Ukraine is a European country, but many people don’t know what exactly is attractive and unusual to find here. Find out about the best places to visit if you are planning a trip to Ukraine
Ukraine is a country with a very long history and rich culture, but for most people in the world it remains mysterious and unexplored, because unfortunately, before the tragic events on its territory, people might not even have known that Ukraine existed as an independent and in some ways unique state.
However, despite the war, a considerable number of foreigners come to Ukraine to see the country with their own eyes and get to know its culture and history personally. Here are the top places to go and things to see if you are planning to visit Ukraine in the near future.
Kyiv
Kyiv is not only the capital of Ukraine, but also an ancient city that hides an unknown number of secrets. And it can rightfully be called the most underrated capital of Europe.
Here you will find both incredible monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List, such as St. Sophia Cathedral and the Pechersk Lavra, and unique places that will help you better understand the history of Ukraine, such as the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II and the Motherland Monument.
In Kyiv, you should also visit the city center – Independence Square – and walk along Khreshchatyk, the shortest and widest main street in Europe. And for those who want to see Kyiv from a different angle, we recommend visiting St. Andrew’s Descent, Trukhaniv Island, and Podil.
Lviv
Lviv is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe and at the same time one of the most important cultural centers of Ukraine. It is also the Ukrainian capital of coffee with a unique atmosphere that is literally in the air as soon as you step onto the streets. The uniqueness of Lviv is hard to convey in a text, and it will be difficult to describe all the places worth visiting here, because it is a multifaceted city that hides an incredible number of interesting things and secrets.
Among the most prominent places: Opera House, Potocki Palace, Rynok Square, Town Hall, Black House, Assumption Church, House of Scientists, and High Castle. However, this is only a small part of what is worth seeing in Lviv, because a lot of secrets are hidden not among the city’s cultural attractions, but in places like the legendary Pid Synyi Blykoyi Plykoyi (Under the Blue Bottle) coffee shop.
Odesa
Odesa is, of course, the sea pearl of Ukraine, which is worth every minute spent here. This city has a unique history and character, and to understand it, you often need to look not at the main attractions, but at what the streets and courtyards of Odesa hide.
Of course, if you come to Odesa, you should visit the Opera House – the second largest in the world after La Scala in Milan – Deribasovskaya Street, the Passage, and the Potemkin Stairs. However, you will feel no less delighted if you visit Moldovanka, Privoz, or the Odesa catacombs.
If you want to truly fall in love with Odesa and its architecture, don’t hesitate to go on a tour with Architectural Odesa with our professional guides. And let us tell you a secret that the description of this tour is unlikely to leave you indifferent.
Chernivtsi
This city will definitely surprise you, because it is here that the European atmosphere and Ukrainian culture are harmoniously intertwined. At the same time, it is a multicultural city, as representatives of different nationalities have lived here at different times. Chernivtsi is often called a small Vienna, and for good reason, because the unique architecture of the city can fascinate everyone.
So, if you visit Chernivtsi, here are the top places that you should definitely see with your own eyes: Chernivtsi National University, Theater Square, Olga Kobylianska Street, Turkish Well Square, and the House of the Ship.
Kolomyia
The city of Kolomyia spread out on the left bank of the swift Prut. Sung in songs and legends, it celebrated its 775th anniversary. It belongs to the oldest Galician cities.
Today, Kolomyia is an important center of social, cultural, and educational life in Prykarpattia, the capital of the Pokut Region. It has preserved the original architectural charm of a European city built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The city pleasantly impresses both guests and local residents with colorful museums, bright monuments of history, culture and architecture. We will talk about the most interesting of them.
The main photo is the village of Sadzhavka, which belongs to the Kolomyia community.
Carpathians
The Ukrainian Carpathians are, without exaggeration, the soul of Ukraine, and not only because you can see and feel the power and majesty of Ukrainian nature, but also because the largest number of ancient Ukrainian traditions have been preserved in this area. So, if you want to see the original Ukraine, you should go to the Carpathians.
Yaremche, Verkhovyna, Bukovel, Vorokhta, Kosiv, Rakhiv, Dragobrat, Slavske, as well as Polonyny, Synevyr, Hoverla, Shipit, and Nesamovyte are locations that are unlikely to leave you indifferent. We are convinced that you will want to come back here again and again. The peculiarity of this area is that you can go on both an active vacation with mountain climbing and a relaxation tour with bathing in thermal springs and tastings.
And you can complement your trip with interesting excursions that will reveal the uniqueness of the Ukrainian people and local traditions.
