Kyiv - the capital of Ukraine, located in north-central Ukraine, is without a doubt the most popular tourist attraction in the country. This European city packs a punch with its remarkable Soviet architecture, monasteries, golden-domed cathedrals, and attractive streets. Plus, it's still relatively unknown, so there aren't many tourist traps here!

Kyiv is one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities, having been founded in 482 AD. It is now essentially Ukrainian, having experienced both Russian and German occupation. In reality, Kyiv had an important role in the formation of both medieval East Slavic civilisation and the modern Ukrainian nation.

Kyiv today is a fast-paced city. To learn more about Eastern Europe's interesting history, visit one of the city's many taverns, sit outside at a sidewalk café and people-watch, or go to one of the museums. One of the largest open-air museums in Europe is the Museum of Folk Architecture and Ethnography. However, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine's oldest and most important monasteries, is without a doubt the most popular attraction in the city. Take a walk down Andriyivskyy Descent, a steep cobblestone path surrounded with Art Nouveau mansions with gargoyles. Bring your cultural A-game to Kyiv, where you can see theater, opera, and musical performances.

Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Highlights: St. Sophia's Cathedral, St. Andrew's Church, National Art Museum of Ukraine, Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery, Mariyinsky Palace, Independence Square, Mezhyhirya: Former Presidential Palace, ...
Best time to visit: April 30th to October 7th

Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine, and it has a fascinating historic core. The capital, which was founded in 1240 and named after Leo, the King of Ruthenia's oldest son, changed hands multiple times between the Poles and the Russians before becoming independent in 1991.

Lviv is jam-packed with monuments, museums, and historic buildings, many of which include archaeological finds dating back to the 5th century. Lviv, known as one of Ukraine's most prominent cultural centers, is home to a plethora of art galleries, including the Lviv National Art Gallery, which has over 50,000 works of art. From opera and ballet events to delightful café culture, there's enough to do for a cultural day out.

What a pity if you pay a visit to Lviv without setting your foot on an outdoor market in Lviv. Although the origins of the famed nesting "Russian" dolls are disputed, there is no questioning the skilled craftsmanship of those who create them. When you go to a market, you'll find a wide range of handicrafts that highlight the country's traditional arts. Many textiles are utilized in many houses around the country, including traditional embroidered blouses known as vyshyvanka and hand towels.

Location: Lviv, Ukraine

Highlights: Market Square, The Old Town, Insomnia - The Haunted House, Svyatogo Yura Cathedral, Armenian Virgin Mary's Dormition Church, Lviv High Castle, Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, ...

Best time to visit: May 14th to September 16th

Odesa, in southwestern Ukraine, has a fascinating history, which is told through its numerous great museums. It was first held by the Greeks, then by the Ottomans, and ultimately by the Russians. Odessa is now a modern metropolis with breathtaking Art Nouveau buildings, charming people-watching cafes, and beautiful beaches. The 'Pearl of the Black Sea,' as it is known, is situated on the Black Sea's northwestern shore.

In Arcadia, Odessa has a booming nightlife culture, with nightclubs that rival those on Ibiza, amazing shopping, and fantastic vineyards. When you combine all of these factors, you have the ideal summer vacation spot — without the hordes of international visitors.

Odessa offers a diverse range of activities for your trip. Relax at one of the many beach club pools, attend a theater performance, or take a stroll along the beachfront promenade. It's not just what's on the surface that draws visitors to Odessa: the city also has a labyrinth of fascinating underground catacombs that stretch for thousands of kilometers beneath the city!

The Catacombs, one of the world's largest urban labyrinths, with over 1,600 miles of tunnels, are a must-see for anybody interested in seeing Odessa from a different perspective. These subterranean tunnels, which were created by mining a soft off-white limestone called coquina, are said to be larger than Rome's and Paris' underground passageways.

Location: Odessa, Ukraine
Highlights: Odessa Catacombs, Odessa Opera and Ballet, Exploring the cafés along Derybasivska Street, Party at Arcadia, Sunbathing at Lanzheron beach, the Vorontsov Palace, ...
Best time to visit: April 23rd to July 15th, or August 13th to October 7th

Do you know what the term Dark Tourism means? It refers to visits to locations associated with death or tragic events. Popular examples are the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City, Alcatraz in San Francisco, Pearl Harbor, Pompeii, and the Cambodian Killing Fields. Visitors to Ukraine should include the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which promises a dark exploration, for those interested in history.

