Lviv.
Your next chapter?

Overview

Lviv (also spelled L'viv; Ukrainian: Львів; Polish: Lwów, German: Lemberg, Russian: Львов), formerly known as Lvov after its Russian name, is in Western Ukraine. It's the biggest city of the region and a major Ukrainian cultural centre on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visiting Lviv is very rewarding for the pioneer traveller, as living is extremely cheap here and the place has a truly authentic feeling, unlike places like Kraków or Prague, which are swamped with tourists.

Understand

The city has a multicultural history but little of the evidence of this has survived until today. It was founded in 1256 by King Daniel of Galicia (Ukrainian: Король Данило Галицький - Korol' Danylo Halytskyy) and fell under Polish control in the 14th century. Poles, Jews, Ukrainians, Armenians, Germans and others lived there together for centuries. This multicultural experience virtually came to an end during and after WWII. Germans killed most of the Jews (about one third of Lviv's population at that time). At the end and in the direct aftermath of the war, the remaining Polish population (about 65% of the population) was then "repatriated" to Poland in its new borders by the Soviet government. Some Polish and Jewish heritage is preserved, for example remains of some synagogues and a number of catholic churches, also one can find some inscriptions on former shops in Polish, Yiddish and German.

Because of Lviv's proximity to the EU and its openness to foreigners, the city's multicultural feel has experienced a resurgence. Even today, walking through the city centre, a traveller can hear Poles laughing and taking pictures of the beautiful old buildings, Germans walking through the city on guided tours, Ukrainian or Russian tourists and students joking about this or that, and American or British businessmen chatting in cafes. There is even a small Jewish community in the city. The many universities in Lviv attract students from every continent on the globe, and its old architecture draws tourists from various parts of the world, including Ukraine.

The Polish king John II Casimir founded the Lviv University in the 17th century and Lviv (known as Lwów) was by that time one of the most important cities in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, along with Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk and Vilnius.

In 1772 the city was taken by the Habsburgs, and in Austrian times it was known as Lemberg, the capital of Galicia. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, it was returned to Poland.

As a result of World War II, Stalin moved the Soviet frontier westward so Lviv became part of the USSR under its Russian name Lvov (still widely used by supporters of Russia, but very offensive to most locals). After Ukrainian independence in 1991, the Ukrainian name of Lviv was gradually adopted in English.

Identity Lviv is the region of Ukraine with the strongest sense of Ukrainian identity. Even when it was part of the Soviet Union, most signs were only in Ukrainian, and only a few also in Russian. Because of its history as part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Lviv has a Central European flair in its architecture that makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe, and also has a Catholic majority, unlike most of majority-Eastern-Orthodox Ukraine. Lviv has even been called "the capital of Ukrainian culture". The people there are very warm, although somewhat direct (which is very common in eastern Slavic cultures).

Tourism The city is tourist-friendly. All downtown street signs are in Ukrainian and English, and the staff of the Information Center on Rynok Square speak many different languages. Maps, schedules of local events, and tourist guides can be obtained there for free in English, German, Polish, and Russian. There are small information kiosks beside some monuments (small touch-screen TVs that offer maps and information about the city). lviv.travel Lviv Tourism website.

Get in

Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine's airspace is closed to civil aviation.

The closest operating airports are in Poland. From the airport, take a train or a bus to Lviv, that will bring you into Ukraine across the border. Jasionka International Airport is a 4-hour train trip to Lviv. Krakow Airport is a 6-hour train trip to Lviv. Lublin Airport is an 8-hour train trip to Lviv. Warsaw Airport is a 10-hour train trip to Lviv.

By train Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time.

For more information on international trains into Ukraine, see here. Overnight sleeping trains may be more comfortable for the longer trips.

Bus station No.1. Buses from Warsaw, Przemyśl, Lublin, Wrocław and Prague. For more information on international buses see Western_Ukraine#By_bus.

From Poland: take the E40, this will end at the city centre. Formalities at the border take at least one hour. There will be a long line for trucks, which you can pass if you travel by car. Don't expect the border police to treat you respectfully, or speak any language other than Ukrainian, Polish or Russian.

It is illegal to drive in the city centre (including Prospekt Svobody) on Sundays and holidays. This is signposted in Cyrillic only, and there are always police present to catch some unsuspecting foreigner.

Get around

26 ₴, tap the validator inside the bus with NFC-enabled bank card or smartphone (Apple Pay or Google Pay). 23 ₴ if tapped with a public transport card LeoCard or app. 30 ₴ if paid in cash to the driver.

Lviv has a convenient public transport system that includes:

8 tram routes 10 trolleybus routes 18 bus routes 31 marshrutka routes

Monthly travel passes are available for 420 ₴.

Passes can be used in trams and trolleybuses.

Schedules are available on the map and on rozklad.in.ua (in Ukrainian).

You can also check information about public transport on DozoR (in Ukrainian), EasyWay and Google Maps.

By taxi Taxi is the easiest way of getting around the city, and are very cheap by European standards. Some popular taxi companies include:

Uber (Убер) Bolt (Болт) Uklon (Уклон) OnTaxi (ОнТаксі) Opti (Опті) Shark (Шарк) Taxi838 Note: Many taxi apps do not operate during the 00:00-05:00 curfew. Uklon and Taxi838 are exceptions, and can be used to get to or from your hotel if your train departs or arrives during curfew.

By scooter Renting a kick scooter is a fun way to get around the city quickly.

