Tourism in Ukraine

Tourism in Ukraine
Most Visited Cities in Ukraine
Kyiv
Lviv
Odesa

Ukraine used to attract more than 20 million foreign citizens every year (23 million in 2012). But since 2014 this has lowered to about 10 million. Visitors primarily come from Eastern Europe, but also from Western Europe, as well as Turkey and Israel.^[1]

Before the Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukraine occupied 8th place in Europe by the number of tourists visiting, according to the World Tourism Organization rankings.^[2] Ukraine has numerous tourist attractions: mountain ranges suitable for skiing, hiking and fishing: the Black Sea coastline as a popular summer destination; nature reserves of different ecosystems; churches, castle ruins and other architectural and park landmarks; various outdoor activity points. Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Kamyanets-Podilskyi were Ukraine's principal tourist centres each offering many historical landmarks as well as formidable hospitality infrastructure. Tourism used to be the mainstay of Crimea's economy, but there was a major fall in visitor numbers following the Russian annexation in 2014.^[3]

The Seven Wonders of Ukraine and Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine are the selection of the most important landmarks of Ukraine, chosen by the general public through an Internet-based vote.

Ukraine is a destination on the crossroads between central and eastern Europe, between north and south. It borders Russia and is not far from Turkey. It has mountain ranges – the Carpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. The coastline on the Black Sea is a popular summer destination for vacationers. Ukraine has vineyards where they produce native wines, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches as well as a few mosques and synagogues. Kyiv, the country's capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards. There are other cities well known to tourists, such as the harbour town Odesa and the old city of Lviv in the west. Most of Western Ukraine, which used to be within the borders of the Republic of Poland before World War II, is a popular destination for Poles. Crimea, a little "continent" of its own, had been a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming or sun tanning on the Black Sea with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins, though the tourist trade has been severely affected by Russia's occupation and annexation of the territory in 2014.^[4] Cities there include: Sevastopol and Yalta – location of the peace conference at the end of World War II. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on the Dnieper River from Kyiv to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes.

The country's tourism industry is generally considered to be underdeveloped, but it does provide crucial support for Ukraine's economy. Ukraine does have certain advantages, including much lower costs than other European destinations, as well as visa-free access for most people from Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America. Since 2005 citizens of European Union and EFTA, United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea no longer require a visa to visit Ukraine for tourism purposes.^[5] Additionally, no visa is required from most countries of the former Soviet Union with the exceptions of Russia and Turkmenistan.

Popular tourist city destinations

Central Ukraine

Main cities

• Kyiv – The historical capital of Kyivan Rus and modern Ukraine on the river Dnipro. Ancient churches, broad boulevards, beautiful landscapes and a variety of cultural facilities make it fascinating destination.
• Chernihiv – ancient city of Kyivan Rus, one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, has lots of Medieval architecture. Some of the oldest human settlements in Europe have also been discovered in the area.
• Pereiaslav – "living museum", one of the biggest History and Ethnography Reserve in Ukraine. There are over 20 different museums, city hosts various exhibitions and fairs.
• Vinnytsia – the largest city in the historic region of Podillia. In Vinnytsia there is the largest floating fountain in Europe, built in the river Southern Bug near Festivalny Isle.
• Sumy – city's history started in the mid-17th century.

Western Ukraine

• Lviv – old city in the west of country, with its medieval old town and unique architecture with Polish and Austrian influences. The top tourist destination in Ukraine, when it comes to architecture and culture.
• Ivano-Frankivsk – western Ukrainian city that was recognized as the best city to live in Ukraine.^[7]
• Chernivtsi – the capital of Bukovina offers Balkan atmosphere and fine classical Habsburg architecture in Central-European style, as it was part of Austrian empire (prior to 1918).
• Uzhhorod – the capital of Transcarpathia, one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, attracts tourists because of its proximity to the Carpathian Mountains.
• Mukacheve
• Kamianets-Podilskyi
• Ternopil
• Lutsk
• Drohobych

