What to see in Ukraine: 6 must-sees
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Discover what to see in Ukraine: 6 must-see destinations, from Kyiv to Lviv. Predominantly city and UNESCO heritage; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
City(4)
Take in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, where Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Monastery of the Caves recount 1,500 years of history and have been on the UNESCO list since 1990. Wander the Podil district, climb Andriivskyi Descent, lined with workshops and galleries, and try varenyky in the covered markets downtown. The golden mosaics of Saint Sophia and the green domes of the monastery share the scene with trams, cafés and the banks of the Dnieper, where Kyivans stroll on weekends.
Stroll through the Pearl of the Black Sea and climb the Potemkin Stairs, a symbol of Odesa immortalized by cinema. Facing the port, the opera house sets the cultural pulse of a city that was once a cultural capital of the Russian Empire. At the Privoz Market, sample local cheeses and fish while vendors haggle loudly; then head down to the shady boulevards of Primorsky to see Baroque and neoclassical facades. End the day at Arcadia Beach, a few kilometers from downtown, with open-air cafés and views of the Black Sea.
Wander the cobblestone streets of Kamianets-Podilskyi, in the Khmelnytskyi region, where the medieval castle rises above the canyon of the Smotrych River, which wraps around the old town. Cross the bridge to the fortress, stroll along its walls, and explore the markets of the Polish and Armenian quarters. The towers, churches, and stone houses preserve centuries of history in every corner.
Explore Chernivtsi, a university city in southwestern Ukraine where Ukrainian, Jewish, Romanian, German, and Polish communities once lived side by side. Stroll through the University complex, the former residence of the Orthodox metropolitans, considered a masterpiece of the Czech architect Hlávka. Have coffee on the terraces of Olha Kobylianska Street, a tree-lined pedestrian thoroughfare, and visit the central market to sample cheeses and cured meats from Bukovina. End the day with a concert at the Viennese-style theater, a legacy of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
UNESCO Heritage(1)
Admire the old town of Lviv, formerly Lvov, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 as an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition. Stroll among Renaissance and Baroque facades, sit in its historic cafés where coffee is brewed to century-old recipes, and climb the town hall tower for views over the rooftops of Market Square.
National Park(1)
Immerse yourself in the beech and fir forests of Ukraine's first national park, in the heart of the Zakarpattia region. Follow marked trails through the Carpathian Mountains, home to brown bears, lynxes, and golden eagles. Watch birds at dawn from the viewpoints overlooking the valley and walk alongside crystal-clear rivers. Here you'll find information signs in Ukrainian and mountain huts where you can spend the night between June and September.
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