Should foreigners go to the Ukrainian Carpathians?

During the period of martial law, tourism has continued to develop despite the challenges. Foreigners who identify the best places to visit in Ukraine in 2025 often choose the Ukrainian Carpathians. Find out if it is safe to travel there, how to make it as comfortable as possible and what unique opportunities the Carpathian Mountains will offer you

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Despite the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the Carpathians remain a popular tourist destination for foreigners. First and foremost, the Carpathians offer a wide range of activities in all seasons - and especially in winter. There are offers for the most demanding visitors: ski resorts, mountain climbing, hiking in the Ukrainian mountains, specialised estates that promote eco-tourism in Ukraine, museums and workshops focused on promoting the unique Ukrainian culture, and much more.

The region's remoteness from the epicentre of active hostilities also plays an important role in this. In a situation where the question ‘Is it safe to travel to Ukraine in 2025?’ arises, the Carpathians are one of the most attractive options for solving the dilemma. For example, in 2024, 209 alarms were recorded in Lviv region, 215 in Ivano-Frankivsk region, 181 in Zakarpattia, and 1284 in Kyiv region (according to official statistics from Air-alarms.in.ua). That is, air alarms in the Carpathians are 6(!) times less frequent than in the capital. It is worth remembering that there are no absolutely safe regions in Ukraine, but the answer to your question ‘Is it safe to travel to the Ukrainian Carpathians?’ will be yes.

You can find answers to the most important questions for foreign tourists in this article. In particular, you will find out

- whether it is safe to travel to the Carpathians;

- how the war in Ukraine has affected the development of mountain tourism;

- what makes the Carpathian Mountains unique for foreign tourists;

- what types of recreation will be available to you;

- how to get there and choose a convenient location.

Choose the best tour to the Carpathians on Visit Ukraine!

Is it safe to travel to the Carpathians?

The Carpathian Mountains are located within the Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. If you look at the map of hostilities in Ukraine, you will see that these regions are far from the regions of confrontation:

- Lviv - about 800 km away;

- Zakarpattia - ≈ 1000 km;

- Ivano-Frankivsk - ≈ 800 km;

- Chernivtsi - ≈ 800 km.

The regions of Zakarpattia and Bukovyna also have additional protection - Zakarpattia is protected by a mountain range, and Bukovyna by the territory of Moldova. As previously reported, the number of air alerts in this area is 6 times less than in Kyiv.

In 2024, Russia carried out 12 major attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, firing about 1,100 missiles, including both cruise and ballistic missiles. The targets of the attacks were large cities, which creates an additional advantage for the Carpathian region, as most tourist locations here are scattered in small towns and settlements.

The leadership of the regional military administrations also carefully adheres to security rules in the regions:

- In Lviv region, more than 170,000 protective structures have been set up (according to the Lviv Regional Military Administration);

- in Ivano-Frankivsk region, about 800 shelters have been opened for residents (according to the regional press - online publications of Kalush and Prykarpattia);

- in Zakarpattia, there are 1.5 thousand shelters (according to the online publication Forbs.ua);

- In Bukovyna, there are also about 1,500 shelters (according to the online publication ‘Molodiy Bukovynets’).

You can find the nearest shelter on the map here.

The owners of travel companies have also changed their approach to civil defence - hotels, restaurants and resorts now have shelters, and staff notify of possible danger through receivers in the rooms.

How the war has affected tourism in the Carpathians

One of the critical problems for inbound tourism in Ukraine was the closure of airlines at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This led to a drop in the number of foreign tourists visiting the Carpathians, the need to change tourist routes and create a completely new product to compensate for the losses. As a result of the re-profiling, the flow of domestic tourism increased significantly, but in the second half of 2022, at the beginning of the war, people chose the Carpathians as a safe place rather than a tourist destination. At the moment, the flow of foreign tourists is growing, but it has not yet reached the level of 2019-2021.

As of 2025, the operation of hotels and restaurants is almost independent of air alerts. Visitors are informed of the danger and offered to take shelter, but work does not stop.

As for ski lifts, you need to check with the resort itself. For example, in Bukovel, they stop for the duration of the alert, but only after all the people have been taken to the place.

Another nuance of wartime is the curfew. Its observance is mandatory, but you can be checked into a hotel at night (you need to notify the hotel administrator in advance). To find out when the curfew starts in your area, follow this link.

