19 Awesome Things to Add to Any Lviv Itinerary
Heading to Ukraine? Absolutely don’t miss Lviv, a truly underrated city that feels as if you’ve stumbled into one of Europe’s most charming cities. Lviv really does have it all, a funky art scene, green leafy streets, amazing food, a coffee shop culture, and some of the most friendly people.
Lviv’s diversity has been influenced by its diverse, almost melting-like-pot past. The country has been under the reigns of Poland and Austria. Before WWII there was a large and thriving Jewish population. Ukraine was once part of Soviet- Russia, but declared its independence in 1991, and sadly, still has a complicated relationship with its neighbor.
However, these are only a few of the diverse cultures that have roots in the city. All of these influences can be seen while strolling the city. This Lviv itinerary focuses on some of the highlights, unusual sights, and hidden places to discover from the largest city in Western Ukraine, the “City of Lions.”
Fall in love with the city and add these highlights and hidden gems to your Lviv itinerary.
Please note that I do not encourage travel to Ukraine at this time, but I am keeping this itinerary up in hopes that it will be useful for future travelers. Ukraine is a beautiful country and I loved every minute I spent here. This is my love letter to Lviv. ❤️
Table of Contents
- Lviv Itinerary Highlights
- Lviv Itinerary Unusual Sights
- Foodie Experiences in Lviv
- Beyond the Standard Lviv Itinerary
- Final Thoughts on Lviv Itinerary Add-Ons
Lviv Itinerary Highlights
Take a free walking tour to get a brief overview of the complicated history of the “City of Lions.” See the wide range of cultures by visiting the Armenian Church, the remains of the Golden Rose Synagogue, and some beautiful chapels. Stroll past the Opera House and appreciate its beauty and lovely promenade. Scour the book market and shop with locals for more than just books. Get a sweeping view of the city from Lviv High Castle. Finally, do as the tourists do, and snap a photo at the bright red tram, or better yet, enjoy the city while riding on a real one.
Free Walking Tour
The best way to get aquatinted with any city is to take a free walking tour. This style of tour has popped up all across Europe and Lviv is no exception. Lviv offers a few different types of tours, but if only in the city for a quick-stopover, the “must-see” tour is ideal. This tour is a well-rounded introduction to Lviv’s history, cultures, and twists and turns through the charming city street.
Lviv Free Walking Tour | Must- See Tour: Daily, 10:30 | Duration: 2 hours | Meet-up Location: Amphitrite Fountain on Rynok Square | Cost: Free, but the guides rely on tips, so share the love! | Lviv Free Walking Tour official website & tour sign-up
Armenian Church
One thing you may notice while exploring Lviv is the wide range of cultural churches. Right in the center of old town is an Armenian Church. Armenians first settled in Ukraine in the 13th century, and this plot has housed their church since then. If the interior is closed, or has an actual church service, it’s possible to stroll through the small, yet charming Armenia Quarter, which is more like a back-alley, but really worth it.
Golden Rose Synagogue
Sadly, all that remains of the Golden Rose Synagogue is ruins. There are a few pieces of the wall, a reminder of the thriving Jewish population who called Lviv home. This land was bought in the 1580’s, and soon after the Jewish community erected their own place of worship, this Synagogue. The Synagogue was destroyed by the Nazi’s in 1943, and left to the ruins we see today.
In 2016, a memorial was built with the focus being the ruins left behind. This new installation was called The Space of Synagogues and is meant to memorialize the Jewish community who lived in Lviv and perished as the result of the Holocaust. There are plaques with photos that echo quotes and the voices of the lost Jewish community. The memorial is the centerpiece of a rejuvenated neighborhood, one now filled with art, coffeeshops, and parks.
Chapels Worth a Note
When strolling through the city, make sure to add the Chapel of the Boim Family and hidden Chapel of the Three Saints to your Lviv itinerary. The Boim Chapel is like no other church in all of Lviv, since it boasts a one-of-a-kind Renaissance facade. The Boim Chapel houses a museum, but even if you don’t go inside, the outside is still a treasure.
The Chapel of the Three Saints is another small chapel that’s worth a walk to and a quick stop inside. Find it connected to the Dormition Church, but it sits hidden in a back alleyway. This tiny chapel is free to enter.
Appreciate the Opera House
Built in the 1900’s, the Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre is absolutely stunning. The outside is beautiful and has a lovely fountain, which makes great photos. To enter the stunning masterpiece, you must purchase a ticket to a ballet or opera.
The outside promenade is at least worth a stop. Along the grand walkway, find little coffee stands that have outdoor seating. Check out the umbrellas that cover the small tables, they are twirling ballerina dancers. The Opera house is a fantastic place to take some photos, grab a beverage, and people-watch.
Scour the Book Market
Fittingly found around the Statue of Ivan Fedorov, the father of “East Slavonic Printing,” is the popular Book Market. Here, locals sell all kinds of books including: text books for students, romance novels, all the classics, and even cookbooks. The Book Market has more than books. Find Soviet era knickknacks, old records, and small treasures that make for unique souvenirs.
