The true uniqueness of the country is revealed in its small, sometimes unremarkable villages, where traditions, crafts and hospitality of the locals create a unique atmosphere that tourists love so much. Find out where in Ukraine are hidden villages that are of great interest to all travelers

Choose a tour in Ukraine for any taste

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Here, every corner breathes history, nature goes hand in hand with culture, and locals are happy to share the secrets of their crafts and traditions. No matter what you are looking for - delicious folk cuisine, handicrafts, or simply soothing nature - Ukrainian villages are ready to offer it all, and all at once. We're going to tell you about the best tourist villages in Ukraine, where real Ukraine lives.

Opishnia village, Poltava region - the pottery capital of Ukraine

The village of Opishnia is a godsend for those who are fond of pottery. This truly picturesque village, located on the banks of the picturesque Vorskla River, has preserved centuries-old pottery traditions and demonstrates them to everyone.

The village is home to the National Museum of Ukrainian Pottery, which houses the most outstanding examples of this craft. Nearby, there is the Institute of Ceramics, which specializes in the research and preservation of Ukrainian pottery heritage.

Visitors to Opishne have a unique opportunity not only to learn more about the history of pottery, but also to try to create a ceramic product with their own hands. Original local souvenirs, such as whistles and other works of local craftsmen, will be a great reminder of the visit to this cultural center.

The village is located about 50 km from Poltava. There are several ways to get there:

1. By bus: There are regular buses to Opishnia from Poltava. Departure takes place from the central bus station in Poltava, the journey takes about 1 hour. You can check the bus schedule on the website or directly at the station.

2. By car: If you have your own car or plan to rent one, the fastest route is via the H12 highway (Poltava - Opishnia). The road is in good condition and the trip will take about 45 minutes by car.

Previously, we wrote about inexpensive recreation centers near Kyiv and along the Dnipro River

Dzembronia village, Ivano-Frankivsk region. In the highlands and the Hutsuls are different

Dzembronia is one of the highest mountainous and most Hutsul villages in Ukraine, located in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Charming mountain landscapes and ancient traditions of Hutsul culture are guaranteed here at every turn. And even though it is somewhat inaccessible, the village attracts tourists all year round thanks to its landscapes and opportunities for outdoor activities.

In the past, this village inspired many prominent figures of Ukrainian culture, including Lesya Ukrainka and Vasyl Stefanyk. The unique landscapes of Dzembronia also inspired Sergei Parajanov to create his famous film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. Creative people still come here for inspiration. Particularly noteworthy are the Dzembronia (or Smotrytska) waterfalls, which are up to 100 meters high.

Today, Dzembronia is an ideal place for tourists who want to enjoy pristine nature combined with the original Hutsul culture. It should be noted that this village also serves as a starting point for many tourist routes, in particular to the Pip Ivan Chornohirsky mountain.

The village is located about 130 km from Ivano-Frankivsk. Here are some ways to get there by bus or minibus:

First, you need to take a bus or minibus from Ivano-Frankivsk to Verkhovyna. Buses to Verkhovyna depart regularly from the central bus station in Ivano-Frankivsk. Travel time is about 3 hours. Then from Verkhovyna you can take a minibus or taxi to the village of Dzembronia. The distance between Verkhovyna and Dzembronia is approximately 13 km. Minibuses do not run very often, so it is worth checking the schedule in advance.

Bakota village, Khmelnytskyi region. The most touristy village that doesn't exist

Bakota is a place that was once an important part of Podillia and now remains a legendary monument of Ukrainian history and nature, although the village itself no longer exists. The name Bakota translates as “desired place”, which fully corresponds to its special atmosphere. In ancient times, this settlement was even the capital of Podillia, but its tragic history is connected with the Tatar-Mongol invasion in 1255, when the village was almost completely destroyed.

But the real end of Bakota came only in 1981, when the village was flooded by the waters of the Dniester Reservoir due to the construction of the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power plant by the Communists. However, the memory of Bakota lives on, in particular, thanks to the legendary Christian rock monastery founded in the 12th century. According to legend, one of the founders was St. Anthony, also known as the founder of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Nowadays, only ruins remain of the monastery, but they attract tourists and pilgrims who come here for the peace and unique energy of this place.

The area is also known for its healing springs and incredible scenery. Bakota is not just a part of the past, but a symbol of the power of nature and culture that retains its appeal for all those seeking peace, beauty, and inspiration.

The distance from Khmelnytskyi to Bakota is approximately 100 km, which takes about 2 hours to reach. The distance from Kamianets-Podilskyi to Bakota is approximately 55 km, with a travel time of about 1 hour. First, follow the H03 road in the direction of the village of Staryi Ushytsia. From Staryi Ushytsia it will be about 6-7 km to Bakota. The road is winding, but picturesque, so you should be careful when making turns.

