Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and is considered one of the largest countries on the continent. It was part of the Soviet Union until its secession, and its capital is the city of Kyiv. Ukraine shares its borders with seven countries which are Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest.

The terrain of Ukraine includes plains and plateaus, and many rivers pass through them, including the Donets River, the Dnieper River, the Seversky River, and the Dniester River, and this water flows to the south towards the Black Sea. The mountains in the western region, which is the only place that contains mountains in the country, include the Carpathian Mountains, and its highest part of it reaches 2,061 meters.

Ukraine contains many major natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas owns about 5% of the world’s mineral resources and has reserves of manganese and iron ore. The Ukrainian economy is considered one of the strongest in Europe since the Soviet Union, and currently, it produces teleports, along with many types of cars and many other products.

Weather in Ukraine

Ukraine has a great climate, its weather is warm and humid. Winter in the western region is milder than in the east, and in the summer, the temperature in the east is higher than in the west.

The average temperature in January is about -3 degrees, which is considered the coldest month, and in July the temperature reaches 23 degrees, which is considered the hottest month in Ukraine.

Things to do in Ukraine

Ukraine is characterized by a lot of green spaces and vast mountains covered with trees. It also has long coastlines that are rich in natural scenery, and the architecture there is very distinctive as well.

There are many hotels, and resorts that provide comfort for visitors. Now we will explore the most important locations to visit in the country and activities to do there, enjoy!

National Art Museum of Ukraine

The National Art Museum of Ukraine is considered one of the most famous museums in the country, and one of the top-visited attractions in Kyiv. It was Built in 1897 by Bohdan Khanenko, who built the first museum in the country. 

The museum includes many collections of artworks, icons, and sculptures by Ukrainian artists’ whether local artists or those who moved to another country and continued their careers there. You can also see works of modern artists from Eastern Europe.

Sophia’s Cathedral

St. Sophia’s Cathedral is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine, it is a popular place to visit for tourists and locals, and it was built in 1037.

The perfect time to visit the cathedral is during the day, so you can see the baroque exterior consisting of 13 golden domes, and in the interior, you will see wonderful murals, frescoes, and ancient mosaics. It is also one of the oldest churches constructed in Ukraine, and when you visit, you can go up to the bell tower to see a magnificent view of Kyiv.

Kamenets Podolsky Castle

The Kamenets Podolsky Castle is a well-known location in Ukraine, in Kamianets Podolskyi near the town and it was built in the 14th century.

Tourists love discovering the castle and taking tons of pictures. While touring the old castle, you will see that it includes modern amenities like a café, and it is more beautiful when it is lit up at night.

Independence Square

Independence Square is a famous landmark in the capital city of Kyiv, it became more famous in 2004 when the Orange Revolution took place there and the people of Ukraine changed the country’s history. When you visit the square, you will see six fountains, a waterfall, and also a large column that represents Ukrainian Independence.

Independence Square also hosts many concerts, events, and festivals, and at night there is a light show and music with the fountains performing colourful displays.

The Golden Gates

The Golden Gate is an old fortress that was built to protect and fortify the city. It was built in the 11th century but was dismantled in the Middle Ages and only some of it remained.

It was built again during the time of the Soviet Union in 1982 and turned into a tourist complex in the 1980s. At the gates, you will find a branch of the Sophia of Kyiv Museum.

Odessa Opera and Ballet

The Odessa Opera and Ballet opened in 1810, in the centre of the town inside a historic building, and it is considered the oldest theatre in Odessa.

There are tours that you can take inside to see what’s behind the scenes and discover the wonderful architecture. Moreover, you can step into the horseshoe hall which gives you a full view of the performance on stage.

Tunnel of Love, Klevlan

It is a popular spot that is visited by couples and sometimes single people, located outside of the town of Klevlan. It is two miles of private railway that is known as a tunnel due to the dome of trees over the tracks that makes it look like one.

It is also a famous spot for brides to take romantic photography sessions and there is a legend that says if there are two couples who made a wish together in the Tunnel of Love and their love is real, then the wish will come true.

Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War

The museum is located on the banks of the Dnieper River. It opened in 1981 and inside you will find many collections that are related to the role that Ukraine played in the Second World War, such as uniforms, letters, aeroplanes, and also artillery. 

Former Presidential Palace, Mezhyhirya

The Mezhyhirya Palace is located on the banks of the Dnieper River, it is known as the former residence of the ex-president of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovych and it is one of the top-visited places in Kyiv.

The building is a reminder for locals of institutional greed and corruption, when you are inside, you will find golf courses, helicopter pads, tennis courts, a shooting range, and much more. Also, you can have a beautiful picnic in the surrounding gardens and have a great time there.