Book Market Logistics | Location: Pidvalna St, 13 | Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 | It’s acceptable to barter
Lviv Park High Castle
Want to see Lviv from a different angle? Take the 30 minute uphill stroll to Park High Castle, which boasts some serious panoramic views of Lviv. On a clear day, the Carpathian Mountains can be seen in the distant backdrop. The park is the highest point in Lviv and is built on top of an old castle or fortress; however, not much remains, except for a few small ruins. The park is large with lots of green space, and is the perfect escape from the city. It’s free to enjoy the park with nice panoramic views of the city.
Snap a Photo at the Just Lviv It Tram
Yes, I know it’s touristy, but add a stop at the Just Lviv It Tram to your Lviv itinerary. It’s a small red tram that has been converted to a helpful tourist information. Inside, there are some cute little souvenirs. The tram itself makes for a great photo op! While the trams run constantly throughout the city, what better way to remember your time in Lviv with a fun photo. If you want a truly local experience, ride the actual tram system that conveniently runs throughout Lviv.
Find Just Lviv It! here: Pidvalna St, 11
Lviv Itinerary Unusual Sights
Want to add something different to your Lviv itinerary? Find the underground bunker bar that you can only enter via a password. Make a political statement by drinking a beer from Pravda Beer Theatre. Speaking of beer, find the unusual monument that relates to this alcoholic beverage. Stroll through the Lychakiv Cemetery, which feels more like an open air museum. Finally, visit the Vernissage Flea Market, where its possible to find unique soviet-era trinkets and other goodies.
Find the Underground Bunker Bar
One of the most unusual things to do in Lviv is to visit the underground bunker bar, Kryivka. This bar is like no place I’ve ever visited. To enter the bar, you must say the password, “Slava Ukrania” which translates to “Glory for Ukraine.” There is a bouncer guarding the door, making sure you verify the password, and will study you carefully. Are you apart of the Soviet Army? Before entering the bar, down a quick shot to prove you’re on the “in.”
Walk down the dark hallway, and it opens to the main bunker. The bunker is dark, but filled with people drinking shots, using their flashlights to read the menu, and whispering with excitement. Head to the bar and order a drink, the beverage of choice here seem to be a bottle of Putin Huilo or “Putin is a dickhead,” but let’s be honest… Huilo really translates to something much worse.
The atmosphere here includes brief reenactment of soldiers worried about their bar being compromised. The stage is quite dramatic and the lights oftentimes go out, and the music gets cut off. When the lights do come on, notice there are old Ukrainian outfits to try on, and other Soviet era trinkets decorating the dimly lit bunker. This may be advertised as a bar, but in reality it’s a living, breathing, museum filled with memorabilia of a time not so far away.
On top of being a busy bar, Kryivka serves up traditional Ukrainian food, and has a huge gift shop with some kitschy souvenirs. Don’t forget the outdoor space, which has some interesting soviet relics that have been converted into statues.
Visiting Kryivka is a one-of-a-kind highlight on any Lviv itinerary.
Kryivka Bunker Bar | Hours: Daily 10:00 – 00:00, closes at 02:00 on Fri & Sat | Find them here: Rynok, 14 (basement) | Don’t forget the password to enter: “Slava Ukrania”
Drink a Beer as a Political Statement
At Pravda Beer Theatre, the beer is more than an adult beverage, it’s a political statement in liquid form. This microbrewery serves up their beers in interesting bottles with sometimes unpopular opinions; however, it doesn’t deter people to visit. This beer pub has three stories of seating and some nice outdoor tables. Sip on beers like Putin Huilo, or Trump’s own Mexican lager, and many more political labels that are pushing the progressive envelope.
Of course, Pravda Beer Theatre offers more than their political beers. They’ve got a wide range of brews, with 11 of them receiving national recognition. Make sure to add a stop to Pravda Beer Theatre to your Lviv itinerary.
Pravda Beer Theatre | Hours: Daily 12:00 – 22:00, closes at 23:00 on weekends | Find them here: Rynok Square, 32 | Facebook Page | Their beer can be found in many restaurants & pubs in town
Beer Belly Monument
Speaking of beer, Lviv has its very own beer belly monument. Find the gold monument literally bulging up above the ground on Staroievreiska Street.
Lychakiv Cemetery
If you have the time, another interesting place to add to your Lviv itinerary is the Lychakiv Cemetery. Take the 30-minute casual stroll from the main downtown or tram #7 to this 42-hectare burial ground.
The artistic tombs are known for their unique sculptures and artistic architecture. So much of Ukraine’s war-torn history can be seen mapped out within the tombs. From those victims who died due to starvation from Stalin’s dark reign to the more recent volunteers who have died in the East fighting Russia. The Lychakiv Cemetery is a burial ground for over 400,000 souls.