Eastern Ukraine

• Kharkiv – city's history started in the mid-17th century, when the Cossacks created the Sloboda settlements; and since then, the city has turned into one of the largest commercial, cultural and educational centers in Ukraine with a population of over 1.7 million people. From December 1919 to June 1934, Kharkiv was the capital of Soviet Ukraine. The Ukrainian cultural renaissance commenced here in the years 1920–1930.
• Sviatohirsk and Bakhmut
• Donetsk
• Luhansk

Southern Ukraine

• Odesa – a harbor city on the Black Sea with a mixture of different cultures, including Jewish, Armenian, German, Russian and Greek cultures along with the native Ukrainian culture. Odesa is Black Sea resort and the largest trading center of Ukraine.
• Zaporizhia – the sixth largest city in Ukraine, famous by Khortytsia island, DniproHES and "Sotsgorod" (Socialistic city).
• Izmail – a historic town near the Danube river in the Odesa Oblast (province) of south-western Ukraine.
• Crimean Southern Coast (Crimean Riviera) - a coastline of Yalta and Alushta municipalities (currently under administration of the Russian Federation)
• Sevastopol (currently under administration of the Russian Federation)

Landscapes

• Carpathian Mountains – impressive mountain landscapes with skiing and hiking possibilities, spas with cold and hot springs. Ski resorts include Bukovel, Slavske, Verkhovyna, Vorokhta.
• Hoverla – the highest mountain in Ukraine. Hiking.
• Azov coast – bathing resorts.
• Dnieper – cruises.
• Dniester – canoeing, boat sailing.
• Shatsk lakes – bathing, camping, hiking.
• Sofiyivsky Park, located in Uman, Ukraine.
• Waterfalls of Ukraine – ecotourism.

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  Rainbow over the Carpathian Mountains

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  The rhododendrons at the Chornohora valley

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  Dniester Canyon National Nature Park near Chervona mountain

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  Dzharylhak National Nature Park, Kherson Oblast

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  Village in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

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  At the top of Hoverla in winter

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  Bukovel - is the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe and Ukraine

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  Carpathian Biosphere Reserve in Zakarpattia Oblast

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  Buky Canyon in the Cherkasy Oblast

Seven Wonders of Ukraine

The Seven Wonders of Ukraine are the seven historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine, which were chosen in the Seven Wonders of Ukraine contest held in July 2007.

• Sofiyivsky Park in Uman, Cherkasy Oblast
• Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves)
• Kamianets-Podilskyi Historical Complex in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast
• Khortytsia in Zaporizhia, Zaporizhia Oblast
• Chersonesos in Sevastopol
• Saint Sophia's Cathedral, Kyiv
• Khotyn Fortress in Khotyn, Chernivtsi Oblast

Seven natural wonders of Ukraine

Winners of all Ukraine competition Seven natural wonders of Ukraine:

• Askania-Nova near Askania-Nova, Kherson Oblast
• Granite-steppe lands of Buh in Mykolaiv Oblast
• Dniester Canyon, Dnister
• Marble Cave (Crimea)
• Tovtry Podillian Banks in Khmelnytskyi Oblast
• Lake Svitiaz part of a group of lakes near Shatsk, Volyn Oblast
• Lake Synevyr near village of Synevyrska Poliana in Carpathian Mountains

Recognized World Heritage sites

• Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kyiv Caves Monastery) and Saint Sophia's Cathedral
• Lviv city historic centre (mainly Old Town)
• Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans (Chernivtsi)
• Ruins of Chersonesus in Sevastopol
• Segments of the Struve Geodetic Arc
• Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests in Ukrainian Carpathians
• Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region

Medical tourism

Lately many modern dental clinics with high quality dentistry equipment and high quality materials have been established in Ukraine. They provide patients with high quality dentistry services for prices much cheaper in comparison with Western and Russian clinics. Many tourists from United States, European Union and Russia arrive for dental services, providing a sort of dental tourism.

Other popular sorts of medical tourism in Ukraine are soas^{[check spelling]}, eye and plastic surgery, hair transplants, and mud baths.

