Tour guides Ukraine

5 ideas for guided tours in Ukraine

• Lviv

  

  About sixty kilometers from the Polish border, Lviv stands with a strong character, often described as the beating heart of western Ukraine. The old town reveals a mosaic of styles and influences, and a simple stroll across Rynok Square is enough to sense this richness.

  Around the square, forty-four houses line up, each with its own distinctive facade. Some recall the Renaissance, others hint at the Baroque, or the more solemn touch of the Empire. As you wander the city, churches multiply, including the Church of the Assumption, crowned with a sixty-five-meter tower rising above the rooftops.

  Yet Lviv is not told only through its monuments. Its cobbled lanes form a maze perfect for wandering, sometimes leading to underground galleries and catacombs that still hold a trace of mystery. And when the need for height arises, Vysoky Zamok Hill offers a wide panorama, a deep breath above the lively city.

• Kolomya

  

  Kolomyia stretches across a plain near the Carpathians, along the Prut River. Its town center reflects Austro-Hungarian heritage, with ornate facades and refined architecture that feels light despite its strict lines.

  Two museums deserve special attention. The Pysanka Museum displays, over several levels, a collection of Easter eggs decorated with astonishingly intricate patterns—true masterpieces of folk art. The Hutsul Folk Museum tells the story of a mountain people deeply rooted in tradition, through everyday objects, instruments, and handcrafted works.

  Kolomyia also makes an ideal starting point. In winter, nearby ski resorts draw travelers in search of snow, while in summer the wooded hills invite hikes that open the way into the landscapes of the Carpathians.

• Odessa

  

  Set right on the Black Sea, Odessa was founded as a major port in 1794 by Empress Catherine II, who immediately saw its potential and envisioned it as a key economic hub of the Western world.

  Over the centuries, it became a haven for people fleeing poverty, war, or discrimination. The city’s street names still bear witness, with Albanian, Greek, and Jewish streets, and even the French Boulevard. That mix of cultures earned it the affectionate nickname “Odessa-Mama.”

  Exploring the city is a true delight. Wander along its wide tree-lined boulevards and admire the pastel-colored houses, painted in blues and yellows. Most visitors head for Primorsky Boulevard, a pedestrian avenue stretching from Dumenskaya Square to the colonnades of the Vorontsov Palace, offering a pleasant walk along the waterfront.

  At its end, you’ll reach the legendary Potemkin Stairs, immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein’s film *Battleship Potemkin*. In summer, relax on one of the city’s beaches—Lanzheron, Arcadia, or Otrada—before unwinding in the shaded Taras Shevchenko Park.

• Mount Hoverla

  

  The highest point in Ukraine lies east of the Carpathians, at the heart of the Chornohora range. Here rises Mount Hoverla, at 2,061 meters, a true landmark for hikers.

  The climb is not particularly difficult—the trails are well-marked and accessible from late spring until the first autumn snows. It’s one of the country’s most popular hikes, both for the landscapes along the way and for the friendly atmosphere that often accompanies the ascent.

  From the Zaroslyak base camp, near the village of Lazeshchyna, the paths wind through beech and conifer forests, cross flowered meadows, and pass by the Nesamovyte mountain lake. Each stage brings a different mood, leading up to vast alpine pastures that open wide views over the Carpathians.

• Mangoup Kale

  

  Mangup is an ancient fortress perched in the southwest of Crimea, not far from Sevastopol. Built by the Goths in the 3rd century on a 300-meter-high promontory, it took advantage of the dramatic natural relief, defended by steep cliffs.

  The site’s history is turbulent. Destroyed several times, plundered, and burned, the castle was later rebuilt by the Turks. Today, you can still see vast walls stretching nearly fifteen kilometers, dotted with defensive towers. At the center remain the ruins of the main complex, surrounded by springs that bring an unexpected touch of freshness.

  Exploring Mangup takes on its full meaning with a tour guide in Ukraine. Their stories put the stones into context and bring to life this place steeped in memory, leaving an impression that lingers long after the visit.