ukraine best places to visit

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

10 Best Places to Visit in Ukraine

By Lauren Bailey · Last updated on October 3, 2023

Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Eastern Europe. Despite the millions that call it home, it’s totally underrated by tourists. Often overlooked due to its troubles in the east, the rest of Ukraine is safe to travel through, and there’s so much to see and do. Not to mention, it’s incredibly cheap!

With a distinct culture and crammed full of captivating history, Ukraine is as far from touristy as you can get. Explore glorious cathedrals, Orthodox churches, ancient castles, lush forested hills, and Black Sea beaches. Here are best places to visit in Ukraine.

Situated in central Ukraine, this city on the banks of the Umanka River offers a relaxed layover between the popular cities of Odesa and Kyiv. First mentioned in 1616 when it was under Polish rule, Uman was built as a fortification against Tatar raids and has since undergone many stages of occupation. Most famous for the tragic 1700s Haidamak rebellions, today it serves as a popular pilgrimage site for Hasidic Jews.

Perfectly tourist-friendly, Uman’s attractions are well signposted, and you’ll have no problem finding your way around this laidback town. Visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman Sofiyivka Park, see the obelisk in the town center, watch the Pearl of Love fountain show, or browse the daily market. For those interested in history, the Basilian Monastery (1764) is the oldest building in the city.

If you love green spaces, you’ll love Uman. It’s a major center for gardening research, and Sofiyivka Park is ideal for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Nature lovers can sign up for a tree tour at the Dendrological Research Center. Uman also boasts some colorful architecture, museums, WWII monuments, and a gorgeous pastel-colored church.

While its self-christened title as the ‘geographical center of Europe’ may not be true, Rakhiv is certainly the highest city in Ukraine. Tucked within the lush Carpathian forests of western Ukraine, this mountain town is the perfect playground for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.

Ideal for adventure lovers looking to explore the southern Carpathians, Rakhiv promises stunning scenery – including picturesque slopes and swinging footbridges leading across the rushing Tysa River. There isn’t a whole lot going on here, but that’s the appeal of Rakhiv. Head to the peaceful Dilove village for a quiet escape in the mountains, and swap the hive of the city for the serenity of the outdoors.

For a taste of the local culture, don’t miss the Hutsul Brynza Festival held in September. This fiesta honors the shepherds who return from the Carpathians each winter with cheese, wurda, brynza, folk song, and dance.

8. Chernihiv

Chernihiv is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine. It was first mentioned back in 907 in the Rus’-Byzantine Treaty between Prince Oleh and Byzantium, but the actual date of establishment isn’t known. In this treaty, Chernihiv was ranked the second most important Ukrainian center after Kyiv.

Located on the banks of the Desna River in northern Ukraine, Chernihiv is the administrative center of the Chernihiv Oblast province. It boasts beautiful medieval architecture – particularly Catherine’s Church with its golden cupolas, and the 11th century five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral.

If you love beer, you’ll be in your element in Chernihiv, as it’s home to some famous Ukrainian tipple, known as ‘Cherninihivske.’ Don’t miss the chance to visit the two ancient cave monasteries on the outskirts of the city or take a stroll around the 18th century Kachanivka Palace with its beautiful neoclassical architecture, pretty gardens, and lake.

An idyllic wintertime destination, Bukovel is Ukraine’s big skiing destination. In fact, it’s the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe! Surrounded by three mountains, including the highest peaks of the Carpathians, the views from this luxury alpine ski resort are simply breath-taking.

High up on the slopes of western Ukraine, Bukovel promises bucket loads of fun for all ages. It caters to all skill levels with over 50 kilometers of groomed pistes and playgrounds. When you’re not out testing the powder, hang out at the snow park and bicycle park or learn some new tricks at the ski school. The best time to plan a skiing holiday to Bukovel is from December to April, but January has the deepest snow.

6. Chernivtsi

Chernivtsi can be found at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine. Lovingly dubbed “Little Vienna,” the city boasts similar architecture to the Austrian city, as it was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

But the city is not just a pretty face; it has significant historical and cultural importance too. According to archaeological discoveries, Chernivtsi dates back to the Neolithic era. A fortified city once stood on the north-eastern shoreline during the time of the Principality of Halych. It was known as the ‘Black City’ – presumably because of the dark color of the city walls – and was largely destroyed during the Mongol invasion. Some parts of the fortress remain today.

With its cobbled streets filled with laidback cafes, Baroque buildings, bookshops, and parks, it’s the perfect place to chill out and absorb the no-frills, no-fuss atmosphere. Don’t miss a visit to the National University – this impressive palace is one of the largest universities in Ukraine.

5. Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress

Kamianets-Podilskyi in western Ukraine is most famous for the Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons tourists visit this fairy-tale city. Towering over the Smotrych River, the fortress is truly magnificent – it’s easily one of the most picturesque fortresses in Eastern Europe!

But there’s more to the city than just the fortress. Explore the cobbled streets of the well-preserved medieval Old Town lined with its pretty pastel-colored houses and admire the excellent street art that tells the tale of the city.

Head for the skies with a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon ride – one of the city’s highlights – waterfall-watch along the Smotrichsky Canyon, and take up archery on the Castle Bridge. Don’t miss the incredible festival of hot air balloons in the spring!

4. Chernobyl

For those interested in history, Chernobyl promises a dark exploration. It’s the site of the infamous nuclear disaster that led to the premature deaths of thousands of people in 1986. Recently revisited in an HBO documentary, the Chernobyl exclusion zone – which is currently an eerie ghost town in northern Kyiv Oblast – is set to become a major tourist attraction. Make sure you go as soon as possible!

Inside Chernobyl, you’ll be able to witness the destruction for yourself – the demolished buildings and abandoned possessions of those who had to escape for their lives. Guided tours are available, offering the chance to learn about the tragedy first-hand. While filming is currently prohibited in the exclusion zone, the Ukrainian president has promised to lift the ban as part of a significant revamp of the area that will make it safer for tourists.

First held by the Greeks, then by the Ottomans, and finally the Russians, Odesa in southwestern Ukraine has an interesting history – all of which is told through its many excellent museums. Today, Odessa is a modern city with stunning Art Nouveau architecture, pretty people-watching cafes, and gorgeous beaches. Located on the north-western shore of the Black Sea, it’s often nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea.’

Odessa boasts a thriving nightlife scene in Arcadia, with Ibiza-comparable night clubs, enviable shopping, and fantastic wineries. Put that all together, and you get the ultimate summer holiday destination – all without the throngs of international tourists.

There is so much to do in Odessa. Hang out at one of the many beach club pools, watch a theater show, or stroll along the seaside promenade. It’s not only what’s on the ground level that attracts so many people to this vibrant city: Odessa also features a series of intriguing underground catacombs that span thousands of kilometers beneath the city!

Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and boasts a historic center that’s well worth exploring. Established in 1240 and named after Leo, the oldest son of the King of Ruthenia, the capital changed hands several times between the Polish and the Russians before finally becoming independent in 1991.

Packed full of monuments, museums, and age-old buildings with archaeological findings dating back to the 5th century, Lviv has plenty for adventurers to uncover. Dubbed one of Ukraine’s most popular cultural hubs, Lviv abounds with art galleries, including the Lviv National Art Gallery, home to over 50,000 works of art. There’s no shortage of activities for a cultural day out, from opera and ballet performances to a charming café culture. You’ll find all sorts of quirky bars and knaipas (local pubs) tucked down narrow side streets.

The number one destination to visit in Ukraine is undoubtedly the capital, located in north-central Ukraine. Filled with striking Soviet architecture, monasteries, golden-domed churches, and handsome streets, this European city really packs a punch. Plus, it’s still totally underrated, so you won’t find many tourist traps here!

Dating back to 482 AD, Kyiv is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. Having faced both Russian and German occupation, it’s now distinctly Ukrainian. In fact, Kyiv had a considerable part to play in the development of both the medieval East Slavic civilization and the Ukrainian nation as we know it today.

Modern Kyiv is all go-go-go. Head to one of the many city bars, people-watch at a sidewalk café or visit one of the museums to discover some of Eastern Europe’s fascinating history. Visit the Museum of Folk Architecture and Ethnography, one of the largest open-air museums in Europe. The most popular attraction in Kyiv however is undoubtedly Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Ukraine.

Don’t miss the chance to stroll down Andriyivskyy Descent, a steep cobbled street lined with Art Nouveau-style houses with gargoyles. Kyiv is also a popular destination for theater, opera, and musical performances, so bring your cultural A-game!

Map of the best places to visit in Ukraine

Share this post:

25 Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe

6 Most Beautiful Regions in Finland

12 Best Things to do in Kotor, Montenegro

17 Best Things to do in Montenegro

10 Most Beautiful Lakes in Finland

25 Most Beautiful Places in Europe

10 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro

10 Best Places to Visit in Slovakia

18 Top Tourist Attractions in Monaco

17 Most Charming Small Towns in Europe

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Home » Travel Guides » 15 Best Places to Visit in Ukraine

15 Best Places to Visit in Ukraine

Under visited and less touristy than other parts of Europe, Ukraine is a colorful and proud country perched on the Black Sea, full of rugged beaches, wild forest, and craggy mountain plains.

With a history full of folk traditions and diverse cultural influences, Ukraine offers travelers ski resorts, modern cities, and traditional villages, many of which feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites and well preserved historical relics.

So join us as we take you through everything from mummies to mammoths on this whistle stop tour of the best places to visit in Ukraine .

The third largest city in Ukraine, Odesa is a seaport that rest of the shores of the mythical Black Sea. Now an important trade city, visitors gravitate to Odesa for the sandy beaches, clement weather, and sparkling waters, particularly Lanzheron Beach, a perfect place for sun worshippers.

Odesa, also referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’, may be a large city but its construction gives it an intimate feel, with labyrinthine lanes to navigate as well as nooks and crannies to explore, ending in secluded squares and delightful houses painted in mellow pastel shades.

The city’s big claim to fame is the mighty stairway that leads from the centre of town to the beach front, and there are also leafy parks like the City Gardens to enjoy, as well as a bit of culture in the form of the Odesa Opera House and the numerous theatres in the city.

Poltava, which sits of the Vorskala River, is a city steeped in military history due to a legendary battle in the 18th century between the Cossacks and the Russian Tsar Peter I, and with that in mind come to this city to view the military relics that still remain.

These include the Column of Glory, October Park, and the preserved area of the Poltava Battlefield. Poltava is also known for its museums, several of which are dedicated to military history, as well as its main cathedral, the Assumption Cathedral, with its striking belfry.

Once the place of such a pivotal moment in history, Poltava is now a relaxed and serene cultural city, with orchestras, theatres, and museums a plenty.

3. Myrhorod

Found on the Khorol River, Myrhorod is essentially a sleepy spa town that became famous due to the mineral properties found in its underground springs. The slightly salty water can be drunk to improve digestive issues, or there are a number of spots where visitors can bathe.

If you prefer not to swim then you can take a boat or pedalo out of the Khorol River, and there are a number of quirky features for visitors to Myrhorod to seek out, such as a towering illuminated windmill and a musical water fountain.

The woodlands found in the city are also rather famous, and for the full romantic experience you can take a horse drawn carriage ride through the lush landscape.

4. Chernihiv

Sitting neatly on the banks of the Desna River, Chernihiv is often referred to as one of the most ancient cities in all of Ukraine, apparently dating back from the 7th century, making a visit here feel rather like a trip back in time.

It is also home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the country, including Catherine’s Church which instantly recognizable due to its golden cupolas.

Other religious buildings of note are Pyatnytska Church that sits in the city’s Red Square, the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon stroll around the town center.

5. Chernivtsi

The city of Chernivtsi that lies at the base of the Carpathian Mountains is most famous for its designated UNESCO World Heritage Site of the former complex of the high priests that is now home to the National University, and was constructed in the Byzantine and Romanesque styles.

The architecture of Chernivtsi is said to be similar to that of Vienna, leading to the name ‘Little Vienna’ to describe parts of the city, and many locals point to the relaxed nature of the city which has a strong cafe culture, as well as a range of notable bookshops and book stalls that are said to reflect the intellectual and poetic atmosphere found here.

The village of Bakota in the Podillia Region is home to the famous cave monastery built by Orthodox monks headed by Saint Anthony of Kiev. The monastery in the underground caves dates from the 12th century and visitors can view well preserved frescoes and paintings as well as remains of some of the monks who lived in the caves.

In the present day, Bakota is now part of the National Environmental Park due to its rural location, and features craggy hills on the shores of the picturesque Dniester River.

Visitors can ramble in the region and explore the settlement on foot to take in the splendid local flora and fauna on display.

7. Uzhhorod

Uzhhorod, on the border with Slovakia and near the border with Hungary, is a vibrant and diverse town with a sizeable Hungarian and Romanian population that gives it a cosmopolitan feel that has helped to bolster its claim to fame as a premium tourist attraction in Ukraine.

Come here for the stunning Uzhhorod Castle that dates from the 9th century, as well as the Greek-Catholic Cathedral from the 17th century.

If you want to try some of the local staples then you can explore the city’s famous wine cellars, or try the delicacy bogrács, a kind of goulash originating from neighboring Hungary.

8. Kamianets-Podilskyi

Kamianets-Podilskyi, a city in the west of Ukraine, has a long history of immigration and each influence is present in the architecture and culture of the city, including Armenian and Polish markets still found today.

The city is awash with ancient monuments such as its castle, cathedral, and crumbling fortifications and, due to its location on the Smotrych River, there are an abundance of outdoor activities for those wanting to do something a little different.

Among these are balloon trips over the Smotrych Canyon, as well as race car driving. Also located over the Smotrych River is the Stara Fortetsya, an ancient city fortress that invites visitors to marvel at the preserved ruins.

The historic centre of the city of Lviv is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors will be able to understand why due to the wealth of monuments and ancient buildings on show here, many of which date back to the 13th century.

Aside from the historical jewels on offer here, Lviv is famous for being an artistic hub in Ukraine, and there are galleries all over the city as well as the Lviv National Art Gallery that is said to house over 50,000 works including paintings, sculptures, and art installations.

If you enjoy opera or ballet, then Lviv is also famous for its classically trained performers and opulent performances in regular rotation.

10. Zhovkva

Founded in the 16th century, the city of Zhovkva in the west of Ukraine is the place to come if you enjoy marveling at a whole host of historical gems including the Church of Saint Lawrence which is an iconic building in the city due to its domed roof.

Dating from the 17th century is church made of wood, the Holy Trinity Church that was recently named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other memorable ancient sites include the restored Zhovkva Castle, which now houses a cultural centre for those who want to learn more about the history and culture of this area of Ukraine.

Located in one of the regions that forms part of Crimea, Yalta is primarily known for being a laid back resort that faces the Black Sea. There is a long seafront promenade for visitors who want to take in the views over the Crimean Peninsula as well as a zoo and an aquarium that houses dolphins.

For even more stunning vies, ride by cable car to the top of the nearby Darsan Hill, and there is also the breathtaking Froros Church that is nestled atop a sea cliff at an elevation of 400 meters.

Over the years Yalta has attracted a host of famous figures such as Anton Chekhov and visitors to the area can visit his former home that now serves as a museum.

The capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv is most well known for its diverse population, interesting modern architecture, and friendly locals. It also features the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves and Saint Sophia Cathedral, and although visitors can tour the monastery, it is also still in working order.

There are a range of museums to choose from in Kyiv in order to learn more about the local history or culture, or you can check out the latest theatre listings at one of the smaller theatres like the famous Puppet Theatre.

This may well be the capital of Ukraine, but it is also an extremely green city featuring not one but two botanical gardens that are perfect for strolling around in the afternoons under the iconic horse chestnut trees that line the roads of Kyiv.

13. Slavske

Slavske, to the southwest of Lviv, is best known as a ski resort, so if you love the snow then this is the place to come. There are cable cars and ski lifts as well as primary slopes for skiers to enjoy, and the season usually runs from approximately November to March.

Should you visit in the summer months, there are lots of other activities to enjoy in Slavske such as berry and mushroom picking in the fertile lands, as well as fishing in the surrounding lakes.

If you prefer to keep exploring then there are hiking trails as well as horse riding and mountain biking excursions that provide an alternative perspective from which to take in the views.

14. Zaporizhia

Zaporizhia , on the banks of the Dnieper River, is most well known for its quaint islands including the main island of Khortytsia that sits in the middle of the city. The island is actually a national park and features romantically rugged terrain and has wild ravines and a number of hiking trails that are popular with visitors year round.

As this is an island, there are also water activities like swimming and boating, as well as small sandy beaches to relax on. Also on the island is a military museum featuring weaponry and period reconstructions of famous battles.

Other small islands found around Zaporizhia are the Rock of the Fool and Pillar Island.

15. Vinnytsia

The city of Vinnytsia lies on the banks of the rather comically named Southern Bug, actually the second longest river in Ukraine. The city has a cozy feel to it and lends itself to strolling around the main centre to marvel at the splendid architecture on offer here.

Some highlights include the walls built as fortifications of a Jesuit monastery that still stand proud, and now also house the Museum of Local History for history buffs to learn all about the period features on show here. They even have a mammoth skeleton that is said to be over 30,000 years old!

15 Best Places to Visit in Ukraine:

• Kamianets-Podilskyi

Must-see attractions in Ukraine

St Sophia's Cathedral

The interior is the most astounding aspect of Kyiv's oldest standing church. Many of the mosaics and frescoes are original, dating back to 1017–31, when…

Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra

Tourists and Orthodox pilgrims alike flock to the Lavra, set on 28 hectares of grassy hills above the Dnipro River in Pechersk. It's easy to see why…

Kamyanets-Podilsky Fortress

Central Ukraine

Built of wood in the 10th to 13th centuries, then redesigned and rebuilt in stone by Italian military engineers in the 16th century, K-P's fortress is a…

Prymorsky Boulevard

Odesa's elegant facade, this tree-lined, clifftop promenade was designed to enchant the passengers of arriving boats with the neoclassical opulence of its…

Between May 1942 and July 1943, Adolf Hitler paid several visits (accounts vary) to his regional military headquarters in a vast bunker 8km north…

Chernivtsi University

The Carpathians

University buildings are often called 'dreaming spires', but Chernivtsi's is more like an acid trip. This fantastic, Unesco-listed red-brick ensemble,…

Lychakivsky Cemetery

Don't leave town until you've seen this amazing 42-hectare cemetery, only a short ride on tram 7 from the centre. This is the Père Lachaise of Eastern…

Palanok Castle

Built atop a 68m-tall volcano, Mukacheve's highlight is this dramatic castle that pops up from the surrounding plain west of town, like something in a…

Maidan Nezalezhnosti

Be it celebration or revolution, whenever Ukrainians want to get together – and they often do – 'Maidan' is the nation's meeting point. The square saw pro…

Potemkin Steps

Fresh from a controversial renovation, which changed its original outlook, the Potemkin Steps lead down from bul Prymorsky to the sea port. Pause at the…

St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

Looking from St Sophia's past the Bohdan Khmelnytsky statue, it's impossible to ignore the gold-domed blue church at the other end of proyizd Volodymyrsky…

Skvorechnik

It's hard to characterise this beachfront hippie haven on Trukhaniv Island. It derives its name from the smattering of raised wooden chill-out huts that…

National Museum and Memorial to the Victims of Occupation

This infamous building on vul Bryullova was used as a prison by the Poles, Nazis and communists in turn, but the small and very moving exhibition over two…

Museum of Political Prisoners

Western Ukraine

A block back from bul Shevchenka, this former KGB prison is where several prominent members of UPA and OUN were held, tortured and shot in the years of…

Ploshcha Rynok

Lviv was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1998, and this old market square lies at its heart. The square was progressively rebuilt after a major…

PinchukArtCentre

The rotating exhibits at this world-class gallery feature elite names in the world of European contemporary art and design, all financed by billionaire…

Revamped in 2017, the museum belonging to Lviv's brewery is an impressive, modern experience, a world away for the rickety post-Soviet repositories of the…

Kharkiv Art Museum

Kharkiv's most famous museum owns one of many versions of Ilya Repin's Zaporizhsky Cossacks Writing a Letter to the Turkish Sultan, which is found in a…

Vul Derybasivska

Odesa's main commercial street, pedestrian vul Derybasivska is jam-packed with restaurants, bars and, in the summer high season, tourists. At its quieter…

