Personalized trips to Ukraine
for independent travelers

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Introducing Ukraine

When is the best time to visit?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Ukraine for pleasant weather and mellow crowds. In April-June, Kyiv's signature chestnut trees are in bloom, and September-October bring beautiful fall foliage. Another popular time to visit is during the Christmas season when festivals and Christmas markets take place throughout the country. If you're looking for hot, sunny days, stick to the summer months—especially if you plan on swimming in the Black Sea off Ukraine's southern coast.

Where should you go?
Three major Ukranian cities should be at the top of your list. Kyiv is the bustling capital, with golden-domed churches and urban charm. Odesa is a beautiful port town on the Black Sea which for centuries has served as a cultural meeting point, while the well-preserved architecture of Lviv is reminiscent of other beloved European cities like Prague and Vienna. Tours to the Chernobyl Nuclear Exclusion Zone operate from Kyiv.

Other interesting cities include university town Kharkiv, Kamyanets-Podilslkiy and its historic castle, and Uman—small but incredibly picturesque, with a national park and an important Jewish heritage. If you have more time or prefer the outdoors, head to the Carpathian Mountains or Black Sea coast. 

How many days do you need?
In 5 days, you should stick to Kyiv or pair it with either Lviv or Odessa for a tour of the highlights. Ten days gives you time to visit all three, plus stops in one or two smaller historical towns. With 2 weeks, you can pair the major cities with a week in the countryside, spending time in the Carpathian Mountains or the shores of the Black Sea.

Ukraine Travel Insights

Kiev's cathedral of Sophia Square
Map of Kiev Highlights - 6 Days
Kiev Highlights - 6 Days

This short 6-day tour offers the perfect combination of history, natural beauty, and memorable cultural experiences. You'll visit Kiev's most popular attractions as well as those less frequented hidden gems. Discover what it was like to be part of medieval Kiev, the city-state that did so much to shape the modern nation of Ukraine.

Chernivtsi, Ukraine's National University's Three Saints Orthodox Church
Map of Best of Belarus, Moldova & Ukraine - 16 Days
Best of Belarus, Moldova & Ukraine - 16 Days

This 16-day itinerary introduces you to one of Europe’s least visited, but arguably most interesting regions. You’ll explore three countries that have developed diverse customs and a rugged sense of self, where hospitality to visitors is the norm in lands known for invasions and shifting allegiances. Prepare to fall in love with Eastern Europe.

Take a ride over Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
Map of Highlights of Central and Western Ukraine - 14 Days
Highlights of Central and Western Ukraine - 14 Days

Discover the best of Central and Western Ukraine on this two-week adventure. Featuring a combination of popular sites and off-the-beaten-track destinations, you will begin in the capital of Kiev, fly to Odessa on the Black Sea, and end your stay in Lviv. You'll explore medieval castles, stroll along extravagant boulevards, and hike to hilltop fortresses, ensuring a fascinating trip through one of Europe’s hidden gems.

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery
Map of Discover Kiev - 3 Days
Discover Kiev - 3 Days

Explore one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities on this three-day self-guided tour of Kiev. Visit the capital's highlights, including ornate churches and monasteries, historic districts, and cultural landmarks. You'll see grand baroque and Byzantine architecture, remnants of Ukraine's Soviet past, and get a sense of its modern, cosmopolitan present.

Explore Ukraine, from Kyiv to Lviv
Map of Ukraine Self-Guided Tour: Kyiv & Lviv - 7 Days
Ukraine Self-Guided Tour: Kyiv & Lviv - 7 Days

Explore the culture and history of Ukraine on this seven-day, self-guided tour of Kyiv and Lviv. You will arrive in the capital city, which is rich with gold-domed monasteries to visit. In addition, you can discover the local arts, from the opera and ballet at the National Opera of Ukraine to shops along Andriyivskyy Descent, which highlights the local craftsmen. In Lviv, you can indulge in local flavors, including cherry wine and plenty of sweet treats. A hike up the ruins of Lviv High Castle will provide spectacular panoramic views of the charming town.

Kyiv, Lviv & Odesa
Map of Self-Guided Ukraine Tour: Kyiv, Lviv, & Odesa - 9 Days
Self-Guided Ukraine Tour: Kyiv, Lviv, & Odesa - 9 Days

On this nine-day, self-guided tour of Ukraine, you will visit three cities: Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. Begin your travels in the capital city of Kyiv, where you will learn about the city’s history in Independence Square and take a boat tour along the Dnieper River. Next, you will get to explore Lviv and all of its art-heavy influences and galleries, along with climbing the ruins of Lviv High Castle. Your last stop is in Odesa, where you can relax on the Black Sea beaches and enjoy an opera and ballet performance. Along the way, make sure to taste delicious confections and sip iconic cherry wine!