The 1989 explosion occurred at the town of Pripyat, which is located in Northern Ukraine. The site has recently reopened to the public, but only with the permission of an approved tour company. If you're concerned about radiation, studies show that passengers on a transatlantic flight are exposed to more radiation than visitors to Chernobyl.

With a Chernobyl Tour, you can travel 65 miles from Kiev in one day. Visitors can be picked up and dropped off at their hotel by tour operators. You will be shown an educational video on the disaster during the transportation. The incident is brought to life through narration and genuine film, which helps visitors prepare for what is to come. The tour leads guests through a variety of structures, some of which appear to be set pieces for a stage production. It's a deeply touching event that will linger long after you've left.

Location: Chernobyl, Ukraine

Highlights: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Soviet Military object “Duga”, Ghost town Pripyat, ...

Best time to visit: Spring or Autumn

Just a short walk from the ancient town, Kamenets Podolsky fortress is a prominent feature in Kamianets-Podilskyi, also is one of the main reasons tourists visit this fairy-tale city. This fortress, which dates back to before the 14th century, is an excellent spot in the canyon for photography and exploration. The fortress, which towers over the Smotrych River, is incredibly spectacular — it's certainly one of Eastern Europe's most gorgeous castles from a fairy tale.

Take a tour of the inside, taking in all of the corridors and admiring the well-kept grounds. Despite the fact that the Kamenets Podolsky fortress is centuries old, it offers modern conveniences such as toilets and a café to ensure that you have a pleasant visit. When the castle is illuminated at night, it is very stunning.

Take a short trip into the Old Town with its pretty pastel-colored houses after a day of touring and get a bite to eat at one of the many unique restaurants. Also, take to the skies for a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon ride, waterfall-watching along the Smotrichsky Canyon, and archery on the Castle Bridge, which is one of the city's attractions. The amazing hot air balloon event in the spring is not to be missed!

Location: Zamkowa St, 1, Kam'yanets'-Podil's'kyi, Khmelnytskyi

Highlights: Kamenets Podolsky fortress, St. George Cathedral, the International Festival of National Cultures, the Russian Gate, walking By Dominican Monastery, ...

Best time to visit: June, July and August

Chernivtsi, located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, is regarded as one of Western Ukraine's hidden jewels. You may not have heard much about Chernivtsi, yet the city is known as Western Ukraine's cultural, educational, and architectural center. Because it was originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city is affectionately referred to as "Little Vienna." It has architecture that is comparable to that of Austrian cities.

The city, however, is not only a gorgeous beauty but it also has historical and cultural significance. Chernivtsi dates back to the Neolithic era, according to archaeological discoveries. During the Principality of Halych's reign, a fortified city stood on the shoreline's north-eastern end. The 'Black City,' so named because of the dark hue of the city walls, was mostly destroyed during the Mongol invasion. Some of the fortifications have survived to this day.

It's the ideal location to relax and soak in the no-frills, no-fuss environment, with its cobblestone lanes lined with laid-back cafes, Baroque buildings, booksellers, and parks. Don't forget to pay a visit to the National University, which is one of Ukraine's largest universities.

Location: Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Highlights: The Architecture Of Chernivtsi National University, The Massive Cathedral Of Holy Spirit, The Armenian Church, Walking Along The Kobylyanskoi Street, The Architecture Of Chernivtsi Town Hall, Teatralna Square, ...
Best time to visit: April 30th to September 30th

In the Carpathians, the Bukovel ski resort in Ukraine is a snow-covered lovely spot for winter holidays. It is very congested during the peak ski season, especially in January. There are always too many people who want to go skiing in Bukovel, come to celebrate New Year's, Orthodox Christmas, or simply have a romantic winter getaway.

In the winter, Bukovel does not scrimp on amusement for all tourists, not just skiers, as it is a highly scenic region with different trails, a huge selection of hotels, pure crisp air, and vistas that make you happy. Whatever your age or inclinations, there is always something to do. And it is without a doubt one of Europe's top ski resorts.

Bukovel, high on the western Ukrainian mountains, promises a ton of pleasure for people of all ages. With over 50 kilometers of groomed pistes and playgrounds, it can accommodate skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. When you're not testing the powder, visit the snow park, bicycle park, or ski school to learn some new tricks. The months of December through April are the greatest for skiing in Bukovel, with January having the most snowfall.

Location: Bukovel, Nadvirna Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, western Ukraine

Highlights: soaking in wood-fired baths, visiting Hutsul Land Ethno Park, going on a Husky ride, going skating or snowmobiling, flying on a hot air balloon,...

Best time to visit: December to April