The Largest Cities of Ukraine

As of 1 January 2022, Ukraine had 461 cities and 882 settlements, which are inhabited and developing. There are both large cities, and small ones. Cities in Ukraine are classified by population.

The largest cities of Ukraine by area and million-plus cities are Sevastopol, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's large cities are Poltava, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy and many other cities. And small towns, but no less important ones — Izium, Kolomyia, Boryspil, Pryluky, and others.

Of course, the largest city in Ukraine is the capital of Ukraine.

1. Kyiv

Kyiv is located on the Dnipro River, which divides it into the Left and Right Banks. The city has many enterprises, and the capital is considered an industrial center. The city is surrounded by forests. The Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant is on the Dnipro. The city is also known for its architecture. Many architectural monuments have survived to the present day. Kyiv is considered one of the oldest historical centers in Europe. It is in Kyiv that the famous Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is located, and people come here from all over the world.

2. Kharkiv

The second large city is Kharkiv. This is a large historical, scientific, industrial and cultural city of Ukraine. It is a city of youth and development. It is in Kharkiv that the Karazin Institute is located, which is among the top 500 higher education institutions in the world. Who does not know about the famous market in Kharkiv? There is also a great deal of industry in the city. Plants operate in such sectors as power engineering, transport and agricultural machinery, and aerospace. A wealth of interesting places attracts thousands of tourists every year. The main park is Shevchenko Park in the city center. After walking through it, you can reach Kharkiv's main square, which is the largest in Europe.

3. Odesa

Odesa is the pearl of our country. The city has its own character. It is a port city, located on the northwestern coast of the Black Sea. Odesa is among the top three cities in Ukraine by the amount of architectural and cultural heritage. Odesa differs from other cities in Ukraine. It is rich in history, culture and architecture, and, besides that, it has many other attractions. One striking feature of Odesa is its seaport. For travelers, the most convenient means of transport remains a cruise ship. Another landmark of Odesa is the Potemkin Stairs, which offer an unforgettable view. As this is a port city, trade industry is well developed. The city is home to one of the well-known markets.

4. Dnipro

The honorable fourth place is occupied by the city of Dnipro. It is a business, industrial and scientific city of Ukraine. Metallurgical, machine-building and mining industries are developed. Education, culture and art are well developed in the city. A place for a walk is the embankment. Its length is almost 23 km. The historical architecture of Dnipro is located on Zhovtneva Square and in Shevchenko Park. And near the city itself there are 3 fortresses. The best known of them is Kodak Fortress.

5. Donetsk

Donetsk is a major metallurgical and mining industrial center of Ukraine. Our city got its name from the Siverskyi Donets River, which flows through the north of Donetsk Oblast and is very beautiful, wide and remarkably majestic. Many men living in Donetsk work in the coal industry. Donetsk is also a center of scientific heritage. There are many higher education institutions here. Before Russian aggression, this was a city of miners. Many tourists visited Donetsk. One of the main tourist centers is the planetarium. The Park of Forged Figures, the famous Arches Alley, and the botanical garden also always attract attention. The city has a cathedral, a puppet theater and a philharmonic hall.

6. Zaporizhzhia

Zaporizhzhia also belongs to the largest cities in Ukraine. It is located on the banks of the Dnipro River. The main trade routes pass through the city. The city's district is characterized by significant natural potential. There are deposits of hard coal and uranium ore deposits. Industrial sectors are developed. By population, the city ranks an honorable sixth. The city is located not far from Dnipro. The transport sector is very well developed. Rail, river and road transport play a leading role. The city is known for its historical heritage. Khortytsia Island, located near the city, attracts tourists. From the island there is a beautiful view of DniproHES, which impresses with its strength and size. Zaporizhzhia has many higher education institutions, so many young people study in this city.

7. Lviv

In western Ukraine there is a large city by population — this is Lviv. This city was founded many centuries ago. It has an enormous historical heritage. In the city, Ukrainian, Polish and Armenian cultures have intertwined. The small, cozy streets bear witness to this. There are many museums, theaters and cathedrals in the city. This is the tourist capital of Ukraine. The old part of the city is located in the central area. It contains the famous Rynok Square, in the center of which stands the famous City Hall, or “Big Ben,” as it is popularly called. Every day thousands of tourists visit the square. The city is very distinctive. World-famous food establishments attract hundreds of tourists every day. This is the “capital” of chocolate and drinks. In Lviv, beer was first brewed, the kerosene lamp was invented, and the first coffeehouse was opened back in the 18th century.

In Ukraine there are a large number of cities, which rank first in population, area, industrial and tourist development.