Truskavets and Myrhorod are well known for their mineral springs.

Religious tourism

Uman is a pilgrimage site for Breslov Hasidic Jews, especially on Rosh Hashana kibbutz.

Events

Festival culture

In recent years a variety of festivals emerged in major Ukrainian cities. Among the most popular are international jazz festival in Lviv, street food festival in Kyiv, various summer festivals in Odesa—a popular tourist destination in summer. Many of these festivals take place in former industrial buildings of the Soviet era and are thus helping to rejuvenate these areas.

Trade fairs

Governing body of tourist industry and its chairs

• Main Directorate of Foreign Tourism (at the Government of the Ukrainian SSR and part of the Soviet Goskominturist)
  • 1964–74 Yosyp Zatyahan
  • 1974–89 Viktor Dobrotvor
• Ukrintur Association
  • 1989–93 Volodymyr Skrynnyk
• State Committee of Ukraine on tourism
  • 1993–96 Volodymyr Skrynnyk
  • 1997–98 Anatoliy Kasianenko
  • 1998–2000 Valeriy Tsybukh
• State Department of Tourism (State Committee of Youth Policy, Sport and Tourism)
  • 2001–02 Anatoliy Matviyenko
• State Tourist Administration of Ukraine
  • 2002–05 Valeriy Tsybukh
• State Service of Tourism and Resorts (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
  • 2005–06 Ihor Prystavskyi
  • 2006–10 Anatoliy Pakhlya
• State Agency of Ukraine on Tourism and Resorts (Ministry of Infrastructure)
  • 2011–14 Olena Shapovalova
• Department (Directorate) of Tourism and Resorts (Ministry of Economic Development and Trade)
  • 2016–17 Ivan Liptuha
  • 2018–2019 Oksana Serdyuk
• State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (Ministry of Сulture and Іnformation Policy of Ukraine)
  • 2019–present Mariana Oleskiv

Foreign travel statistics

Most visitors arriving to Ukraine were from the following countries of nationality:^[8]

Country	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013
Moldova	4,435,664	4,296,409	4,393,528	4,368,355	5,417,966
Belarus	2,727,645	1,822,261	1,891,518	1,592,935	3,353,652
Russia	1,464,764	1,473,633	1,231,035	2,362,982	10,284,782
Poland	1,144,249	1,195,163	1,156,011	1,123,945	1,259,209
Hungary	1,058,970	1,269,653	1,070,035	874,184	771,038
Romania	791,116	774,585	763,228	584,774	877,234
Slovakia	366,249	410,508	412,519	416,158	424,306
Turkey	270,695	199,618	140,691	116,302	151,706
Israel	261,486	216,638	149,386	101,799	120,913
Germany	209,447	171,118	154,498	131,244	253,318
Total	14,229,642	13,333,096	12,428,286	12,711,507	24,671,227