High Castle Hill

Around a 2km walk from pl Rynok, visiting the High Castle (Vysoky Zamok) on Castle Hill (Zamkova Hora) is a quintessential Lviv experience. There’s little…

Lviv History Museum – Rynok 24

This branch of the Lviv History Museum expounds on the city's very early days starting with early cultures that inhabited Galicia and ending with the…

The city fathers have occupied this location since the 14th century, but the present-day Italianate look dates to 1835. In a sign of openness and…

Apteka Museum

This fascinating pharmacy museum is located inside a still-functioning chemist's shop dating from 1735. Buy a ticket from the pharmacist and head down…

Museum of Odesa Modern Art

The war in the east and regular political strife give Ukrainian artists a lot of here-and-now material to reflect on, and the result is often brilliant,…

Odesa Opera & Ballet Theatre

The jewel in Odesa's architectural crown was designed in the 1880s by the architects who also designed the famous Vienna State Opera, namely Ferdinand…

Uzhhorod Castle

On the hill overlooking the town stands the 15th-century castle with massive walls and beefy bastions built to withstand Turkish assaults. The main palace…

Ploshcha Svobody

Locals claim that this enormous expanse of cobbles is the second largest in the world after Beijing's Tiananmen Sq. At 750m long it's indisputably huge…

Menorah Center

Eastern Ukraine

Vaguely reminiscent of MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall, this giant structure looming over the remains of the Old Town is the slick new heart of the city's…

Museum of Hutsul Folk Art

This well-curated exhibition of Hutsul artefacts is probably the best of its kind in Ukraine. Decorated stove tiles and other ceramics, musical…

Pysanky Museum

Kolomyya's most eye-catching attraction is a monster concrete Easter egg, which sits rather self-consciously on the town's main square. Inside in an…

Avtomotovelofototeleradio Museum

Big name for a small museum but worthwhile for anyone with a wistful soft spot for the days of Soviet mass production. This octagonal building near the…

Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection

The city's punctiliously renovated Greek Catholic cathedral is a fine example of baroque symmetry crafted in the mid-18th century. Huge bronzes of St…

Former Armenian Church

A few steps off pl Rynok stands this eye-pleasingly symmetrical baroque church built by the Armenian community in 1762. Beyond the golden doors the…

Khans' Palace

When she was busy ordering the mass destruction of Bakhchysaray's mosques in the 18th and early 19th centuries, Catherine the Great spared the Khans'…

Chufut-Kale

Rising 200m, this long and bluff plateau houses a honeycomb of caves and structures where people took refuge for centuries. It's wonderful to explore,…

Primorsky Boulevard

The city's bay-facing showcase greets seafarers with an array of whitewashed colonnaded buildings. Fresh from a Russian-funded spruce-up, the boulevard is…

Mikhaylovskaya Battery

A massive piece of fortification seen across the bay from central Sevastopol, the battery served as a hospital when the Russians withdrew to the northern…

Taurida Central Museum

Crimea's largest museum consists of three main sections. The first is a collection of golden artefacts, produced by Hellenized Alano-Goths in the…

Lenin's Embankment

Everyone's favourite pastime in Yalta is walking up and down the seafront nab Lenina and the pedestrian zone along the Uchan-su River, where you'll find a…

Pochayiv Monastery

Its ornate golden domes rising up from the surrounding plain, Pochayiv Monastery is a beacon of Ukrainian Orthodoxy (Moscow Patriarchate) on the edge of a…

More destinations you need to see

• The Top 10 Things To...

The Top Things to See and Do in Ukraine

Ukraine is a young and developing country with an ancient and rich history. The bewitching landscapes, fairytale castles, and mouthwatering recipes are sure to exceed your expectations. To discover the true spirit of its culture, traditions, and natural beauty, a top ten list of the country’s best experiences is a good place to start. One also cannot fail to mention the hospitality of locals, who will make you feel like Ukraine is your second home. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Marvel at the mosaics of saint sophia’s cathedral.

The cathedral is one of the gems of architecture in the world and the National Sanctuary, containing a complex of museums and monuments of the ancient empire of Kievan Rus. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of Kiev . The interior of the cathedral has 177 different palette shades, as it has preserved a large ensemble of authentic mosaics and frescoes of the first half of the 11th century, made by Byzantine artists. The bell tower has a viewing platform with a beautiful view over Kiev.

Ride the trolley over the river in Kiev

For the curious and brave travelers, a 532-meter-long (1745 feet) trolley has stretched out from the right to the left bank of the Dnieper River. It takes 40 seconds to fly from the city bustle to the sunny beach on the Trukhaniv Island, which is located opposite the picturesque Podol area. A beautiful place to watch the sunset and see the lights of the Arch of Diversity switch on. For adrenaline junkies, an unforgettable experience with a great view over Kiev is guaranteed.

Eat borscht and salo

Ukrainian cuisine has two main dishes, which symbolize the hospitality of the people: borscht and salo. The surprising mix of such soup ingredients as beets, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and meat create a rich and unique taste. Meanwhile, salo is made only of pork and served with bread or vodka. The restaurant Tsarske Selo is an ideal place to try signature borscht with prunes and pork ribs, and, of course, salo. The venue is located near Kiev’s Pechersk Lavra Monastery. It has never been so easy to combine a satisfying dinner with a long walk.

Visit Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

The history of the medieval fortification started in the 12th century. Before it became an open-air museum, the city was a defensive construction with 175 buildings inside. In the ranking of important architectural monuments, Kamianets-Podilskyi takes the third place in Ukraine, after Kiev and Lviv. It is a perfect place to feel like a medieval warrior, take part in an archery tournament, or climb to the top of the fortress. Additionally, the castle is surrounded by green landscape and constitutes of the perfect scenery for the Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Go on a sunflower field photo shoot

Do not miss an opportunity to get in one of the most likable Instagram shoots. As Ukraine is a large exporter of sunflowers, there are enough fields spread throughout the country to cover the entire territory of Slovenia. Whether on the way to the southeast or northwest regions of Ukraine, the endless sunflower fields can be seen everywhere. The only important thing to know is that the sunflower bloom season is in July.

Discover the Sofiyivka Botanical Park

Being devoted to trees, the park looks beautiful in every season of the year. It was presented by the Count Pototskiy as a gift to his beloved wife, Zofia Potocka, for whom the park is named. Sofiyivka contains everything from picturesque rocks and murmuring waterfalls to wonderful statues and monuments. Whichever side you enter the park, it is equally beautiful. Trying to escape from industrial noise, there is no better place to begin the journey.

Walk through the Tunnel of Love

A green tunnel in the tiny village of Klevan is considered to be the most romantic place in Ukraine. It appeared randomly through the perfect interweaving of tree branches and bushes over the railway in western Ukraine. Couples in love come from all over Ukraine to kiss under the tunnel and make a wish. According to the belief, such a ritual will strengthen the relationship and bring happiness.

Party, swim, and catch a film in Odessa

Locals call the port city Odessa-mama and come there at least several times a year to swim in the Black sea, drop into the bars, or party hard at the countless beach clubs. But Odessa also has a beautiful historical center that is included into the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List. Every summer, the city turns into the cultural capital and holds an International Film Festival with a number of workshops, premieres, and the longest red carpet in the world.

Meander through the cobbled streets of Lviv

For many centuries, Lviv belonged to Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Having an architectural influence from Western Europe, the city is full of surprises. The narrow streets are soaked in traditional cuisine and the smell of coffee, as three centuries ago a Lvivite named Yuriy Kulchytsky was the first to bring coffee to Vienna and open a coffeehouse. No one will remain indifferent after discovering the true spirit of the Ukrainian people, not to mention Lviv’s most unusual museums and incredibly beautiful cathedrals.

See the Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains are a must-visit destination for every tourist. The clean air causes mild dizziness; the mountain landscapes take your breath away and compel you to enjoy the moment. At 2,061 meters (6761.8 feet), Mount Hoverla is the highest point in Ukraine and the most popular place to go on a camping trip. Its flora and fauna are identical in nature to the Alps. Special attention should be paid to Synevyr Lake, the sea eye of the Carpathian Mountains. It was formed as a result of an earthquake and is a mysterious attraction of the National Park.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Food & Drink

A regional guide to vareniki in ukraine.

Architecture

An architecture lover's guide to kiev's spectacular courtyards.

Guides & Tips

How to spend a week in northern ukraine.

11 Excellent Reasons to Visit Kiev

Where to Go Shopping in Kiev

See & Do

The best things to do in kiev at night.

Explore Kiev Through This QR-Code Treasure Hunt

How to Spend 24 Hours in Kiev

The Best Ukrainian Fashion Brands To Add to Your Wardrobe

How to Spend a Week in Southern Ukraine

A Guide to Exploring the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine

How to Help the People of Ukraine

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1533883
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Ukraine Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 4, 2023

In recent years, Ukraine has evolved into a popular budget travel destination. While it might not have the polish and attractions you find in Western Europe, it more than makes up for that with cheap prices, beautiful landscapes, historic buildings, and sparse crowds.

Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and is actually Europe’s second-largest country, after Russia. Its history includes domination by various countries other than USSR including Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Russia.

Ukraine is home to the deepest metro station in the world, one of the world’s most visited McDonald’s, and some of Europe’s oldest coffee houses. There are seven places here that have been recognized by UNESCO, it has tons of ghost towns here and you can also find the famous Tunnel of Love. While the recent annexation of Crimea by Russia means you’ll want to be careful around the borders with Russia, the country itself is still safe to travel.

Personally, I didn’t have many expectations for when I arrived — but I absolutely loved my time here. It’s affordable, fun, and has a lot to offer if you step off the beaten path. The people are really welcoming, the country is inexpensive, and there’s a real sense of stepping back in time as you explore the cities and countryside. I can’t praise it enough.

This travel guide to Ukraine can help you plan your trip there while helping you stay on budget.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Ukraine

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in ukraine.

1. Visit the Tunnel of Love in Klevan

Just outside of Klevan, an old railway line has been turned into a natural tunnel lined it with trees. The tunnel is at its lushest during the spring and summer when the green leaves form a seemingly impenetrable barrier. It’s very beautiful and romantic (and Insta-worthy). Plus, it’s free!

2. Go skiing

Ukraine has cold, snowy winters that make it the perfect destination for budget-friendly winter sports. There are several resorts dotting the Carpathians with lift tickets starting at just 350 UAH. It’s one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe!

3. Explore Chernobyl

This nuclear plant had a critical meltdown in 1986. It was one of the worst nuclear disaster in human history. The radiation is weak enough now that people to visit the complex and the abandoned, ghost-like town nearby. Tours cost about 2,900 UAH and last a full day.

4. Visit Kyiv

The capital of Ukraine is home to an odd mix of Soviet-area communist housing, Baroque buildings, and cobblestone streets. For theater lovers, the Kyiv Opera House is host to world-class operas and ballets and the Ivan Franko Theater hosts dramas, comedies, and musicals.

5. Hike the Carpathian Mountains

One of the most popular destinations in the country, this 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) chain of mountains are a magical collection of forests, meadows, and villages. There are lakes for swimming and plenty of trails for hiking. For a full-day hike, climb to the peak of Hoverla.

Other Things to See and Do in Ukraine

1. visit chernivtsi university.

Founded in 1875, this university is the most fascinating piece of architecture in Chernivtsi, a city in western Ukraine. It’s constructed from beautifully-laid red bricks and decorated with thousands of colored tiles. The design of the building was influenced by a pseudo-Byzantine-Hanseatic-Moorish style. You can book guided tours from the university for 80 UAH.

2. Relax at Arcadia Beach

This is the country’s most famous beach. Located in Odessa, it was created to be the country’s main summer getaway spot so there’s a multitude of bars, clubs, resorts, and cafes here, making it a popular place to visit during the warmer summer months (May-September). The main beach has a waterslide and plenty of space to swim and lounge. Just be sure to arrive early to get a good spot as it does get crowded in the summer.

3. Wander the Odessa catacombs

This is the largest catacomb system in the world. There are over 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) of catacombs under the city, created in the 17th century and expanded when the city mined for limestone in the early 19th century (the limestone was used to build the city). The catacombs were used by Soviet rebels during World War II after the Germans forced them to retreat. While dangerous to explore alone (people still get lost and die down here), you can join a 2-4-hour tour to show you around. Prices start at 350 UAH. For Star Wars fans, be sure to check out the nearby statue that was originally a tribute to Lenin and which has been transformed into a replica of Darth Vader! The Odessa Opera and Ballet is worth a visit too as it is super cheap and in a beautiful historic building.

4. See the Bohdan & Varvara Khanenko Arts Museum

Located in Kyiv, this museum hosts an impressive collection of European art. The interior is decadently coated in frescoes, intricately-carved woodwork, priceless antique furniture, and boasts an array of masterful art. Expect to see paintings from Western Europe (including works by Peter Paul Rubens, Gentile Bellini, Jacob Jordaens, and Luis de Morales), artifacts, and works from Egyptian and Greek antiquity, Persian Ceramics, Chinese paintings, and much more! Admission is 120 UAH and free on the first Wednesday of the month.

5. Hang out in Ploshcha Svobody

Located in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, this massive city square is one of the largest in the world. At the western end stands the first Soviet skyscraper, complete with geometrically-set concrete and glass blocks and bridges. Renamed Freedom Square after Ukrainian independence, it spans a massive 30 acres. Don’t miss the empty pedestal where the statue of Lenin used to be (it was toppled during protests in 2014).

6. Spot wildlife at Askania-Nova Reserve

Established in 1898, this vast reserve spans over 333 square kilometers (128 sq mi)and is home to a plethora of animal life like buffalo, deer, antelope, horses, zebras, camels, gnus, the rare Central Asian Saiga antelope, and a huge array of birds. Within the reserve, there are a few small villages and one town which you can reach by bus. From April to November you can take a safari for around 150 UAH.

7. See Lutsk Castle

This fortress is located in Lutsk’s old quarter and dates back to the 14th century. The castle walls stand 13 meters (42 feet) high and are between 1-3 meters (3-10 feet) thick. It’s topped with three broad towers that have repelled several sieges, including attacks by Casimir the Great (1349), Jogaila (1431), and Sigismund K stutaitis (1436). During the Nazi occupation, over 1,000 Jews were murdered here (though there sadly is no monument or marker to commemorate the tragedy). Today, there are archeological remains dating back to the 12th century preserved and on display. The castle is featured on the 200 UAH bill and you can walk the ramparts and tour the three towers that make up the main defensive fortifications. Admission is 10 UAH.

8. Visit the National Chernobyl Museum

Located in Kyiv, this small museum is a good prelude to a trip to Chernobyl. There are three exhibits on display that highlight the accident, the aftermath, and the lessons we need to learn to avoid this happening again. It’s equally sobering and educational. Admission is 10 UAH or 60 UAH with an audio guide.

9. Visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War

This is one of the largest museums in Ukraine and highlights the story of the German-Soviet conflict during World War II. Located in Kyiv, the museum contains over 300,000 exhibits as well as several monuments and memorials spanning over 25 acres overlooking the Dnieper River (including the 62-meter-tall Motherland statue). This museum offers a sobering and unique look at the war’s Eastern conflict. Admission is 50 UAH.

10. Tour St. Sophia’s Cathedral

Built in the 11th century in Kyiv, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has an elaborate Baroque exterior with 13 golden domes. Inside the cathedral, there are beautiful murals, mosaics, and centuries-old frescoes. The cathedral was used as a burial place for Kyivan rulers during the Middle Ages. Named after Hagia Sophia in Turkey, the cathedral offers some stunning views over Kyiv from the bell tower. Admission to see the cathedral’s museum is 20 UAH while access to the bell tower is 60 UAH.

11. Visit Lviv

Lviv is the cultural capital of Ukraine. Located 540 kilometers (335 miles) west of Kyiv, it has a Central European vibe and is full of history and incredible architecture. Don’t miss wandering the Old Town (another place that has made UNESCO’s World Heritage List), visiting the Lviv Historical Museum, and enjoying the view from High Castle. For a glimpse at the city’s past, visit the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (it’s an outdoor museum with all kinds of traditional wooden buildings). As a university town, it’s a youthful city and hosts many of the country’s foreign students from around Europe!

12. Take a walking tour

One of my favorite things to do when I arrive anywhere new is to take a walking tour. It’s the best way to get your bearings and you might even meet and make some new friends. Kyiv Walking Tours, Guru Walk, and Free Tour all offer free walking tours in Kyiv covering most of the main points of interest. If you do take a free tour, be sure to tip your guide at the end! Get Your Guide also has a ton of tours around the country, including museum tours and trips to Chernobyl!

13. Go to a unique museum

Ukraine has to be home to some of the most interesting museums in the world. There’s a museum dedicated to the Ukrainian Easter egg in Kolomyya, a Museum of Unnecessary Things in Kyiv, a Micro Miniature Museum in Kyiv, and a Toilet History Museum in Kyiv. While we’re looking at random places and things, check out the giant crossword in Lviv, the brass Beer Belly of Ukraine (also in Lviv), and the statues of Peeing Colors in Kyiv.

14. Check out the sunflower fields

Sunflower oil is one of Ukraine’s largest exports. Reportedly with enough fields of sunflowers to cover Slovenia, it isn’t too hard to find one. Go in late July for the best views (the season lasts from July to mid-August).

Ukraine Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels start at 130-250 UAH for a bed in a 6-10-bed dorm. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have a kitchen. For a private room, prices start at 260 UAH.

Budget hotels start at 560 UAH per night. You can find cheaper options but they tend to be pretty gross places. Most budget hotels are a little outdated when it comes to decor. Don’t expect many amenities either.

Airbnb is available in larger cities throughout the country. Private rooms start at 520 UAH per night while an entire home/apartment costs at 1,000 UAH.

Wild camping is allowed in Ukraine, as long as you aren’t in nature preserves or near highways. There are also plenty of campgrounds around the country with a basic plot (without electricity) costing from 60-600 UAH per night.

Food – Food in Ukraine is similar to that in neighboring Eastern Europe and Russia. Borscht (beetroot soup), varenyky (pierogies), holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls), kovbasa (sausage), and deruny (potato pancakes) are some of the most popular and most common dishes.

For a meal of traditional cuisine, expect to pay 145 UAH or less. Portions are filling and hearty too. Fast food (like McDonald’s) can be found in the larger cities around the country and costs around 120 UAH for a combo meal. For Thai or Indian food, main dishes cost around 200 UAH. Expect to pay around 180 UAH for a large pizza.

If you want to splash out, a three-course meal of traditional cuisine costs around 300 UAH. Beer can be found for just 30 UAH while a latte or cappuccino costs around 35 UAH.

For a week of groceries that includes pasta, vegetables, chicken, and seasonal produce, expect to pay around 750 UAH.

Backpacking Ukraine Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Ukraine, my suggested budget is 885 UAH per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, doing free activities like walking tours and hiking, limiting your drinking, visiting some cheap attractions like museums or galleries, and using local transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 2,425 UAH per day, you can stay in a budget hotel or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals at cheap restaurants serving traditional cuisine, go out for some drinks, take some guided tours, take the occasional taxi to get around and take the bus between cities, and tour of Chernobyl.

On a “luxury” budget of 3,950 UAH or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out at any restaurant you want, rent a car or take taxis everywhere, take higher-end guided tours, drink as much as you want, go skiing, take domestic flights to get around the country, and see as many castles and museums as you can handle. This is just the ground floor for luxury though — the sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in UAH.

Ukraine Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Ukraine is an affordable country to visit. You’re going to be hard-pressed to spend a lot of money unless you go out of your way to do so. That said, it’s always good to make sure you get the best deals so here are some money-saving tips for Ukraine:

• Eat local – By eating at restaurants serving traditional cuisine, you keep your food expenses low. Skip the western food.
• Buy beer at the supermarkets – If you plan on drinking, buy your beer at the supermarket. Beer at the bar is cheap, but this is even cheaper!
• Stay with a local – Use Couchsurfing to meet awesome people, get a local perspective, and get a place to stay for free. I used it while I was in the country and met a lot of great people through it. The community here is pretty small so be sure to make your requests in advance.
• Book overnight trains – Take advantage of the slow and cheap trains in Ukraine by taking overnight trains. You save one night’s accommodation by doing this.
• Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and is the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. Currently, Uber is available in Kyiv, Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhia, and Dnipro.
• Get the Kyiv PASS – If you’re planning on being in Kyiv for a few days, the Kyiv PASS gets you free admissions to certain attractions, discounts to partner restaurants, free Metro trips (offline cards only), and an audio guide. It’s available for 24, 48, and 72 hours and costs 447 UAH, 746 UAH, and 1,045 UAH respectively.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Ukraine is not safe to drink. Avoid single-use plastic by bringing a reusable water bottle with a filter with you. LifeStraw makes reusable bottles that also filter your water so it’s safe and clean to drink — no matter where you are in the world!
• Take a free walking tour – Kyiv Walking Tours offers a free tour around the city. It’s the best way to see the main sights on a budget. Just be sure to tip your guide!

