Can't wait for your summer vacation and are counting down the days until your dream vacation? Don't be discouraged by closed borders or lack of air travel, as Ukraine has many options for incredible and interesting trips. Find out more about unusual places for summer vacation in Ukraine

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Summer is the perfect time for adventures and carefree vacations. Our country has a lot of unique natural resources and tourist gems, so there are plenty of options for your vacation! The main thing is not to forget to bring a sunny mood with you. We will help you choose the perfect tour and spend your vacation without any problems and hassle.

Our team has prepared for you a selection of unusual locations for a summer vacation in Ukraine.

In our previous article, we talked about the best budget destinations for beach vacations in Europe in 2024.

Odesa

It's impossible to talk about vacations in Ukraine without mentioning Odesa. Everyone should visit this city on the Black Sea at least once. Odesa is a place where history is harmoniously combined with the sea. Here you will find wide beaches with soft sand and clear water, ideal for family vacations. Developed infrastructure, cozy cafes and restaurants on the waterfront create an atmosphere of comfort and coziness for all guests.

Odesa is famous for its old courtyards, which have a special atmosphere. They give the city a unique charm. In addition, Odesa is known for its theaters, numerous restaurants and pubs where you can taste delicious food and enjoy live music. The city is also rich in cultural and entertainment events, which makes your vacation here even more eventful.

Everyone will find something to do in Odesa, because this city is saturated with humor, sun and color. But every tourist on vacation in Odesa should take a photo with Duke, count the steps on the Potemkin Stairs, walk down Deribasovskaya Street, go to the opera, swim on a boat, go shopping at Privoz, and try the real Odesa forshmak.

Odesa is a place where you can feel the true atmosphere of a southern city while enjoying a vacation on clean sandy beaches. Visit Odesa and see its charm and charm for yourself, because you can describe all its charms endlessly!

Shatsk Lakes

The Shatsk Lakes are a unique natural complex consisting of more than 20 lakes and called the Shatsk Lakeshore. Located within the Volyn region, these lakes form a single system in the interfluve of the Western Bug and Pripyat rivers in the Podilska lowland. They are one of the largest groups of lakes in Europe. That is why the Shatsk Lakes National Nature Park was established here in December 1983.

Tourists are attracted by the crystal clear waters of the lakes, especially Svityaz and Pisochne, which are often called the “blue eyes of Volyn”. The waters of these lakes have medicinal and health properties due to their sodium bicarbonate composition with low mineralization. This is one of the reasons why many tourists come here. The reservoirs contain silver and glycerin, which promotes rapid wound healing, so the water here is considered “nutritious”. After bathing, the skin becomes soft and moisturized.

Lake Svityaz is also known for its healing mud, which activates the immune system, vitality, and increases resistance to various diseases and inflammatory processes. This makes a vacation on the Shatsk Lakes a great alternative to the beach resorts of the Black and Azov Seas.

This year's season started suddenly, just last week, as the weather was cold and rainy before. But with the first warm days, the beaches were filled with vacationers. The first line of mini-hotels was fully occupied, and the campgrounds and private sector were overcrowded. People are tired of restrictions and want to relax, so trade and services have begun to work actively.

It is difficult to describe the uniqueness of each of the Shatsk lakes in words. Each lake has its own special beauty, and visitors can take advantage of various excursions to get to know them better. These can be cycling trips, car trips, kayaking trips or hiking trips. Visiting the Shatsk Lakes, you will fall in love with the local landscapes, flora and fauna.  Come to the Shatsk Lakes, enjoy the clean water, fresh air and unique beauty of this corner of Ukraine. This is a place where you can relax your body and soul, get new impressions and recuperate.

Learn more about the most beautiful islands of Ukraine that you can visit even today.

Verkhovyna

Verkhovyna is a place where the clean mountain air of spruce forests mixes with wavy waters and endless meadows. This is a corner of Ukraine where you can feel true harmony with nature and take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Verkhovyna offers many options for outdoor activities for the whole family.

Spring is a great time for fishing, when the waters of mountain rivers are filled with life. Summer is a real paradise for tourists: you can enjoy horseback riding among green meadows, ride ATVs on steep slopes, go rafting on mountain rivers, stroll through spacious meadows and taste local products. Autumn attracts fans of “quiet hunting” for porcini mushrooms and sweet berries, as well as relaxing among fragrant herbs. Winter Verkhovyna is an ideal place for snowboarding and skiing, learning pottery and celebrating traditional winter holidays. Each season in this region is special, and each gives its own unique experience.

The residents of Verkhovyna proudly call their village the capital of Hutsulshchyna. Ivan Franko once wrote about Zhabie (the old name of Verkhovyna) as the “Hutsul capital”. Indeed, when you come here, you feel the authentic Hutsul spirit. There are not many large hotels here, most tourists stay in “green manors” - private houses rented by locals. This allows you to better feel the atmosphere and understand the life of the Hutsuls.

The number of vacationers in Verkhovyna is growing, with many tourists coming from Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro. Many women with children choose Verkhovyna for their vacations, and the number of children vacationing here has increased by 30% compared to the pre-war and pre-dockyard years.