Nationality	2006	2007	2008	2009
Russia	6,429,264	7,258,222	7,638,202	6,964,435
Poland	3,979,453	4,430,140	5,242,980	2,546,132
Moldova	3,056,433	3,998,674	4,418,821	4,339,138
Belarus	2,127,250	2,918,694	3,407,064	2,984,672
Hungary	1,159,711	1,251,724	1,033,376	814,790
Slovakia	506,045	664,605	644,918	537,511
Romania	349,094	1,010,065	1,440,466	1,077,299
Germany	215,437	325,479	231,632	213,995
United States	113,507	132,376	128,122	123,001
Italy	63,337	77,054	70,625	73,737
Turkey	61,892	79,856	79,438	60,078
Azerbaijan	59,628	71,112	80,350	66,996
United Kingdom	56,662	66,132	68,709	66,851
Israel	53,032	58,932	90,353	68,303
Lithuania	46,624	52,645	56,991	48,314
Uzbekistan	45,632	78,074	86,874	96,341
Czechia	45,548	50,415	43,959	46,646
Armenia	43,561	57,995	56,050	53,373
France	42,840	48,160	50,403	49,810
Georgia	40,240	50,472	53,544	40,544
Kazakhstan	36,163	54,629	48,565	43,524
Latvia	33,582	39,773	44,737	35,555
Austria	25,765	31,623	30,044	27,218
Netherlands	24,886	28,019	30,305	31,548
Canada	23,795	28,485	28,855	31,372
Statelessness	17,845	24,747	23,531	18,716
Estonia	17,361	19,997	21,094	16,016
Bulgaria	15,885	16,674	24,588	25,102
China	15,458	17,160	16,574	16,137
Greece	14,827	16,107	18,156	16,377
Sweden	13,926	15,865	16,992	16,050
Spain	12,589	13,669	14,135	13,453
Switzerland	12,533	13,243	13,878	13,266
Serbia	12,281	10,011	5,203	5,065
Tajikistan	11,747	25,149	29,875	29,463
Belgium	10,323	11,741	12,913	13,455
Denmark	9,655	10,605	10,996	12,697
Kyrgyzstan	7,351	11,122	19,859	20,520
Japan	6,833	6,903	6,437	5,439
India	6,821	7,370	7,262	8,183
Norway	6,689	8,142	8,892	10,712
Iran	6,584	7,483	7,698	8,883
Finland	6,404	7,801	8,298	7,992
Australia	5,412	6,784	5,277	5,224
Slovenia	4,847	6,527	7,570	5,499
Syria	4,692	6,653	6,084	5,290
Ireland	4,635	4,830	5,091	4,951
Jordan	4,390	5,162	3,613	5,221
South Korea	3,809	5,151	5,985	5,374
Turkmenistan	3,475	3,374	6,039	7,631
Other countries	58,472	69,598	60,5982	69,094
Total	18,935,775	23,122,157	25,449,078	20,798,342

Number of foreign citizens visiting Ukraine (from 2014, excluding Crimea)

Statistics are based on data from the State Statistics Agency of Ukraine.^[9]

• 2000: 6.4 million^[9]
• 2001: 9.2 million^[9]
• 2002: 10.5 million^[9]
• 2003: 12.5 million^[9]
• 2004: 15.6 million^[9]
• 2005: 17.6 million^[9]
• 2006: 18.9 million^[9]
• 2007: 23.1 million^[9]
• 2008: 25.4 million^[9]
• 2009: 20.8 million^[9]
• 2010: 21.2 million^[9]
• 2011: 21.4 million^[9]
• 2012: 23.0 million^[9]
• 2013: 24.7 million^[9]
• 2014: 12.7 million^[9]
• 2015: 12.4 million^[9]
• 2016: 13.3 million^[9]
• 2017: 14.2 million^[9]

Gallery

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  Palanok Castle in Mukacheve

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  Svirzh Castle in Lviv Oblast

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  The famous Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater

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  Arkadia Beach in Odesa

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  Restaurants in Ukraine are very affordable for foreign tourists.

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  Berehove - a small town in Western Ukraine

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  Palace Residence of the Metropolitans in Chernivtsi

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  Schoenborn Castle-Palace in Zakarpattia Oblast

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  Mukachevo Town Hall

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  Kamianets-Podilskyi

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  Gate tower of Lubart's Castle in Lutsk

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  Valley of Narcissus in Zakarpattia oblast

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  Synevyr National Nature Park

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  All Saints Scete of Sviatohirsk Lavra in Sviatohirsk, Donetsk Oblast

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  Common tern on Bilosaray Spit, Sea of Azov

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  Trinity Cathedral in Sumy

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  Multimedia Fountain Roshen in Vinnytsia - is the only one multimedia fountain in Ukraine and the largest floating fountain in Europe.

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  Gorky Park - is one of the most visited attraction in Kharkiv

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  No, it's not Africa - it's Askania-Nova a biosphere reserve located in Kherson Oblast, within the dry Taurida steppe near Oleshky Sands.

See also

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ukraine.

• Official Tourism Portal in Ukraine

• Ukraine travel and tourism at Curlie