect a list of facts and dates… The tour with Anton is an immersive, authentic experience full of humor. You definitely shouldn’t miss it if you’re visiting Pridnestrovia and want to get a glimpse into the reality of the country and its people. Thank you so much, Anton! Muchas gracias amigo! We hope to see you again. увидимся друг!
