Lviv: where to go and what to see

Among the many Ukrainian cities Lviv is one of the most popular destinations on tourist routes around the world. And that is no surprise, because this is where you will find the largest number of outstanding architectural landmarks, a wide range of options for both active and relaxing leisure, and the chance to spend unforgettable time with the people closest to you. With every visit, this city can make you fall for it more and more, revealing new places of interest to tourists, impressing with a variety of events and festivals, and giving unforgettable memories and feelings.

Interesting places in Lviv

Lviv is called a tourist Mecca for good reason, because the city is truly rich in interesting tourist spots. So even if you come here for the first time, the question of where to go in Lviv does not arise, because at almost every turn you will come across some architectural landmark or an interesting place to relax:

• Glass Museum — a place where you will learn about the history of Galician glassmaking, see the amazing works of glass artisans, and buy unique ceramic tableware.
• Pharmacy Museum — one of the popular places among pharmacists, biologists and simply curious people. Here you will learn everything about the preparation of medicines and their miraculous power.
• The Boim Chapel, which is the finest example of Renaissance architecture in Lviv.
• House of Scientists — a benchmark of mastery in woodwork. The wooden interior elements still delight tourists.

There are truly many interesting places in Lviv, and it is hard to see them all in one day. That is why people often come to this city several times and for different occasions.

Where to go in Lviv for free

If you have a limited travel budget or simply want to see accessible and unusual places without extra spending, Lviv is exactly the city that has plenty of free and interesting places. Among them is Koliivshchyny Square, a popular place to relax, where street furniture has been installed and the surnames of people who entered the city’s history are engraved on the well curb. Also here are the remains of a well, recently discovered by archaeologists, dated 1844, and the foundations of the Heisler House, built back in the 18th-19th century.

Do not overlook the cathedrals of Lviv. In the city, each cathedral has an interesting history, shrouded in legends and rumors:

• The Armenian Church is proof of the existence in Lviv of one of the largest Armenian diasporas, for which the temple was built in 1363. It is a unique architectural landmark with its own healing atmosphere that calms and brings inner balance.
• St George's Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Lviv. Its Rococo architecture impresses with its scale and rich decoration. It houses the oldest bell, cast in the 14th century, a copy of the Shroud of Turin, and miraculous icons.
• The Latin Cathedral is one of the city’s main churches and one of the favorite temples of Polish King Jan Kazimierz II. It impresses with the beauty of biblical stained glass windows that can be admired for hours. The Gothic features of the interior create an incredible atmosphere of beauty and grandeur.
• The Dominican Cathedral, famed not only for the beauty of its Baroque style but also for its legends. Once a Dominican monastery, its symbol is depicted on the main facade of the building. There are still many mystical stories about ghosts, a witch, and strange sounds heard at night around the cathedral’s underground.
• The Bernardine Defensive Cathedral is a unique landmark that reflects the character of defensive fortification buildings. Behind the mystical facade lie luxurious interiors decorated with gold, sculptures, frescoes, bas-reliefs and medallions.
• The Jesuit Church is an interesting architectural landmark that is constantly under reconstruction. Yet this church is active and always open to visitors who want to pray, light a candle, or simply enjoy the beauty of the Baroque style.

When visiting the cathedrals of Lviv, do not forget about respectful attire. Although all the city’s churches are not only religious buildings but also popular architectural landmarks, it is still worth showing respect and not wearing overly short or revealing clothing.

Where to go in Lviv with a child

One of Lviv’s advantages is its openness to every guest of the city. It will be interesting here not only for adults, but also for children, for whom many forms of entertainment have been created. If your child enjoys active walks through interesting places, then it is worth visiting not only the city’s playgrounds, but also the free theater performances held at the First Ukrainian Theater for Children and Youth.

Excursions to the wood museum, Franko House, the underground of the Lviv Museum of the History of Religion, or to Old Lviv will be no less interesting for children. The world of marine life living in the Oceanarium will provide unforgettable memories. A walk to the Limpopo zoo, the Lviv City Children’s Eco-Natural Center, or the home of rescued animals will also be interesting. But children will get the most emotion and impressions at the Beach water park.

Would you like to turn a walk with your child into a real adventure? Then a quest around Lviv is a good chance to get to know the city better and have a good time. Equally useful for a child will be taking part in cooking workshops run by Lviv Chocolate Workshop, Lviv Caramel Workshop and the gingerbread workshop "Yurashky".

If you have your own car or the chance to go outside the city, visit the village of Stare Selo, where the URURU amusement park is located. Among the various attractions are huge animated dinosaurs, their giant eggs and a coming-to-life volcano — an ideal place for walks for future archaeologists, local historians or simply curious children.

Where to go in Lviv in the evening

Lviv's uniqueness lies in the opportunity to spend time here well in any season and at any time of day. Evening is no exception. With the first streetlights coming on, the city seems to turn into a location from a romantic film. The streets do not lose their liveliness, because most guests and residents of the city go out for evening walks.

Lviv is a city where you cannot help admiring the beauty of old architecture, watching performances by local creative groups in the open air, visiting unusual themed restaurants or simply tasting Lviv treats and aromatic coffee in one of the cosy cafes.