Where to Stay in Ukraine

Ukraine has a growing hostel scene and you can now find hostels in most of the larger cities. Here are my favorite places to stay around the country:

• Gar’is Hostel (Kyiv)
• DREAM Hostel (Kyiv)
• Mama Hostel (Odessa)
• Park Plus Hostel (Lviv)
• Yard Hostel & Coffee (Chernivtsi)

How to Get Around Ukraine

Bus – Ukraine has a mix of small, crowded, and outdated buses as well as larger, more modern coaches. FlixBus is your best choice here, as their buses are clean, reliable, and cheap.

You can take a bus pretty much anywhere in the country for under 700 UAH although if you’re prepared to change busses mid-way, the price can be half that.

Trains – Trains are perfect for longer journeys around the country. Many of the trains have an old, Soviet feel to them but they are safe, reliable, and cheap. And, because there are lots of overnight options, you can usually take an overnight train to save yourself a night of accommodation.

First-class couchettes, private and shared sleepers, and regular seats are all available. Most clerks do not speak English so buy your ticket online or have your hostel/hotel write down what you need/where you’re going.

The 9-hour trip from Kyiv to Odessa can cost as little as 300 UAH. The 7-hour trip from Kyiv to Lviv costs about the same while the 13-hour journey from Kyiv to Loskutivka (near Luhansk) costs 340 UAH.

Air – Ukraine International Airlines is the main domestic carrier here. Flights are relatively affordable, with most domestic flights costing as little as 1,000 UAH.

Car Rental – Car rentals in Ukraine can be found for as little as 575 UAH per day for a multi-day rental. The roads here are in rough shape, however, so drive carefully. Additionally, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle here.

When to Go to Ukraine

The summer is the most popular time to visit Ukraine. June-August offers plenty of warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from 18-24°C (64-75°F). This is also the busiest time of year as well. However, the country only sees around 14 million tourists each year (that’s a fraction of the 90 million visitors a popular destination like France receives) so don’t expect massive crowds.

If you want to avoid the peak summer season, consider visiting in May or September/October. It won’t be as warm, but you can see the flowers blossom in the Carpathians or watch the leaves change in the autumn. It’s chilly at night, but the days are still perfect for sightseeing and hiking.

The winters in Ukraine are cold, with temperatures well below 0°C (32°F). Unless you’re here to ski or do winter sports, I’d avoid visiting in the winter.

How to Stay Safe in Ukraine

Crime and petty theft in Ukraine are on par with much of Europe. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity so as long as you keep your valuables out of reach when in crowded areas and on public transportation, you can avoid the most common issues. Don’t flash your valuables when out and about and avoid walking alone at night in the larger cities just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though they should take the standard precautions (not leaving their drink unattended at the bar, not walking home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Credit card fraud is a concern in Ukraine so stick to using ATMs inside of banks (and not random ATMs on the street).

The roads here are pretty terrible, so be extra careful if renting a car. Follow all the rules of the road, obey the speed limits, and wear a seatbelt. Drivers here are aggressive so be prepared. Also, don’t leave your valuables in your vehicle overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

With the rise of the far-right and Russian interference, attacks against people of color have been on the rise. Travelers of color need to take extra precautions and avoid traveling alone at night.

The war with Russia in Crimea is localized to the region (for now) so as long as you avoid visiting Crimea (which you need a special permit for) you won’t have to worry. While it is possible to visit Crimea (and there is a lot to see there), most governments have issued warnings and don’t provide assistance should an issue arise. In short, avoid visiting Crimea for now.

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 102 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Ukraine Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Ukraine Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

14 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Kiev, Ukraine

Written by Alison Abbott Dec 30, 2019

Kiev is having a moment. Regularly the subject of the nightly news, the city is just waiting to be discovered by tourists. You may know it as the capital of Ukraine and a manufacturing powerhouse, but what you may not know is that this lesser known European city also makes a dream destination for visitors.

Walk through the streets and visit the many small shops, restaurants, museums, and landmarks. The city has a population of three million, but in most neighborhoods, it retains its small-town vibe.

As the hub of science, industry, and culture in Ukraine, there isn't much you won't find in this undiscovered Eastern European gem. Whether you are looking for romance, history, or just a getaway to somewhere unique, Kiev offers a little something for everyone within the city limits.

Although there are many places to visit in the city, find the best spots for sightseeing with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Kiev.

1. St. Sophia's Cathedral

2. st. andrew's church, 3. national art museum of ukraine, 4. kiev pechersk lavra monastery, 5. mariyinsky palace, 6. independence square, 7. mezhyhirya: former presidential palace, 8. national opera and ballet of ukraine, 9. museum of the history of ukraine in the second world war, 10. st. volodymyr's cathedral, 11. the golden gates, 12. feofaniya park, 13. the motherland monument, 14. m.m. gryshko national botanical garden.

St. Sophia's Cathedral (also called Saint Sophia Cathedral) is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine and was awarded the important status in the 1980s. It was constructed in 1037 and is named for Hagia Sophia. Since it's a favorite of tourists, visiting earlier in the day is recommended.

It's one of the oldest and most jaw-dropping of Kiev's impressive churches. Beautiful murals, ancient mosaics, and frescoes adorn the interior. Additional structures have been added over the years; one entrance fee is good for all.

Enjoy the views over the city form the bell tower. Tours are available.

Address: Volodymyrska St, 24, Kyiv

Another of Kiev's important landmarks is found in Podil, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. It was built by the Russian architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, during the time of Catherine the Great.

Churches were often built high on a hill for all to see, and St. Andrew's is a prime example. While the church is no longer religious in nature, it does house an important collection of paintings and sculptures . St. Andrew was a patron saint of Kiev, and the impressive Baroque architecture reflects his importance.

Address: Andriivs'kyi descent, 23, Kyiv

One of the most visited museums in Ukraine is the National Art Museum. It was established in 1897 by a successful patron of the arts, Bohdan Khanenko, who was determined to build the first museum in the country. Succeed he did—the historically important building contains a collection of important sculptures, artwork, and icons.

Represented are Ukrainian artists, both local and those who have moved to other countries and continued their career in the arts. The museum also shows the work of contemporary artists and is recognized around the world as an important representation of art from Eastern Europe.

Address: 6 Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street, Kyiv

This monastery complex was founded by two monks of the caves: St. Anthony and St. Theodosius. Constructed over a series of caves excavated by the monks, it is remarkable to think they date to the 11 th century.

The Baroque style of Ukraine is again at work in the series of additional buildings in the complex. You might hear the attraction referred to as both the Near and Far Caves. Make sure to visit both areas, as you will find hundreds of artifacts.

Do not miss the underground crypts, where monks are buried under glass. Here, you'll find a fairly creepy and somewhat claustrophobic look into the past, and one of the most unique sights of the city.

This Baroque palace is the official ceremonial home for the President of Ukraine. After a fire destroyed the first structure, Alexander II had the palace reconstructed in 1870, following the model of the old drawings. The pale blue exterior lends a dreamy quality to the magnificent architecture.

Inside, visitors will find a collection of artwork by Ukrainian masters, as well as cultural and historic treasures. The surrounding landscaped gardens are a nice place for contemplation.

Address: 5A, Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, Kyiv

Independence Square had its international debut in 2004 as the scene of the Orange Revolution, when the power of the people changed Ukrainian history and the future of the country.

As the central square in the city, many festivals, concerts, and parades take place in the area. The attraction contains six fountains, a waterfall, and a large column representing Ukrainian independence. In the evening, it makes for a great people-watching spot, and there is often a light show and music with the fountains on colorful display.

Visitors will find this area a convenient location for their stay in the city as it is close to many shops, restaurants, and popular areas.

Mezhyhirya is situated in a lovely location on the banks of the scenic Dnieper River. The comples is the former residence of ex-president of Ukraine, Viktor Yonukovych. If you are lucky, your tour guide might be a caped member of the former resistance. Charged with protecting this example of political greed and corruption, he makes for quite an interesting hour of commentary.

Visitors will be overwhelmed by the extravagance on display. Today, in all its glory, the building is a symbol and reminder of overindulgence and institutional greed and corruption. Within its gated walls, there are tennis courts, a shooting range, an equestrian club, helicopter pad, ostrich farm, dog kennel, golf course, and hunting grounds—all built while the population of the country struggled to feed itself.

The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and a nice place to have a picnic while trying to process all that you have just taken in on the tour.

Address: Novi Petrivtsi, Kyiv Oblast

From its humble beginnings in 1867, the National Opera of Ukraine has been a cultural mainstay in Kiev. The impressive structure that houses the cultural institution is filled with unique architecture and has modern amenities after it was rebuilt following a devastating fire in the 1980s.

It's one of the most popular cultural attractions in the city—millions of people over the last century have graced its halls and viewed classics like Swan Lake or the Nutcracker .

The National Opera isn't just a great place to view a performance. Outside is the perfect spot to people watch or grab a bite to eat. There is a waterfall sculpture outside, and across the street are a few excellent restaurants from which to choose.

Address: Chaikovs'koho Ln, 1, Odesa, Odes'ka oblast

Opened in 1981, the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War is located on the banks of the Dnieper River. Within the complex, you will find everything related to the role that Ukraine played in the Second World War commemorated in statues and relics, like uniforms, letters, and larger pieces of history like airplanes and artillery.

Although most of the exhibits aren't in English, you will still get a sense of what it was like to be a soldier during that time, and walking around outside, you can see some impressive views of the city below.

As one of Kiev's key landmarks, St. Volodymyr's Cathedral is probably one of the city's most significant churches. Surely it is one of the most impressive. Many would consider it a key component of the Ukrainian Orthodox structure.

From the moment you walk in the door, you are greeted by the amazing Byzantine-style architecture and art that most visitors find breathtaking. The craftsmanship is exquisite and one-of-a-kind, complete with gilded murals , paintings , and hand-carved accents all nested into this holy space. The grounds are equally beautiful, on a tree-lined street near Shevchenko University.

When you visit, take note that both men and women will need to be appropriately dressed, and women will need a headscarf. Be mindful of the time as well. Regular services are hosted daily.

Address: Tarasa Shevchenko Blvd, 20, Kyiv

Although the original "golden gate" was dismantled in the Middle Ages, the gates that are here today pay honor to the main gate in the 11th century that helped fortify Kiev.

Modeled after the Golden Gate of Constantinople, the structure that stands today was built in 1982 amid controversy. There were no photos to compare it to, just oral tradition as to what the gates would have looked like, so there are many who feel as if this isn't an accurate representation.

At the gates, you will also find a branch of the Sophia of Kiev museum , and several vendors in traditional dress sell local wildflowers around the monument.

Getting here is easy—there is a station of the Metro with easy access.

Feofaniya Park is a beautiful respite in the bustling city of Kiev. Located near the southern outskirts, this park became part of the Soviet state farm system and home to the main observatory for the Institute of Botany of the Ukrainian Academy of Science . This school is well known in Ukraine and Europe in its studies of biodiversity.

Take a stroll in the park and explore the lush greenery and unique plants that call this park home. It's a great way to spend a lunch break or just get away from the city to recharge in a welcome sea of green.

This statue, located in Victory Park , commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and is a focal point in Kiev. Take a walk around the grounds and admire the views overlooking the Dnieper river.

Inside, visitors will find the Museum of the Great Patriotic War , opened in 1995 at the base of the statue. Thousands of visitors have flocked here to observe and view World War II memorabilia, from weapons to battle dioramas.

This giant titanium statue is taller than the Statue of Liberty. There is a viewing platform that can be reached by elevator, but only with a guide. When you are here, be sure to check out the Hall of Glory and the Hall of Remembrance and Sorrow , a sober reminder of those who lost their lives.

Named after the famed botanist Mykola Gryshko, this beautiful nature preserve is filled with local flora and fauna, as well as plants from all over the world.

Take a walk through the hothouses, greenhouses, or conservatories, where you can check out the exotic plants, as well as a plethora of flowers, from peonies to magnolias. If you are lucky enough to visit here during the spring, you can revel in the gorgeous lilacs in the central gardens, which are a favorite of visitors.

There is a small entry fee charged, but visitors could easily spend several hours here if they are looking for a green space to walk and enjoy the outdoors.

Address: 1 Timiryazevskaya Street, Kiev

Official site: http://www.nbg.kiev.ua/en/

• Group Enquiry? NEW

Places to Visit in Ukraine

• Places To Visit

Tourist Places In Ukraine

Here are some of the best places to visit in ukraine:.

The beautiful and cozy city of Vinnytsia is located beside the Southern Bug River, in west-central Ukraine. The city has gained its importance owing to its unique attraction, the large Multimedia Fountain Roshen. Tourists include this destination in their list of places to visit in Ukraine to watch this unique fountain show and to explore the various historical places. The beauty of the city lies in its location beside the Southern Bug River which has been enhanced by the presence of the colorful fountain.  The star attraction of Vinnytsia is the enchanting Multimedia Fountain Roshen, set in the river. Feel charmed looking at the beautiful fountain emitting sound and colorful lights. Other places of interest include Adolf Hitler’s military headquarters, National Pirogov’s Estate Museum, Gorky Park, and so on. If you are not satisfied with only sightseeing, you may love to watch a theatrical play at Vinnytsia State Academic Music and Drama Theater. Children and adults would love to go for a tour of Roshen, Ukraine’s leading confectionery factory. Feel relaxed spending some time at Martynov having a cup of fragrant coffee and light snacks from the well-known Artynor Bus. You may also love to taste some traditional food at the Biblioteka Cafe. Vinnytsia enjoys pleasant weather with limited rainfall in the summer months of May to September. The Winter months in the city are freezing and windy. January has the lowest temperature of -3°C.

The third-largest city of Ukraine, Odessa, is located on the north-western shore of the Black Sea and has been nicknamed as ‘Pearl of the Black Sea.’ The city has an interesting history to share with tourists with Greeks, Ottomans, and Russians invading the city at different eras.  The city is well known as a tourist attraction owing to its gorgeous sandy beaches with sparkling warm waters. The beautiful Art Nouveau architecture of the city buildings makes it more eye-catching for the tourists. The topmost attraction of Odessa is the mighty stairways of the city, the Potemkin Stairs. You should also visit the Odessa Opera House, known to be the second-largest theater in the world. The city also has several interesting museums frequented by tourists with interests in the history of the place. A must inclusion in Ukraine places to visit is the Odessa Catacombs, the largest catacomb system in the world. Odessa has lots of activities to offer for you. You can go to gorgeous beach club pools to hang out, Opera Houses to watch a theater, and beaches to take a relaxing stroll. During nights, there are enjoyable nightclubs, excellent wineries, and delightful places to do shopping. Odessa has enjoyable weather in June and September with temperatures ranging between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. This makes it the best time for a visit.

Kamianets Podilskyi

The fairy-tale city of Kamianets Podilskyi nestles in the western Ukrainian countryside and has gained its fame with tourists owing to the Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress.  The beauty of this place lies in its cobbled streets lined with beautiful pastel-colored houses and street murals depicting the history of the city.  The picturesque Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress, towering over river Smotrycz, is the main reason for you to include this city in the list of Ukraine places to visit. You will also love exploring this idyllic town on foot - taking a walk through the cobbled streets of this medieval old town.  You will feel thrilled going for a hot air balloon ride to watch the Smotrichsky Canyon. You may also feel excited to take up archery on the Castle Bridge. Tourists visiting during spring enjoy the amazing festival of hot air balloons.  The weather in Kamianets-Podolski is best in the summer months. During this time, the weather is warm and the city becomes beautiful with blooming flowers. Most tourists prefer visiting in July and August.

The city of Uman is centrally located in Ukraine on the banks of the Umanka River. You must  include this city in their list of tourist places in Ukraine due to the beautiful Sofiyivka Park. You will also feel interested to know more about the history of the city,  built-in 1616, as a fortification against Tatar raids.   Uman is one of the beautiful places in Ukraine with its lush landscape. The place becomes breathtakingly beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color and the warm fall hues approach the landscapes. The presence of the calm and soothing Umanka river adds a fairy tale effect to the place. The star attraction of the city is Sofiyivka Park, a botanical garden and a scientific research center. The tomb of Rabbi Nachman in the park is also visited by most tourists. Some of the other places you will feel delighted in visiting include the Basilian Monastery, the oldest building in the city, various museums, WWII monuments, and a marvelous pastel-colored church. While visiting Uman, you will love to watch the Pearl of Love fountain show. You may  also sign up for a tree tour at the Dendrological Research Center. A popular activity all tourists indulge in is a stroll in the fairy tale Sofiyivka Park.  Uman has a warm and partly cloudy summer making it the best time of the year to visit the city. Winters in this city are snowy, windy, and freezing making it unsuitable for a pleasant vacation.

Best of Greece

Chernivtsi is located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine. The city is known for its striking architecture which resembles Australian cities for which it has been named "Little Vienna". The city also attracts tourists with its multicultural history and central European vibes.  The city has a medieval look with ruins of the Black city fort, cobbled streets, and Baroque buildings. The natural beauty of the lush greenery around adds to its beauty.   Chernivtsi National University, which has found a place in UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful buildings, is the star attraction of this city. The impressive palace-like structure is also one of the largest universities in Ukraine. Other places you will find interesting and worth a visit are the Cathedral of Holy Spirit, Armenian Church, Chernivtsi Town Hall, etc.  Enjoy a walk along Kobylyanskoi Street and indulge in tasting local cuisines in restaurants and shopping from local shops. The evening is best for spending some relaxing time at Teatralna Square.   Chernivtsi has enjoyable summer months between May to September, making it ideal for tourists to visit.

Best of Switzerland

The city of Mukachevo is located in the western Ukrainian province of Zakarpattia. The city is known for the Palanok Castle, which is one of the must-visit tourist places in Ukraine.  The city has a photogenic beauty with lush green slopes of mountains and ancient monuments.   The highlight of this town is the 10th-century Palanok Castle with its historical museum and art gallery. The castle is located on a hilltop allowing the tourists to get a panoramic view of Mukachevo city. Other places of attraction include the chimney Sweeper statue, St. Martin of Tours Cathedral, Orthodox church, Ratusha Mista Mukacheve, and so on. Travelers in Mukachevo mostly indulge in sightseeing and love roaming around Rakoczi Schonborn Palace. You will love mingling with locals at the Chimney Sweep Monument and spend some good time appreciating mother nature at Komsomol’skyi Park.  The summer months of Mukachevo between May to August are warm and pleasant, making it an ideal time for visiting this place. During this time, there is limited rainfall. Winter months are cold with snowfalls. This makes it ideal for tourists who prefer to indulge in winter activities.

Best of Spain

Bukovel is an ultramodern ski resort located at an altitude of 920 meters in the Ukrainian Carpathians mountains. The resort is one of the biggest ski resorts in the eastern part of Europe. The recreational Haven is also known for its breath-taking beauty. Surrounded by three mountains, the idyllic destination has lush greenery in summer and turns into a winter wonderland in the winters with snow covering the mountains.  The main attraction of this place is winter activities. Feel excited skiing or snowboarding down the slopes ranging from 650 meters to 2000 meters. Also enjoy hanging out in the snow park or the bicycle park. Visit this place to improve your health by taking a bath in the mineral springs. There are also several spas and sanatoriums present in Bukovel.  While winter tourists feel thrilled in the skiing and snowboarding activities, those visiting in summer or spring are also not disappointed. The resort has several options of mountain climbing, river exploring, and mountain biking for summer tourists. If you are interested in skiing, you would love to visit Bukovel in the winter months between December to April when the mountains are covered by snow. You may also prefer the summer months of June, July, and August to indulge in the summer activities or to enjoy a rejuvenation of heath.

