Welcome to Ukraine

Enormous in size as well as breadth of culture, Ukraine is largely undiscovered. Capitalize on its relatively quiet tourist scene and be among the first to experience its treasures.

Whether you’re tracing Jewish family heritage or checking UNESCO World Heritage Sites off your bucket list, you’ll have more than enough to do. See evidence of Greek, Ottoman, Tatar and Imperial Russian influences in Odessa, set gorgeously on the Black Sea. Visit St. Sophia Cathedral and the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, one of the oldest known cities in Eastern Europe.

Ski in the Carpathian Mountains and visit with the region’s festive Hutsul people. Drink Eastern Europe’s best coffee in cosmopolitan Lviv and wander the narrow streets and fascinating museums of its historic city center.

Venture to charming Mukacheve in the Zakarpattia region for its imposing Palanok Castle and picturesque Svnevir Lake. Come see why Ukraine is such a special destination.

Unique Facts

• There’s a lot to see – Ukraine is the largest country in Europe (excluding Russia), stretching from Russia in the east to Poland in the west with the Black Sea as its southern border.
• If you can, visit all seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most popular include the unique wooden churches in the Carpathians, Kiev’s St. Sophia Cathdrel and Lviv’s historic center.
• Ukrainians love their festivals. The Atlas Weekend contemporary music festival, one of Europe’s largest, attracts more than half a million people each year. Lviv’s Dubno-fest and Leopolis Jazz Fest are also very popular.
• Chicken Kiev is not from Kiev … this 19^th-century French dish is believed to have been brought to the east by a Russian aristocracy who loved French cuisine.

Language

Ukraine’s official language is Ukrainian.

When To Go

The best time to go to Ukraine is during the spring, May to June, or in September. The temperatures are still comfortable and there are fewer tourist crowds at Black Sea resorts. April and May are also a great time to visit, although it may get chilly at night. July and August are fine for visiting the cities if you don’t mind the heat and humidity. At this time, most Ukrainians have left town to vacation elsewhere.

Airports

Boryspil International Airport, Kiev

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for duration of stay.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of 90 days or less

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Ukraine: Hepatitis A. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and F. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Hryvnia

Getting Around

If self-driving, be aware that roads outside major urban areas are in bad condition and poorly lit. Drive defensively.
Ukraine has a well-developed public transportation system, including every large city and regional center.

Options include rail, bus and tram service. Taxi service is available; be sure to only use marked taxis. Negotiate fare in advance. Do not sit in the front seat of a taxi or enter a taxi with unknown passengers.

Driver’s License

An international driving permit is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Kyiv
4 A.I. Sikorsky St. (formerly Tankova)
04112 Kyiv, Ukraine
Telephone: +38 (044) 521-5566
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +38 (044) 521-5000
Fax: +38 (044) 521-5544
kyivacs@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Tourist Information Center
Dvirtseva Square, 1
Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine 79000
Tel: +380 3222 62005

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 102
Police: 102
Fire: 101

Safety and Security

Small-scale bombings occur often throughout Ukraine. While most attacks are at night and appear intended to cause property damage and incite fear, these attacks can be fatal. Avoid large gatherings or protests and adjacent areas.

Crime is on the rise in the Ukraine, including burglaries, robberies, muggings and pickpocketing.