Creators who visited the self-proclaimed state showcase its Soviet-era architecture and unique history.
The Soviet country in miniature remains unrecognized at the international level, but attracts more and more tourists who cannot get enough of it. Lenin monuments, postcards featuring Putin, and a tank T-34 filled with tourists - such strange "sights" can only be found in this breakaway state of Europe.
Officially known as the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic, Transnistria separated from Moldova in 1990 due to fears that the country would reunite with Romania after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Its government is not recognized internationally, and all of Europe still considers this separatist region part of the Republic of Moldova.
Currently, about 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed in Transnistria, but despite official warnings against visiting, this quasi-state has unexpectedly become popular among Western travelers. Checking tourism statistics in Transnistria is not an easy task. The Moldova Tourism Board did not respond to Euronews Travel's request for official figures.
However, the State Customs Committee of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR) claims that the number of incoming tourists "has doubled in the last two years."
Although the report published in 2020 did not provide specific figures, it was estimated that around 20,000 tourists visit the region annually as part of a day trip from Moldova.
Transnistria has also released its first travel guide for tourists, available in Russian and English.
The guide contains information on duty-free imports, prohibited goods, and instructions on how foreigners can bring their cars into the breakaway state.
Recently, TikTok has seen videos showcasing unusual tourist attractions in Transnistria: over five thousand posts have been tagged with #Transnistria. Creators who visited the self-proclaimed state showcase its Soviet-era architecture and unique history, often under the slogan "visit a place that doesn’t exist."
"Back in a Time Machine"
Harry Tally is one of many content creators who documented his stay in Transnistria after booking a ticket on a Soviet train with sleeping cars from Romania to Moldova. The videos about the breakaway state by the blogger, known online as @exploringwithharry, have garnered hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok.
The 25-year-old traveler says he is often drawn to "offbeat" destinations and wanted to explore Europe from a different angle than the usual popular spots. Last year, Moldova recorded 67,631 foreign tourists.
This is a 55.1 percent increase compared to 2023, but it is significantly different from Spain, which welcomed a record number of foreign tourists last year - 94 million people.
The most vivid impressions for him were the Bender Fortress, a 15th-century structure on the right bank of the Dniester, and lunch in a Soviet canteen in the center of Tiraspol.
"It’s all adorned with Soviet memorabilia," he told Euronews Travel. "It’s old, raw, with black mold growing on the walls, but all of this is part of the experience! Soviet music plays from the speakers, and the food is traditional Soviet, consisting of meat, vegetables, and lots of pickled products."
Tally also visited a small bookstore called "House of Books," which also sparked intrigue on social media. Here, one can find souvenirs featuring Vladimir Putin - from posters to fridge magnets.
Is it Safe to Visit Transnistria?
Currently, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not recommend visiting Transnistria in any form due to large-scale military actions in Ukraine, as well as the risk of power outages.
"The FCDO's ability to provide support is extremely limited and will be even more limited if military actions begin on or near the Moldova-Ukraine border," the organization states.
According to Tally, he was aware of the warnings that could void travel insurance but decided to proceed with the trip after conducting his own research.
"I must admit that I was a bit nervous when I arrived at the border, where I was met by Russian tanks, soldiers, and border guards asking about the purpose of my visit."
Despite the significant presence of Russian military personnel, Tally says he encountered no problems at the checkpoints or with the soldiers patrolling the streets.
"You just need to be prudent and respect the rules," he adds. "This trip showed me that you can't judge a place until you see it for yourself."
Having visited other unusual countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia, Tally says tourists should understand that the government of a country and its people are "two completely different things."
Are Travel Trends Changing?
Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures, says travelers are getting tired of the same "Instagram-perfect" places, which helps destinations like Transnistria gain popularity.
"It's like stepping into a parallel version of the past," he says. "Here you have Soviet monuments, old propaganda signs, streets that haven’t caught up with the rest of Europe - it’s all strangely captivating."
The expert recommends that all visitors use official entry points, carry a copy of their travel documents, and refrain from photographing anything related to the military or government.
"ATMs don’t always work, so having cash (Moldovan lei or US dollars) makes life easier," Shukla adds.
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