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Lake Synevyr

A selection of the best vacation spots in Ukraine is simply impossible without Lake Synevyr, one of the most mystical and unique places in the Carpathians. This legendary lake has been the setting for many movies and is described in numerous books. Synevyr is deservedly called the most beautiful and largest mountain lake in Ukraine. Locals often call it the “Sea Eye” of the Carpathians because of its unusual shape.

There is a beautiful but sad legend associated with Lake Synevyr. It tells of the love of a girl named Sin and a boy named Vir, after whom the lake is named. The water symbolizes the girl's blue eyes, and the island is the place where Vir died.

Synevyr Lake is located in the upper reaches of the Tereblya River, in the most picturesque region of Zakarpattia - Mizhhiria. Its area is about 5 hectares and its depth reaches 8-10 meters. The Synevyr is fed by surface and atmospheric water, which makes its water crystal clear and slightly mineralized.

It is not possible to swim in the Synevyr: firstly, it is forbidden, and secondly, even in the heat, the water temperature does not exceed 11-13°C. However, you can swim on a raft, which the locals call bokora. It is also forbidden to pitch tents and light fires near the lake.

The main reason to visit Synevyr is its beauty and clean mountain air, but there are several other interesting activities here. For example, you can order a horseback ride, a photo shoot, go rafting or cycling, and taste real mineral water, which has a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Every year in August, the All-Ukrainian festival “Trembitas Call to Synevyr” is held on the banks of the Synevyr.

Museum lovers will also find something interesting. Not far from the lake is the unique and only in Europe “Museum of Forest and Rafting”. Here you can get acquainted with the ancient tools of loggers, see household and residential buildings, and walk along the dam.

We tell you how many citizens are planning to take a vacation in 2024 and how attitudes toward vacations have changed in times of war.

Bakota Bay

Bakota Bay, which is called the “Ukrainian Atlantis,” is a unique place that emerged in 1986 during the construction of the Dniester Hydroelectric Power Plant. This bay swallowed up several dozen villages, including the ancient capital of Ponizia, the village of Bakota. Residents were forcibly relocated, given eight years to move. In 1981, the Dniester's level began to rise gradually, which lasted for six years and resulted in the formation of the Bakota Bay.

Today, Bakot Bay is a favorite vacation spot. Thanks to the mountainous terrain that protects the bay from the wind, it has a warm and mild microclimate similar to the Crimean one. It is an ideal place for a family vacation with children, as there is a lot of entertainment: attractions, sports grounds, swimming pools and animators.

The main attraction of Bakota is swimming. Although there is no luxury service, the bay offers warm, clear water and unforgettable Ukrainian landscapes. The water here is truly crystal clear, which adds a special charm to this place.

For those who are looking for adventure, Bakota offers the remains of an ancient mountain monastery, caves and springs with healing water. Visitors can also take fishing rods with them, as there is excellent fishing here: bream, pike perch and perch. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy sailing on catamarans, inflatable boats and other water activities.

Bakotsky Bay is a place where you can relax your body and soul, enjoying nature and outdoor activities. Whether you are looking for peace and relaxation or active adventure, Bakota will offer you everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. By visiting this place, you will discover a new pearl of Ukraine that will remain in your memory for a long time.

Blue Lakes

The Blue Lakes, located near the village of Oleshnya in the Chernihiv region, are one of the most unique places in Ukraine that you might not even know about. These lakes fascinate with their picturesque landscapes and unusually blue water. The water in the lakes has an azure hue due to the deposits of high-quality quartz sand used for glass making. In summer and autumn, you can enjoy the beauty of the pine forest and the purity of the crystal water.

The Blue Lakes were formed on the site of former quarries where quartz sand was mined. During the mining, the artesian layer was affected, which led to the flooding of the quarries. That's how this unique place, consisting of three lakes, was created. The clean water attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of Ukraine every year. 

Most tourist spots around the lakes can be reached by public transport. Near Oleshnya there are many ancient churches and temples worth visiting. Among them are the Church of St. Dmitry of Thessalonica, built in 1790, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, built in 1817, and the underground church of St. Anthony's Cave. All these attractions give the region a special historical charm.

There is also a wide variety of entertainment for children on the territory of the Blue Lakes. Here you can find inflatable slides, water scooter rides, and inflatable bananas, making this place ideal for a family vacation. You can also enjoy picnics on the lake shore and walks in the pine forest surrounding the reservoir.

We are convinced that Ukraine is full of unique destinations that did not make it to our list today. So continue to learn new things and explore our homeland. Enjoy your vacation in our beautiful Ukraine!

We remind you! The Ukrainian Carpathians are an ideal place for travelers who want to get a little adrenaline and a lot of unforgettable impressions. And what's more, regardless of the level of physical fitness, everyone can find a suitable route for themselves here. Read more about the features and level of difficulty of the routes available to tourists.

Ukraine is rich in places where you can get acquainted with unique cultural traditions. And our managers can help you choose the best option for a family trip or a short trip with friends. You can contact a Visit Ukraine specialist through a convenient messenger (Telegram | WhatsApp).