By bike There are more than 100 km of infrastructure for bicycles in Lviv. While you can use your own bike, you can also rent one using one of the following companies:

See

Jesuit Roman-Catholic Church. Go explore the underground space beneath the church (entrance from the back side of the church). Ask for a tour guide, you will learn a lot about the city history. Church itself was built based on Rome's Il Gesu church. It could accommodate up to 5,000 faithful. Built in baroque style in 1610–1630, finishing work continued into 1660. In 1775–1848, the church building took place in meetings of the birth of the Diet Galicia, the first provincial parliament.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On the site of the former church of the Holy Trinity which was part of The Trinitarian fathers monastery (1703). In 1783, the monastery was closed. Inside the church is a library and assembly hall. Burned out. The Church of Transfiguration was consecrated on 29 April 1906.

Armenian Cathedral. An architectural complex of the centre around which other buildings are grouped to form three small enclosed courtyards. Constructed between 1363 and 1370, later remodelled a few times. Very interesting interior.

Dominican Roman-Catholic Church. Built in the Gothic style in the years 1370–1375. Impressive Baroque temple rebuilt for Dominicans in 18th century. Resembles the church of St. Charles Borromeus in Vienna with its concave façade and huge elliptical dome. After World War II, the building served as a warehouse and later Museum of Religion and Atheism. Now it is a Greek Catholic parish church.

Assumption Church. In the 1550s the Dormition brotherhood emerged in which the school operated and printing. The 65-m-high church has a two-headed Russian eagle image as the memory of the significant donation of funds to build a church, made by Tsar Feodor I of Russia in 1592. Here is also Chapel of the Three Holy Bishops (Каплиця Трьох святителів) a Renaissance architecture, built by architect Peter Krasovsky in 1578–1591, it is adjacent to one side of the northern wall of the Assumption Church. Also here is the Tower of Korniakt (Вежа Корнякта), built as the belfry of the Assumption Church, served as defence towers in the siege and fire guards patrol the item, built in 1572–1578.

Cathedral (Latin). Founded in the 1360s, built over a long time—up to 1481, in typical European Gothic style. In the walls, high windows, covered with stained glass. Parts: Kampianiv Chapel (Каплиця Кампіанів)—built near the northern wall of the Latin Cathedral in 1619—and the Boimiv Chapel (Каплиця Боїмів) which built as a tomb in 1610s for the merchant Boim family. A mannerist architecture marvel all made of black stone.

Bernardynskyi monastyr. The monastery occupies a triangular plot, which was the basis for the shaft between the Galician city gates and Royal bastion, and the top—a strong bastion of what was called Bernardine. It was surrounded by strong stone walls with battlements and a tower with Hlynyanskymy gate. There were adjacent farm buildings—smithy, stable, and others. The monastery main part is the Bernardyns'kyi Roman-Catholic Church (Бернардинський костьол). First built in wood, in 1600, finishing work continued into 1630. In 1738–1740 rebuilt in hewn stone.

Remains of the former Golden Rose Synagogue. This was the oldest synagogue in Ukraine. In 1941 the Nazi invaders destroyed this building together with other synagogues. Today you can visit the foundations and one remaining wall; also, there is a commemorative plaque.

Saint George (Jura) Cathedral. Built in 1363–1437 as a stone church in the Byzantine basilica style. The present Greek Catholic Cathedral was built in 1744–1770: it is a classic example of Baroque architecture of the period.

Tsori Gilod Synagogue. Built in 1925, used as a warehouse during the German occupation, returned to the Jewish community in 1989, then renovated.

St. Parasceva Pyatnitsy Church. The church was built in 1645 with lower in stonework and upper in brick.

Armenian Roman-Catholic Church. A half-round apse temple built in the 1630s. Gothic architecture.

Church and monastery of Saint Onufrii. Here was a wooden church, where monks settled in the early 15th century. Around 1550, Prince Constantine Ostrozhsky built a brick church. In the 18th century, there were two churches: a primary—the so-called "big church" and the Trinity Chapel on the south side—the "small church," built in 1680. In 1776 the "high (big) church" and the chapel were connected. In 1821—1824, the eastern area of ​​the altar was expanded, and the sacristy and porch were constructed. Finally in 1902, the north aisle was built, repeating the shape of the southern chapel. As a result the church now has three naves.

Church of St. Nicholas. From the primary structures of the 8th century, only the lower part of the foundation and walls composed of blocks of white limestone have survived. In the 18th century, the church was covered with shingles. The condition of the church's interior is extremely poor.

Museum of ancient monuments of Lviv. In the Church of St. John the Baptist. The exhibits contains archaeological findings, antiquities, works of art, and historical information about the oldest period of the city.

Church of the Saint Family of Reformat Order. Orthodox church, former Roman-Catholic Church.

Saint Anna Temple. First a wooden church was built in 1507. In 1599, it was restored. A stone church was then constructed here in the 1760s.

St. George's Church. Neo-Byzantine Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).

Church of the Holy Spirit. During World War II, the church was destroyed. Preserved only bell-tower—stone, square in plan, three-storey, with baroque completion. In 1786 it set the clock. In 1957 the monument was restored. Now here is open Mermaids Dnistrova Museum.

City center view from the rooftop of Vernisazh Lviv Mall. One of the best spot for taking selfies in the city center of Lviv with the historic scenery in the background.

Griffon House. Original staircase, decorated with fine reliefs in the Empire style with motifs Griffon, vases and playful sense. Relief, that contain trade mark.

City Theatre (M. Zankovetska Ukrainian Drama Theatre). Built in the style of Viennese classicism. Length is about 96 m, width 76 m, area of ​​7,000 m². One of Europe's largest theatre buildings after Milan's La Scala and the court theatre in Dresden. Since 1944 home of the Zankovetska theatre troupe.

Lviv Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre. Founded in June 1897. Lavishly decorated outside and inside.

Korniakt Tower. This is 65 m high built in the Renaissance period as a bell tower and opened in 1578.