Best of Paris

The ancient city of Poltava is located on the banks of the Vorskla river. Visit Poltava to explore the city’s well-known field of the Great Poltava Battle. The main beauty of the city lies in its main city square, Kruhla Square. The city square is actually a ring-shaped park that looks breathtakingly beautiful when viewed from the top.  Although the main attraction of this city is the battlefield of the Great Poltava Battle, the city also has other attractions. Some of these places are  Saint Sampon’s Church with its minty green towers, the National Museum of Pottery with its more than 40,000 exhibits, etc. You will love to climb up to reach Ivanova Gora, a historical landmark and viewpoint. Reaching the top, feel mesmerized looking at the panoramic view of the city. A must thing to do while visiting this city is to taste its delicious traditional Ukrainian halushky (dumplings).  Poltava can be best enjoyed during hot weather seasons from the middle of July to the middle of August or early September. During this time, the weather is warm and partly cloudy. The winter days are freezing, dry, cloudy, and windy making it unsuitable for sightseeing.

Best of Norway

Chernihiv, one of the oldest cities of Ukraine, is located in the north-central part of the country on the banks of the Desna River. The city is known for its beautiful churches and cathedrals, especially Catherine’s Church with its golden cupolas and the five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral.  The beauty of the city lies in its medieval architecture that can be witnessed in all its churches, cathedrals, and monasteries.  The ancient city has several places of attractions which tourists include in their sightseeing. On the top of the list is Dytynets(Citadel in old Russia) with its historical churches and cathedrals. The Antoniy caves and Illinska monastery, one of the largest cave monasteries in Ukraine, are another tourist hotspot. Other places worth a visit include Trinity Monastery, Tarnovsky History Museum, Kachanivka Palace, etc.    Sightseeing is the top activity for tourists visiting Chernihiv. The evening sees many visitors taking a stroll in the pedestrian walkway on Myru Avenue. You will also love taking a stroll in the gardens of the Kachanivka Palace. Those with a love for beer would not want to miss out on tasting the famous tipple known as ‘Cherninihivske.’ Chernihiv enjoys warm but pleasant weather in the summer months of the middle of June to the end of August. The long winter season in this city is freezing, dry, and windy making it uncomfortable for sightseeing activities.

Best of Italy

The lovely city Lutsk is located in western Ukraine. The city is known for its historical and spiritual monuments. The city has been nicknamed Little Rome, owing to its large number of cathedrals, churches, and monasteries.  The charming city has lush greenery all over enhancing the beauty of the place. Visit Lutsk to explore its star attraction, the Lubart’s Castle, which is one of the greatest castles in the country. Feel delighted visiting the numerous museums on Art, Bells, Books, and Weapons housed in the Castle complex. Other places you may feel delighted in visiting include Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, the house with Chimeras, Lutheran Church, etc. An interesting activity that might thrill you is a descent into the Lutsk Dungeon with a tour guide. The dungeons are full of mystery and legends loved by visitors of all ages. Children feel excited visiting the Lutsk Zoo and spotting rare species of Ukrainian animals. They love to touch and feed the animals at the small contact zoo.  Lutsk enjoys a warm summer from June to September. The city gets very cold in the winter months from October to March.

Best of London

Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine, is mostly visited by tourists with an interest in the history and culture of a place. Feel yourself to be taken back in the bygone era while listening to the history of the city established in 1240. The city was named after Leo, the oldest son of the King of Ruthenia.  The beauty of the city lies in its medieval Renaissance-era buildings with western-influenced architectures giving it an old charm.  Gravitate to this city to visit the UNESCO protected old town with several museums and monuments. Delight in watching the tall mellow-hued buildings in the area of Rynok Square. A must-visit place in Lviv is the National Art Gallery, which is the home to over 50,000 works of art.  While visiting Ukraine, spend an enjoyable time visiting cultural hubs with art galleries, watching opera and ballet performances, and spending some time in the cafe culture. For nighttime, there are local pubs and quirky bars.  In Lviv the winter months are very cold and harsh, making it difficult to enjoy sightseeing. The autumn and spring months are very pleasant making it the best time for a visit to this city.

Best of Sweden

One of the places to visit in Ukraine is Rakhiv, the highest city in the country, located at Zakarpattia Oblast in western Ukraine. This mountain town is preferred by hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers for being the starting point for hiking expeditions. Being located amidst the lush greenery of Carpathian forests, the town has a picture-perfect view of green slopes, dense forests, the gushing river Tysa, and swinging footbridges leading across it.  While visiting Rakhiv, you will love spending a few days in the peaceful Dilove village. Enjoy the serene beauty and the welcoming silence of the surrounding mountains. If you want a taste of local culture, you can visit in September to attend the Hutsul Brynza festival.  Hiking is the popular activity of this town. Hikers love going on a hike on mountains such as Hoverla, Brebeneskul, or Pip Ivan.  The weather of Rakhiv is most pleasant in the summer months of June to September with the highest average temperature of 25°C in august. The winter months are chilly with snowfall making it ideal for winter sports.

Best of Rome

Ivano Frankivsk

The city of Ivano-Frankivsk, located in western Ukraine, had several names. It was known as Frankivsk, Stanislav or Franek. The uniqueness of the city is that it can be explored on foot without the use of any public transports. The city has a mesmerizing view of the Carpathian peaks rising in a distance. The view is even more mesmerizing on sunny days.  The city has several major attractions. While the massive City Hall, standing proudly in the heart of the city is the star attraction, the Potocki Castle, The Armenian Church, The Greek Catholic Cathedral of God’s Ascension, all are worth visiting.  You will love to take a stroll across Shevchenko City Park while admiring its beautiful surroundings. You may also like to take a stroll around the Town Lake. Adventurous tourists may prefer to go rafting on a catamaran along the Dniester Canyon. Children would love to spend some time in the Tsunami Aquapark.  The city enjoys good weather in the months between May to September. During this time, the temperature falls between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. Winter months are freezing with January being the coldest month with 0°C temperature.

Best of France

Uzhhorod is located in the south-west corner of Ukraine. The city has the prominence of sharing a common border with Slovakia, with the border crossing points of Romania, Poland, and Hungary nearby.  The city is surrounded by lush green mountains giving it a beautiful scenic view. The city has several interesting buildings with magnificent 20th-century architecture adding to its glory. Include this city in their list of places to visit in Ukraine to explore its star attraction, the Uzhgorod Castle where the Transcarpathian Regional History Museum is housed now. Feel mesmerized watching the beautiful interior of the castle with a lovely view of the surrounding places. Other places of interest which you will love to explore are the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, Philharmonic Orchestra Hall, Holy Cross Cathedral, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, etc.  While sightseeing is the main activity tourists indulge in this city, some love to take a stroll around the longest linden-tree alley of Europe on the embankment. Others want to partake in the cafe culture, well known in Ukraine by visiting numerous traditional and modern cafes. Uzhhorod enjoys a warm and cloudy summer during the months of early July to late August. The Winter months are freezing and windy. The city gains additional beauty in late April when the streets get covered with cherry blossoms.

Also known as Kharkov in Russian, Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine. The city attracts tourists with a craving for off the beat locations in Ukraine. The city is known for stunning churches, delightful parks, and many more attractions.  The city’s beauty lies in the architectural glory of its churches and other monuments. The presence of the parks added to the beauty of the place. While on a visit to the city you will delight in  visiting the beautiful churches such as Holy Virgin Church, Annunciation Cathedral. Feel excited exploring the massive Derzhprom Complex with Soviet-era architecture.  A ride on an underground metro rail is a must. Feel excited during the ride delighting in the beauty of all the eight metro stations the metro passes through. Follow up the ride with a leisure stroll across Gorky Park.  Kharkiv enjoys a warm and pleasant summer from June to September. The city gets very cold in the winter months from October to March. 

Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine, is located in the north-central part of the country on the Dnieper River. It is also the largest city in the country and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. Kiev is the most popular tourist destination in the country.  The city will attract you with its magnificent Soviet architecture buildings, ancient monasteries, golden-domed churches, and excellent streets.  Two of the best places to visit in Ukraine, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery, and St. Sophia's Cathedral, are located in Kiev. Both of these places have been listed under UNESCO World Heritage sites and are flocked by tourists. Other places you may opt to visit include the Museum of Folk Architecture and Ethnography. While visiting this beautiful medieval city, you will love taking a walk down Andriyivskyy Descent, a steep cobbled street lined on both sides with Art Nouveau-style houses with gargoyles. You will  also enjoy the cultural life of the city which can be glimpsed through various opera, musical performances, and theaters that are held in Kiev. Kiev enjoys summer in the months between May to August, with July as the hottest month. The winter months in the city start in October and continue till March. The coldest month in Winter is in January.

Other Attractions

Carpathian mountains.

Tunnel Of Love

Dzharylhach Island

The Pink Lake

Hoverla Mountain

Kherson Cliffs

People Also Ask About Ukraine

Which are the famous beaches to visit in ukraine.

1. Dzharylhach Beach: Famed for its sparkling white sand and crystal clear waters, this beach is a one stop destination for your postcard perfect pictures. The shores here are known for being the perfect site for dolphin spotting, hence making it one of the top places in Ukraine for nature lovers and marine life enthusiasts.  2. Lanzheron Beach: One of the best Ukraine tourist places, the Lanzheron Beach is known for offering a luxurious beach vacay to the ones looking for some fun, sun and sea. From chic cafes to beachside adventures, this beach is loaded with numerous facilities and activities to make your vacation even more delightful and memorable.  3. Arcadia Beach: If you are a lover of sunbathing with scenic views then Arcadia Beach is the best place for you to plan a visit. A day spent here will add a lot of memories to your trip in the form of food tours, family fun and a plethora of adventurous activities. Being one of the top Ukraine tourist places, the Arcadia Beach remains crowder at all times.  4. Otrada Beach: Only accessible by foot or via a cable car, the Otrada Beach is more of a hidden gem located far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The beach remains deserted most of the time, hence can make a great place to visit when looking for some solace.

Which are the best places to visit in Ukraine with your family?

1. Rakhiv: Known to be the highest city of the country, Rakhiv is truly one of the best Ukraine places to visit. If you are looking for some family adventure then this place will offer you numerous hiking trails which will take you to some pretty picnic spots. The nature and greenery here will further make your trip even more scenic.  2. The Pink Lake: Staying true to its name, the Pink Lake is actually pink in colour and has been fascinating people with its totally random colour. You will find several pink lakes at different parts of the country and all of these are known for their healing properties. 3. Slavske: Located in the Skole Beskids range of the Carpathian mountains, Slavske is a Ski Resort and will surely add the much required fun to your vacation. Being one of the most famous places to visit in Ukraine, this ski destination is flocked by locals as well as foreigners equally.

Which are the famous historical places to visit in Ukraine?

1. Chernobyl: Falling in the list of top 10 places to visit in Ukraine, Chernobyl is the infamous destination known for its nuclear blast. The effects of the blast were so bad that they made this place inhabitable for the coming 100 to 300 years. As for now, the city is open for people to explore and once you reach here, you can see the deserted schools, houses, cars and buildings the way they were at the time of explosion. 2. Lviv’s Historic Centre: If you are a history buff and want to gather more info about the history of Ukraine then make sure to visit this one of the oldest places to visit in Ukraine. Being an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic centre will let you get an insight into the local culture through various relics and artefacts.  3. St. Sophia’s Cathedral: The richly decorated interior of the St. Sophia’s Cathedral has been attracting flocks of tourists towards its architecture and the nature around it. Being the oldest church of Kiev, this cathedral is believed to be built back in 1037 and is truly one of the best places to visit in Ukraine.

What are the best areas to stay in Ukraine?

What is the best time to visit ukraine, how to reach ukraine, what is ukraine known for, what is ukraine famous food, popular related destinations.

Best Domestic Packages

Best international packages, domestic honeymoon packages, international honeymoon packages, places to visit in india, international places to visit, things to do in india, international things to do, popular on thrillophilia.

• We assure the privacy of your contact data.
• This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes.

Your enquiry has been received successfully. Our destination expert will reach out to you soon!

Road is Calling

15 Best Cities in Ukraine You Have to Visit on Your Trip (And 4 to Skip)

Among all cities in Ukraine, there are 187 cities of regional significance, meaning cities that are economically, socially and culturally developed and have a population of over 50 thousand people.

Out of all these cities, some are very young since they were created only 30-50 years ago while others are ancient over a thousand years old. Some are modern and historically rich and some are a bit neglected and unremarkable. 

I am not going to talk about all Ukrainian cities. In today’s post, I’d actually love to talk about Ukraine’s best tourist cities great for visiting. They are pretty, interesting places to discover and spend time in. Some are so lovely and amazing that they are actually great cities where to live too.

But the main idea is not to talk about the best cities to live in Ukraine (I am actually working on a separate post just about that). This post highlights Ukraine’s top cities to visit as a tourist.

Some of them will be more interesting for one group of travelers while others may seem to be boring. It depends on what type of traveler you are and what exactly you are looking to find in each place.

Don’t judge the place and make conclusions after reading captions only. Read what each city has to offer and what it can possibly give you. If you need more travel tips for Ukraine , check my guide. If you have more questions, see all my posts in the Ukraine travel blog section or drop a comment below, I’ll do my best to help! 

Best Cities in Ukraine to Visit on Your Trip 

1. kyiv – one of the oldest ukrainian cities .

Of course, the fact that Kyiv is on this list will not come as a surprise to anyone. A lot of travelers fly there and start their journey around the country from Kyiv. It is one of the top cities in Ukraine to see and explore.

Kyiv is the capital with a thousand-year history. You can find this history in the calm waters of the Dnieper River, in the crowns of trees on the Kyiv slopes, in the bells of lush churches, in the walls of fortresses, on wide boulevards and narrow streets.

One of the 10 most beautiful metro stations and one of the 5 highest monuments in the world are located in Kyiv. In 2019, it was recognized as the greenest metropolis in Europe. No wonder it did! There are more than 70 parks and squares around the city .

Kyiv is home to many sacred places and religious monuments, churches and cathedrals, architectural objects, and statues. If you decide to make a trip here, definitely visit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and St. Sophia Cathedral , Vydubitsky and Mikhailovsky Golden-Domed Monasteries , St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, and St. Nicholas Church , St. Alexander’s Church, and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Pirogoshchi .

Also, don’t forget to take a fascinating walk along historic Khreshchatyk street, visit Independence Square, walk through a landscaped alley, go to the Sophia Kyivska national reserve and buy an original souvenir on St. Andrew’s Descent. 

When thinking about where to stay in Kyiv, check Bursa hotel for a unique stay on a budget or Garden Hostel if you are a backpacker. 

Are you visiting Kyiv in winter? Check my guide to things to do . For any time of the year trip, check my Kyiv monthly weather guide and the best breakfast places in Kyiv  post.

Check prices and availability for Bursa Hotel on Booking.com

Check prices and availability for Hostel Garden on Booking.com

2. Chernihiv – Another Ancient City in Ukraine 

Chernihiv is another ancient city in Ukraine. The first mention of it was in 907, although archaeological excavations indicate even earlier human settlements in the area. In 2021, it celebrated 1114 years since its founding. Once a thriving and important center of medieval Kievan Rus and the first East Slavic state.

It has an amazing variety of religious buildings of the X-XIII century and unique examples of medieval Slavic church architecture .

One of the oldest churches in Ukraine – the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was built in the 11th century and contains stunning frescoes and ancient interiors is here. And by the way, a few ancient churches of Chernihiv are mentioned in a few books about Ukraine . 

Chernihiv is the most important city in the East European historical period before the Mongol invasion. It can be easy to visit on a  weekend trip from Kyiv . 

Why it can be interesting for you as a tourist? I give more answers in my very long guide to Chernihiv . Give it a read. 

3. Lviv – the Most European-Like City in Ukraine Famous For Chocolate & Coffee

One of the most famous cities in Ukraine is sooo famous that you definitely heard about it. For many people (and for Mark and I including) Lviv is a favorite city. Everyone who has been to Lviv, remembers its aromas of coffee and chocolate, picturesque cobbled streets, unique architectural work, and quirky breakfast places . 

People come here for the romance, atmosphere of the old city, and historical sights. An incredible number of churches, temples, and castles make it truly medieval and fabulous, especially during the Christmas holidays.

Lviv is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Recently, it has turned into the restaurant capital of Ukraine, thanks to a network of unusual restaurants and cafes. 

In Lviv, you need to walk a lot and not be afraid to venture off the main streets looking into every courtyard. Also, you have to devote time to at least one day trip from Lviv to castles or the Carpathian mountains. Throughout the year, there are some unique festivals (like a festival of ice cream for example) and street parties .

One of the must-visit places in Lviv is one of the atmospheric cafes. I have two guides to the best restaurants in Lviv  and the most atmospheric Lviv cafes . You’ll definitely need them for your travels! 

4. Truskavets – Beautiful Neighbor of Lviv, a City With Medicinal Properties

Truskavets has an important advantage over other cities in Ukraine. First of all, it is known for mineral waters and health centers . Second, no more than 15 thousand people visit per year. Therefore, you can enjoy a quiet resort city without too much noise and hustle.

Truskavets is a very small city with a population of a bit more than 30 thousand people but it has a lovely center and modern, cozy streets. With more than 100 hotels, resorts, and health centers, it offers relaxation for all tastes and budgets. And all of the hotels are ridiculously cheap. You can be staying in a refined modern spa hotel for less than $150 per night while having your medical treatments and food included. Or in a nice budget chalet-style hotel that costs less than $50. 

Some people come here for mineral springs while others have fun in numerous cafes and clubs.

Between the healing procedures, you can visit one of the museums in the city, see the ancient architecture, or go on one of the excursions.

Truskavets is located in the area with vast forests, including coniferous trees. So being here is very beneficial for many reasons. This Ukrainian city is great for visits with children, for solo travels, couples, and anyone else who wants to improve his health.

Check how affordable but nice accommodation options are. 

5. Chernivtsi – the Main Rival City of Lviv

The capital of the Bukovina region and the cultural center of western Ukraine, Chernivtsi is as old and beautiful as Lviv. It’s just smaller but has cozy, almost chamber streets with exquisite architecture. In 2012, it was recognized as the most comfortable city in the country.

The hallmark of the city is the UNESCO site  Chernivtsi National University . Why? Because it’s the perfect set for Harry Potter scenes ! The building strikes with its appearance alone and holds many secrets of its history.

Almost all the sights of Chernivtsi are in the center, so walking around them is easy on any day and any season.

Travel guides often call Chernivtsi “small Paris of Ukraine”. The city is really small but it has many interesting sights that can keep you busy for at least two days. I advise you to combine a visit to Chernivtsi with a visit to Kamyanets-Podilskiy (which I also mention on this list). 

By the way, in the Chernivtsi region, you can find a piece of the Netherlands : in the village of Luzhany in the spring, thousands of beautiful tulips bloom.

6. Yaremche – One of the Smaller Most Beautiful Cities in Ukraine Mountains

The low-mountain resort of Yaremche is located at the foot of the Carpathians. It became widely known thanks to the popular mountain route “Dovbush trail” , a hiking trail that winds along the beautiful beech-juniper-fir forest, rising to the top of the mountain.

Technically speaking, Yaremche is not a city, it is more of a town but I am still going to include it on my list of the best cities to visit in Ukraine. Why?

Because Yaremche is a Hutsul town in the Carpathians, the nearest large settlement from Ukraine’s main winter resort – Bukovel . It is famous for its traditional architecture, Hutsul cuisine, ski resorts , and the largest souvenir market in the Carpathians . A lot of travelers who come to ski in winter or hike and camp in summer, go through Yaremche as a connecting point.

Like Brasov in Romania , a gateway city into the mountains, Yaremche plays the same role in Ukraine. It is just way smaller than Brasov.

The city is  surrounded by mountains in the picturesque valley of the Prut river. It has healing mountain air, dense forests, and clear lakes . Through Yaremche, a scenic road is leading to the top of the highest mountain in Ukraine – Hoverla. From there you can also visit Bukovel resort with quirky hotels or go south to Vorokhta and Verkhovyna. 

I definitely do not recommend planning a trip only to Yaremche. Because in the town alone there is not much to do. However, recreational complexes and resorts built around the springs of mineral water with healing properties, nature, and hiking trails around, can keep you busy for many days. 

