The charming – and quirky – city of Lviv, Ukraine features a well-preserved Old Town, an abundance of nature, a slew of odd sights and a fascinating history.
During our stay, we discovered numerous things to do in Lviv, Ukraine and compiled a list of our top 10 recommendations. Note: Our Trip to Lviv was in 2018.
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10 Best Things To Do in Lviv, Ukraine
Our list of Lviv attractions are all spots within walking distance from the Old Town. At the end of our guide, you will find a map of our recommended sights.
#1 Explore Lviv Old Town
Start your exploration in the Old Town where 13th century buildings have survived fires, wars and modern times.
Picturesque Baroque, Renaissance and 20th century Art Nouveau structures line the cobblestone streets – and sit in sharp contrast to the surrounding Soviet-era blocks.
Rynok Square
The beating heart of Old Lviv is Rynok Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating to the 13th century, it is ringed with historic houses.
Decorating the four corners of the rectangle are elaborate fountains of famous gods: Neptune, Diana, Amphitrite and Adonis.
Sitting prominently in the center is the Lviv Town Hall and its rising clock tower. The platform at the top offers a bird’s eye view.
Making the climb to the viewpoint is one of the top Lviv things to do and it’s a good way to get acquainted with the city’s layout.
As a popular meeting spot, Rynok Square sees a steady stream of people. Trams flow – often to the beat of local street musicians.
Performers range in both age and style and entice crowds to stick around to listen to more than just one song. We followed suit and heard everything from traditional folk music to heavy metal.
Lviv Old Town Lanes
One of the best ways to discover Lviv is with feet on the ground. We recommend wandering while marveling at the architecture.
Visitors can create their own city tour by navigating the cobblestone streets and expansive squares to the top Lviv sights.
#2 Hike to Amazing Lviv Viewpoints
Lviv sightseeing is not limited to historic streets and buildings…it includes nature, too! The city is located just 100 miles from the Carpathian Mountains – and the region is dotted with hills, forests and green space.
Castle Hill
This is the highest point in the city – rising 1,342 feet. Named for the castle that stood atop the hill from the 13th to 19th centuries, the hill bears very few remnants of the structure.
However, we can here for the awesome views. Beautiful any time of day, we recommend climbing up for sunrise and sunset, when the city is draped in soft light.
Lion Hill
Lion Hill (also called Bald Hill) is just east of Castle Hill. The summit, which is marked by a simple cross, offers stunning vistas.
The hiking trail is much more rustic than the one for Castle Hill – and the trailhead can be a little difficult to find.
#3 Visit the Lviv Opera House
The stunning Opera House in Lviv sits atop the ‘buried’ Plotva River. The building was designed by famous Polish architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski and was opened in 1900.
The opulently decorated grand facade features imposing columns and statues that overlook a spacious plaza, fountain and long promenade park. Men often gather on the shaded benches to play chess.
While absolutely beautiful on the outside, going inside is the real treat. The lavishly decorated theater hosts a multitude of performances, including matinee and evening shows.
During our visit, we attended a special concert by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band.
Most performances are very affordable, with tickets for some costing as little as 100 UAH ($2.25). At that price, travelers of all budgets can enjoy a show!
#4 Learn About Lviv History
Lviv has a complicated history that dates to the 13th century. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia, it was subsequently part of (or ruled by) Poland, Austria, Germany and the Soviet Union.
Each left their marks on the city – some prettier than others. You can learn about the history of Lviv in one of the many museums.
Potocki Palace, built in the 1880s, was once the city’s grandest residence. Visitors can tour the decorated rooms on the ground floor and an art gallery on the second floor. Next door is the Art Palace and the Lviv National Art Gallery.
The Lontskoho Street Museum is the former political prison used by the Polish, Nazi and Soviet regimes. Thousands of anti-government supporters were detained here.
In the days before the Nazis invaded Lviv in 1941, the Soviets ‘disposed’ of about 1,000 prisoners, shooting them to death on site.
Outside of the city center, the Lviv Folk Architecture Museum features traditional homes and wooden churches that are typical of Western Ukraine.
The Pharmacy Museum features rooms that recreate the historic space, complete with a lab and ancient dungeon.
#5 Visit Lviv Churches
There are an astounding number of historic churches in Lviv, Ukraine. In fact, it would be impossible to visit the city and not notice the numerous places of worship.
St. Nicholas
This is one of the oldest churches in Lviv, dating to the year 1292. The quaint exterior differs vastly from the magnificent and glittering interior.
Latin Cathedral
Also called the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, it was built in the 14th century – and is one of just two churches in the city that stayed open during Soviet rule.