Narodnyi Dim (Nation Home). One of the oldest and richest cultural and educational institutions in Galicia, in 1849—1939. At the People's House, there were a library and museum. It was some time Russian Casino, Academic Club, a place for the "Russian society ladies". In 1862 the first Ukrainian academic high school moved here. Here opened the Seminary. In addition to schools, it houses the Archaeological, Art and Natural History Museum.

Poleyovskiy house. Corner house longer side face (north) out on the street Ukrainian Lesya. Building dates from 1780s. (Architect P. Poleyovskiy), restructured in 1783 and 1894. Architecture stone shows stylistic features Baroque and Historicism. This mansion is a three-storey, brick building. At the level of the ground floor façades laid ashlar. Centre accented balcony on stone consoles, 18th century. Today the building is used as a dwelling house. Also there are more monument buildings on Krakivska str at numbers 4, 13, 15, 17 and 22.

Patio's house. Three-storey, brick, rectangular in plan building with patio. Rebuilt in the 19th century. Smooth plastered facade diversify flat pilasters. Also monument houses on Lesi Ukrainky street: No. 12, 14, 16 and 26.

Royal Arsenal. Built by order of Polish King Wladyslaw IV. Because it was the Main Royal Arsenal, built between the city walls. Completed in 1646. The façade of the building was decorated bronze sculptures, cast in 1639, now is in History Museum. The building is made of stone, rectangular plan, with two L-shaped wings connected by a wall, these walls to protect the east side of the patio. The façade decorated with balcony and pediment in baroque style. On the side façade of the east wing preserved carved stone portal in the Renaissance style.

Fedorova house. This four-storey building has an invalid quadrilateral plan with patio. Three open fronts—in Armenian Street, Fedorova Street and Stavropihyyskoy square, plastered, painted lower floors. Built in the 17th century. This house has kept features of different eras and style.

Seasons house. A plastered, elongated, four-storey house made of brick. The last renovation was in the 19th century, it holds its shape today. Façade design style of late classicism: the second and third floors are connected by Ionic pilasters, between them at the second floor is a depiction of Chronos and at the sides—four reliefs with scenes from people's everyday lives, symbolizing seasons. Above, in front stretched the entire length of frieze depicting the zodiac signs. Painted in 1860s. Also there monument houses on Virmenska street: No. 17, 27 and 33.

Domazhyrs'ka house. The house top floor made in the 18th century. A brick, plastered, three storey invalid rectangle form building with a narrow courtyard. The main architectural accent of the main facade is a big portal, keystone is the stone along with two symmetrically positioned consoles supporting a balcony with openwork metal grille.

Ratusha (Town Hall). You can climb the tower of the town hall: go in via the main entrance, wander about until you see a sign 'вхид на вежу', then follow those signs up 103 steps to a ticket-office and up 305 more steps to the top of the tower. There's a great view of the Old Town, and this is clearly one of the romantic spots of the city. The City Hall is made of brick, four-square plan, with patio, in 1830—1835, in the Viennese classicism style. Added the town hall a clock tower. Around the building on the square are three fountains in 1900s: first the Fountain Adonis (to Northeast) has a cup, which stands on the pavement, in the centre of a star, outlined in red and black stone. In the centre of the bowl—a statue of the hero character of ancient mythology Adonis with a dog and boar killed him; Fountain Neptune (to Southwest) In the centre of the bowl—a statue of ancient mythology character Neptune—the Roman god of freshwater and the sea—which is situated at the feet of dolphin; and also on the square is the Fountain Amphitrite (to Northwest) with a statue of ancient mythology character Amfitryta, consort of Neptune with a dolphin.

Public casino (Casino of Herkhard) or House of scientists. Monument of architecture.

Lychakivsky Tsvyntar. There are about 400,000 people buried here, including Ukrainian heroes such as Ivan Franko. Cemetery is an enormous , and very pleasant to wander around on a network of variously-maintained paths. At the back there are series of war memorials. The cemetery is considered a museum - hence the entry fee. There's also supposedly a further fee charged for permission to take pictures (it might be for professional shoots, there's no way they can enforce such fee for simple tourist).

High Castle. The place where a historic castle used to stand and now stands a mound built in 1869 to commemorate 300th anniversary of Lublin Union. On the mound there is an observation platform with nice views of the city and another sandy mound, which you can also climb, and which has a cross devoted to the dead of the war in Afghanistan. From the mound you can walk around the whole central hill-park of the town. very recommendable. easy to find and free of charge.

Shevchenko Monument. Donated by members of the Argentine Ukrainian diaspora, and absolutely unmistakable in the centre of town; a sculpture of the writer, and a wave-shaped monument with Ukrainian folk-art motifs rising to his side. Sometimes seems to be used by locals as a climbing-wall.

Lviv National Polytechnic University.

Lviv Rail Terminal. Built in 1904 Art Nouveau style.

Former "European" Hotel. Rebuilt in 1930. From 1950 to 1980, it was the Hotel Ukraine. After 2006, this building is a branch of the Ukreximbank.

Arsenal Museum. It was a city fortification, built in 1554—1556, in Renaissance military architecture style. Weapons and armour from medieval times to the beginning of 20th century, from over 30 countries. The museum is located in the oldest (16th century) of three historic arsenal buildings in Lviv. Temporarily closed as of July 2022.

The Lviv National Museum. The main building displays Ukrainian Art from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century. The Lviv Art Gallery mainly shows foreign art in its art collections so if you are more interested in Ukrainian art you should definitely visit this museum. About the buildings: former Art and Industry Museum, built in 1904, in Neo-Renaissance style. From 1950 to 1990 it housed a branch of the Central Lenin Museum.

Museum of Natural history. Collection include more than 500,000 items. The museum building is in the palace 'Dzieduszyckis - Magistrates', 18th century building, in the 19th century rebuilt in the classical style. One of the items that are most proud of the museum is Europe's first full carcass hairy rhinoceros and mammoth unearthed from Starunia village, (Ivano-Frankivska oblast) an earlier mud volcano site.