Ukraine Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Ukraine map: Kiev Highlights - 6 Days
Kiev Highlights - 6 Days
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Ukraine map: A Tale of Bygone Years: The Best of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine
A Tale of Bygone Years: The Best of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine
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Ukraine map: Highlights of Central and Western Ukraine - 14 Days
Highlights of Central and Western Ukraine - 14 Days
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Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

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Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
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Trip Reviews for Ukraine

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Ukraine
Ukraine | Aug 11 - Aug 20, 2019

Peter
Peter H.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2019

Our 10 day trip to Ukraine, including Kyiv, Chernobyl and Lviv, was fantastic. Sean and Ulyana set up the trip exactly how we asked them to, and provided prompt and helpful advice. We were met by courteous drivers wherever we arrived, and the guides on all our tours were very knowledgeable and helpful. Lina, the local tour manager, kept in touch throughout the tour, and ensured we were promptly collected even when our trip back from Chernobyl ran late. The 2 day trip to Chernobyl was a... read more

Our 10 day trip to Ukraine, including Kyiv, Chernobyl and Lviv, was fantastic. Sean and Ulyana set up the trip exactly how we asked them to, and provided prompt and helpful advice. We were met by courteous drivers wherever we arrived, and the guides on all our tours were very knowledgeable and helpful. Lina, the local tour manager, kept in touch throughout the tour, and ensured we were promptly collected even when our trip back from Chernobyl ran late. The 2 day trip to Chernobyl was a highlight, The hotels in Kyiv and Lviv were comfortable, and the one in Lviv particularly well located. The Chernobyl hotel was more of a challenge, mainly because the room was extremely hot, but we wouldn’t have missed it. Although we were given dire warnings about the food and levels of service in Chernobyl, in fact the food was adequate and everyone we dealt with was reasonably helpful, once you established and accepted the rules they felt obliged to follow. Many thanks to everyone involved

Local specialist: Sean Stewart
Sean
Sean Stewart
Local specialist in Chicago | Replied on Aug 25, 2019

Thank you, Peter! We're happy to hear you loved your trip to Ukraine!

Ukraine
Ukraine | Jun 9 - Jun 16, 2019

J
Joseph R.
Boise, ID | Reviewed on Jun 21, 2019

This was an amazing trip and it was entirely thanks to the team at Ukraine Culture Trip! Lena, Natalia, Rowan, Julia (Lviv), Alex, Iliana (I think that was her name... In Kiev), and the whole family that welcomed us for breakfast! I highly recommend using Ukraine Culture Trip for any travel you have planned in Ukraine. Thank you for making this suck an amazing experience for my family!

Local specialist: Kyrylo Shturbabin
Kyrylo
Kyrylo Shturbabin
Local specialist in Kyiv | Replied on Jul 16, 2019

Thank you very much for your kind review, Joe! It is crucial for us to know whether our guests had a pleasant experience and what did they like the most during their travel with us. All of us at Ukraine Culture Trip have really enjoyed both assisting you on your trip personally or supporting you distantly. We'd love to see you and your family in Ukraine again to give you even more memories and impressions from our beautiful and welcoming country!

Trip to Ukraine
Ukraine | Aug 28 - Sep 5, 2018

Barbara
Barbara D.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2018

Sean couldn’t have done anything more to make Our trip to the Ukraine more memorable, from the moment we stepped off the plane in Odessa to the moment we said good-bye to our driver at the airport in Lviv. The organization of the drivers, flights within the Ukraine, first class hotels, the tour guides in each city, the private tour to find my Grandparents birth village, meeting with relatives I had never met, Yuri our driver helping with translation of the language. Our private tour... read more

Sean couldn’t have done anything more to make Our trip to the Ukraine more memorable, from the moment we stepped off the plane in Odessa to the moment we said good-bye to our driver at the airport in Lviv. The organization of the drivers, flights within the Ukraine, first class hotels, the tour guides in each city, the private tour to find my Grandparents birth village, meeting with relatives I had never met, Yuri our driver helping with translation of the language. Our private tour guides in Odessa and in Lviv had such passion for their country and cities, which make us want to come back to see more. Thank You Sean

Local specialist: Sean Stewart
Sean
Sean Stewart
Local specialist in Chicago | Replied on Nov 21, 2018

Thank you so much for your words! I'm so happy you enjoyed your trip to Ukraine!