Church of the Holy Eucharist
A church has stood on this site since 1378, with the present one dating to 1749. During Soviet rule, it was transformed into the Museum of Religion and Atheism.
After Ukraine gained independence, it became the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Dormition Church and the Chapel of Three Saints
The landmark Korniakt Tower, which stands at 215 feet, is hard to miss. Our favorite part of this church, however, is the incredibly decorated Chapel of Three Saints (which is accessed via the courtyard).
Church and Monastery of Discalced Carmelites
Consecrated in 1991, this was previously called the Carmelite Church. Inside, light streams through the stained-glass window and frescoes decorate the walls.
Armenian Cathedral
The Armenian Cathedral began as a small church that was built in 1363. The structure, which was extended multiple times – and was even used as storage by the Soviets.
St. George’s Cathedral
Completed in 1760, St. George’s sits on a hill to the west of the city center. Grand in its appearance, the pale-yellow exterior of the once-Orthodox-now-Greek-Catholic church is beautiful from afar and up-close.
#6 Eat Classic Ukrainian Cuisine
Local food and drink are some of the best things to experience in any destination. We are particularly fond of Ukrainian cuisine (and craft beer) – and feasted well during our visit.
Similar to many traditional Slavic dishes, the food in Lviv has been influenced by neighboring cultures. The hearty dishes, which often contain rich meat and earthy ingredients, are comfort food classics.
We detail exactly what and where to eat in our list of Best Lviv restaurants. If you want to get a taste of local libations can use our Guide To Lviv Bars.
#7 Take a Walk in a Lviv Park
We were astounded by the many green spaces in the city. Two of the best are Ivan Franko Park and the Old Citadel Park.
The spacious Ivan Franko – the oldest park in the country – sits just west of the city center near the university. Developed more than 300 years ago, it features wide crisscrossing paths, a gazebo and towering trees.
Throughout the park, there are places to relax and enjoy the scenery. A massive statue of Ivan Franko, the famous Ukrainian writer, stands at the north end of the park.
The Old Lviv Citadel is just to the southeast and the grounds are shrouded in mystery. The wooded area has a few trails that lead to a nearly-hidden circular brick building, which is part of the Citadel Fort.
#8 Stroll Through a Lviv Cemetery
An unusual tourist site, the Lychakiv Cemetery is one of the city’s top attractions. Established in 1787, it has more than 400,000 burial plots.
It is the final resting place of many of the city’s elite residents, including politicians, intellectuals and poets (including Ivan Franko).
Many of the graves are adorned with sculptures, making it seem more like an open-air museum as much as a burial ground.
Some sections are dedicated to deceased military members – such as the Ukrainian National Army Memorial, the Field of Mars and Defenders Cemetery.
Among the numerous memorials, there is even one dedicated to Americans who defended Poland (1919-1920).
As a tourist destination, parts are crowded, but it is possible to find places of solitude. You also have the option of joining a tour and/or purchasing a map.
The cemetery is not that far from the Old Town and is fairly easy to reach on foot. However, those who want to experience riding one of the classic Lviv trams, this is a perfect opportunity.
#9 Experience Unique Lviv Attractions
Want to solve a humongous crossword puzzle or stroll down a lane with several different names? You can do it in Lviv.
Looking for toilet paper with Putin’s face on it or maybe a Mexican beer named after President Trump? You can find them here, too.
Obscure Lviv Sculptures
Travelers should keep an eye out for the numerous strange sculptures found in the city.
In seldom-visited squares, you can find a beer belly statue, a traveler’s backpack, a keg-carrying monk and a seated Statue of Liberty.
However, the most outlandish is the statue of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch – the writer responsible for the term masochism. Reach into his pocket to understand why it is so bizarre.
Strange Lviv Streets
Arkhivna Street – as it is formally known – bears numerous names. Each year, the street is renamed to honor a famous filmmaker during the KinoLev Independent Film Festival.
Just outside of the center, a 100-foot-high crossword puzzle is painted on the side of a towering apartment complex. Those who want to solve it can find clues throughout town.
#10 Go Shopping in Lviv
During our stay, we found our way to a few of the best Lviv markets. The local shopping experiences are truly a feast for the senses.
The best local market in Lviv is Krakivsky Market, where vendors selling an array of goods – from local fashions to in-season produce to raw meat.
The Used Book Market is set at the base of the Ivan Fedorov Monument (a famous printer). Here vendors peddle an assortment of wares – everything from used books to vinyl records to antiques.
We enjoyed perusing through the stacks of records, sifting through old military paraphernalia and flipping through books. The sellers are not pushy – so take your time and shop around a little.
Lviv, Ukraine Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of the sightseeing Map of Lviv below.
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