7. Ivano-Frankivsk – New Trendy City in Ukraine With Rich History

Travelers who have been to Ivano-Frankivsk before, mainly know it as a city where to stop on the way to Carpathians and Transcarpathia. It is there where you come by train and then hop on a bus to the mountains or rent a car and start your road tripping adventure.

But hey, why not take the time to get to know the lovely and incredibly colorful city?

If I had to say in a few words what Ivano-Frankivsk is like, I’d immediately answer that it is a cozy city, rich in art institutions and constant events, beautiful landscapes, cafes and bars. Oh, a restaurant scene there is seriously big.

Ivano-Frankivsk is truly the cultural center in the Western Ukraine . Visiting there at any time of the year is great. In the summer, it becomes surrounded by greenery and flowers. In the winter, it gets covered with snow.

If you decide to visit, make sure to stroll along the famous Independence street , visit the wonderful “City Lake”, and go to one of many cute cafes and restaurants. 

Other places to go to are the architectural monument in the Baroque style with elements of the Renaissance – the Collegiate Church, Town Hall on Rynok Square, and Resurrection Cathedral.  

8. Odesa – the Most Popular City by the Black Sea

Odesa is a very popular city in Ukraine. And it is famous for many things. One of them is the fact that it is a colorful city on the seashore. And it has a beautiful historic area . Another one is that the city is famous for its atmospheric courtyards and old streets .

I don’t know if you’ll enjoy Odesa but I recommend you to visit and decide for yourself. It’s a city of contrast with many attractions, a large number of exhibitions, and historical monuments.

For some people, Odesa can be quite overwhelming, especially if visiting in summer . With kilometers of Black Sea beaches and plenty of entertainment both day and night, in summer it gets busy, overcrowded, hot and service is bad. 

Once you visit, make sure to walk around one of the ports and the legendary Odesa courtyards . Also, don’t skip a cable car with incredible panoramas of the sea , meet the dawn on the beach and visit one of the oldest markets in Europe Privoz Market and go to the famous Ibiza Beach Club .

9. Dnipro – Unique Eastern-European City Full of Surprises 

What’s interesting, among Ukrainians, a lot of people consider Dnipro to be purely industrial. Which makes sense because there are quite a few factories, metal-working sops, ferrous metallurgy, machine-building companies, and other branches of heavy industry.

In fact, it is one of a few cities in Ukraine that offers excursions to operating industrial facilities or abandoned factories . Of the existing enterprises, for example, Interpipe and the Southern Machine-Building Plant still accept tourists. For details, check this website . 

To me personally, Dnipro is a boring city (sorry). However, I have been hearing from many foreigners that for them it’s rather a unique city in Ukraine. They find this uniqueness in the combination of the industrial type of vibe and modernism. Many international tourists like its Soviet looking architecture and lively and bright atmosphere.

The main attraction Dnipro is famous for is Monastery Island (Monastyrs’kyy Ostriv) with an artificial waterfall at an altitude of seventeen meters. The place is very romantic. You can reach it via a pedestrian bridge or by using the high-speed tram. There is an observation deck from where you get to see a stunningly beautiful panorama of the city and its surroundings. The island looks very magical with Nicholas Church in white color with a gilded dome. 

Besides the island, other popular sights are  Katerynoslavs’kyi Boulevard, Globa Park, European Square, and Shevchenko Park . Also, you can visit the zoo and aquarium, water park, and horse yard . If you come here in the summer, there is a small beach. And of course, during any time of the year, you can eat delicious food in many quirky local cafes and restaurants.

10. Kharkiv – Modern, Clean and Dynamically Developing City of Ukraine

The second-largest city in Ukraine is also the first capital of the country. Kharkiv has a lot of lovely streets and is famous for its monumental Stalinist architecture as well as the symbol of the constructivism style – the building of the State Industry Committee . Additionally, it has a few universities and is considered a student city. 

Let’s be honest. Kharkiv is not for everyone. It surprises with a big amount of monumental concrete buildings and a small number of ancient churches.

The main square, built in the twentieth century and called the Square of Freedom, impresses with its size. It is the sixth-largest in Europe and covers an area of fourteen hectares. In 2008, Queen and Paul Rogers gathered there the largest audience in the history of the group.

The first thing that will definitely amaze you on your arrival is a beautiful train station. Once you arrive, be sure to take a walk along Sumskaya Street and check the city’s cafes, churches, and many modern art objects. From murals on the walls of high-rise buildings to modern art galleries, there is a lot to see. By the way, entry to most of them is free.

NOTE : On August 23, Kharkiv celebrates City Day, and the following day, August 24 Ukraine Independence Day. There will be a lot of celebrations and crowds. For some people, it may be the worst day to visit. 

11. Zaporizhzhya – “Cradle “of the Ukrainian Cossacks

To be honest and objective, Zaporizhzhya city is not really a place that should be on everyone’s Ukraine itinerary. And I will not be recommending you to visit it on the first trip to Ukraine. Still, it’s here on this list. Why? Because I believe this another Soviet looking city will be to the interest of those tourists who want to see vivid examples of architecture of the 1930-1950s.

If you are interested in buildings of constructivism, Soviet art deco, and Stalin’s empire, welcome here. They are all over the city.

Also, Zaporizhzhya is famous for its unique cultural heritage and is the center of the Ukrainian Cossacks .

In the very “heart” of the city, slightly below the thresholds of the Dnieper, is a picturesque island and a national reserve –  river island with a fortress replica Khortitsa . The natural wealth of the island surprises with its beauty. Its area, which is 2500 hectares, has its own coniferous and oak forests, steppes, and meadows. The abundance of sunlight, dry air, fresh water, and other favorable climatic conditions have created a diverse flora here, which contains the rarest species of flowers, herbs, and shrubs.

If you are a camper, you are welcome to come and camp on the island , see the industrial center of the region , learn about Zaporizhs’ka Sich times, and see the Soviet part of the city . 

12. Vinnytsya – Ancient City on the Banks of the Southern Buh River

Vinnytsia is a modern and comfortable city that has the largest multimedia fountain in Europe with lighting and musical accompaniment. It is built on the Southern Buh River, near Kempa island.

In order to feel the atmosphere of the city, take a leisurely, walking tour through the center and streets of the old Jewish quarter, which in the old days was called “Jerusalemka”. Guests of Vinnytsia will see ancient architectural monuments, a defensive structure of the mid-14th century – the Jesuit Monastery or “Mura”.

Vinnytsia is a small city where one day is enough. The best option to travel here is on the way to Lviv or Carpathian Mountains with a quick stop here. You can come in the morning, spend one day and then hop on a train to your next destination.

If you decide to include Vinnytsia on your Ukraine itinerary, once in the city, you can visit the botanical garden , get acquainted with the masterpiece of wooden architecture – the Nicholas Church in the Old Town, visit the Orthodox Transfiguration Monastery and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Angela . History lovers can visit the Regional Museum of Local Lore to get acquainted with the Podillya region of Ukraine.

Also, Vinnytsia is a great city for medical tourism in Ukraine. 

13. Kam’yanets-Podil’skyi – Small Old City Full of Historical Architectural Sights 

This is one of the most atmospheric cities in Ukraine. Due to the abundance of historical monuments, some people call it an open-air museum.

According to the number of preserved architectural sights, Kam’yanets-Podil’skyi takes 3rd place after Lviv and Kyiv. There are already 200 of them. The most famous – Kamianets fortress is included in the list of 7 wonders of Ukraine . Recently, historical reconstruction was done there, and now it is not just a castle museum, but a place where craftsmen reproduce traditional crafts.

The fortress served as the backdrop for many historical films and the oldest Turkish bridge leads to it.

In addition to architecture, Kam’yanets also impresses with the beauty of nature. Since it’s in the Khmelnytskyi region (famous for natural landmarks), you can easily combine a trip there with a road trip around the region. Khmelnytskyi city is also worth your time.

Speaking of nature in Kam’yanets, there is a canyon right in the city with the walls reaching 50 meters in height, and the Smotrych river seething at the bottom. This canyon divides the city into New and Old cities . The latter retained many attractions, including the Polish Market Square with the oldest town hall in Ukraine.

Another feature of Kamyanets is murals . Since 2011, the festival “Re$public” has been held here annually. And during this time 50 houses are decorated with bright drawings by artists from around the world.

In the summer, Kamyanets sees numerous festivals , some of the most popular ones are the musical RespublicaFEST and the balloon festival .

14. Lutsk – Beautiful, Ancient City on the Picturesque Bank of the Styr River

Over the past decades, Lutsk has become a modern European city which is compact and environmentally friendly. It has good recreational potential, many cultural and historical monuments.

Lutsk is one of the most populated cities and regional centers. Also, it is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine. It existed for about a thousand years but so far no one can say exactly when it came about.

Such an ancient age of Lutsk undoubtedly affected the architectural appearance of the city. Here you can find both very ancient buildings, the oldest of which is Lubart Castle , and more modern such as the  House with Chimeras . 

In general, Lutsk has many places that are worth visiting. First of all, it is the oldest square in the city – Market Square , the pedestrian street of Lesya Ukrainka , where you’ll find numerous cafes, galleries, and shops.

Among other attractions, visit the Peter and Paul Church (XVII – XVIII century), Lutheran Church , House of the Gospel , Dominican Monastery (first built in the XIV century, restored in 1321), Brigidok Monastery (XVII century) with its dungeon leading directly to the Styr River, the Great Synagogue  (XVII century), which once served a defensive function and has a corresponding tower and Holy Trinity Cathedral (XV century), with the bell which offers a beautiful view.

15. Uzhgorod – Another Ancient & Surprising City in Ukraine 

Uzhgorod, the smallest regional center of Ukraine and the capital of Transcarpathian Ukraine, also hides a thousand-year history.

It is known for May sakura blossom , a castle in the very city center, and wine festivals . Between the end of April and mid-May, the Maly Galagov district turns into a blooming garden. The longest Linden Alley in Europe, stretching along two embankments – Student and Independence, is beautiful to see and walk through.

Here you can hardly find tall buildings and the city center is paved with cobblestones. Each tourist must not only see all local attractions but also find all 25 mini-sculptures hidden in the city. Each of them is dedicated to a famous person or event.

Since Uzhgorod is almost on the border with Slovakia, getting here from any city in Ukraine takes some time. The best way to visit would be if you are coming by train from Budapest  or Kosice. Otherwise, if you are in the country only for a week or two, it’s probably better to skip unless you are visiting for the wine festival.  

Cities in Ukraine Where I Don’t Recommend Going 

There are places in Ukraine where, if you visit, you won’t get much. And there are some cities in Ukraine where not many activities exist for a tourist. Getting to them still costs money and takes time but you may be quite disappointed at the end of the day.

So, a few cities  I do not recommend going to  are  Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kryvyi Rih, and Donetsk. 

I remember how cozy and pretty Donetsk used to be. Twelve years ago, when going there to attend a conference, I had a chance to get acquainted with the city. I noticed from the first minutes, how clean, very green, and taken care Donetsk was. At that time it had so many lovely restaurants, cafes and nice hotels to stay in.

Today, Donetsk is one of the war-torn cities in Ukraine that lost its identity. I have a friend whose family is still there and he tells me that until this day shooting happens on the streets on a daily basis. Visiting Donetsk is not safe and smart. 

As for other cities, Mykolaiv and Kherson, for instance, are the most dangerous cities in Ukraine when it comes to crime. They have a low quality of life, poor infrastructure, and nothing interesting for a tourist.

Kryvyi Rih has a very bad ecology. It is one of the most “unhealthy” cities in Ukraine where the air is so dirty that it gives you headaches, causes shortness of breath and irritated nose and eyes from the first minutes you arrive there. 

Did you visit any city on this list? Tell me which one was your favorite! 

Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. She is working online and that’s why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely.

Similar Posts

Adorable Chernihiv – One of the Most Under-the-Radar Cities in Ukraine

Odds are you haven’t heard much about Chernihiv, Ukraine. And you are not the only one, really. I was born and raised in Ukraine, traveled all over my home country but still didn’t manage…

Best Places to Eat in Lviv: Amazing Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

Are you thinking to visit Lviv any time soon? You absolutely should because this rather small city in Ukraine has a lot to offer. Ukraine is my home country, I have been to Lviv a few…

Best Breakfast in Kiev – The Coolest Places to Start Your Day

Honestly, it took me more than a week to write this post with the best breakfast places in Kiev. It was difficult to choose what exactly to include on this list and what to…

10 Foods of Ukraine You Have to Try That You Didn’t Know About

There are so many different traditional foods of Ukraine I would recommend to try to understand the nation better. A lot of foreigners mainly know about borscht, chicken kiev, cabbage rolls, and pierogi. But…

14 Exciting Day Trips From Lviv To See Western Ukraine

Lviv is a city that captivates from first sight and where many people want to return again and again. It has plenty to offer for a short vacation and for a long a few…

Traditional Ukrainian Mushroom Soup – Ancient Recipe From the Carpathians

Today I would love to share with you my other favorite but a lesser-known dish of Ukrainian cuisine – traditional porcini mushroom soup. During the last 3 months, since the moment we returned to…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• South Africa
• El Salvador
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Czech Republic
• Transnistria
• Liechtenstein
• North Cyprus
• New Zealand
• Map with posts
• Alternative Guides
• Architecture Guides
• Cafe Guides
• Itineraries
• Neighborhood Guides
• Travel Guides
• Travel Tips
• Photo Galleries
• Photo Locations
• Solo female travel
• Train Travels
• Work with me
• Privacy Policy

Best places to visit in Ukraine

With the current situation in Ukraine, with a heavy heart, I strongly advise not visiting the country. This is the older, pre-war article and you can use it for future inspiration and information to plan a trip when it’s safe to visit Ukraine again.

Ukraine is probably the most misunderstood country in Europe.

The crisis that hit it not so much time ago is still very vivid in our minds – I bet we all remember from the news the tragic events at Maidan in Kyiv or a war zone in Donetsk.

Sadly the situation in the East is still very unstable and affected tourism in the whole country.

But I will tell you a secret – Ukraine is a safe place, a huge country and you can easily travel in most of it, exploring the best places to visit in Ukraine!

Table of Contents

Why you should visit Ukraine now?

I’ve always thought Ukraine is one of the most overlooked countries in Europe. The majority of people don’t really know what to expect from it but in reality, this is a true gem!

From incredible cities with golden domes or magnificent Central European architecture and charm to sandy beaches of the Black Sea or lush hills of Carpathian mountains – Ukraine has it all. And now is the best time to go.

Due to the economic crisis and unstable situation in the east of the country the local currency – hryvnia – dropped a lot, losing around 3 times of its value in comparison to 2013 (pre-Maidan events).

Visiting Ukraine is crazy cheap these days.

I, for the first time ever, felt guilty for spending that little for such good quality (accommodation, transportation, and eating/drinking out).

For example, a train ticket from Kyiv to Odessa in 4 people sleeping compartment was around 13€ or a really good hotel in the very center of Ivano-Frankivsk , with big breakfast cost 20€ for a double room.

You can’t beat these prices anywhere! It’s a win-win for everyone: you have a wonderful time for the best possible prices and local people and economy are happy to host you there!

Is Ukraine safe?

I’ve already discussed this issue in another post of mine (click here to read about safety in Ukraine) but I will repeat it again: yes, it is safe!

As long as you stay away from the east part of the country, especially areas around cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, you will be fine!

I’ve traveled to Ukraine numerous times, solo or with friends, also after the revolution and each time I felt very safe there. Even walking alone and tipsy in the evening in Kyiv was fine.

Actually I feel much safer in Ukraine (as well as in other countries in Eastern Europe , the Balkans or Caucasus ) than in Western Europe …

And I’m not the only one – everyone I was talking to shares my opinion and I haven’t heard of any bad accident that happened to people visiting Ukraine.

I can’t count how many times I’ve been to Ukraine by now and I still have a long list of best places to visit in Ukraine.

Those places listed below are just my favorite there, I’ve been to some of them a couple of times.

It’s just such a pleasure to return there and spend some more time getting to know them.

And I can recommend you with my whole heart to visit these places too!

So, without further ado let me show you my personal list of best places to visit in Ukraine!

Quick Ukraine cheat sheet

Looking for the accommodation in Ukraine? Click here to find the best deals on Booking!

You can find the best day trips in Ukraine at Get Your Guide. Click here to find the ones for you!

Kyiv – the incredible capital

For me, Kyiv is the most underrated capital in Europe as it offers so much yet still not so many tourists tend to visit and discover it.

Kyiv is a perfect getaway to grand Eastern Europe that we always picture, with golden domes and mighty Soviet architecture.

Monasteries – St.Sophia and Pecherska Lavra – are listed on UNESCO World Heritage List and they surely deserve this title as they are stunning and look like from a fairy tale, especially in the sunny day when the sun shines in the rich ornaments.

Khreschatyk street and Maidan Nezalezhnosti might feel overwhelming with their powerful architecture but these are still nothing in comparison with Mother Motherland statue with its total high of 102 meters!

Once you’re tired of sightseeing (and you need at least 3 solid days to get to know the city) there are numerous parks, bars, and cafes where you can relax!

Read more on Kyiv:

• Is Kyiv worth visiting?
• 15 reasons to visit Kyiv – the amazing capital of Ukraine
• Top 5 places to see in Kyiv, Ukraine

In Kyiv I recommend you stay in the center, somewhere near Khreschatyk. You will be close to all the attractions and with very good public transport connections just about everywhere!

Click here to check out to best deals on accommodation in Kyiv!

Odessa – the Black Sea gem

The major port on the Black Sea and the main summer getaway for most Ukrainians (getting a train ticket in the summer season might be a challenge, I’m speaking from my experience) – that’s how Odessa is.

Not only it has sandy beaches where you can relax all days long (renting a sunbed with an umbrella was 3€ in summer 2016!), the sea is warm and inviting too.

But Odessa isn’t only about the seaside!

The city has always been an important place, being the main trade center for the Russian Empire.

The old town of Odessa is really splendid, with parallel streets, hidden in the shadow of the rows of trees.

The stunning Opera House, second biggest in the world after La Scala in Milan, will take your breath away – it did the trick for me every time!

But the key to really get to know Odessa and fall for it is to peek into the yards – that’s a completely different and unique universe!

Read more on Odessa:

• 5 reasons to visit Odessa, Ukraine

When it comes to the accommodation in Odessa, it depends on what you’re interested in.

If you’re after relaxing at the beach then part of the town called Arkadia would be the best for you but if you’re into sightseeing then the center – the area between the train station and the harbor – is where you should stay!

Click here to check out the best deals on accommodation in Odessa!

Kamianets Podilskyi – more than just a grand castle

The reason why most people come to visit Kamianets Podilskyi is the incredible fortress, a silent witness of many wars, guarding the city. And it is truly spectacular and will be the highlight of everyone’s time in the city.

But, to my great surprise, the city was so much more than just the fortress.

The old town is compact but really lovely, with beautiful houses and cobbled lanes.

What I liked the most, however, was a really good street art scene with numerous murals showing the history of the city. Such a pleasant place to spend at least a day at!

Read more on Kamianets Podilskyi: Kamianets Podilskyi – an underrated gem of Ukraine

In Kamianets Podilskyi try to stay in the part close to the fortress, in kind of the peninsula surrounded by Smotrych river. The majority of the attractions are there!

Click here to check out the best deals on accommodation in Kamianets Podilskyi!

Chernivtsi – the hidden gem of Ukraine

Chernivtsi was my biggest travel discovery in 2015 and until now it’s very high on my list.

The city is such a gem, with stunning architecture, multicultural history, amazing cafes and this indescribable Central European vibe that makes you fall for the city right away.

The university building, listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site, could easily play in one of the Harry Potter movies .

Chernivtsi is often referred to as Little Vienna or Little Paris and I can see why – it’s simply amazing and just the prettiest!

If I had to choose a city to go for a week or so just to relax and catch up on writing Chernivtsi would be one of my top choices!

Being there is a pure pleasure!

Read more on Chernivtsi: Stunning Chernivtsi, Ukraine – my best discovery in 2015

If you decide to go to Chernivtsi (highly recommended!!) stay in the center – you will be within walking distance to all the attractions!

Click here to check the best deals on accommodation in Chernivtsi!

Carpathian mountains

Ukraine has only a rather small part of Carpathian mountains that cross Central Europe, from Serbia all the way to Austria.