The Gallery of Ukrainian Military Uniforms. The exhibition represented uniform and Ukrainian troops from the early 20th century.

"Under the Black Eagle" Pharmacy Museum. The oldest pharmacy in Lviv, opened in 1735. More than three thousand items. 16 exhibition halls with a total area of 700 m².

Museum of the History of Religion. An interesting museum documenting Jewish and Christian history of Lviv in one of Lviv's biggest and most beautiful Baroque churches of 14th—18th century. The museum has a specialized library of religious profile, which is unique in the state. Among the 150 000 copies - labours of theologians of Kyiv, Lviv, St. Petersburg and Moscow Theological Academies and their periodicals. And religious literature of Catholic institutions from Italy, Germany, Austria, France and Poland. A collection of religious books of the Crimean Khanate time, works of publishing house of Ukrainian Catholic University in Rome. A unique collection of Bibles in different languages: Greek, Latin, German, French, Chinese, English, etc. Among them—the Ostrog Bible of Ivan Fedorov, the Paris edition of 1563, and a Venetian edition of 16th century.

Dzyha GalleryA. A showroom of a cultural and artistic association of the city. That supports, produces and promotes multi-genre contemporary arts: art, music, literature, theater, cinema, multimedia and more.

Museum of Post. In the beautiful Palace of Bandinelli, built in the late renaissance, in the late 16th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the building became the property of the Florentine merchant R. Bandinelli who known that he perfected the Lvov-mail. Since 1629, it housed the first post office in Ukraine. In the 19th century there was a bookstore, and a club for intellectuals. Check whether the museum is open.

Hotyk-Khol (Gothic Hall) Art Gallery. An 'antique shop-salon' in Kornyak Palace, has more than 300 years of history and is one of the masterpieces of Lviv and, simultaneously, the European architecture of the Middle Ages. Its first description refers to the 17th century. The building was designed by architect Peter Barbone. Paintings and drawings, icons, furniture, interior decor items, tableware, household items, sculptures, jewelry, vintage, watches and coins.

Museum of furniture and porcelain. There a remarkable collection of almost 700 examples of Ukrainian and European furniture, and textiles as well as 17th– to 19th-century metalwork. The museum also owns a collection of porcelain, art glass and pottery from the 16th to 20th centuries that includes over 11,000 artifacts.

Herdan gallery. Exhibition and sale of contemporary art: painting, graphics, ceramics.

Lviv Historical Museum, Department of “Ancient History of Ukraine and Archaeology Department. About the building: the Massarivs'ka Palace (Кам'яниця Массарівська) rebuilt in Renaissance style after a fire in 1527. The last realignment was in 1920. Attica parapet was replaced with a bas-relief work Kurchynskoho, this time to include balcony and sculpture over the portal. Brick, plastered, elongated in the bottom plot, four-storey building. There are remains of Gothic windows of the ground floor. Divided into many departments most of which are in the old town displaying archeology, history from medieval times up to the Ukrainian struggle for nationalism, as well as jewellery and armoury.

The Lviv Art Gallery. Divided into several departments the central of which is on display at Potoskiy Palace showing mainly Renaissance and Baroque European art (for Ukrainian art see National Museum). Nearby is the Palace of Arts where changing contemporary art exhibitions take place. Other interesting branches of the Lviv Gallery are the Museum of Ancient Books, Museum of Relics and Pinsel Museum (dedicated to the local Baroque wood carver).

Museum of Ethnography and Arts and Crafts. The museum has a unique and extensive collections of monuments of culture and traditional Ukrainian folk art, and examples of decorative art.

Museum of National Folk Architecture and Rural Life «Shevchenkivsky Hay». On the central hill about a half-hour walk from the Lychakivskiy Cemetery. This is a collection of wooden buildings from all over Western Ukraine, dismantled and reassembled here; the multi-tiered churches are the most spectacular buildings, and are all still working churches. Tickets: 10 грн normal, 5 грн discount.

Beer Brewing Museum. The museum has a tasting room, where you can try all sorts of beautiful beer in a cosy atmosphere.

Museum of Metrology. The museum collection has more than 500 exhibits.

Panchyshyn Museum of the History of Medicine.

Center for Urban History of East Central Europe. The center produces various exhibitions, seminars and conferences. There are films, sound recordings from private collections and official collections which represent life of large and small towns of Central and Eastern Europe.

Pinsel Museum of Sacred Baroque Sculpture. Former Roman-Catholic Church of Klarysok (Saint Clare; 1607). The collection include 32 exhibits, which are representing the work of the famous Lviv sculptor John George Pinsel, from the 1790s.

Museum of ancient Ukrainian book. Museum and research centre. Collections of the museum include 12,000 exhibits, including manuscripts and Early Printed Books. Book plates and book illustrations, pedagogical literature. The exposition consists of four rooms.

Historical complex of Sheptytsky National Museum. There is a fine arts collections, which includes almost 117 000 items (icons from the 14th to 18th centuries).

Belz. day trip. Sights: Arian Tower (1606) only survived part of a medieval fort; the Dominican Sisters Monastery, (1647, rebuilt 1743, 1861); St. Paraskeva Church, with a bell tower, built in 18th century; Ancient Settlement Archeological Site of Belz (old city, probably founded in 1088); Nicholas Cathedral (1926), Church of St. Valentine, (built in 1907–11, neo-gothic style); Jewish cemetery; Bandery villa.

