Ukraine is located in the eastern part of Europe and is the largest country in Europe apart from Russia. The best time to travel to Ukraine is from the end of April to the beginning of June, when it’s perfect for visiting all parts of Ukraine.
The country requires a visa for most travelers. To know about the requirement for your country, visit Visa Express for travel visa preparations.
Kyiv
Kyiv, the capital, is located in central Ukraine, on both sides of the Dnieper River and near the confluence of its largest tributary, the Pripyat and the Jesna.
This quiet and peaceful city is steeped in history, lush greenery, and beautiful scenery. Dozens of boulevards, hundreds of street gardens and lawns, and modern buildings amidst greenery and flowers have earned Kyiv the name “Garden City”.
St. Sophia Church
Kyiv’s most famous Orthodox cathedral is also the most visited cathedral. The cathedral’s foundation stone is said to have been laid in 1011, so in 2011 the cathedral celebrated its 1000th birthday. During the Soviet era, the cathedral building was used as a museum.
The cathedral, which includes the cathedral with the golden and green roof, the bell tower, and another church, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Independence Square
Independence Square is located in the center of Kyiv and is divided into two parts: the east and the west by Hrysia Street in the middle. Independence Square was an important stronghold during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2004, and during the Soviet era, it became the October Revolution Square.
The square is not quite flat, but in the southeast corner is the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory of Music, with a memorial column outside the building, on top of which the Slavic goddess Berehynia is placed.
Next to the column is a fountain with statues of heroes Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv, the three brothers who have founded Kyiv.
On the west side, there are no monuments except for the Old City Gate and the Globus (the base of which is full of distances between the capitals and Kyiv) outside the General Post Office in the southwest corner, under which there is a large underground shopping mall Globus and an underground shopping street around the metro station.
Odessa
Odessa is a city in the south of Ukraine with a pleasant climate and moderate temperatures. It is known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea” because of its natural harbor, which remains frozen all year round and occupies an important position in water transport.
It has access to more than 200 ports in 60 countries of the world and is responsible for more than 50% of the foreign trade cargo of the former USSR. The famous Black Sea Fleet is stationed in this region.
Lviv
Lviv is the political, economic, cultural, and educational center of Western Ukraine. It is located on the hilly terrain between the upper reaches of the Dniester and Bug rivers. The Old Town of Lviv is the main tourist area of the city, where the architecture is concentrated.
The most famous buildings are the Ploshcha Rynok Market Square, the Black Market Armenian Rite Lviv Cathedral, the Orthodox Lviv Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Latin Rite) with Korniakt bell tower, the Ukrainian Greek Rite St. George Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Eucharist, the Boim family chapel, and the Lviv High Fortress overlooking the Old Town.
History Museum
The Historical Museum was founded in 1893 and is located next to the beautiful Market Square, consisting of three buildings: 4, 6, and 24.
Building 4 is a building built in the 14th century in a strong Renaissance style and is known as the “Black Stone Building” due to its black exterior.
The second one, Building No. 6, was built in the 16th century and was used by King Jan III Sobiesky as his residence, and the second floor still displays furniture from his stay.
The third one, Building No. 24, is the oldest building in Lviv, where the history of Western Ukraine is exhibited, providing a more detailed insight into the history of Western Ukraine.
Yalta
Yalta is a famous retreat city in Ukraine. It is located on the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula, at the Black Sea port, 79 km north of Simferopol. It is a world-famous historical city, built in the 12th century.
The word Yalta is derived from the Greek word “Yaros,” meaning “coast.” Yalta is famous for holding the famous “Yalta Conference” between the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom at the end of the Second World War.
With its year-round sunshine and pebbled waterfront lapping at the waves of the Black Sea, Yalta was a villa and retreat for emperors and nobles during the Tsarist era and is now the most popular tourist destination on the Black Sea coast.
Massandra Palace
Massandra Palace was built in 1881 at the order of Duke Vorontsov’s successor. When Duke Vorontsov died the following year, his domain and the unfinished palace above were bought by Tsar Alexander III and built in three years.
The palace was built in three years.
It has a stunning view, and a wide field of vision, halfway up the Yalta, and the woods on both sides of the boulevard make the palace look beautiful and dignified with beautiful front and back gardens and many sculptures.
Swallow Castle
The Swallow Castle is a hotel built by a German tycoon in 1912 on a cliff by the sea and is now an upscale restaurant. The location of the building makes the meaning of the name “Swallow Castle” clear at first glance. Today it is a representative view of Yalta.
Final thoughts about Landmarks of Ukraine
Ukraine is such a rich city in terms of history and culture. Although it is not a very popular tourist destination, it is worth the visit if it happens that you are nearby. Make sure to include it in your Eastern Europe itinerary and spend enough time in this beautiful country to get the best of it.
Cheers,
