Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lviv & Western Ukraine
POP 5.85 MILLION / AREA 75,847 SQ KM
Why Go?
More quintessentially Ukrainian than the rest of the country, and distinctly more
European, the west is all about its largest city, the Galician capital of Lviv. An emerging
tourist magnet, the city is a truly captivating place, rich in historic architecture and with an
indulgent coffeehouse culture, but only a fraction of the tourist hordes who choke similar
city-break destinations such as Kraków and Prague. Piecemeal gentrification has made
only small dents in its shabby authenticity.
The Soviets ruled for only 50 years here, making the west the most foreigner-friendly
province with less surly 'no-can-do' bureaucracy than in eastern regions. People here
speak Ukrainian (rather than Russian) and show greater pride in Ukrainian traditions than
elsewhere.
Away from Lviv, the moody Carpathian Mountains are a short hop by bus, as are histor-
ic Lutsk, the olde-worlde spa at Truskavets and the golden domes of Pochayiv Monastery.
When to Go
