Ukraine is a vast, diverse, and largely undiscovered country. There are numerous fascinating destinations for tourists to visit including lively cities, points of historical interest, and areas of breathtaking natural beauty.

If you are looking for destination in Europe which is off the beaten track, Ukraine is one of the few locations which has not been overrun with tourism. It is not yet considered a popular tourist destination, though it has so much to offer.

 

 

If you discount Russia (which is largely in Asia), Ukraine is Europe’s biggest country and it is diverse too. History, both ancient and recent, is rife throughout Ukraine, which has only existed in its current form since 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union.

Thankfully it is easy to obtain travel authorization to enter Ukraine. The application for the Ukraine e-Visa can be completed in a matter of minutes. Here are five destinations which all travelers to Ukraine should visit…

Lviv

Viewed as Ukraine’s cultural capital, Lviv is renowned for its impressive churches, interesting museums, range of restaurants, and great nightlife. It looks and feels the most western of Ukraine’s major cities and is situated near the Polish border.

The picturesque UNESCO-protected old town is one of the main attractions. the cozy, atmospheric area is characterized by charming, narrow, cobblestone streets which are full of pubs, breweries, and buildings from the renaissance era.

There are a number of castles dotted around the city and visitors can follow the Golden Horseshoe route which takes you between Olesko castle, Zolochiv castle, and Pidhirtsi Castle in a day.

Chernivtsi

Situated in western ukraine, Chernivtsi is nicknamed ‘Little Vienna’ for its rich Austro-Hungarian architecture and heritage. With a history of multiculturalism and a host of points of cultural interest, it is one of the most fascinating destinations in Ukraine.

One of the highlights is the UNESCO-protected Chernivtsi University building. The red-brick building with its colored tiles is otherworldly and is a mix of many architectural styles and is truly unique.

Art lovers can enjoy the stunning frescoes and other works of art at the Chernivtsi Museum of Art and there is a selection of beautiful cathedrals, theatres, and other museums to visit. Its Vienna-style cafes, leafy streets, quirky markets, and lively atmosphere also make it the perfect place to just wander around.

 

 

Odessa

Known for its stunning beaches and 19th-century architecture, the port city of Odessa is in southern Ukraine. The city famously featured in the most critically-acclaimed film of the Soviet era, ‘Battleship Potemkin’.

It is a unique, vibrant city which is full of treasures. Visitors can relax on Arcadia Beach, enter the world’s largest network of underground catacombs which are over 2,500km long, walk along the grand primorsky Boulevard, and go across the city’s iconic bridge.

Odessa is also home to some of the most impressive theater buildings in Europe. The Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater is the most famous and the oldest (opening in 1810).

 

 

Kamianets-Podilskyi

Famous for its medieval fortress, Kamianets-Podilskyi is the historic capital of Podolia. It was constructed to watch over the River Smotrich and there is evidence that a settlement existed there around 2,000 years ago.

Several original features of the ancient fortress are still standing including Castle Bridge, which leads the the main city and dates back to the middle ages. The original structure was built with wood, though most of what you can see today was built with stone between the tenth and thirteenth centuries.

Visiting the city is truly magical and feels like you are going back in time. There are around 200 buildings in the main city so there is plenty to see.

 

 

Kiev

Last but not least is Ukraine’s capital city, Kiev. It is one of eastern Europe’s most important cities and has two UNESCO world heritage sites: St. Sophia Cathedral and Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves).

The itself contains a unique mixture of European and Soviet architecture. There are numerous churches and cathedrals such as St. Andrews Church and the city is home to the world’s deepest train station in the world, Arsenalna.

One of the the cities main draws is the Kiev Opera House where you see a range pf world-class concert performers. Kiev also has its fair share of green space with an abundance of trees and parks, Victory Park and Venetsianskyi Park are particularly popular with local joggers and cyclists.