Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and is the second-largest country on the continent. Long before headlines were dominated by war, Ukraine was known for its ancient cities, deep religious roots, and vibrant cultural traditions.
From thousand-year-old monasteries to colorful modern neighborhoods, Ukraine offers travelers a powerful mix of history, resilience, and beauty.
Must-Visit Destinations in Ukraine
Kyiv: The Spiritual and Cultural Heart
Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, stands along the Dnipro River and has been a center of Slavic civilization for over a millennium. 
Saint Sophia’s Cathedral
Built in the 11th century during the era of Kyivan Rus’, Saint Sophia’s Cathedral remains a spiritual landmark. Its golden domes, ancient mosaics, and frescoes have survived centuries and earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is famous for its underground cave system, where mummified Orthodox monks rest. Above ground, museums and churches showcase Ukraine’s religious and artistic legacy.
Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square)
Independence Square is the symbolic center of modern Ukraine. Surrounded by monuments, shops, and cafés, it reflects the country’s recent history and the energy of everyday city life.
Comfort Town: Kyiv’s Colorful Surprise
Comfort Town was once an abandoned industrial zone. Today, it’s a playful residential area made up of 180 brightly colored apartment buildings, designed like stacked LEGO blocks—a striking contrast to Kyiv’s classical architecture.
Chernobyl Museum
The National Chernobyl Museum uses photographs, artifacts, and personal stories to document the Chernobyl disaster. It offers crucial insight into a tragedy that shaped modern Ukraine.
Lviv: A Window into Central Europe
Located in western Ukraine, Lviv is widely regarded as the country’s cultural capital. Its historic center is a UNESCO-listed treasure influenced by Polish, Austrian, and Central European traditions.
Lviv Old Town
The entire Lviv Old Town is protected as a World Heritage Site, featuring over 2,500 buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Rynok Square is the social heart, lined with cafés that glow romantically under gas lamps at night.
Opera and Performing Arts
The Lviv National Opera is both a performance venue and an architectural masterpiece. Ballet and opera performances here rival those of Europe’s great cultural capitals.
Odesa: The Pearl of the Black Sea
Odesa, Ukraine’s third-largest city, sits on the Black Sea and is known for its mild climate, beaches, and vibrant port culture.
Odesa Opera House
The Odesa Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of Eastern Europe’s most artistically significant theaters and a defining landmark of the city.
The Tunnel of Love
Near Klevan lies the Tunnel of Love, a natural archway formed by intertwining trees along a railway track. Often called one of the world’s most romantic places, it attracts couples who believe wishes made here come true.
Buky Canyon
Hidden in central Ukraine, Buky Canyon stretches for about 5 kilometers with cliffs up to 20 meters deep. Visitors can hike, boat, and explore the ruins of Ukraine’s first hydroelectric power station—where industry meets nature.
The Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains are a vital ecological corridor in Europe. This region combines skiing, mineral spas, biodiversity research, and traditional mountain culture into a unique natural and cultural landscape.
Must-Try Ukrainian Cuisine
Borscht
Borscht is Ukraine’s national soup and a culinary symbol. Made from beets, potatoes, carrots, spinach, beef, and sour cream, its deep red color and sweet-sour flavor make it instantly recognizable.
Varenyky
Varenyky are traditional dumplings symbolizing family and togetherness. Larger than Chinese dumplings, they come filled with meat, potatoes, cheese, or fruit.
Chicken Kyiv
Chicken Kyiv is a globally known Ukrainian dish—chicken wrapped around garlic butter and herbs, breaded and fried until golden, crispy outside and melting inside.
Salo
Salo is cured pork fat and a beloved national staple. Often eaten with garlic, black bread, and vodka, it’s rich yet surprisingly balanced in flavor.
Holubtsi
Holubtsi are cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork or beef, rice, onions, carrots, and mushrooms, then slow-cooked until tender.
Dark Rye Bread
Ukrainian rye bread reflects the country’s reputation as Europe’s “breadbasket.” Dense, aromatic, and fiber-rich, it accompanies nearly every meal.
Ihra (Vegetable Spread)
Ihra is a chilled vegetable spread made from eggplant, tomatoes, and garlic. Served cold on dark bread, it’s refreshing, tangy, and deeply satisfying.
Kholodets
Kholodets is a traditional meat jelly made by simmering pork legs for hours. Served cold, it’s rich in collagen and often paired with bread or vodka.