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The village of Mezyn, Chernihiv region - an archaeological mecca of Ukraine

Mezyn - oh, what a colorful village stretches on the banks of the Desna River in the Chernihiv region... And although the village itself may seem unremarkable, it is of great importance for history and archeology, and therefore will be interesting to anyone who is interested in it. It was here that the famous Mezyn site, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Late Paleolithic period, was discovered.

Archaeological excavations that began in the village at the beginning of the 20th century revealed many artifacts, including mammoth bones and unique ornaments created by primitive people more than 20 thousand years ago! These finds not only enrich the collections of Ukrainian museums, but are also known internationally and some of them are represented in museums around the world.

But in addition to its archaeological heritage, Mezyn is also the center of the Mezyn National Nature Park, founded to preserve the unique local nature. So unique that the local landscapes have received the popular name “Mezyn Switzerland”. The high hills covered with dense forests, together with the Desna River, create a spectacular landscape that tourists cannot take their eyes off at any time of the year.

The distance from Chernihiv to the village of Mezyn is about 140 km, with a travel time of about 2-2.5 hours. There are bus services from Chernihiv to Korop (the nearest large village to Mezyn). The distance from Korop to Mezyn is about 20 km. After arriving in Korop, you can take a taxi or use the local minibuses that go across the road near Mezyn.

The village of Trykraty, Mykolaiv region. Noble Cossack glory is here

Trykraty is a place that is closely associated with the Cossack family of the Scarzynski, who once made a significant contribution to the history of the region. The estate of the Skarzhynskyi family has been preserved to this day and is an important historical monument of the whole of Ukraine, which is preserved in Mykolaiv region.

The most famous representative of the family is Viktor Skarzhynskyi, who was born here and devoted his life to the development of forestry. Thanks to his efforts, artificial forests were created in the region, which remain important natural sites to this day.

The famous Trykratskyi forest, to which Viktor Skarzhynskyi contributed most of all, is a unique complex and includes several protected areas: “Vasylivska Apiary, Skarzhynskyi's Summer Farm, and Labyrinth. The forest is an important part of the region's ecosystem and is considered one of the first examples of artificial plantations in southern Ukraine.

Next to the Trykratsky Forest is the picturesque Aktovsky Canyon, also called the Devil's Valley or Small Crimea. The canyon impresses with its scale and rocky formations, making it a popular destination for ecotourism. It is a geological monument of national importance that attracts both nature lovers and adventure seekers.

The distance from Mykolaiv to the village of Trykraty is about 120 km, with a travel time of about 2 hours. There are buses or minibuses from Mykolaiv to Voznesensk (regular service, travel time - about 1.5 hours). From Voznesensk to Trykrat, you can take a local minibus or a taxi (distance about 20 km).

To make your travels in Ukraine comfortable, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the map of stations for people with disabilities from Ukrzaliznytsia

Pidhirtsi village, Lviv region. Galicia in the best traditions

The village of Pidhirtsi in the Lviv region is known throughout Ukraine and not only for its architectural and historical heritage. In the past, this village deservedly earned the nickname “Galician Versailles” thanks to its majestic building, the Pidhirtsi Castle, which is part of the Golden Horseshoe of Lviv Region tourist route. The castle, built in the 17th century, surprises with its architectural forms and luxurious interiors, which make it one of the most prominent Renaissance monuments in Ukraine.

Have you booked a walk in the French park around the castle? The park was designed according to the canons of classical French landscape gardening, where visitors can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature in the best traditions of European villages.

In addition to the castle, the village has several other important historical monuments, including the Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation and St. Joseph. This temple is a great example of sacred architecture of the XVIII century, as well as one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Ukraine.

The distance from Lviv to Pidhirtsi is approximately 60 km, with a travel time of about 1-1.5 hours. There may not be a direct bus service to Pidhirtsi from Lviv, but you can drive to the nearest large settlement, such as Rava-Ruska or Boyarka, and from there take a taxi or local transport.

Roztoky village, Chernivtsi region. The birthplace of “Chervona Ruta”

It was the landscapes near this colorful Bukovyna village that inspired the author to create the famous song “Chervona Ruta”. Every year, tourists from all over Ukraine come to these places to see the blooming red ruta, which has long been a symbol of Ukrainian culture and music.

But it is not the only one. Roztoky also has a special natural charm due to the Bukovynian Waterfalls landscape reserve. This is a unique place in the Carpathians where you can see seven different waterfalls (!), each of which differs in height and flow strength. Together, the waterfalls form an impressive cascade that attracts the attention of nature lovers and photographers. Many travelers include Roztoky in their itineraries because of this natural beauty, which is often called the “pearl of Bukovyna”. Every tourist is honored to take a picture here.