Still, this area looks the prettiest and so idyllic with lush forests and hills and small villages where the time has stopped.

The Carpathians might be an interesting place to visit for any railways lovers like myself – the railway line that goes through the mountains back in the times when it was built (19th century) was the most modern one and engineers working on the rail lines in the Alps pattern their projects on Carpathian solutions.

These days, unfortunately, parts of the line are gone but you can still admire the viaducts and tunnels used to the present time.

The best place to do so starts in Yaremche and travel south from there, towards the border with Romania .

In Yaremche itself you can walk on the railway viaduct above the Prut river – the views from up there are really wonderful!

• Lviv – one of the most beautiful cities in Europe

Ah, Lviv is just too beautiful to be true!

It is the best example of what Central Europe has to offer (and why I love it so much).

Every time when I’m there I feel like I’m stepping on some kind of the movie set because it feels impossible for the city to be that incredible.

Lviv is one of the most important cultural centers in Ukraine (when you’re there go to the opera, you’re in for a treat!) but for me, the best thing about Lviv is a spectacular cafe culture, one of the best I’ve ever experienced!

In the summertime, the whole old town fills up with outdoor tables and the buzz of conversations or live music hover around the beautiful houses until late night hours.

Still it is worth to go inside most of these cafes – in Lviv I’ve found some of the most unusual places : sadomasochism cafe, a place where you get your drinks in a measuring cylinder and when you get the bill the case explodes or a pub with a car on the rooftop .

A week wouldn’t be enough to experience all that Lviv has to offer!

Read more on Lviv:

• 50 pictures that will inspire you to travel to Lviv, Ukraine (+ best photo locations)
• A mini guide to Lviv, Ukraine – all you need to know about the city
• Flea market in Lviv

In Lviv, there is no better place to stay than Hotel George.

It’s the oldest hotel in Lviv, still having the charm of old days when most important people in the world stayed there.

The location is perfect and it’s much more affordable than you think! Since my first visit, I’m not staying anywhere else in Lviv!

Click here to check out prices and more details about Hotel George!

Lviv is often the first place travelers visit in Ukraine and that’s not surprising as the city is very accessible.

If you are planning to get from Krakow to Lviv I wrote the complete guide how to do it smoothly.

Kharkiv – an underrated second biggest city

Not many tourists make it to the second largest city in Ukraine – Kharkiv.

Huge mistake as this is such a lovely destination, well worth your time and effort!

I spent two days exploring Kharkiv, and I felt this still wasn’t enough to see all I wanted to.

Kharkiv isn’t your typical touristy place; it is not like Western Ukraine with beautiful centers. It does have few pastel buildings and impressing architecture that catches the eye, but the city is so much more than that.

You can find here one of the best examples of constructivist style – Derzhprom, an old-school cable car running through one of the parks or the most beautiful metro system in Ukraine (be careful with taking pictures there!).

Be sure to visit Kharkiv during your Ukraine trip – you won’t be disappointed!

Read more: Is it worth to visit Kharkiv, Ukraine?

Dnipro – a masterpiece of Soviet architecture

For a typical tourist who likes pretty places Dnipro (formerly known as Dnipropetrovsk) isn’t an exciting city.

There is maybe one or two attractions that are pretty in the classical style.

But if you are a fan of concrete and Soviet architecture, you will love Dnipro!

The number of quirky buildings is outstanding here; you can find something interesting around each corner.

Dnipro is like a giant concrete playground!

I spent a day in Dnipro, and it was not enough to see all the fantastic places there! I will be back for sure!

Chernobyl and Pripyat – famous ghost towns

Everyone knows the story of the Chernobyl accident in 1986.

These days it is possible to visit the excluded area that is located just north of Kyiv.

And it definitely is worth a trip, even if you need to go with the official Chernobyl tour .

To be honest I didn’t expect much, I thought it might be yet another big tourist attraction with staged remnants of the tragic events.

And it was a bit like that but I still enjoyed the tour a lot and I found Chernobyl, Pripyat and other places in the zone to be truly fascinating.

Pripyat is a real ghost town where nature took over what people have created, walking around and imagining how the life used to look like here is one of a kind experience. Definitely recommended!

Read more: Chernobyl tour – day trip to the Exclusion Zone

Uzhgorod – a laid-back gem of Western Ukraine

Located in the very south-west of the country, Uzhgorod is such a pleasant place to visit.

The city has become part of Ukraine (then the Soviet Union) only after WWII, before it used to belong to Hungary or Czechoslovakia.

You can definitely feel that you are at the crossroads, with a rich multicultural past and the diverse architecture (in some parts typical for Central Europe, in others for post-Soviet countries) is a great example of it.

The best time to visit Uzhgorod is in summer when days are warm and long and locals spend the time outside, enjoying the beautiful weather, swimming in the Uzh river and enjoying a laid-back vibe of the place.

Click here to read more about Uzhgorod.

The list has only 10 places now but I will be expanding it when I travel to Ukraine again and discover some new places there.

I already can’t wait to go again!

Travel resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Ukraine

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Ukraine too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

If you enjoyed that post why don't you share it with your friends? That would mean so much to me! Also be sure to join 30.000+ fellow travelers and follow me on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram for travel updates and even more pictures! If you don't want to miss new posts sign up to my newsletter or follow on Bloglovin !

57 Comments

Alessandro Paiva

Can’t wait to be there :-)

I’d love to visit Ukraine! Unfortunately, my Russian boyfriend doesn’t think he’ll be able to go as a single man, so I’m trying to convince myself to go alone :)

Yes, I’m afraid he might have problems, unfortunately. But you definitely should go on your own! There is nothing to worry about!

My favorite place in Ukraine is Cerna Hora Moutains with totally virgin paths and amazing views. It used to border with Poland before so if possible to still see the signs. There are also ruins of polish astronomical abservatory on the top of the moutain. I hardly recommend!

That sounds super interesting! I still need to properly explore Ukrainian mountains and I’m adding this place to my list. Thank you for letting me know!

Szymon Król

przez Czerniowce i Odessę tylko przejeżdżałem, w reszcie miejsc byłem… i tak – Kijów mnie nie zachwycił, Lwów, Kamieniec Podolski i Karpaty uwielbiam <3 fajna jest też środkowa Ukraina

Kami and the rest of the world

Kijów też daje radę, zdecydowanie powinieneś dać mu drugą szansę!

Marta Knasiecka

Przecierasz mi szlaki :) Najpierw Iran, teraz Ukraina…

ciekawe co będzie następne ;)

Kornelia S-p

No to została tylko Odessa i góry ;)

Odessa fantastyczna, polecam!

Marcin Wesołowski

Zimowe zdjęcie ze Lwowa! <3

zima jak z bajki mi się trafiła!

Monika Zarach

Nie byliśmy, ale jesteśmy ciekawi :)

zdecydowanie trzeba nadrobić

Piotrek Michalski

Jadę niedługo do Kijowa, również uważam Ukraine za bezpieczne miejsce :)

Kijów to zawsze dobry pomysł!

Jak tam jest?

Jesteśmy świeżo po Ukrainie i jesteśmy zakochani!!!!

rozumiem doskonale!

Alessandro I’m sure you will enjoy it!

Thanks, Kami and the rest of the world! We were a little concerned about our trip to Ukraine, but your blog gave us very motivating informations.

Loved your article. I agree that Lviv is a must see. I spent three months there but wish I could go back. Kiev is possibly my favourite city of all. But Odessa did not float my boat at all. The beaches are overcrowded, the water is full of seaweed and there are way more people trying to cheat and rob you than anywhere else in Ukraine.

Thank you! Lviv is incredible indeed and I adore Kiev too. I’ve been twice to Odessa and didn’t have any problems at all so I guess it all depends on your luck, like everywhere else. I kind of loved it there, especially the old part of the city

Carrick | Along for the Trip

I have not read much on travelling to Ukraine, so this is a great overview. Thanks for putting it together. From the architecture to the beaches, it looks like such a great country. Safe travels!

Thank you Carrick! Happy travels!

Druga szansa, czyli Kijów w 12 godzin | jedź, BAW SIĘ!

[…] Mama z mieczem. Fot. Kamila z MyWanderlust.pl […]

I spent a week in Lviv and now want to come back to Zacarpaths next year for the nature and wooden churches. Ukraine is such a vast tourism pearl.

You will love Carphatian Mountains for sure, it’s such a beautiful place! There’s just so much to see in Ukraine!

5 Unlikely Destinations That Are Magical in Winter - Heart My Backpack

[…] photo via Kami’s blog […]

What to Do when You Visit Lviv, Ukraine’s Secret Gem

[…] city. But the truth is, it’s not hidden. European tourists flock to it, knowing it’s one of the best cities to visit in Ukraine. It’s just us thick Americans that have no idea what’s […]

Travel Advent Calendar - 25 Amazing Places You Need to Visit

[…] Now, due to the unstable economic situation, Ukraine is a huge bargain and going there might be your cheapest holidays ever! Don’t hesitate and visit Ukraine! […]

Happy to come across your blog. We’re full-time slow travellers and will be in the Ukraine for the first time this spring. We’ll be starting with a month in Lviv, so I’m happy to hear you say it’s such a great place. I’ll make sure to read some of your other posts, you’ve got some good info (We’ll also be going to Poland – our first time there as well)

Frank (bbqboy)

I’m sure you will love Lviv, it is amazing! I’m going there again in February so will have even more recommendations here! And if you need any help with Poland (or Eastern Europe in general) feel free to email me!

Thank you Kami.

One Million Golden Onion Domes: The Churches of Kiev - Erika's Travels

[…] for more tips on how to spend 48 hours in Kiev and Kami’s post for recommendations on other places to visit in the Ukraine.  […]

Thanks for the insightful info. Is English spoken by enough folks to get by? I am a single male 54 and wondering if there would be any concerns about not taking the time to learn the language. Are seasoned travelers flying solo as well received? I wonder because going solo is an easier opportunity to meet folks but this is much easier for someone in their 20”s/30’s.

It depends where you go – Kiev and Lviv should be fine but I’m not that sure about other cities, I always use mix of Polish and my basic Russian when I’m there. I did numerous solo travels in Ukraine and always was fine. If you’re not so confident with solo travels in Ukraine my friends at JC Travel offer tours – I’m sure going with them would be a good option too!

Good Article. Agree on Kiev, Lviv, Carpathian Mountains and Odessa. I would recommend one of the Chernobyl Tours too. It was a very surreal experience! Have you been to Lutsk, Dnipro or Kharkiv? These are some other places I intend to visit next time (along with Chernivtsi, which you have sold me on)

I’m hoping to go to Chernobyl, Dnipro and Kharkiv in August as all of these are very high on my bucket list!

You should see Chernihiv….

it’s been on my list for years! Hopefully I will make it there soon!

bennaceur mohammed

Hello I want to visit Ukraine and I do not know what the documentary

it’s the best to check with your embassy, they should have to most accurate information. Good luck!

Kiev is not only the most beautiful city in Ukraine, it is one of the most beautiful in Europe.

However, I’m surprised you did not mention Vinnytsya. That is also an incredible place to visit.

I haven’t been to Vinnytsya yet but I’ve heard so many good things about it. The city is in my plan for this year – then I’ll probably include it in this list. Ukraine has so much to offer!

Laurie mateyko

Thank you so much for this! I am ukrainian and I have been dreaming of a visit there. I have an 8 year old son, is it safe to travel with children through the Ukraine? I would love for him to experience his ancestry.

Hi Laurie! Yes, it is perfectly safe to travel with children in Ukraine. I think you should definitely go there with your son, you will both love it there!

Loved your article. Ukraine has never been on my radar as a travel destination but this post has certainly seen to that…!!! Great collection of interesting looking places.

Thank you! Ukraine is one of the most interesting and budget-friendly countries in Europe so you definitely should go there! So many places to see, so many things to do! :)

you know our country have realy not tolerant people, because we have many from this people who dont wanna do anything and take much, much money. It is so worth. You realy didnt see all hidden trouble of Ukraine.

Every country has its issues that travellers can’t really see. I know a lot about social problems in Ukraine but that’s not what the travel blog should be about.

Hi Kami, I just wanted to say thanks for this incredible post highlighting the beauty of Ukraine! You’ve got a picture right before the section entitled “Kyiv – the incredible capital”, and I was just curious where the deep blue and white cathedral in that picture is located… it’s gorgeous!

Thank you! It’s in Kamyanets-Podilskyi, a great place to visit really!

Zandra Blair

i actually wanted to travel to Europe too

I hope you will!

Just returned from my 4th visit to Ukraine – such an amazing country! So far I have been to Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and the Carpathian Mountains. On my latest trip we took a helicopter flight over Kyiv – US$60 for 15mins what an adventure! This article gives great ideas for my next trip.

I’m glad you enjoy Ukraine as much as I do :) Helicopter flight sounds really cool! I must check it next time I’m in Kyiv!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Let’s become friends!

Join me on Facebook for even more travel updates!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Black Travel
• Destinations
• Travel Resources

12 best places to visit in Ukraine

29/11/2021 by Roobens

Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia. However few people go visit Ukraine. Indeed Ukraine doesn’t really have a good reputation because of the political crises there. However almost the whole country is not dangerous and there are many things to do and places to visit in Ukraine: castles, churches, the Black sea, forests, beaches… What to do in Ukraine? Here’s an article listing the Ukraine tourist attractions and Ukraine tourist places, then I’ll share Ukraine travel tips!

Table of Contents

Things to do in Ukraine

People who go to Ukraine usually visit Kiev only, the capital of the country. There are numerous bars, cafés and green spaces (there are two wonderful botanical gardens!). You have to see the impressive Saint Sophia’s cathedral, but also Kiev Pechersk Lavra, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. I wrote a detailed article about my visit to Kiev . Click here to find your accommodation. Click here to find the best activities.

Third largest city of Ukraine, Odessa is located in the south of Ukraine, along the Black sea. In fact we call Odessa the pearl of the black sea. Odessa is very popular among the locals but few international tourists go there. There’s the beach but also vineyards, cafés, bars, and a vibrant nightlife. Go see the opera, the Potemkin stairs and of course the catacombs! I wrote a detailed article about my visit to Odessa . Click here to find your accommodation. Click here to find the best activities.

Yep, it’s now possible to visit the place where the worst nuclear accident of the 20th century happened. We talk about approximately 60,000 deaths and 100,000 handicapped people because of this catastrophic accident. The visit is very interesting and I recommend you to do it. You spend the day in Pripyat, the small town where it happened. I wrote a detailed article about my visit to Chernobyl . Click here to book a Chernobyl tour.

Kamianets-Podilskyi

Kamianets-Podilskyi is in western Ukraine, and it’s a medieval town mostly known for its fortress. It dates back to the 14th century and it’s really impressive. You have to see it! But there’s more than that! Take some time to have a walk in the cobbled streets, admire the houses, the old town and the street murals. Go on a hot air balloon ride. Actually there’s an amazing festival of hot air balloons in the late spring. Click here to find your accommodation.

Chernivtsi was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and we call it now “Little Vienna”. The architecture is very different than the rest of Ukraine. It was a town of poets and intellectuals so there are numerous bookstores in Chernivtsi. This is where you’ll find the National univesity, one of the largest universities in Ukraine (you have to see it!). There are also cobbled streets, Baroque buildings, and an incredible café scene. Click here to find your accommodation.

Many people say that if there’s one city you have to visit in Ukraine, it’s Lviv! It’s the cultural capital of Ukraine, and there are many things to do! Wander in Rynok Square just to have a coffee or a beer and head to the Lviv National Art Gallery, home to over 50,000 works of art. The Lviv old town is a world heritage UNESCO site. Click here to find your accommodation. Click here to find the best activities.

It’s one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, Chernihiv apparently dates back to the 7th century! You cannot miss Catherine’s church and its golden cupolas, or Pyatnytska church on the Red Square. It’s also nice to have a walk along Desna river which is not far. Beer lovers will enjoy Tchernihiv, this is where the Cherninihivske beer comes from. It’s very popular in Ukraine. Click here to find your accommodation.

Uzhhorod is not far from the border with Slovakia and Hungary so there are many Hungarians living there. You have to see Uzhhorod castle which dates back to the 9th century but also the Greek-Catholic Cathedral from the 17th century. There are cobbled streets and many cafés and restaurants, but also a bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of town, which are separated by the Uzh river. Click here to find your accommodation.

Located in the center of Ukraine, Uman is mostly known for its Sofiyivka park which is a botanical garden and a scientific research center at the same time. There’s a big farmer’s market, an obelisk in the city center and of course a Basilian Monastery, which dates back to 1764. Click here to find your accommodation.

Zhovkva is only 30km (18 miles) away from Lviv so you can go there for a day trip. Go visit the Church of Saint Lawrence and its domed roof. There’s also the Holy Trinity church, a church made of wood dating back to the 17th century. And of course the Zhovkva castle to find out more about the history and the culture of the region. Take some time to have a walk in the charming city center.

Kharkiv is the second largest city of Ukraine. It’s the city of students so there are numerous bars and restaurants, and Kharkiv is lively in the evening. There are also many theaters and festivals throughout the year. Head to the Freedom square,  the 8th largest city center square in Europe. Don’t miss the Derzhprom for its architecture. Take the cable car over Gorky park. And take the subway just to admire the stations! Click here to find your accommodation. Click here to find the best activities.

Mukachevo is in western Ukraine. People go there to see the Palanok castle which dates back to the 14th century, and located atop a volcanic hill. In the old town, you’ll find the Dormiton cathedral and beautiful buildings. The Carpathian mountains are not far. Click here to find your accommodation.

These were the best places to visit in Ukraine! Now here are a few Ukraine travel tips!

Ukraine travel budget

• Accommodation is not expensive in Ukraine. One night in a hostel dorm costs around 200-300 UAH ($7.50-11). One night in a hotel or in an apartment costs around 600 UAH ($22.50). Click here to book your accommodation.
• Food is not expensive either. For a local dish in a cafeteria, you’ll pay between 100 and 150 UAH ($4-5.50). The prices are more or less the same, if you want to eat at a fast food, Asian food or a pizza. For a three-course meal, you’ll pay around 300 UAH ($11.50). A beer costs around 30 UAH ($1).
• Regarding transportation, a bus ticket in town costs 5 UAH ($0.20). To travel within country, you can go anywhere by bus for less than 400 UAH($15). Use Flixbus ! Train rides cost around 400 UAH ($15). Domestic flights cost around 3000 UAH ($115). You can also rent a car, it costs around 850 UAH ($32) per day. Be careful, the drivers are aggressive and the roads are not always in good condition.
• Regarding activities like visits, museums, you’ll rarely pay more than 150 UAH ($5.50).

Basically, if you’re traveling on a budget,  you can get by with $35 per day. Otherwise you’ll spend about $100+ per day. Ukraine is a cheap travel destination .

How to get around in Ukraine

Buses are very popular to get around in Ukraine. You can also try the trains, they have a Soviet feel which can be charming. You can also take a domestic flight. Finally you can rent a car but keep an eye open, the roads are not always in good condition. You can try hitchhiking but you can wait for a long time, it’s not as popular as in the neighboring countries.

Best time to visit Ukraine

June, July and August are the best months to visit Ukraine. The weather is nice (25°C/77°F) and you can enjoy outdoor activities. It’s also the high season but as I said earlier, it’s nothing compared to the cities in Western Europe. April, May, September and October are also good months to go to Ukraine. Unless you want to go skiing in the mountains, I’d avoid visiting Ukraine from November to March, it’s really cold (below 0°C/32°F).

Visa policy of Ukraine

If you’re an European citizen or coming from a Western country, you don’t need a visa to get to Ukraine. You can find all the details here .

Safety in Ukraine

Ukraine has a reputation for being a dangerous country. Indeed Russia annexed Crimea and there were violent protests around Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. But the tourists are now allowed to get there. If you visit the cities I listed in this guide, Ukraine is not more dangerous than another country. Keep an eye open in public transportation, there are pickpockets. Withdraw money in banks, not at the ATMs in the street.

Otherwise there are problems related to racism in the country, I recommend black people not to wander alone at night (an Ukrainian guy told me this when I was there!). I listed common travel scams targeting tourists. The one with the wallet on the floor is very common in Ukraine. Generally speaking, always trust your instinct. And don’t forget to get travel insurance. It will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. Click here to get one.