Chervonograd. Good day trip. Sights: a branch of the Lviv Museum of the History of Religion (Potocki Palace), the St. Dukha Church (the St. Vladimir church), the St. Yury Basilian monastery (1771–76); Bernardines monastery (1692–1767) 21 B.Khmel'nyts'kogo st.; Potocki's palace (1736–57), 10 Shashkevycha st. built in baroque and classicism style

Brody. Good day trip. St. Yuriya Church (Церковь св. Юрия), built at the beginning of the 17th century, restored in 1867; Palace of Pototskyi Count (1630–1635), History Museum, Ruined Big Synagogue (1742), Palace of Tyshkevich is built in 1909, in English style.

Drohobych. Good day trip. St. Apostles Peter and Paul Monastery), Vultsa Stryiska, 1; St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with the former defence tower now the bell tower of the St. Bartholomew church; Palace of Arts Local Museum, Bruno Shults (Polish Writer) Museum, Vultsa I. Franka, 24; Picture gallery, Sichovykh Striltsiv, 16; Church of Holy Exaltation Cross (Церква Воздвиження Чесного Хреста), 1661, Vulitsa Zvarits'ka, 9

Horodok. A good day trip. Visit: John the Baptist Church (1755)

Olesko. Good day trip. See here: St. Joseph Church and monastic cells of the monastery of capuchins (1838); the Castle, Vulitsa Zamkova, 34 (14-17th centuries); take a walk in the Castle Park (13 ha); right the next is the Capuchin Monastery (1700s); visit the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Vulitsa T. Shevchenka, 59

Pidhirtsi. A good day trip to see the Konietspolskikh Castle (замок Конецпольських), 1635–1640; Pidhoretskyi Landscape Park (17 ha); St. Joseph Catholic Church (Костел св. Иосифа), 1765; Plisnesk Archeological Site, 7th–13th centuries; Cells of monastery (Келії Підгорецького монастиря) 18th century, Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos? (Церковь Рождества Богородицы), part of the former Vasylyi Monastery (1180)

Rava-Rus'ka. St. Michael Church and monastic cells of the Franciscan Abbey (Костел Св. Михайла та монастирські келії монастиря ордену Реформаторів), the first wooden chapel, built here in 1725. St. Joseph Catholic Church from 1843 with the miraculous icon of Mother of God (1670s). French Second World War soldiers' cemetery.

Sambir. Good day trip. - Sights: Town hall (Самбірська ратуша), Square Rynok, 1; St. Ivan Church, Street Pushkina, 7; Bernardine monastery (Монастир бернардинців), Street A. Mitskevycha, 5-A; Nativity Church (Церква Різдва Пресвятої Богородиці), built in 1738;

Slavske. Good day trip. Take a chair lift on Trostyan mountain for a good walk; Visit the Cave of Painted Draw-well. - Sights: Carpathian Museum of the liberation struggle (Карпатський музей визвольної боротьби), Sichovykh Striltsiv Street, 2. Shevchenka street., built in 1901.

Stare Selo. Castle (Старе Село замок), 1584–1654

Svirzh. Sights: Assumption of the Virgin Mary church (костел Успіння Богородиці), 1546, early 17th century., 1770s; Defense tower (ruins), grotto (оборонна башта, грот), 1484, Svirzh castle (Свірж замок), 1484–1660s.

Zhovkva. A good day trip. Visit the Monastery

Zolochiv. Good day trip for visiting: Ascension of Virgin Mary church + cells (костел Вознесіння Діви Марії + келії), 1731–1763; Castle (Золочів замок), 1634–1686; Arsenal (арсенал), 15th century.; Polish cemetery (польський цвинтар).

Trukhaniv. Good day trip. Rocks and Cave of Dovbush ( from here), The bottom edge of the village is a picturesque waterfalls cascade, the Sukilski waterfalls, also in the village is a St. Michael Church built in 1840

Univ monastery. Founded in 1390s. It consists of a church, partly saved fortress walls with two north and south-west towers (15th century), a building of monastic cells (17th–19th centuries) and the house of the metropolitan (19th century). Good for a day trip.

Do

Culture Attend a concert or festival. Lviv has been called the "Queen of Festivals" as a city, because there is often a different festival every other week. Some festivals with many free activities are the Chocolate Festival, the Coffee Festival, and the Alpha Jazz Festival. Stop by the Tourist Information Center on Rynok Square to find out more about what festivals are happening during your stay in Lviv.

S. Krushelnytska Opera House. In the very heart of Lviv the historic opera house offers regular performances of various operas and ballets. Even if opera and ballet is not your cup of tea, a night at the theatre is worthwhile, at the very least, to enjoy this spectacular venue.

Lviv philharmonic Society Concert hall.

The first Ukrainian theatre for children & young people.

Pliazh Aquapark. Escape from summer heat. Area 1.4 ha. Enjoy Greek-Roman steam room and jacuzzi, bars “Tropic” and “Hawaii” in the wet area.

Visit the Bania, a Russian-style sauna for men and women (non-communal). There are a few in Lviv and well worth the trip. The experience can be mildly confronting for the prudish Westerner, as all activities are conducted in the nude but don't worry, it is a highly civilized environment.

Ivan Franko Park. is oldest park in the city. Traces of that time may be found in three- hundred-year-old oak and maple trees. Upon the abrogation of the Jesuit order in 1773 the territory became the town property. A well-known gardener Bager arranged the territory in the landscape style, and most of trees were planted within 1885-1890.

Bohdan Khmelnytsky Culture and Recreation Park. in the Halych district of the city , interesting garden art local value (1984). It's one of the best organized and modern green zones containing a concert and dance hall, stadium, the town of attractions, central stage, numerous cafes and restaurants. In the park there are Ferris wheel. Between the streets Striyske , Guardyisko , Vitovskogo and Zaritsky. At the top of the park is culture Glory Monument. The area of ​​the park is 26 hectares.

Stryiskyi Park. It is considered one of the most picturesque parks in the city. The park has over 200 species of trees and plants. It is well known for a vast collection of rare and valuable trees and bushes. At the main entrance gate you will find a pond with swans.