Among the interesting places worth visiting in Lviv in the evening are:

• the hotel where Honoré de Balzac stayed on his way to meet his beloved Evelina Hańska;
• the residence where Polish King Jan Sobieski stayed;
• the favorite cafe of Lviv's beau monde, which is over 100 years old;
• the bench for lovers on the city's main square;
• the Black House, built in 1588-1589;
• the Bandinelli Palace, which is now home to the Lviv Historical Museum.

An evening walk through Lviv will be not only interesting, but also engaging. As dusk falls, this city seems to dress itself in festive attire of thousands of multicolored lights that will not let you pass by the most interesting and most outstanding architectural landmarks.

Where to go in Lviv with a girl

Want to have an unforgettable romantic date? Then walk through the most beautiful places in Lviv. Start your walk at Rynok Square, where you cannot miss the central City Hall with a clock that is over 600 years old. The roof of the building offers an incredible panoramic view of the whole city. Read about this place, surprise your loved one on a date with stories about the various legends connected with this historic monument.

One of the advantages of Rynok Square is the huge number of unique cafes and coffee shops, museums and interesting places nearby. Here, a meeting with a girl has every chance of turning into an unforgettable date.

Want to see the street where the wealthiest merchants of Lviv lived? Visit Armenianska Street. It will not only charm you with the beauty of the Romanesque-Gothic architecture of its buildings, but will also be remembered for its mystical legends.

Among the must-see places to go in Lviv with a girl on a date is the Italian courtyard, built back in 1580. The inner courtyard, formed by a combination of two palaces, resembles part of a historic European development. Just imagine how romantic a meeting over a cup of Lviv coffee with croissants will be in the local cafe, surrounded by open galleries and decorated with flower pots. It is no coincidence that this place is chosen for Instagram photo shoots. Incredible views from the observation deck, the ruins of an old castle, and plenty of cozy places to relax — all this can be found in the city's old park, High Castle Park. It was once a favorite place of wealthy townspeople and the urban elite.

Where to go in Lviv on the weekend

If you are visiting Lviv for the first time or have not yet had the chance to get acquainted with its outstanding architectural landmarks, be sure to take the opportunity to learn more about its historical and cultural life. The city is full not only of religious and historic buildings, interesting sculptures and monuments; even its streets have their own history and some legendary structure.

So weekend walks around the city can be replaced with interesting tours. Not only old museums, but also more modern venues are worth attention. For example, the museum and cultural complex of beer history, "Lvivarnya", will let you dive into the historical past of brewers, learn more about the secrets of brewing beer and even take part in its preparation. While sampling different varieties of the hoppy drink, do not forget about the Beer Navel, a monument installed near Staroievreiska Street. It is a good reminder of how excessive beer consumption affects a person's appearance.

Incredibly, but it is a fact that the city of Lviv became a refuge for many nationalities. In the 13th century, it became home to thousands of Armenians. We owe the appearance of Armenianska Street, where interesting architectural landmarks are concentrated, to them:

• the Armenian Cathedral, built in 1370;
• the Muratovych tenement house with windows decorated with molded decor and an elegant decorative balcony;
• the Mykolaievychivska tenement house — a house in which all the windows are at different heights;
• the House of the Seasons, decorated with relief inserts depicting the different seasons.

The Solomiia Krushelnytska Opera and Ballet Theatre is a must-see for those who want to take a keepsake photo with Lviv’s hallmark or watch performances by the best artists from Ukraine and the world. You can visit the theatre either as a spectator or as a tourist, by buying a ticket to a performance or an engaging tour.
If you enjoy active recreation, then a horseback ride near Lviv will help you feel the exhilarating spirit of nature from the saddle. 

Where to go in Lviv in winter

Winter in Lviv is like a New Year fairy tale, allowing you to rest well and spend time with friends or family. While walking around the city, it is rare to wonder where to go in Lviv for Christmas, since almost every street offers plenty of ways to spend your time well. Central streets of the city, filled with the smell of roasted coffee and chocolate, are ideal for strolls. In anticipation of the winter holidays, the Christmas fair opens, operating for a month from mid-December. Lviv cathedrals and churches are decorated with Christmas ornaments on religious themes, and Father Nicholas’ residence opens for little ones. Fairy-tale characters, interactive performances, Tesla shows and engaging chemistry experiments await children here. As a gift, young visitors will receive sweet presents and New Year stickers.

Add a performance at the Railway Workers’ Culture Palace “Roks” to your cultural Christmas program, and visit a unique visual show at the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre. A special New Year atmosphere awaits visitors at the Potocki Palace, where the “Winter Residence of Lviv” is located.

For those who like skating, an ice rink will be set up on the north side of Rynok Square for adults and children. Another spot for skaters is the ice rink at King Cross Leopolis shopping and entertainment center. Those seeking more adrenaline and able to leave the city should visit the “Izhak” entertainment tubing park. It has the largest tubing track in Ukraine, about 500 m long. Regardless of the weather or season, 15 descent lanes are covered with artificial or natural snow. The location is 30 km from Lviv.