Packing list for Ukraine

I’m not gonna list all the things to pack for Ukraine. I don’t know how long you’re gonna stay there, where you’re going in Ukraine, what you’re going to do and when you’ll visit. Take all the necessary clothes, toiletries, and also:

• hand sanitizer
• combination locks
• a money belt
• a security cable lock
• a travel plug adapter
• a stainless steel water bottle
• a lifestraw (a water bottle with a purifier)
• a menstrual cup (for the ladies)

Here’s a full list of travel accessories , which can be useful!

What to eat in Ukraine

You’ll find in Ukraine the food you can eat in the neighboring countries. But Ukraine has its own dishes it’s proud of. Borsch is a beetroot soup with cabbage, potatoes and beetroot. Vareniki are dumplings filled with potatoes, meat or cheese and fried onions. Holubtsi are cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice. Salo is a slice of pork fat, very salty and popular. There’s also the chicken kyiv , it’s hicken with butter inside and herbs.

That’s it! You have all the information needed to travel to Ukraine smoothly!!

• Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page!
• Want a tailor made trip to Ukraine? Get a free quote here !
• Always use a VPN when traveling! I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why use a VPN when traveling .

Sign up for exclusive updates in your e-mail address!

Related Posts

Russia takes five villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, defence ministry says

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Alison Williams/Guy Faulconbridge

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Switzerland wins Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Switzerland on Saturday won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Swedish host city Malmo, beating runner-up Croatia, after having been among bookmakers' top-three to win the competition.

Advertisement

Where Protesters on U.S. Campuses Have Been Arrested or Detained

By The New York Times

Police officers and university administrators have clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters on dozens of college campuses in recent weeks, arresting students, removing encampments and threatening academic consequences. More than 2,800 people have been arrested or detained on campuses across the country.

Campus protests where arrests and detainments have taken place since April 18

The fresh wave of student activism against the war in Gaza was sparked by the arrests of at least 108 protesters at Columbia University on April 18, after administrators appeared before Congress and promised a crackdown. Since then, tensions between protesters, universities and the police have risen, prompting law enforcement to take action in some of America’s largest cities.

An earlier version of this article misstated the number of arrests at Princeton University. There have been 15 arrests, not 14.

• Share full article

Our Coverage of the U.S. Campus Protests

News and Analysis

 Arizona State: The campus police chief was put on leave  after dozens of people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian encampment.

 UMass Amherst: The author Colson Whitehead canceled his commencement speech  after the University of Massachussetts Amherst called the police to remove protesters.

The New School: Faculty members in Manhattan set up what may be the first professor-led pro-Palestinian encampment  in a building lobby.  

A Brief Moment of Joy :  With fireworks, a marching band, celebrity congratulations and a drone show, the University of Southern California tried to smooth over the weeks of tumult that have cleaved its campus with a hastily assembled party for its graduates .

An Agreement to Divest :  Discontent over the war in Gaza had been building for months at Trinity College Dublin, but what had been a rumble suddenly became a roar . Here’s how pro-Palestinian students pushed  the school to divest.

Hillary Clinton’s Accusation :  In an interview on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe,” Clinton criticized student protesters , saying many were ignorant of the history of the Middle East, the United States and the world.

Republican Hypocrisy:  Prominent Republicans have seized on campus protests to assail what they say is antisemitism on the left. But for years they have mainstreamed anti-Jewish rhetoric .

Eurovision 2024 semifinal highlights: Ten countries move on to Saturday's finals

Eurovision Song Contest 2024: What you missed at the first semi-final

• The extravagant, glitter-dusted pop song contest kicked off in Malmö, Sweden, on Tuesday. Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede serve as co-hosts.
• Night one of semifinals featured performances from 15 artists, including Marcus & Martinus, representing the host nation, Sweden, and fan favorite Baby Lasagna, from Croatia. Ten countries will move on to Saturday's final.
• In the U.S., the competition streamed on Peacock at 3 p.m. ET. Semifinals will continue with a second round on Thursday.

10 countries move on to Saturday's final

Kaetlyn Liddy

• Serbia - TEYA DORA
• Portugal - iolanda
• Slovenia - Raiven
• Ukraine - alyona alyona & Jerry Heil
• Lithuania - Silvester Belt
• Finland - Windows95man
• Cyprus - Silia Kapsis
• Croatia - Baby Lasagna
• Ireland - Bambie Thug
• Luxembourg - TALI

Benjamin Ingrosso performs

Andrew Jones

Benjamin Ingrosso, known as Benjy to his fans, just performed.

The artist represented Sweden in 2018 with “Dance You Off.” His 7th place finish was seen as a disappointment for Sweden.

He’s also got music in his blood. He’s the son of Pernilla Wahlgren, a popular Swedish singer in the 80s who took part in Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s national selection for Eurovision in 1985, but came up short.

Two-time winner Johnny Logan performs

Two time Irish winner Johnny Logan performed Loreen’s 2012 winning song “Euphoria,” a tribute to the Swedish singer who tied his record when she triumphed last year with “Tattoo.”

Voting is underway!

The performances are complete and voting is now open on the Eurovision website .

Luxembourg is back after 31 years

Luxembourg made their return to Eurovision for the first time in 31 years tonight with "Fighter" by TALI.

The artist has never been alive to see her country perform in the contest. "Fighter" blended French and English lyrics to create a universally catchy pop song.

Portugal's iolanda gives soulful performance

Saba Hamedy

Dressed in all white, iolanda took the stage to perfrom "Grito." She was the penultimate act to perform.

Australia honors Aboriginal history

Electric Fields, the first duo to represent Australia at Eurovision , synthesized modern pop music with the nation's indigenous history.

Their song, "One Milkali (One Blood)" incorporated the Aboriginal language of Yankunytjatjara, spoken by the Anangu people.

Azerbaijan made use of visuals in their performance

Azerbaijan won Eurovision in 2011 – their only victory to date.

This year, FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov performed "Özünlə Apar." The immersive use of screens in the arena compensated for a stripped down approach onstage.

Sweden's time to shine on stage

As this year’s host country, Sweden is one of the countries that automatically qualifies for the final, but along with the UK and Germany, they’re performing their song “Unforgettable” tonight so that fans can see their performance before the final.

Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen are twins from Norway–there’s no rule that you have to be from the country you represent–who were child stars in Scandinavia.

Now 22, Martinus told NBC News in a Zoom interview that the brothers wanted a spectacular production for their staging, working with choreographers Sacha Jean-Baptiste and Keisha Von Arnold to create a dizzying club-inspired performance.

“I remember the first word we said when they asked us how do you want the show to be and we said ‘Super Bowl’. Think big, you know?”

Moldova brings the vocals

Natalia Barbu of Moldova is back on the Eurovision stage after representing the country previously in 2007. Her performance of "In The Middle" might be the most impressive belting we've seen all night.

Did you hear those whistle tones?

Instruments can't be played live during Eurovision

Fun fact: While lead vocals must be live, you can’t play instruments live.

Fans of Finland's Windows95man rocking themed swag

Many Eurovision attendees who are supporting Finland's Windows95man wore T-shirts with the Windows95 logo on them. Some blurred the logo, but most didn't.

The artist performed "No Rules!" wearing denim on stage. A ball that was covered in jeans also lit up as the group danced.

230 people helping bring Eurovision to life

This year's hosts said the Eurovision stage has more than 2,000 moving lights and took 16 days to build.

About 230 people are working to make the event come to life.

Slovenia makes a moody splash

Raiven of Slovenia performed "Veronika," a moody pop ballad. She was accompanied by five backup dancers in nude costumes and an abundance of strobe lights.

Germany's ISAAK is on fire

Fires burned on stage as Isaak sang "Always On The Run," making the performance even more lit.

Germany is among the "big five" countries that have already qualified for the final.

Iceland makes hitmakers

Iceland may only be 20-25% habitable, but the country has produced its fair share of international artists.

Laufey, Björk and Of Monsters and Men all hail from the country. Tonight, Hera Björk returned to Eurovision for a second time after 14 years, performing "Scared of Heights."

Croatia's Baby Lasagna is a favorite

Nick Duffy Nick Duffy is a platforms editor for NBC News.

Baby Lasagna's humorous techno-rock song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” is among the most unusual of this year’s entries.

It's also a betting favorite .

The high-energy song about leaving the countryside for city life is a buzzy way of putting a spotlight on the issue of Croatia’s brain drain.

Poland has a lot going on

LUNA of Poland gave a catchy performance of her song, "The Tower." Her act was a maximalist production, featuring chess pieces and masks.

Ukraine's song 'Teresa & Maria' has a mission

Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil of Ukraine capitalized on this international stage to make a statement on the resilience of Ukrainian women.

“Our song has a mission," the duo told Billboard ahead of the competition. "We want you to feel something for us because our culture goes so deep in history."

They ended their Tuesday performance by thanking viewers for supporting Ukraine.

In a recent interview with the Guardian , Ukraine’s former Eurovision winner Jamala said the country “cannot afford” to boycott the song contest "in a time of war."

Olly Alexander takes stage for U.K.

Olly Alexander, representing the U.K., performed "Dizzy" onstage. The U.K. has already qualified for the final, so viewers can’t vote for the country tonight.

The boppy performance featured a group of men in red boxing shorts doing choreography alongside Alexander.

Alexander's performance comes after he was called out for choosing to remain in Eurovision amid boycott calls over Israel's participation in the competition.

Alexander was among the artists who issued a statement in March after a group called group,  Queers for Palestine signed an open letter asking the pop singer to withdraw.

“We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections," Alexander and other participating artist said in response.

Will the Irish be lucky this year?

2018 was the last time Ireland made it to the Grand Final, and it has been 28 years since they last won Eurovision.

Their hopes lie with 31 year-old, Bambie Thug, who received roaring applause during the performance.

The arena is lit

Attendees were given bracelets that light up at certain points during the show. Right after the postcard introducing the artist, the colors change to represent the national flag of the next performer.

With Lithuania's performance, in which Silvester Belt performed "Luktelk," the colors flashed yellow, green and red.

A history of the Eurovision Song Contest

Yuliya Talmazan

Known for its glitz, glamor and eccentricity, the Eurovision Song Contest will attract millions of viewers from across the globe when the grand final begins Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.   

But a show that has become compulsory annual viewing for many has more humble beginnings as an attempt to heal the wounds of post-World War II Europe, while also achieving the technological marvel of beaming live television pictures into countries across the Continent. 

“This was really an experiment in the nascent technology of television,” historian Dean Vuletic told NBC News last month about the competition, which was first held in the picturesque Swiss city of Lugano in 1956 — as TV sets first became a fixture in people’s homes. 

Read the full story here.

Serbia serenades with 'RAMONDA'

Teya Dora performed "RAMONDA," marking the second performance of the evening.

Cyprus' Silia Kapsis first up

The first competitor of Eurovision 2024 was Silia Kapsis of Cyprus, who performed "Liar." Her song is reminiscent of a Shakira anthem and her dancing isn't far off either.

Kapsis, who is 17, is of Cypriot and Greek descent, and was born and raised in Sydney, Australia.

Eurovision royalty opens the show

Previous Eurovision all-stars, Eleni Foureira (2018), Eric Saade (2011) and Chanel (2022) kicked off today's performances.

Saade, who is Swedish, criticized Eurovision for their ban on Palestinian symbols. He appeared to be wearing a keffiyeh on his wrist.

Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede greeted by cheers

Hosts Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede welcomed Eurofans back to Sweden.

"Mamma Mia, here we go again!" Åkerman joked, a nod to the Swedish group ABBA (who won the competition 50 years ago).

Fun fact: It's Mede's third time hosting Eurovision.

Expect to hear the hosts speak French throughout contest

MALMÖ, Sweden — At several points throughout the evening, hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman will switch from English to French. It will mainly be to explain the voting rules or to read out the votes. 

Viewers in French-speaking countries will have their own commentators speaking over some of the event, but since French is one of the official languages of the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, this tradition has stuck around.

The use of French in the voting portion of the final has also given fans the phrase “douze points,” the most a country can receive.

We're live!

Eurovision Semifinals have begun in Malmö. It kicked off with a montage featuring snippets of last year's competition, which was held in Liverpool.

Eurovision organizers are prepared to remove Palestinian flags

MALMÖ, Sweden — Amid the controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision, organizers are taking steps to minimize the chance of political statements from making it on TV, saying they reserve the right to remove Palestinian flags.

“As in Liverpool last year, ticket buyers are only allowed to bring and display flags representing the participating countries and the rainbow/Pride flags," a spokesperson for European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, said in a statement. "We reserve the right to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalizing the TV shows.”

In the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Icelandic band Hatari held up a Palestinian flag in the green room, and interval act Madonna had two of her dancers appear with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs in a move the EBU later said was unauthorized.

Upon entering the arena, I only spotted one Palestinian flag near security. The person didn't appear to be entering the venue.

Five minutes to go!

Eurovision 2024 officially kicks off in five minutes.

What are Eurovision’s rules?

Performances at Eurovision must obey a strict set of rules: Their songs must be originals unreleased prior to the contest, at most three minutes long, artists must be 16 or over, and a maximum of six performers are permitted on stage.

While the Eurovision stage has seen unusual sights from giant hamster wheels to bread-baking ovens over the years, there are limits to what performances may include: no live animals, adult content or commercial messages.

The Eurovision rules also ban political content in songs, though the deployment of this rule has been contentious. While many songs include references to peace, unity or even specific historical events, Georgia’s 2009 entry “We Don’t Wanna Put In” was disqualified over perceived references to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, while Israeli broadcaster KAN this year said it was required to make “necessary adjustments” to its entry “Hurricane” over apparent references to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

How are Eurovision songs introduced?

MALMÖ, Sweden — Because there’s such a tight turnaround between acts in Eurovision, the contest has traditionally played a little video before each act’s performance. They’re known as “postcards,” and oftentimes highlight locations in the host country.

This year each artists appears in a vertical video — the style popular on social media but normally eschewed by traditional broadcast media — and several do TikTok-style transitions between videos, a sign of the importance the app plays in the modern music industry.

Eurovision fans love to party

MALMÖ, Sweden — While many of the viewers watching tonight’s semifinal will be seeing the songs performed for the first time, a dedicated fandom will have had the chance to see most of tonight’s artists live over the past several months.

Thousands of fans flocked to parties in Madrid, Barcelona, London, Amsterdam and other cities to get their first glimpse at this year’s songs. And these events are crucial for new artists trying to get early buzz.

Martinus Gunnarsen, who along with his twin brother is competing for Sweden this year, said he noticed the excitement at the pre-parties.

“When we were performing and you could feel like every person in the crowd was such a Eurovision fan," he told NBC News. "And it was crazy. You know? The passion is so strong, but that’s what makes it fun.”

How security is gearing up for a controversial Eurovision

MALMÖ, Sweden — With Israel’s participation in Eurovision the source of boycott calls and protests, security in Malmö is tight. There’s a heavy police presence around the venue and at the hotels that artists are staying in. Last week Israel warned its citizens headed to Malmö to “consider the necessity of the trip.”

“We will have police officers from all over Sweden, coming to Malmö and also our Nordic police colleagues from Norway and Denmark will assist us during this week," police spokesperson Jimmy Modin told NBC News in a phone interview last week.

Malmö has seen several demonstrations against Israel since Oct. 7, but they have been peaceful, Modin said. “Nothing points to the demonstrations during Eurovision week to get violent either," he said.

Today, at the arena, security was not doing flag checks on people as they entered.

Can I vote in Eurovision?

Patrick Smith

You can. Even if your country isn’t participating, you can still vote for your favorite song. Starting from the semifinals, Eurovision allows anyone to vote here , for a small fee of just under 1 Euro ($1.08). In fact you have up to 20 votes you can allocate to whomever you like, and you can allocate multiple votes to a single artist. But each vote costs an additional fee. 

For the grand final, you can start voting just before the first song until about 25 to 40 minutes after the last song. For the semifinals, you can vote after the last song for about 15 to 25 minutes, so act fast.

Malmö, Sweden, is home to Eurovision this year

The host city this year is Malmö, Sweden. The winner of the previous year’s contest (normally) gets to host the next one, so it’s Sweden’s turn because it won in 2023 with Tattoo by Loreen.

It’s the seventh time Sweden has hosted Eurovision — the country is tied with Ireland for the most wins — and this is the third time it’s taken place in Malmö.

Malmö, Sweden’s third-largest city after Stockholm and Gothenberg, is on the south-western coast of Sweden. The city is at the eastern end of the famous Øresund Bridge that connects the country with Denmark, which acted as the backdrop to a popular crime drama series, “The Bridge.”

What to expect from the first round of semifinals 

Today’s semifinal kicks off at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT live from Sweden’s Malmö Arena, with the show opening with performances from three past Eurovision stars, before the contest itself kicks off.

Artists representing 15 countries are set to perform during tonight’s first semifinal for a chance to qualify for Saturday’s grand final, with another 16 set to compete in the second semifinal on Thursday. The top 10 acts from each semifinal qualify for the grand final, meaning five countries will be eliminated tonight.

Each of the 15 artists gets a maximum of three minutes to perform under Eurovision’s rules, which also restrict acts to six performers. The staging is entirely down to the competing countries, though — with competitors past using elaborate props, outlandish outfits, pyrotechnics or video graphics to stand apart from the pack. 

After all 15 competing artists perform, there is an interval for the public vote to take place, with the audience treated to special performances from two familiar Eurovision faces: Irish musician Johnny Logan, one of only two people to have won the contest multiple times, and Benjamin Ingrosso, a pop star from host nation Sweden who took part in 2018.

Viewers will also get to see a sneak peek at the artists competing this year for the host nation as well as Germany and the United Kingdom, who get an automatic pass to Saturday’s grand final as the biggest financial contributors.

The interval is followed by the results. Eurovision voting during the grand final can be an infamously lengthy process, but it’s much speedier tonight, as the 10 qualifiers are announced all in one go.

What countries have been buying the most tickets?

Fans from over 80 countries will flock to Malmö Arena for Eurovision this year, with locals occupying the most seats. Swedes have purchased a third of available tickets, while British fans accounted for a fifth of total sales. Denmark, Germany, the United States and the Netherlands rounded out the top five.

“Malmö welcoming Eurovision fans and visitors from such large and diverse parts of the world is truly fantastic," said Karin Karlsson, managing director of Eurovision. "It clearly demonstrates the event’s appeal and its ability to unite people through music, culture, and diversity."

Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede tapped as co-hosts

MALMÖ, Sweden — Eurovision can be a long and drawn-out event, so having strong hosts is crucial. This year, Swedish broadcaster SVT turned to a familiar face for Eurovision fans: Petra Mede.

She hosted in 2013 by herself, and co-hosted in 2016 with the previous year’s winning Swedish contestant Måns Zelmerlöw. Joining her this year is Malin Åkerman, a Swedish-American actress, who has appeared in “The Comeback” and “Entourage.”

“There is no scene that I love more than the Eurovision because, you know, everyone has already decided that this is going to be a good night," Mede told NBC News in a Zoom interview. "You don’t have to convince anyone. There are no snobs in there. And so therefore, you know, once you get out on stage, my experience is that you’re just filled with love from the beginning.”

What countries are competing today?

The full list of performers tonight are:

• Cyprus — Silia Kapsis — “Liar”
• Serbia — Teya Dora — “Ramonda”
• Lithuania — Silvester Belt — “Luktelk”
• Ireland — Bambie Thug — “Doomsday Blue”
• Ukraine — Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil — “Teresa & Maria”
• Poland — Luna — “The Tower”
• Croatia — Baby Lasagna — “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”
• Iceland — Hera Björk — “Scared of Heights”
• Slovenia — Raiven — “Veronika”
• Finland — Windows95man — “No Rules!”
• Moldova — Natalia Barbu — “In the Middle”
• Azerbaijan — Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov — “Özünlə apar”
• Australia — Electric Fields — “One Milkali (One Blood)”
• Portugal — Iolanda — “Grito”
• Luxembourg — Tali — “Fighter”

Also, for the first time, Eurovision said this year the artists from the "big 5" countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom — and host nation Sweden will each perform their entries in full live during the semifinals. But you can’t vote for them during semifinals.

Read the full set list here .

When does Eurovision start?

The grand final is on Saturday, May 11, in Malmö, Sweden, and it starts at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). This is the big event where the eventual winner will be crowned and it traditionally generates one of the biggest TV audiences in the world.

