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Ukraine

Capital

Kyiv

Currency

Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH)

Language

Ukrainian

Best Time

May–Sep

Time Zone

EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Ukraine
Welcome to Ukraine

Ukraine's Golden Domes and Fertile Plains

Welcome to Ukraine, a country where golden-domed churches, vast fertile plains, and rich cultural heritage reflect centuries of history. Kyiv, the capital, showcases the shimmering domes of Saint Sophia Cathedral and centuries of Orthodox architecture. Lviv's beautifully preserved old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects a rich blend of Central European influences. Ukraine's Carpathian Mountains offer scenic hiking, traditional villages, and excellent skiing in winter. The Black Sea coast, particularly around Odesa, offers charming beaches and a lively cultural port city. Traditional Ukrainian folk art, embroidery, and cuisine reflect deep cultural pride and resilience. The country's vast agricultural plains have long earned it the nickname "breadbasket of Europe." Ukraine invites travelers to discover a country of profound history, culture, and enduring strength.

Popular City

Kyiv

Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves eleventh-century mosaics and frescoes within one of the oldest surviving churches in Eastern Europe. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a monastery complex of golden domes and underground catacombs, remains one of the most significant sites in Orthodox Christianity. Independence Square, or Maidan Nezalezhnosti, has been the stage for pivotal moments in Ukraine’s modern history, including the protests that shaped the country’s recent political direction. Andriyivskyy Descent, a steep cobblestone street lined with artists and craft stalls, leads down through the historic Podil district. Kyiv’s chestnut-lined boulevards and riverside parks along the Dnipro River give the city a green, walkable character between its major landmarks. Kyiv’s deep religious and political history make it central to understanding both Ukraine and the wider region’s story.

Travel News

Popular City

Lviv

Lviv’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves an exceptional concentration of Austro-Hungarian, Polish, and Ukrainian architecture around its central Rynok Square, ringed by merchant houses and cafes. The Lviv Opera House, an ornate nineteenth-century building, remains one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The city’s coffee house culture, dating back centuries, continues in atmospheric cafes throughout the old town, some designed with elaborate, quirky themes. Lviv’s High Castle hill offers panoramic views over the city’s church spires and red-tiled rooftops. The Lychakiv Cemetery, an elaborate open-air museum of sculpture and monuments, traces the city’s multicultural history through the graves of its most notable residents. Lviv’s blend of Central European architecture and coffee culture make it one of Ukraine’s most charming cities.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Odesa

Odesa’s Potemkin Stairs, immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 film Battleship Potemkin, descend dramatically from the city center toward the Black Sea port below. The Odesa Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of the most beautiful in Europe, reflects the city’s long history as a cosmopolitan cultural center. Deribasivska Street, the city’s main pedestrian promenade, is lined with cafes and shaded by chestnut trees, giving Odesa a relaxed, Mediterranean-like atmosphere unusual for a Black Sea city. The city’s beaches, including Arcadia, have long made it a favorite summer destination for Ukrainians. Odesa’s Jewish, Greek, and multiethnic heritage shaped a distinct local humor and culture still evident in its literature and daily life. Odesa’s blend of seaside charm and cultural depth make it one of Ukraine’s most beloved cities.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Ukraine's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Borshch

Borshch is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Varenyky

Varenyky is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Holubtsi

Holubtsi is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Chicken Kyiv

Chicken Kyiv is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Deruny

Deruny is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Salo

Salo is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Banosh

Banosh is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Pampushky

Pampushky is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Syrnyky

Syrnyky is a well-known part of Ukraine's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Ukraine. Explore local markets, independent cafΓ©s and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Ukraine

Ukraine is the largest country located entirely within Europe by land area, and it's historically been known as the "breadbasket of Europe" due to its extraordinarily fertile black soil, called chernozem, which has made it one of the world's largest producers and exporters of wheat and sunflower oil. The country is home to Chernobyl, the site of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster, and the surrounding exclusion zone has since become an unexpected wildlife refuge, with animal populations rebounding significantly in the absence of human activity over the following decades.

Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is considered one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, with a history tracing back over 1,500 years, and it served as the center of Kievan Rus', a medieval state widely regarded as a common ancestor of the modern nations of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. The country has faced significant modern conflict, including Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a full-scale invasion launched in 2022, events that have drawn intense global attention to the region's ongoing struggle for sovereignty.

Ukraine is also home to the Motherland Monument in Kyiv, one of the tallest statues in Europe, and the country has a long history of significant contributions to Soviet-era aerospace and engineering, including the design bureau responsible for some of the world's largest cargo aircraft.