L’viv’s Historic Center

L’viv’s Historic Center was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, it is also one of the most well-preserved destinations in the city of L’viv with its cobbled streets and fascinating buildings.

L’viv Historic Center is also called the Paris of Ukraine with its European traditional feel, modern conveniences, and restaurants. And for a spectacular view, you can climb about 1,000 stairs of the bell tower, and see the surrounding landscape.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Monastery

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Monastery was built by two monks; St. Anthony and St. Theodosius, over caves that were drilled by the monks in the 11th century.

When you visit the place you will find that the domes are covered with gold same as many other places and you will see the baroque style buildings as well. Don’t forget to visit the underground cellar, where you will find the monks buried under glass.

Tarakaniv Fort in Dubno

The Tarakaniv Fort is located near the village of Dubno, about two hours from Lviv and near the Ikrva River west of Ukraine. The fort was built to protect the Lviv-Kyiv road route, and while there you will see the ruins of the entrance. It is also not a perfect place for those with claustrophobia.

It is a beautiful place that dates back to Imperial Russia. You can take tons of pictures and have a lovely time there but make sure to wear comfy shoes as you’re likely to do a lot of walking and exploration.

Andrew’s Church

St. Andrew’s Church is another famous church located in Kyiv. It can be found in the neighbourhood of Podil which is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Kyiv.

The church was built by the famous Russian architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli during the reign of Catherine the Great and it was built on a high hill for all the people to see. Inside, you will find many collections of paintings and much more to discover and explore.

National Opera and Ballet of Ukraine

The National Opera and Ballet of Ukraine was built in 1867, it is one of the best cultural locations in Kyiv and it is an impressive building with unique architecture and modern amenities and all that were added after it was burned in the 1980s.

It has held many concerts and events such as Swan Lake or the Nutcracker. Before and after the performance, you can grab something delicious to eat in the restaurants that are located just outside the opera, and there is a beautiful waterfall sculpture located outside as well.

Dnipro National Historic Museum

The Dnipro National Historic Museum was established in 1848 by Andre Fayer, and it contains more than 260,000 pieces from the Stone Age until World War II.

Many archaeological discoveries are included in the museum, whether it’s local, Egyptian, or Greek antiquities, coins, and many valuable things. For tourists, the museum is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM except for Mondays and it is closed on the last Friday of every month.

Park of Maxim Gorky

Maxim Gorky Park is the largest park in Ukraine and is located in Kharkiv, it was built in 1931 in memory of the great writer Maxim Gorky on an area of 130 hectares. The park contains a lot of green spaces, amusement parks, and other recreational places.

Odessa Catacombs

Another famous place to visit in the city of Odessa is the Catacombs, it is over 1,600 miles of tunnels, and they were formed by the mining of a rock called coquina which is soft white limestone.

When you visit, you will feel that you are in an underground city, and some stories say that it is larger than the underground passageways of both Paris and Rome. The tunnels were also used during the invasion of World War II for planning for counterattacks.

Volodymyr’s Cathedral

Looks like Ukraine is famous for churches that’s why it is full of many churches and St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral is one of them. Its impressive Byzantine-style architecture and artworks are fascinating to see.

You can also see beautiful gilded murals, paintings, and hand-carved accents all over the walls. Entering the chapel requires appropriate attire for both men and women, so make a note of that before heading for this beautiful historical monument.

The Motherland Monument

The Motherland Monument is a statue that is located in Victory Park to commemorate the victory of the Soviet Forces over the Nazi Forces, and also from there, you can see the Dnieper River. 

When you visit the monument, you will find at the base the Museum of the Great Patriotic War which was opened in 1995, the titanium statue is much taller than the Statue of Liberty and you can reach the main platform using an elevator.

M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden

The National Botanical Garden was named after the botanist Mykola Gryshko and it is full of many beautiful kinds of flowers and plants from all over the world. 

If you are a nature lover you can have a walk through the greenhouses, where you can see many kinds of plants and if you visit in the spring you will be lucky to see the lilacs which are a favourite for visitors.

Massandrovsky Beach

This is the perfect place for relaxation, doing water activities, and having a great time. This beach overlooks the Black Sea, and it is possible to enjoy many activities such as diving, swimming, and many other things, there are also many resorts and hotels around the beach for visitors to stay in.

Sunflower Fields

Ukraine is famous for sunflower oil, it’s one of the largest exporters and it’s the 2nd largest producer of oil in the world. Tourists will love visiting places like that, which are spread in every part of Ukraine and you can take some amazing pictures in these fields as souvenirs for the wonderful times you spend in this beautiful country.