Regional Landscape Park Znesinnya. Ideal site for cycling, skiing sports, and hiking. It's on green hilly parts of the historical village Znesinnya. Area: 312.1 ha. The park includes rare specimens of plants, as well as sandstones, limestones containing fossils, hills covered by forests and picturesque valleys with ponds and streams.

Shevchenkivskyi Hay. In the park is a unique open-air museum that has gathered the best collection of Ukrainian wooden architecture. Museum successfully combines hilly terrain, vegetation Carpathians restored and carefully moved historic buildings from different regions of Western Ukraine. The park is approx. 84 ha.

High Castle Park. It is on the highest city hill (413 m) and occupies the territory of 36 hectares consisting of the lower terrace once called Knyazha Hora (Prince Mount), and the upper terrace with a television tower and artificial embankment.

Zalizni Vody Park. It began from the former garden Zalizna Voda (Iron water) combining Snopkivska street with Novyi Lviv district. The park owes its name to the springs with high iron concentration. This beautiful park with ancient beech trees and numerous paths is a favorite place of many locals. The total area of ​​19.5 hectares the park. Here, among the western slopes of the plateau of Lviv, near the park originates Poltva. In the park you can see the outputs of marl, which is the reason for the existence of multiple sources. The name of the park comes from the high iron content in the springs that flow here. - Vegetation: beech, pine, oak, birch, poplar, willow, ornamental trees and shrubs. It also grows old apple orchard.

Lychakivskyi Park. Founded in 1892 and named after the surrounding suburbs. A botanic garden is on the park territory, founded in 1911 and occupying the territory of 18.5 hectares. At the park is a sportcomplex of the Lviv State University of Physical Culture, the "Stadium Skiff".

Park the name of the 700year of Lviv.

Botanical Garden of Lviv Ivan Franko National University. There are 1025 tree and shrub species; 720 natural herbaceous species; 1095 cultural herbaceous species and sorts; 1630 tropical and subtropical species.

Botanical garden of the Lviv Forestry Engineering Institute. The land area ​​10.8 ha. There is a flower collection, educational area and a small research farm. Also the collection include about 200 species of trees and shrubs.

Bear Sanctuary Domazhyr. The sanctuary was built by the animal welfare organisation Four Paws in 2016. The whole area comprises 20 ha and offers guided tours and exhibitions for environmental education.

Buy

King Cross Leopolis and Auchan Hypermarket. Auchan

Money For more information on currency see here

Apple Pay and Google Pay are commonly accepted in the restaurants, cafes, hotels and hostels. Also at the main bus station and long distance train station. All small grocery stores also accept bank card payments.

ATMs (known as "bankomats") and currency exchanges ("obmin valyuti") are ubiquitous throughout Lviv, particularly in the city center. Most ATMs will accept Visa and MasterCard. Currency exchanges will often only accept foreign currency in pristine condition, though this has changed since the beginning of the full-scale war (as demand for foreign currency has increased with the economic crisis).

Currency exchanges have locals, rather than foreigners, as their prime customers.

Travellers' checks are not very useful in Lviv; however, there are still a few hotels and banks that will cash them for you.

Attempting to pay for something inexpensive in cash with a large denomination (200 грн and above) will often at the very least annoy the shopkeeper; salespeople may even refuse to sell to you if you do not have any smaller denominations. Grocery stores and other high-volume shops are an exception to this rule.

OTP Bank, Naukova office. And more two units: Str. Ivan Franko, 20; - prospect V. Chornovola, 59

Eat

Budget Life in Lviv is very cheap. It's not difficult to find a place where you can have a full meal for 200 UAH. The challenge is rather ordering if you don't speak Ukrainian.

Arsen #2 Supermarket. More units: west 2.5 km ul. Kn.

Potato House Fast Food Restaurant. Restaurant chain.

McDonald's Restaurant. Restaurant chain. Wi-Fi.

Puzata Hata. This fast food chain offers hearty Ukrainian smörgåsbord. Cafeteria-style eatery has a selection of traditional Ukrainian food mixed with some other food found around the area.

Acropolis Tavern. A Greek casual diner. The staff speak English and may well start dancing, in traditional style, given any amount of encouragement.

Idalnia #1 Gurman. They are cooking only from Ukrainian products.

Cafe 1. A very cosy cafe/casual dining restaurant that offers a varied range of modern cuisine. It has a warm atmosphere with non-smoking and smoking areas plus friendly and thoughtful staff.

Hutsulsky Dvir. One of the most picturesque ethnic restaurants in the city. Ukrainian ethnic cuisine, great atmosphere of wooden restaurant with lots of trees around is a must to visit while staying in Lviv.

Kavkaz Georgian Restaurant. Try harcho soup and fig salad.

Kupol. Has a touch of understated Habsburg grandeur. Homestyle quality.

Trapezna Idey. This place is a hidden gem specializing in Galician regional cuisine located in the cellar of an old church. Ukrainians will recognize the use of idiomatic Western Ukrainian words on the menu. Order wine or a craft vodka infusion/cocktail to be served in delightful, hand-crafted glassware. This glassware is also available for sale upstairs in a small museum and exhibition space.

New York Street Pizza. More units: 51, Volodymyra Velykogo Str, 37, Patona Str, 4, Stefanyka Str, 36, Generala Chuprynky Str, 5, Tershakovtciv Str, 59, Grushevskogo Str, 1, Valova Str, 51, Chervonoi Kalyny pr, 2, Sv. Teodora pl. Tasty pizza, soups, salads, cakes and beverages.

