Tourism in Ukraine attracted more than 20 million foreign citizens every year before the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. Since 2014 this has halved. Visitors come from Europe, Turkey and Israel.
Ukraine offers tourists skiing, hiking, hunting, and fishing opportunities. There are nature reserves, historic churches and castles and other architectural treasures throughout the country. Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Kamyanets-Podilskyi are considered to be Ukraine's principal tourist centres. Other cities are less well known to tourists, such as Odesa.
The country's tourism industry is underdeveloped, but it does provide crucial support for Ukraine's economy. Since 2005 citizens of European Union and EFTA, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and South Korea no longer require a visa to visit Ukraine for tourism purposes.
Introduction Tourism in Ukraine attracted more than 20 million foreign citizens every year before the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. Since 2014 this has lowered to about 10 million tourists. Visitors primarily come from Eastern Europe, but also from Western Europe, Turkey and Israel.Tourist group, State Statistics Committee of Ukraine
Before the Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukraine occupied 8th place in Europe by the number of tourists visiting, according to the World Tourism Organization rankings.UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, volume 6, UNWTO (June 2008) 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.Tourism takes a nosedive in Crimea bbc.co.uk, accessed 29 December 2015
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.Tourism takes a nosedive in Crimea BBC. Retrieved 29 December 2015 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.Ukrainian Consulate General of Ukraine in New York – Nationalities with no Visa requirements Additionally, no visa is required from most countries of the former Soviet Union with the exceptions of Russia and Turkmenistan.
+ Top 10 countries whose residents provided the most visits to Ukraine (2016) CountryNumberMoldova4.3 millionBelarus1.8 millionRussia1.5 millionHungary1.3 millionPoland1.2 millionRomania0.8 millionSlovakia0.4 millionIsrael0.2 millionTurkey0.2 millionGermany0.2 million
Popular tourist city destinations
Central Ukraine
Main cities Kyiv – the historical capital of Kievan Rus' and modern Ukraine on the Dnieper River. Ancient churches, broad boulevards, beautiful landscapes and a variety of cultural facilities make it a popular destination. Chernihiv – ancient city of Kievan 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 historic and ethnographic reserves in Ukraine. There are over 20 different museums, and the city hosts various exhibitions and fairs. Vinnytsia – the largest city in the historic region of Podillia. Houses the largest floating fountain in Europe, built on the Southern Bug River near Festyvalnyi Isle. Sumy – city's history started in the mid-17th century. Uman – known for its arboretum and being the site of Rosh Hashana kibbutz. Poltava – a common destination for culinary and cultural tourism. Novhorod-Siverskyi – historic city known for its churches. Chyhyryn and Baturyn – former capitals of the Cossack Hetmanate with sites of the Cossack era. Kropyvnytskyi - known for the fortress of St. Elizabeth - one of the few earthen forts from the XVIII century that have survived in Europe, and an architectural heritage in the style of neoclassicism.
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.Найкращим українським містом визнано Івано-Франківськ (Ukr.) 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. It attracts tourists because of its proximity to the Carpathian Mountains. Mukachevo – a major city of Transcarpathia, especially known for its castle. Kamianets-Podilskyi – a historic city surrounded by the Smotrych River canyon. It is well known for its castle. Ternopil – a historic city known for its pond. Lutsk – the post-Mongol capital of Volhynia, known for its castle. Drohobych – known for its historic centre and the wooden church. Halych – the Rus'-era capital of Galicia which migrated to the north and developed into a new city from 14th century, forming a historic complex with neighboring villages. Khotyn – known for its 13th–17th century fortress, the city is a common stop on the Chernivtsi–Kamianets-Podilskyi tourist route. Pochaiv and Kremenets – neighboring historic cities the sites of which are united under one national historic and architectural reserve. The highlights are Pochaiv Lavra and Saint Ignatius Church accordingly. – a tourist route which includes various castles in Lviv Oblast, such as Olesko, Pidhirtsi, Zolochiv, Svirzh, and sometimes also Zhovkva, Pomoriany, and Stare Selo castles.
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, with Derzhprom being the highlight of the era. The Ukrainian cultural renaissance commenced here in the years 1920–1930. Sviatohirsk – known for its monastery on hills. Bakhmut – site of multiple historic buildings until their destruction during the Battle of 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 a Black Sea resort and the largest trading center of Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia – the sixth largest city in Ukraine, famous for Khortytsia Island, DniproHES and Sotsmisto (Socialist city) neighborhood. Dnipro – the fourth largest city in Ukraine. Izmail – a historic town on the Danube River in Odesa Oblast of south-western Ukraine. Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi – one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, dating back to the ancient Greek colony of Tyras. Sevastopol – a port city known for the ruins of Chersonesos Taurica, an ancient Greek settlement (currently under administration of the Russian Federation). Bakhchysarai – the traditional capital of Crimean Tatars, known for its palace and cave town (currently under administration of the Russian Federation). Kerch – among the oldest cities in Ukraine, with buildings and structures of ancient Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, Imperial Russian, and Soviet eras (currently under administration of the Russian Federation). Crimean Southern Coast (Crimean Riviera) – the coastline of Yalta and Alushta municipalities which covers many resort towns, especially known for the nature and palaces (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, Slavsko, Verkhovyna, Vorokhta. Hoverla – the highest mountain in Ukraine. Hiking. Azov coast – bathing resorts. Dnieper – cruises. Dniester – canoeing, boat sailing. Southern Bug – rafting, ecotourism. Shatsk Lakes – bathing, camping, hiking. Sofiyivka Park, located in Uman. Waterfalls of Ukraine – ecotourism.
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. Sofiyivka Park in Uman, Cherkasy Oblast Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) Kamianets-Podilskyi Historical Complex in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast Khortytsia in Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Chersonesus in Sevastopol Saint Sophia 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) Podillian Tovtry 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: Saint Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre (Old Town, Pidzamche and St. George's Cathedral) Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans in Chernivtsi Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora in Sevastopol Segments of the Struve Geodetic Arc (at Staro-Nekrasivka, Baranivka, Felshtyn, and Katerynivka)