The distance from Chernivtsi to the village of Roztoky is about 90 km, with a travel time of about 1.5-2 hours. From Chernivtsi, you can take a bus to the nearest large settlement, for example, Sniatyn, and from there take a taxi or find a local bus to Roztoky.

The village of Karpaty, Zakarpattia region. A Carpathian fairy tale for tourists

No, we are not talking about the Carpathian Mountains, but about a separate unusual village. Located in the Transcarpathian region, the village of Karpaty is a very picturesque area where nature and architecture have long found a common language. The place is surrounded by mountains, rocks and dense forests, which makes it almost fairytale-like.

This fabulousness of the village is also due to the main architectural landmark of this place - Schönborn Castle, also known as Berehwar Palace, which was built in the XIX century as a count's hunting lodge. The castle boggles the mind with its originality and uniqueness for these places, which is why it is so popular with tourists. Combining elements of the Romanesque and Gothic styles, this palace is located in a well-groomed park with rare species of trees, and the territory itself looks like a zodiac calendar. Around the castle, the original lakes, springs and picturesque alleys from the past centuries have been preserved.

A special feature of the region is the presence of numerous mineral springs, which attract tourists seeking not only aesthetic pleasure but also health improvement.

The distance from Uzhhorod to the village of Karpaty is approximately 30 km, which takes about 40-50 minutes to reach. Local buses often have less regular schedules, so it is important to check the schedule in advance or contact the bus station in Uzhhorod for up-to-date information.

Moryntsi village, Cherkasy region. Kobzar's spirit is on every meter of the village

No selection of tourist villages in Ukraine would be complete without the small homeland of the world-famous Kobzar, Taras Shevchenko. The most famous Ukrainian poet was born and spent his childhood in the seemingly unremarkable village of Moryntsi, in the picturesque landscapes of Cherkasy region.

Today, it is an important historical and cultural center for anyone interested in Shevchenko's life and work, as well as for anyone who wants to see special villages in Ukraine.

The main attraction of Morintsy is the museum complex, which is part of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve “Taras Shevchenko's Homeland”. The complex includes a manor house where the Shevchenko family hut and other buildings typical of the time have been recreated. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 18th century, get acquainted with the living conditions that shaped the poet's childhood, and learn more about his path to recognition and the eternal struggle for Ukrainian freedom.

Every year the village becomes a venue for various cultural events and festivals dedicated to Kobzar. Visitors can see memorial exhibits, including Shevchenko's personal belongings, paintings, and documents about his life and work.

Thus, the village of Moryntsi has already become a symbol of Ukrainian identity, which continues to inspire generations with its spirit of freedom and creative genius.

The distance from Cherkasy to the village of Moryntsi is about 70 km, with a travel time of about 1 hour. There may not be a direct bus service from Cherkasy to Moryntsi, but you can get to the nearest large settlement, such as Smila or Uman, and then use local transport.

The village of Iza, Zakarpattia: by the vine alone

The village of Iza in Zakarpattia is the Ukrainian capital of wickerwork. Local craftsmen have been passing on this craft from generation to generation, and today wicker products can be seen along the village streets selling baskets, furniture, vases, caskets, and even wicker houses for animals. Iza has become famous throughout Ukraine for this particular art form since the nineteenth century, when one of the first masters, Ivan Kashko, taught his sons to weave wicker, and other villagers began to learn.

But besides wickerwork, Iza is also known for its Baranove cheese factory, which has been operating since 2005 and reviving the ancient traditions of cheese making in Zakarpattia. There is brynza, yogurt, cottage cheese, and, of course, many hard cheeses made from cow and sheep milk. Tours and tastings are organized for tourists, during which they can taste up to four types of cheese with wine or coffee. Cheese from here is famous for its naturalness and unique recipes that have no analogues in Ukraine.

The distance from Uzhhorod to the village of Iza is about 60 km, with a travel time of about 1-1.5 hours. Buses or minibuses usually run between Uzhhorod and Mukachevo. There are local buses or minibuses from Mukachevo to Iza.

Ukraine is a large and beautiful country in every sense, which has something to surprise, charm and delight tourists at any time of the year, under any circumstances. You can find out more about tourism in Ukraine and easily choose interesting tours on our website or simply by contacting our managers.

Just a reminder. For the first time ever, a new park-monument has been opened for visitors in Ukraine's “famous” Mezhyhiria - this palace has been transformed from an oligarchic residence into a tourist center.    

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