Lychakiv Cemetery | Cost: 50 UAH ($1.75 USD) | Hours: 9:00 – 18:00, summer until 20:00 | Official Website
Vernissage Flea Market
Another unusual market to browse through is the Vernissage Flea Market. It’s tucked away a few blocks away from the Opera House and boasts unusual soviet era trinkets, antiques, and homemade jewelry. Look for lots of head scarves, babushka dolls, and paintings. This eccentric market happens daily from 8:00 – 18:00.
Find it here: Vicheva Square
Foodie Experience in Lviv
With all this exploring around Lviv, it’s essential to try some delicious Ukrainian food. From experiencing the on-point coffee culture, trying the delicious dumplings, wandering down a foodie street, to sampling some homemade chocolate, make sure to include these foodie staples to your Lviv itinerary for the perfect trip.
Experience the Coffee Culture
Lviv has its own unique coffee culture and it dates back to the 1600’s and Yuri Kulczycki, a Ukrainian by birth. It is said he opened the very first coffee shop in Vienna in 1683. Nods to Yuri Kulczycki and his influence of coffee can be seen all throughout Lviv, even an ode to his original Austrian coffeeshop “Under the Blue Bottle.” This tiny coffeeshops is hidden away on a side street in Lviv.
Some say there are over 600 coffeeshops in the city of Lviv, and that number continues to grow. With an interest in roasting, many locals are taking the coffee scene to a new level. Remember, Lviv is a hodgepodge of different cultures, and it’s common to find many coffeehouses using traditional Turkish brewing methods.
From modern coffeeshops, small old world gems, to little stands on streets, make sure to sample the coffee in Lviv
Varenyky
Varenyky are the traditional dumplings that are found all throughout Ukraine. These yummy boiled dumplings are usually stuffed with potatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, and sometimes meat. They can be sweet treats too, filled with cherries and other fruits.
Kryva Lypa Passage
One of the best places to eat in the city is to head down Kryva Lypa Passage. This lively street is full of a wide range of cafes, restaurants, and interesting places to eat. On this street, find trendy Ukrainian restaurants and other ethnic restaurants. There’s an Irish bar and some swanky cocktail bars. This street is a must for foodies to add to their Lviv itinerary.
Chocolate
Lviv is also famous for its chocolate, so a stop by Lviv Handmade Chocolate is a must. This specialty chocolate shop has tons of truffles, bars, and specialty coffee drinks. There’s sweet treats, pastries, and rich hot chocolates; it really is a chocolate lover’s paradise. There’s a couple of these chocolatiers scattered around town, each one with a nice place to sit and a mouth watering display case.
Beyond the Standard Lviv Itinerary
Have a few days to get beyond the standard Lviv itinerary? Head south and explore these hidden gems nestled in the Carpathian Mountains.
Mukachevo
Mukachevo is a small village that makes an ideal gateway to Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains. The small village can be reached by car or electric train in just under 4 hours. Due to the longer distance, it’s best to make this an overnight trip.
The best thing to do in Mukachevo is to stroll through the small town and head to the Palanok Castle. This hilltop castle offers a few small museum exhibits and great views of Mukachevo.
Palanok Castle Logistics | Cost: 50 UAH ($1.75) | Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 18:00
After exploring the castle, head to the nearby restaurant Poryadniy Gazda, which brews its own beer and serves up distinct and traditional food of the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. This authentic restaurants boasts farm to table cuisine.
Poryadniy Gazda Logistics | Hours: Daily, 11:30 – 23:00, weekends open until midnight | Find them here: Vulytsya Erdeli, 36А, Mukachevo | This place is a must and has stunning views of the castle
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains are incredible, and an amazing place to take in the pure majesty of these mountains is in the tiny hamlet of Yasinya. This small village is only a few restaurants and guest homes, but it has easy access to reach the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, a beautiful wooded forest that boasts Ukraine’s highest peak at 6,762 feet, Mount Hoverla. After enjoying the lovely forest, make sure to soak in a traditional chan, a giant tub heated by a fire that is filled with spices. This is an authentic experience that can only be done in the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine.
Coming Soon: How to Hike Hoverla as a Day Hike from Yasinia
Psst… Need a place to enjoy the mountains in Yasinya? Stay at Hotel Franc, which has simple, nice rooms with a balcony. The host is amazing, and accommodating, and cooks up some of the best meals in town. Book here
Final Thoughts on Lviv Itinerary Add-Ons
In conclusion, these are 19 ideas to add to any Lviv Itinerary. The city is filled with amazing highlights to see, unusual activities to participate in, and has a thriving food scene that is fueled by a love of coffee. Lviv is a bustling city that has picturesque architecture, lovely streets to stroll, funky art, a reliable tram system, and lots of green space, making it feel like it’s still one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Lviv has been influenced by many diverse cultures, creating a unique melting pot, something in between Europe and the Caucuses.
For those who want to travel deeper, add on even more hidden gem sites outside of a standard Lviv itinerary, and head south to visit the incredible Carpathian Mountains. It is an experience you will not forget.
Have you been to Lviv in Ukraine? What did you think? Did you include any of these spots on your Lviv itinerary? Is there a place that I am missing that you loved? Let me know in the comments below!
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