Things to do in Ukraine

Descend into the candlelit labyrinth of caves where mummified monks rest in glass coffins, within a magnificent Golden-Domed monastery complex overlooking the Dnipro River.

Wander cobblestone streets lined with Renaissance townhouses, the busy Rynok Square fountain, and hidden courtyards, soaking in the coffee‑house culture of this Polish-Austrian gem.

Step inside the eerie, abandoned city of Pripyat, see the iconic Ferris wheel and decaying school, and learn the human story of the 1986 nuclear disaster on a guided day tour.

Catch a world‑class performance under the dazzling chandeliers of the baroque‑revival jewel, one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses, then stroll along the sea‑front Primorsky Boulevard.

Trek through alpine meadows and rocky slopes to the 2,061 m summit of Mount Hoverla in the Carpathians, earning panoramic views of rolling forested ridges and neighboring Romania.

Join the morning crowd at the grand 1912 covered market, order a steaming bowl of ruby‑red borscht with smetana, and watch locals haggle over vegetables, meat, and flowers.

Stroll or ride a quiet section of industrial railway completely engulfed by a leafy green archway, creating a natural tunnel that’s an off‑the‑beaten‑path photographer’s dream.

Walk the massive stone ramparts of the 13th‑century citadel that guarded the Polish‑Ottoman frontier, now offering sweeping river views and a palpable sense of bygone battles.

Carve down well‑groomed slopes in a sprawling Carpathian mountain resort with over 60 km of pistes, perfect for both beginners and advanced riders, with vibrant après‑ski in log‑cabin bars.

Enter the 11th‑century cathedral, a UNESCO site, to see original Byzantine frescoes and the famous 6‑metre‑tall Orans Virgin mosaic glinting under low domes.

Descend with a guide into the centuries‑old underground limestone quarries and smugglers’ tunnels that stretch over 2,500 km beneath the city, a surreal world of sculptures and wartime hiding places.

Soak up the sun on the sandy shores of Ukraine’s premier beach belt, lined with clubs, cafés, and the lively promenade that turns into a neon‑lit party scene after dark.

Knock on an unmarked door and say the password to enter a WWII‑insurgent bunker‑style eatery where you feast on potato‑stuffed dumplings under dim candlelight, a true Lviv institution.

Wander a 150‑hectare park on Kyiv’s outskirts showcasing over 300 traditional wooden buildings – windmills, churches, and thatched cottages – transported from all regions of Ukraine.

Gaze at the tiny, fairy‑tale neo‑Gothic castle dramatically clinging to the edge of a 40‑metre cliff above the Black Sea, near Yalta – Ukraine’s most photographed coastal landmark.

Stroll the tree‑lined pedestrian avenue, past neoclassical facades, street musicians, and pavement cafés, the vibrant heart of Odesa’s social life since the 19th century.

Follow a forest trail to a thundering 14‑metre cataract cascading over layered rocks; in summer it’s a refreshing plunge pool, in winter a icy natural sculpture loved by photographers.

Ride the elevator to the top of the 102‑metre stainless‑steel ‘Motherland’ statue for a panorama of Kyiv, then explore the solemn museum below documenting wartime sacrifice.

Wander Kyiv’s most charming old merchant quarter, with its baroque bell towers and cobblestones, then follow the renovated embankment for views of the River Dnipro and the Metro Bridge.

Watch chocolatiers pour and mould cocoa treats through the glass, then pick a praline or sit down for a thick hot chocolate in the rococo‑inspired café spread over several floors.

Descend beneath this medieval church to see ancient crypts and catacombs, a little‑visited subterranean world that reveals layers of Lviv’s religious and architectural past.

Sit under the painted ceiling of the Mirror Hall in the lavish 1900 opera house, catching a Ukrainian opera or philharmonic performance in one of the most ornate theatres in the country.

Order a flight of experimental local brews in a lively multi‑level brewpub where a live band often plays, and the patriotic décor celebrates Ukraine’s revolutionary spirit.

Stand before the rusting Ferris wheel and dodgem cars frozen in time, the most famous radioactive relic of the Chernobyl disaster, both haunting and strangely beautiful.

Tour the elegant Italian‑influenced palazzo and the adjacent petite oriental‑style pavilion, a unique 17th‑century architectural curiosity set in a peaceful park near Lviv.