Get comfortable: The final will last four hours, as long as the Super Bowl. 

But before that, there are two semifinals: the first today and the second on Thursday, both starting at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).

Each semifinal will feature 16 countries hoping to make their way to the final, as well as the “big 5” nations of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, who have already qualified for the final but will perform at the semis anyway.

How to watch Eurovision 2024

The best place to watch in the U.S. is Peacock , which is streaming the semifinals and the final itself. Each event will be available to replay afterward, too. (Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of both NBC News and NBCUniversal, which runs Peacock.)

Eurovision is shown across Europe and beyond on an array of publicly owned broadcasters who are members of the European Broadcasting Union, including the BBC in Britain.

How does Eurovision work?

Eurovision is one of the world’s biggest annual televised events, with an estimated 160 million people tuning in across Europe to cheer on their country in a contest of music, performance and pure spectacle. Thirty-seven countries are taking part in this year’s contest, with one artist for each country — put forward by the national broadcaster in each competing nation — having just three minutes to showcase an original song.

Across two live semifinals, taking place tonight and Thursday, the number of competitors is whittled down to 26, with those remaining going forward to compete in Saturday’s grand final. The qualifiers from each semifinal, and the ultimate winner on Saturday, are decided by combining the results of a public vote with points given out by international juries in each country. 

While most commonly associated with power ballads and “schlager” pop music, Eurovision has seen a diverse range of entrants try everything from rap and heavy metal to opera and yodeling in a bid to stand out, while the event has also become associated with the often elaborate staging and costumes picked by the artists.

ABBA-mania going strong 50 years after group's Eurovision win

Even if you haven't heard of Eurovision, chances are you've heard of ABBA.

The iconic group, whose music inspired the stage musical "Mamma Mia!" and film franchise starring Meryl Streep, skyrocketed to fame after their Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with their song "Waterloo."

The Swedish foursome had previously vied for a win at Eurovision 1973 in Luxembourg, but their song "Ring Ring" ended up finishing third at Sweden’s pre-selection Melodifestivalen.

In the 50 years since their 1974 win, the band has cemented themselves as icons in music history with nine studio albums.

"It’s difficult to comprehend that 50 years have gone by since the four of us waited backstage for the verdicts of all the juries around Europe at the Dome in Brighton," the band wrote in a letter to fans on their website in April . "So what were our dreams during those suspenseful moments or in the chaos in the aftermath of the victory we had secured with the smallest margin in Eurovision history? Four different dreams, no doubt, but whatever they were, however grand, reality has surpassed them, that’s for sure."

This year, in honor of the group's golden Eurovision anniversary, King Carl XVI Gustaf honored band members Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Reuss with the royal Order of Vasa .

We, the fans, say to ABBA: Thank you for the music.

Eurovision: A look back at past winners

The reigning champion of Eurovision is Sweden’s Loreen , who took home her second trophy in 2023 for the song “Tattoo," more than a decade after she won the 2012 contest with “Euphoria."

Some of the biggest names in music are among Eurovision’s pantheon of past winners, with this year’s contest also marking 50 years since ABBA won the contest with “Waterloo.” Céline Dion claimed a Eurovision trophy for Switzerland in 1988 with her song “Ne partez pas sans moi," while Ireland’s Johnny Logan and the U.K.’s Lulu are among the celebrated artists in their home countries to have brought home trophies.

Recent winners of Eurovision include Duncan Laurence, whose 2019 winning track “Arcade” grew into a viral hit with more than a billion Spotify streams, and the rock band Måneskin, who won Eurovision in 2021 for Italy with “Zitti e buoni," have become global stars and earned a Grammy nomination last year.

Most Eurovision winners do not find global fame — but some go on to distinguish themselves in other ways outside the contest. Ruslana, who won for Ukraine in 2004 with “Wild Dances," later became an MP and a leading voice in the country’s pro-European movement, while Russia was reported to have declared Ukraine’s 2016 winner Jamala a wanted woman last year over her advocacy during the war in Ukraine.

Andrew Jones is a senior desk editor.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Nick Duffy is a platforms editor for NBC News.

is culture and trends editor for NBC News Digital.

Politics latest: Keir Starmer accused of 'rank hypocrisy' by Rishi Sunak after setting out what he'll do to tackle small boat crossings

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer lays out his party's plans to try and tackle small boat crossings if it wins power. Listen to the latest episode of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast as you scroll.

Friday 10 May 2024 18:30, UK

• Starmer says small boat crossings 'one of the greatest challenges we face'
• Explained: What's in Labour's plan to try and tackle problem
• Darren McCaffrey: Will Labour's plan cut it with voters?
• Starmer says no flights to Rwanda will take off under Labour
• Sunak accuses Starmer of 'rank hypocrisy'
• Electoral Dysfunction:  Jess Phillips says Elphicke defection like 'being punched in gut'
• UK exits recession | Economy 'returning to full health'
• Faultlines:   Can British farming survive?
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

Across the UK, anger is brewing amongst some farmers.  

Protests have already been held in London, Dover and Cardiff, with more planned - mirroring similar tensions seen across Europe in the last six months.     

They say they’re annoyed about cheap foreign imports and changes to subsidies forcing them to give up land in favour of environmental schemes.    

But what does this mean for the food on our table - and does British produce risk becoming a luxury product for the wealthy only?    

On the Sky News Daily , Niall Paterson is joined by West of England and Wales correspondent Dan Whitehead to find out why farmers are so concerned, and speaks to Liz Webster, the founder of Save British Farming, about why she believes eating British isn't just good for our farmers - it's good for the nation's health, too.   

In response to our report, Farming Minister Mark Spencer, said: "We firmly back our farmers. British farming is at the heart of British trade, and we put agriculture at the forefront of any deals we negotiate, prioritising new export opportunities, protecting UK food standards and removing market access barriers. 

"We've maintained the £2.4bn annual farming budget and recently set out the biggest ever package of grants which supports farmers to produce food profitably and sustainably."

The Welsh government said: "A successful future for Welsh farming should combine the best of our traditional farming alongside cutting-edge innovation and diversification. 

"It will produce the very best of Welsh food to the highest standards, while safeguarding our precious environment and addressing the urgent call of the climate and nature emergencies."

👉  Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts   👈

Following the defection of the Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour, Beth, Ruth and Jess discuss the surprise move and whether it could have been handled differently by Sir Keir Starmer.

They also talk about Beth's interview with the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and his warnings about Reform UK.

Plus, how significant was the defeat of former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street? Beth and Jess were both there to tell the story.

And they answer a question on Labour and the Muslim vote, and what the party can do to restore confidence and trust.

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.     

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

In January 2023, Rishi Sunak made five promises.

Since then, he and his ministers have rarely missed an opportunity to list them. In case you haven't heard, he promised to:

• Halve inflation • Grow the economy • Reduce debt • Cut NHS waiting lists and times • Stop the boats

See below how he is doing on these goals:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local elections complete, Labour is still sitting comfortably ahead, with the Tories trailing behind.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

Speaking to Sky political editor  Beth Rigby , Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to allow Tory MP Natalie Elphicke into Labour.

Ms Elphicke was on the right of the Conservative spectrum, and previously defended her sex-offender ex-husband, comments which she apologised for this week following her defection.

Addressing Tory voters, Sir Keir says he wants Labour to be a "place where they who have ambitions about their families, their communities, their country, can join and be part of what we are trying to build for their country".

Asked by Beth if he was ruthless, Sir Keir said: "Yes, I'm ruthless in trying to ensure we have a Labour government that can change this country for the better.

"Not ruthless for my own ambition, not ruthlessness particularly for the Labour Party - I'm ruthless for the country. 

"The only way we'll bring about a change in this country is if we're ruthless about winning that general election and putting in place a government of public service, that’ll be a major change.

"Politics, I believe, should be about public service, that's what I've been about all my life."

More now from political editor Beth Rigby's interview with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

She reminded him that he previously ruled out doing a deal with the SNP - but has not done so for the Liberal Democrats.

Sir Keir again ruled out a coalition with the SNP - adding that he is aiming for a "majority Labour government".

He says Labour needs "to keep working hard, keep disciplined and getting our message across, which is something fundamental to me".

Pushed on his lack of ruling out a possible agreement with the Lib Dems, Sir Keir says: "I'm going for a majority.

"That's the answer I gave you a year ago. It's the same answer I'm giving you now."

Sir Keir Starmer was earlier today pushed on whether Rwanda deportation flights will take off if he was prime minister - although it was not clear if he would cancel flights which had already been organised.

Sky News understood that previously booked deportation flights to Rwanda would still go ahead if Sir Keir entered Number 10. 

But the Labour leader has now gone further.

Speaking to political editor Beth Rigby , Sir Keir has ruled out any flights taking off.

"There will be no flights scheduled or taking off after general election if Labour wins that general election," he says.

He says: "Every flight that takes off carries with it a cheque to the Rwanda government. 

"So I want to scrap the scheme - so that means the flights won't be going."

Sir Keir says he would rather spend the money on his own measures to counter small boats.

"No flights, no Rwanda scheme. It's a gimmick," he says.

By Alix Culbertson , political reporter

Scotland's new first minister has told Sky News that the controversial gender recognition reforms "cannot be implemented."

John Swinney,  who became first minister this week , has faced questions over his stance on gender recognition after MSPs voted in 2022 to pass a bill to make it simpler for people to change their gender without having to obtain a medical diagnosis.

The UK government blocked the bill from being made into law and the Supreme Court rejected a request by the Scottish government for a judicial review.

Asked if he would be fighting to push the bill through, Mr Swinney told Sky News: "The reality of the situation we face is that the Supreme Court has said that we can't legislate in that area. We can't take forward that legislation."

The UK economy is no longer in recession, according to official figures.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a better-than-expected 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Economists had predicted the figure would be 0.4%.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it showed the economy had "turned a corner".

He told Sky News's Ed Conway: "I am pleased that while there's more work to do, today's figures show that the economy now has real momentum, and I'm confident that with time, people will start to feel the benefits of that.

"We've had multiple months now where wages are rising, energy bills have fallen, mortgage rates are down and taxes are being cut... I'm pleased with the progress that we're making."

Mr Sunak added: "I am confident the economy is getting healthier every week."

You can read more here:

Rishi Sunak has criticised Sir Keir Starmer's position on Rwanda as "rank hypocrisy".

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister says the Labour leader has announced things the government is "already doing".

He gives the example of "punching through the backlog, having more law enforcement officers do more, that's all happening already".

"We've announced all of that more than a year ago," the prime minister adds.

"The question for Keir Starmer if he cares so much about that, why did he vote against the new laws that we passed to give our law enforcement officers new powers? 

"They've now used those to arrest almost 8,000 people connected with illegal migration, sentenced them to hundreds of years in prison.

"And if it was up to him, all those people would be out on our streets, so I think it's rank hypocrisy property of his position."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

50 of the BEST Mother-Daughter Movies

Here is a list of 50 of the BEST Mother-Daughter movies to plan your best movie night!

Each of these movies listed below has some type of dynamic relationship and even conflict between mother and daughter.

Most of the list of movies are obvious but some are not.

This list is not in a particular order, but I am wondering if there are ones missing or ones that you feel don’t below.  Let me know what you think and we will continue to edit and add to the list.

• Little Women (1994) – This adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel follows the lives of the four March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and sisterhood under the guidance of their mother.
• Lady Bird (2017) – A coming-of-age comedy-drama that explores the tumultuous relationship between a strong-willed teenager and her equally strong-willed mother as they navigate love, independence, and dreams.
• Terms of Endearment (1983) – A heartfelt film that explores the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter as they face love, loss, and personal growth.
• Stepmom (1998) – A poignant drama about a terminally ill mother (Susan Sarandon) and her ex-husband’s new partner (Julia Roberts) as they navigate the challenges of co-parenting and ultimately find common ground.
• Mamma Mia! (2008) – A musical comedy that follows a bride-to-be as she tries to uncover the identity of her father among three potential candidates, with her mother’s past love life providing the backdrop.
• Mermaids (1990) – Set in the 1960s, this comedy-drama follows a single mother and her two daughters as they navigate the challenges of love, growing up, and finding their place in the world.
• Freaky Friday (2003) – A comedy film about a mother and daughter who magically switch bodies, leading to humorous and insightful moments as they gain a newfound understanding of each other’s lives.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – This indie comedy-drama revolves around a dysfunctional family as they embark on a road trip to support their young daughter’s dream of competing in a beauty pageant.
• In Her Shoes (2005) – A dramedy that explores the complex relationship between two sisters (Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette) as they navigate their differences and ultimately find common ground.
• The Parent Trap (1998) – Identical twin sisters, separated at birth and raised by different parents, meet at summer camp and devise a plan to reunite their long-divorced parents.
• The Princess Diaries (2001) – A charming family film about an ordinary teenager (Anne Hathaway) who discovers she is a princess and must navigate the challenges of royal life with the support of her quirky grandmother (Julie Andrews).
• The Joy Luck Club (1993) – Adapted from Amy Tan’s novel, this film delves into the lives of four Chinese-American women and their relationships with their mothers, exploring themes of cultural identity, sacrifice, and the power of storytelling.
• The Blind Side (2009) – Based on a true story, this inspiring film follows a wealthy woman (Sandra Bullock) who takes in a homeless teenager (Quinton Aaron) and helps him realize his potential, showcasing the transformative power of love and motherly care.
• Brave (2012) – An animated adventure film set in the Scottish Highlands, where a young princess named Merida must break a curse and reconcile with her mother while discovering the true meaning of bravery.
• Now and Then (1995) – This nostalgic coming-of-age film follows four friends as they reminisce about their shared childhood experiences, reflecting on the impact of their mothers’ friendships and guidance.
• Anywhere But Here (1999) – A drama about a free-spirited mother (Susan Sarandon) who uproots her daughter’s life to pursue her own dreams, leading to a journey of self-discovery for both of them.
• 27 Dresses (2008) – While primarily a romantic comedy, this film explores the close bond between two sisters as one of them (Katherine Heigl) selflessly supports the other through various romantic entanglements.
• Because I Said So (2007) – A romantic comedy that centers around the meddling, yet well-intentioned, efforts of a mother (Diane Keaton) to find the perfect man for her daughter (Mandy Moore).
• The Secret Life of Bees (2008) – Set in the 1960s, this powerful drama follows a young girl (Dakota Fanning) as she escapes an abusive household and finds solace and a sense of belonging with a group of beekeeping sisters, led by the maternal figure played by Queen Latifah.
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – A romantic comedy about a young woman (Nia Vardalos) from a Greek-American family as she navigates her cultural traditions, family dynamics, and the pursuit of love.
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) – Based on the novel by Rebecca Wells, this film tells the story of a mother-daughter relationship strained by secrets, healing through the bond of a close-knit group of lifelong friends.
• Nowhere Boy (2009) – A biographical drama about the teenage years of John Lennon (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his complex relationship with his mother, Julia Lennon (Anne-Marie Duff), who influences his musical journey.
• The Help (2011) – Set in the 1960s, this film focuses on the relationships between African-American maids and the white families they work for, highlighting the motherly connections and shared struggles between the characters.
• The Family Stone (2005) – A comedy-drama about the Stone family’s holiday gathering, where the eldest son brings his uptight girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker) home, leading to clashes, unexpected connections, and a deeper understanding of family bonds.
• White Oleander (2002) – Based on the novel by Janet Fitch, this drama follows a young girl (Alison Lohman) who endures a series of foster homes while her incarcerated mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) exerts a lasting influence on her life.
• Incredibles 2 (2018) – An animated superhero film that explores the dynamics of the Parr family as the mother, Helen/Elastigirl, takes the spotlight to save the world while her husband Mr. Incredible stays at home to care for their children.
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) – Four best friends discover a pair of magical jeans that fit them all perfectly, symbolizing their enduring friendship and providing support as they navigate their individual challenges.
• An Unfinished Life (2005) – A drama about a troubled woman (Jennifer Lopez) who moves to her estranged father-in-law’s (Robert Redford) ranch with her daughter, leading to healing, forgiveness, and a deeper understanding of family.
• For Keeps (1988) – A romantic comedy-drama that explores the challenges faced by a teenage couple (Molly Ringwald and Randall Batinkoff) when they unexpectedly become parents and must confront the realities of adulthood and parenthood together.
• My Girl (1991) – Set in the 1970s, this coming-of-age film follows an 11-year-old girl (Anna Chlumsky) as she deals with the loss of her mother and forms an unlikely friendship with a boy (Macaulay Culkin) from a funeral home.
• Jack & Diane (2012) – A romantic drama that delves into the passionate relationship between two teenage girls and the impact it has on their individual lives and the lives of their families.
• Girl, Interrupted (1999) – Based on a memoir, this drama focuses on a young woman (Winona Ryder) who voluntarily commits herself to a mental institution, forming unexpected bonds and finding solace in the presence of other patients, including a motherly figure (Angelina Jolie).
• The Duchess (2008) – A period drama based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley), as she navigates the challenges of her loveless marriage and seeks independence, all while trying to be a loving mother.
• Aquamarine (2006) – A teen fantasy film about two friends who discover a mermaid named Aquamarine and help her find true love while learning valuable lessons about friendship and growing up.
• Whip It (2009) – A sports comedy-drama about a rebellious teenager (Ellen Page) who finds her passion in roller derby, with the support and encouragement of her unconventional mother (Marcia Gay Harden).
• Mermaids (1990) – A comedy-drama about a single mother and her two daughters as they navigate the challenges of love, growing up, and finding their place in the world.
• Anna Karenina (2012) – Based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, this period drama follows the tragic love affair of Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley), a woman torn between her duty as a mother and her desires for love and freedom.
• The Sisterhood of Night (2014) – A mystery drama that explores the consequences faced by a group of girls involved in a secret society, with their mothers and the community at large trying to unravel the truth.
• Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008) – Set during the Great Depression, this family film centers around a resourceful young girl (Abigail Breslin) who dreams of becoming a journalist while her mother (Julia Ormond) teaches her valuable life lessons.
• Little Secrets (2001) – A family film about a young girl who runs a secret business where she helps others keep their deepest secrets, all while facing her own challenges and learning important lessons from her mother.
• The Guilt Trip (2012) – A comedy about an inventor (Seth Rogen) who embarks on a road trip with his overprotective mother (Barbra Streisand), leading to humorous and heartfelt moments as they confront their relationship and discover more about each other.
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) – This film tells the story of a mother-daughter relationship strained by secrets, healing through the bond of a close-knit group of lifelong friends.
• 20th Century Women (2016) – Set in 1979, this drama explores the relationships between a single mother (Annette Bening), her teenage son, and the young women who influence his life, providing unique perspectives on womanhood and motherhood.
• Riding in Cars with Boys (2001) – A dramedy based on the memoir of Beverly Donofrio, this film follows a young woman (Drew Barrymore) who becomes a teenage mother and must navigate the challenges of parenthood while pursuing her dreams.
• Jackie & Ryan (2014) – A romantic drama about a single mother (Katherine Heigl) who forms a connection with a traveling musician (Ben Barnes) and finds inspiration and support in their relationship.
• Elsa & Fred (2014) – A romantic comedy-drama about a widower (Christopher Plummer) who forms an unlikely friendship and romance with his eccentric neighbor (Shirley MacLaine), bringing newfound joy and spontaneity into both their lives.
• Anywhere But Here (1999) – A drama about a free-spirited mother who uproots her daughter’s life to pursue her own dreams, leading to a journey of self-discovery for both of them.
• Morning Glory (2010) – A comedy-drama that follows the career aspirations of a young television producer (Rachel McAdams) as she takes on the challenge of revitalizing a morning show, with her relationship with her mother (Diane Keaton) serving as an important source of support.
• The Kids Are All Right (2010) – A comedy-drama about a same-sex couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) whose family dynamic is challenged when their children seek out their biological father, leading to a thoughtful exploration of modern family dynamics and the bonds between mothers and their children.
• Room (2015) – Based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, this intense drama follows a young mother (Brie Larson) and her son as they escape from captivity and adjust to life outside, highlighting the powerful and unconditional love between a mother and child.

How to plan a Mother-Daughter Movie Night!

• Make a date with your mom or your daughter!
• Plan snacks and popcorn and favorite beverages!
• Keep it light-hearted and entertain the conversations during the movie!
• More tips on Family Movie Nights .