Tour Highlights
Moldova’s Hidden Past: Exploring the Abandoned Soviet Era
Step into a forgotten world where time seems to stand still. This unique journey through Moldova and Transnistriainvites you to explore the haunting remnants of the Soviet era—from silent factories and abandoned military sites to monumental war memorials and preserved communist architecture.
Begin in Chisinau with a guided Soviet heritage walking tour, then travel beyond the capital to discover the imposing Tighina Fortress, the industrial echoes of Bender, and the nostalgic streets of Tiraspol. Along the way, uncover hidden corners of history, including deserted river stations, aging shipyards, and relics of once-powerful Soviet industry.
Step into a forgotten world where time seems to stand still. This unique journey through Moldova and Transnistria invites you to explore the haunting remnants of the Soviet era—from silent factories and abandoned military sites to monumental war memorials and preserved communist architecture.
What is included
Not suitable for
Important information
Know before you go
Day 1 Chisinau
Touch down in Chişinău and get settled at your hotel. By afternoon, you’ll meet your guide for a 3-hour tour that covers the city’s mix of classical buildings and Soviet-era ruins. The route takes in the Romanita Building, Palace of Youth, the historic Circus, Cosmos Hotel, Railway Station, and Eternity Memorial. You’ll also stop at Parliament Garage, the abandoned Hotel National, browse the Flea Market, and finish at the old Wine Institute where you can climb up for views across the city.
Accommodation : Hotel 4* (BB Olsi Hotel )
| Landmarks |
|---|
| Romanita Building |
| Palace of Youth ‘Yurii Gagarin’ |
| Chișinău Circus |
| Cosmos Hotel |
| Chișinău Railway Station |
| Eternity Memorial Complex |
| Parliament Garage |
| Hotel National |
| Chișinău Flea Market |
| Abandoned Wine Institute |
Day 2 Chișinău to Bender
Have buffet breakfast and check out by 9:00 AM, then head toward Transnistria for the full day. In Bender, you’ll photograph Lenin statues, the old train station, the shipyard, and a defunct military factory. Lunch happens at Stolovca SSSR, a Soviet-style café, followed by time at the 16th-century Tighina Fortress. After that, move on to Tiraspol and check into Hotel Prietenia, a Soviet-era property from the 1960s. The afternoon leaves you free to explore the area, including an abandoned Soviet river station along the Dniester.
| Landmarks |
|---|
| Bender Shipyard |
| Tighina Fortress |
| Abandoned Soviet River Station |
| Dniester River |
Day 3 Bender – Rybnitsa – Rezina
After breakfast in Bender, take a 2-hour morning walk through Tiraspol to soak in its Soviet character and central sites. Then head north to Rybnitsa and Rezina, border towns with distinct histories. In Rybnitsa, check out the History Museum, Lenin monument, war memorials, Soviet mosaics, and industrial structures like the sugar factory and metallurgical plant. Crasnaia Gorka has well-preserved mosaic work. Cross into Moldova proper to reach Rezina, where you’ll see abandoned Soviet structures and the dramatic suspension bridge over the river. Stop for photos at a Tank Monument near Cinişeuti before settling in at Villa Anastasia in Rezina.
| Landmarks |
|---|
| Tiraspol City Center |
| Rybnitsa History Museum |
| Lenin Monument, Rybnitsa |
| Great Patriotic War Memorials, Rybnitsa |
| Crasnaia Gorka |
| Rezina Suspension Bridge |
| Tank Monument, Cinișeuti |
| Dniester River |
Day 4 Rezina – Soroca – Chișinău
Check out and head into northern Moldova’s Şoldăneşti District to explore Cold War military history and medieval sites. The highlight is the Oliscani Bunker, a vast underground Soviet complex designed as a nuclear-proof command center. You’ll walk through partial tunnels, reinforced structures, and unfinished sections that reveal Cold War-era engineering. Around 1:00 PM, stop for lunch at RockScor Brewery in Ghindesti, with local food and beer. Afterward, drive on to Soroca on the Dniester River to tour the well-preserved medieval fortress, stroll through the Romani neighborhood known for its decorated houses, visit the Candle of Gratitude memorial on a hilltop, and see the Gypsy Hills. Then return to Chişinău, arriving around 6:30 PM.
| Landmarks |
|---|
| Oliscani Bunker (Object 1180) |
| Soroca Fortress |
| Candle of Gratitude |
| Gypsy Hills, Soroca |
| Dniester River |
Day 5 Chișinău
This morning is free time before heading to the airport. Later, you’ll get transferred from your hotel to catch your flight.
There is no single supplement surcharge for single travellers as this is a private tour. The more travelers in your private group the bigger the discount for the private tour.
Cancellation fees – Cancellation fees may apply to any cancellations by the traveller of a service provided by Get-Locals.com. Unless otherwise specified, the cancellation policy is as follows:
Cancellations for custom itineraries (“Create Your Own”) are as follows:
In the event of bad weather forecast we will contact you the day before and offer you either a refund or an amended tour for the following day.
We always advice to wear suitable clothing for the day of the tour as not every day is guaranteed sunshine.
Our guide will meet you in your hotel lobby