Pid Kelpsydroyu café/restaurant. You'll also see the city's sophisticated set sipping Under Clepsydra's famous forest tea. Under Clepsydra has three sections. The indoor café/restaurant inspired by the Parisian brasseries of the left bank has two sections, smoking and non-smoking, that share a soundtrack of classic French jazz and folk music. Upstairs you’ll find the more popular late-night section of the establishment. But what really sets it apart from other Lviv hangouts is the menu. Vegetarian restaurants in Lviv are, well, non-existent, but Under Clepsydra you’ll find a collection of fresh, meat-free dishes made with local ingredients. Potato and mushroom crepes are less than 80 грн, and fresh soups and salads are anywhere between 40-80 грн. Menus are in English. The carnivorous set has plenty of options as well. Few dishes run more than 200 грн, and entrees include duck, pork, grilled chicken, smoked salmon.

Boykivska Hostynya, Mytropolyta Andreya St, 8: Located a bit outside of downtown near the St. Yuriy Cathedral complex and Lviv Polytechnic University, this restaurant is a tribute to the cuisine and culture of the Boyko people, a sub-ethnicity native to the nearby Carpathian Mountains. The owner, Andriy, runs a local non-profit for the promotion and preservation of Boyko culture.

Tsukerna Confectionary. Viennese-style cake and coffee.

Amadeus. A broad European and Ukrainian menu in a 5-star environment with 4-star food and 2.5-star prices.

Viden’ska Kavyarnia. This place has menus in English and English-speaking staff. The Wiener Schnitzel is great, so are all the soups, the breakfasts, the potato pancakes and the Apfelstrudel.

Veronica, on the Shevchenko Prospect is both a French style cafe (upstairs) and stylish restaurant downstairs.

Drink

Ukraine in general (and Lviv in particular) have developed a fantastic beer and wine scene since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. In addition to mass-market brands like Chernihivske and Lvivske (which has its brewery in Lviv at Kleparivska 18 and includes a lovely beer museum), there is a wide variety of craft brands. Highlights include Pravda (an iconic Lviv brand with excellent beer and legendary bottle art, with its flagship location at the bottom of Ploscha Rynok), Mova, Ten Men, Varvar, Tsypa, and First Dnipro.

Mapa. (Map), a quiet café with a special atmosphere and tasty Italian coffee. There are three large rooms for visitors: a large room on the first floor, and old-style rooms in the basement.

Rodzinka Cafe. Cheap, but very good.

Pid Synoju Flyazhkoju. Intimate, medieval.

Bars Tsehla Bar (Brick Bar in Ukrainian), Brativ Rohatyntsiv, 9. This bar is the favorite hangout of the foreign volunteer crowd, particularly after volunteering shifts end at around 8 or 9 PM. Provides a standard offering of beers on tap, along with ciders, mixed drinks, and house-made liqueurs, all for low prices even by Lviv standards. Dobryy Druh Pub (Good Friend Pub), several locations across downtown. Dobryy Druh has around 5 pubs in the downtown area with standard and craft beers, cocktails, liqueurs, and standard pub food. Popular with younger crowds (especially the location on Kryva Lypa near Ivan Franko University), and often a good place to catch a football match.

Kriyivka Bar. “Slava Ukrayini” - the phrase means ‘Glory to Ukraine,’ and it’s your ticket to this underground, unmarked bar called Kryivka. When you do finally find it, state the password to a man toting a prop vintage machine gun, receive your shot of medovukha, and descend into the cozy wooden dining room you’ll be glad you took the time to find. This Ukrainian Independence themed bar is decorated with artifacts from Ukraine’s valiant struggle to stay autonomous - with guns, maps and posters lining the walls. You’ll also notice the names of dishes on the English menu harken back to a military tradition stretching back to the Austrian Empire. Culinary highlights include a half-metre long sausage, pickles soaked in honey and savory vereniky. There is also a bit of theatre during a dinner at Kryivka. If you’re lucky, a “Russian spy” may have snuck in to the restaurant and the brave staff will turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, root out this spy and serve him a healthy portion of justice. Once the intruder has been detached, celebratory live music erupts in the basement venue and locals burst into traditional songs of freedom. Kryivka on its peak popularity in early 2000s used to be an iconic bar and restaurant symbolizing Ukrainian Lviv patriotic history.

Hasova Lyampa Bar. You’ll most likely see a man dressed in old time regalia pacing in front of the entrance, beckoning people inside. If he’s not there another greeter awaits in the form of a metal statue sitting at a desk with a... you guessed it, lit gas lamp. Once inside you’ll find a spiral staircase ascending up three flights of dining space. Each floor is cozy, candle lit, and decorated with classic gas lamps. Gas Lamp also has one of Lviv’s best patios, in the form of their rooftop dining section. While the entrees are standard, the snacks that go with beer are real standouts. Try the seasoned croutons, chips and a variety of dipping sauces they’re the perfect accompaniment for their wide selection of cold local brews.

House of Legends Bar. A bar with small staircase connecting few floors and a roof terrace (great views!), where each room is differently designed around a theme of a Lvivian 'legend'.

Masoch Café/Bar. A place where you get whipped by the bar staff. Yes, seriously.

Kumpel beer restaurant. Mini-brewery.

Franz Josef The twilight zone. 24-hour outdoor freak show. See the local intelligentsia acting rather unintelligent.

Dublin Irish Pub. In the busy courtyard just off Doroshenka St. The name is written in Cyrillic as well as Latin. Staff do not speak English but the menu is in English. Live soccer on TV.

Korzo Irish Pub. Though it may sometimes seem like it, not every bar or restaurant in Lviv has some kind of theme or hook, and Korzo Pub is one of these places - nothing too fancy here, just an oak bar, brass taps and well worn tables that have eavesdropped on hundreds of conversations, arguments and romantic encounters. Korzo also has a great selection of international spirits, so if you’re the kind of person who needs a shot of tequila to get the night going, this is your place. As the beer flows, you might want to try the fish soup, hearty and robust, locals say it is the perfect ballast to prevent a hangover the next morning. If quenching your thirst on a sunny afternoon of exploring is your goal, Korzo has one of Lviv’s largest patios.