Please note! Zakarpattia region is the only one in Ukraine that does not have a curfew. Tourist infrastructure facilities pay taxes to the local budget, which support the local economy and are used to build infrastructure, support the army and meet the needs of society.

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What makes the Carpathians unique for foreign tourists?

The Carpathians are a mountainous region with a special climate and landscape, which has influenced the formation of the distinctive culture of the locals. The isolation of villages and towns has helped preserve traditions and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The Carpathian Mountains are home to various ethnic groups, such as Hutsuls, Boikos, Lemkos, Rusyns and others. Each of these groups has its own unique traditions, customs, language and folklore, which enriches the cultural palette of the region.

The Carpathian region is famous for its traditional crafts, such as wood carving, weaving, embroidery, blacksmithing and pottery. The products of local craftsmen are striking in their beauty and originality, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The Carpathian region of Western Ukraine is famous not only for its rich culture, but also for its unique landscapes and nature reserves, which are striking in their beauty and diversity.

The Carpathians are a mountain range consisting of various ranges, such as the Gorgany, Chornohora, Beskydy and others. Each of them has its own peculiarities and unique landscapes. Here you can find coniferous forests of fir and spruce, beech forests, as well as mixed forests with various types of trees. There are many lakes in the Carpathians. The most famous of them are Synevyr, Brebeneskul, Nesamovyte and others. The Carpathian rivers are rich in waterfalls, which impress with their beauty and power. The most famous of them are Huk, Shipit, Kamyanka and others.

Ecotourism in the Carpathians is a unique opportunity to combine a holiday in the wilderness with a responsible attitude to the environment. This type of tourism is becoming more and more popular, as the Carpathians with their picturesque landscapes, clean air and rich flora and fauna are an ideal place for ecotourists.

Types of recreation available in the Carpathians

The Carpathians are a unique region that offers a variety of recreational options to suit every taste. Here are some of them:

Mountain tourism

The Carpathians offer a variety of routes of varying difficulty, from easy walks to challenging hikes to the tops of mountains. You can enjoy incredible views, clean air and the beauty of nature. For more experienced tourists, the Carpathians offer multi-day hikes with overnight stays in tents. It's a great way to test yourself and enjoy the wildlife. The highest peaks of the Carpathians - Hoverla, Petros, Pip Ivan - attract climbers and extreme sports enthusiasts. Trekking in the Ukrainian Carpathians is a real test of strength of mind and physical endurance.

Ski resorts

Bukovel: The largest and most modern ski resort in Ukraine. It has trails of varying difficulty, ski lifts, equipment rental, restaurants and entertainment for the whole family.

Dragobrat: The highest mountain ski resort in Ukraine, known for its challenging slopes and abundant snow.

Slavske: One of the oldest ski resorts in the Carpathians, which retains its authentic atmosphere.

Extreme tourism

Rafting: Rafting down mountain rivers on catamarans or kayaks is a great way to get an adrenaline rush and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Quad biking and jeeping: Riding ATVs or jeeps on mountain roads is an extreme form of recreation that allows you to see the hard-to-reach places of the Carpathians.

Cycling: The Carpathians offer many cycling routes of varying difficulty. This is a great way to get active and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Paragliding: Paragliding over the mountains is an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to see the Carpathians from a bird's eye view.

Wellness in the spa

The Carpathians are rich in mineral waters that have healing properties. Many sanatoriums and spas offer mineral water treatments. There are many modern spa centres in the Carpathians that offer various types of massage, body wraps, beauty treatments and other services for health and relaxation. The clean air, peace and tranquillity of the Carpathian nature contribute to recovery and recuperation.

Logistics: how to get there and where to stay?

Rail and bus transport is available for foreigners - the only inconvenience is that air travel is currently not possible. There are many stations in the Carpathians that accept international transport.

For foreigners, the best route is by bus. 90% of them run through Lviv, and from there you can get anywhere in the Carpathians.

Choose your accommodation according to your own taste - it can be a hotel room, a private manor house, or even a campsite.

Is it worth going? Definitely yes!

Choose your own tour and travel to Lviv, Uzhhorod, Kosyno or Khust, climb the mountain trails to Yavirnyk or Hoverla.

Take care of your incredible trip! Contact Visit Ukraine specialists (Telegram | WhatsApp) and get qualified and timely assistance in booking tickets, hotels, medical and car insurance, route planning, and advice on the most suitable tours to meet your requirements.

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