Part of our Ukraine guide.
This page gathers two itineraries from our Ukraine coverage: a 48-hour plan for Kyiv and a one-month backpacking route across the country.
Related travel guides: Travel Inspiration In Ukraine and Drinking With Bears In Ukraine.
Kiev Itinerary: What To Do In 48-Hours
Begin at St. Sophia’s Cathedral, then walk to St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery for views over the Dnipro River. For lunch, try borscht or varenyky at a local bistro near Andriyivskyi Descent. Spend the afternoon at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Cave Monastery), a UNESCO site with underground catacombs and gold-domed churches. In the evening, head to Khreshchatyk Street for dinner and people-watching; the street is closed to traffic on weekends. On day two, visit the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II and the Motherland Monument, then cross the river to the Pyrohiv Open-Air Museum for traditional wooden architecture. If you need a break from walking, this Kyiv travel guide covers public transport options. End with a sunset walk through Mariinsky Park.
One Month Backpacking In Ukraine Itinerary
Start in Kyiv (3–4 days): see the landmarks above, plus the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone day tour (book in advance). Take an overnight train to Lviv (4–5 days), known for its coffee culture, Rynok Square, and the Lviv National Art Gallery. From Lviv, head to the Carpathians (5–7 days) for hiking and the outdoors in Ukraine; the Carpathian National Park and the Hoverla peak are the main draws. Next, travel to Odesa (3–4 days) for the Potemkin Stairs, the Odessa Opera House, and a day at the Black Sea beaches. Use buses or trains for getting around Ukraine; sleeper trains save on accommodation costs. For budget planning, here's how much it costs to travel in Ukraine (prices as of 2023–2024). End in Chernivtsi (2 days) to see the UNESCO-listed Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, then return to Kyiv for your departure.
Both itineraries assume travel within Ukraine is safe and open; check current travel advisories before booking. For more ideas, see our page on things to do in Ukraine and travel inspiration in Ukraine.