Drunken Duck (П'янна Качка), Brativ Rohatyntsiv St, 45. Along with its sister bar, St. Christopher Craft Beer University (Львівський Університет Крафтового Пива ім. Св. This bar is an excellent place to try some of the best of what the Ukrainian craft beer revolution has to offer. Vynolovy (Винолови), Brativ Rohatyntsiv, 22: Like Ukrainian beer, Ukrainian wine has undergone an amazing transformation since 2014, and can now hold its head high amongst any other European country's wine industry. The staff speaks decent English and is knowledgeable and proud of their products. More Vina (Море Вина), Dzhokhar Dudaev St, 22: A hangout of the local intellectual sort which is a bit outside of the main downtown area, More Vina offers super cheap but rather good Ukrainian wine.

Clubs Ukraine's nightlife is constrained by the wartime curfew, but there is still fun to be had until everything shuts down by around 23:30.

Fashion Club. Bizarre nouveau riche.

Club Metro disco. Metro isn’t the easiest place to spot during the day, but at night, just follow the hordes of fabulously dressed young people as they make their way there. Entrance will probably set you back about 120 грн and once inside the first thing you’ll see is a large disco. A raised platform in the centre of the dance floor features male and female go-go dancers (and any brave customers who decide to join them on stage). A bar opposite provides local beers, vodka and champagne. For a change of pace, head downstairs where you’ll find two more bars. One serves the techno and house room, the other the lounge, private rooms and the hip hop dance floor. To cool off from all of the dancing, hit the giant upstairs patio with its heat lamps during winter and umbrellas for those rainy Lviv nights.

Pozitiff. If you’ve been to Metro Club you may have noticed a long line of locals trying to gain access to Pozitiff. This place is not easy to get into, and there are no guarantees that your money, passport or even begging can ensure you gain entrance. It’s all the bouncers call. Your best bet is to arrive with a small group of the most attractive people you can find. At this point the door man will either let you in, or not. If he does you’ll have negotiate an entrance fee. This cover charge usually depends on how cool and attractive your group is: The better-looking, the lower the fee. Expect to pay close to 240 грн for entrance. As entrance is so difficult, some patrons make the most of their trial, floating through the bar mingling, chatting and flirting. Others, displaying the icy confidence that got them in in the first place simply recline in their booth and radiate cool. No matter how you choose to play this one you’ll find enough friendly professionals to chat with and if you need to check your email, the Internet café section remains operational even into the wee hours of a rocking party.

Sleep

Lviv has a variety of hotels, hostels and apartments to suit all budgets and needs. The best deals for budget travellers (2-3 people) are found with the lovely apartments for rent all over town. These can be found online (preferably in Russian) or on arrival at the train station. Expect to pay 6,000-8,000 грн/month for a nice studio apartment with a kitchen, TV and a nice warm-water bathroom.

Budget The hostel scene is quite new in Lviv so be sure to check reviews of hostels using well known booking agents and forums.

Cats' house hostel. 20 beds, 24 hour reception, English, Ukrainian, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, breakfast, bed linen, towels, slippers included, washing machine, library, tourist assistance – information, maps, luggage storage. Hostel is in the old Austrian house in the middle of the city near tram and bus stop.

Central Square Hostel. Cozy hostel in the heart of the city - 18 beds, English, Polish, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tourist information, free maps, coffee & tea, linens & towels included, washing machine. Also will show you the city.

Coffee Home Hostel. Next to main square. Chamber hostel — 20 beds, English, Spanish, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, touristic information, free maps, breakfast, coffee & tea, linens & towels included, laundry. Coffee interior style.

The Georgehouse Hostel. 4-bed and 8-bed mixed dormitories, free Wi-Fi, maps, breakfast, linens & towels included, modern colourful design. Free bed on your birthday (with minimum stay two nights).

Hostel Centrum. Close to the Opera House and the main square. Free wi-fi, maps, coffee, tea, and free pub crawls.

Gerold Hotel. Stone-and-wood hotel. Restaurant on premises.

Staryi Krakiv Hotel. A comfortable mini-hotel in a renovated three-storey mansion. Single, double and triple rooms. Cosy cafe on the ground floor.

Hotel George. Only some rooms have private bathrooms (from 2,920 грн).

Hotel NTON. Hotel NTON has been in operation since 2001. Offers more than 70 modern comfortable rooms equipped with phones, TV-sat, showers and bathrooms, air conditioning, hairdryers, refrigerators with mini-bars. Hot & cold water is around a clock, heating is autonomous. Services include restaurant, guarded parking place, 4 conference halls, business center and free wireless Internet. The hotel transfer service brings you to the hotel and any destination point in the downtown or behind the city at any time. Moreover the hotel also has fitness complex 'Pharaoh' (offering pharaonic massage, fitness gym, solarium, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, IR-sweating).

Hotel Volter. Offers 56 comfortable rooms of different categories, namely, standard, superior, semi-suite, Deluxe suite, equipped according to modern norms and standards. The restaurant's staff is available round-the-clock.

Hotel Chopin. Four-star hotel. Knightly and romantic style architectural elements and decorations of the facade structure inherent to an eclectic style that prevailed at the 19th and 20th centuries in building cities of Austria-Hungary.

Leopolis Hotel. Prestigious Leopolis Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of the city centre.

Citadel Inn. The hotel is in an ancient building of an old citadel. In the very building where the guests sleep, Germans murdered tens of thousands of Soviet prisoners of war and others during World War II.

Best Western Plus Market Square Lviv.

Gruner Lviv Boutique Hotel. Might be unavailable

Consulates

Consulate-General of Czech Republic.

Honorary consulate of the Netherlands.