Chernivtsi is the hidden gem of Western Ukraine. You may not have heard much about Chernivtsi, but the city is considered to be the cultural, educational, and architectural center of Western Ukraine.
The city was once the capital of Bukovina, a historical region that was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire back in the day, and it is home to one of the stunning and prestigious universities in Ukraine, the Chernivtsi National University.
Chernivtsi is the perfect place to break your trip from Lviv for 2 nights before continuing to Kamianets-Podilskyi, another great city with beautiful architecture.
Here is a complete backpacking guide on how to spend a day in Chernivtsi, with 7 best things to do and tourist attractions to see while in the city. Without further ado, let's begin with the Chernivtsi Tourist Attractions Map.
- Chernivtsi Attractions and Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- Quick Summary: Things to do in Chernivtsi
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7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi
- 1. Admire the Architecture of Chernivtsi National University
- 2. Check Out the Massive Cathedral of Holy Spirit
- 3. Visit the Armenian Church
- 4. Walk along the Kobylyanskoi Street
- 5. Check Out the Architecture of Chernivtsi Town Hall
- 6. Relax at Teatralna Square at Sunset
- 7. Go Off and Find Other Beautiful Architecture in Chernivtsi City Center
- More Chernivtsi Activities
- Where to Eat and Drink in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- Ukraine Travel Video
- When to Visit Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- How to Get to Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- How to Get Around Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- How Many Days to Spend in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- How Much Money Do I Need for Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- Is it Safe in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Ukraine?
- What to Pack for Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
- Further Reading for Ukraine
Chernivtsi Attractions and Things to Do Map
Quick Summary: Things to do in Chernivtsi
7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi
1. Admire the Architecture of Chernivtsi National University
Chernivtsi National University is by far one of the most iconic architectural structures in the whole of Ukraine, and it is probably the reason why you are visiting Chernivtsi. The university was built in 1875 when Chernivtsi was the capital of Bukovina, which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Seeing the university with your own eyes almost makes you feel like you are not in Ukraine. The Baroque-Romanesque architectural style, the use of red bricks, and its green gardens almost make you feel like you are walking around Hogwarts. To be honest, if my university looks anything close to this, I might have shown up to class more (not really 😅).
The architect responsible for this piece of architectural wonder is Czech Josef Hlavka, who was behind many architectural projects in Vienna. Hence, you might find similarities in architecture between Austria and this piece.
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Within the walls of the University, you will find Seminarska Church, where students can get married for free. There are also some other highlights inside the main building parameters, such as the Red Hall and the park.
Unfortunately, you are only allowed to go in if you are with a tour guide. Therefore, if you want to see them, you will have to go with a Ukrainian-only tour group, which can be organized at the entrance.
Where to Stay in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
2. Check Out the Massive Cathedral of Holy Spirit
Throughout its many occupations, the Eastern Orthodox spirit lives on within this massive, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church. This Orthodox church is one of the biggest churches in Bukovina and a place where most of the locals go during Sunday prayers.
The inside hall is 46 meters high, and the exterior used to be painted in pink, but they have since repainted it to white. It is a shame because I thought it looked great in pink. Nevertheless, don't get confused by the photos from the Internet since they are of the same church, just at a different time.
That said, it is still a great place to visit, as it is centrally located and you will have to pass through it on your way to our next tourist attraction, the Armenian Church.
3. Visit the Armenian Church
The one thing I have seen quite often in almost every town in Ukraine is that there is at least one stunning Armenian Church somewhere in the city, and Chernivtsi is also one of them.
You may notice some similarities of this red-brick, angular-looking architectural style with Chernivtsi National University, and that is because it was designed by Josef Hlávka, the same Czech architect who designed the University.
The Armenian Church has since been turned into an Organ Hall, and I was quite lucky to be able to see the inside right before the guy closes the door. The inside is also as pretty and unique-looking as the outside.
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4. Walk along the Kobylyanskoi Street
Kobylyanskoi Street is the main pedestrian street in Chernivtsi, something you would find in almost every major city in Ukraine. The street is not too far from the Armenian Church and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, so you can include it as part of your walk around the city.
This is where the locals like to hang out during the day and in the evening, and you will find many restaurants and shops for you to indulge yourself in.
5. Check Out the Architecture of Chernivtsi Town Hall
Right around the corner of Kobylyanskoi Street, you will find Chernivtsi Town Hall, another great piece of architecture in the city, with a 50m high clock tower where a trumpeter in a Bukovina folk costume will play the melody from the song "Marichka" at 12:00 exactly. Be sure to walk by there during that time.
Apparently, you can also go up to the clock tower if you talk to the person at the Tourist Information where they might be able to agree to let you up there. Although I haven't tried it myself, it's worth a shot if you are there.
6. Relax at Teatralna Square at Sunset
Teatralna Square is the perfect hangout place in the evening, right before the sunset. As the weather gets cooler during that time, locals will come out to the square and socialize with each other.
I went there and sat with a book in hand, spending my evening reading and watching people go by. There are tons of flowers and trees in the Square. All the while, you get to see the stunning architecture of Chernivtsi Regional Music and Drama Theater. If you are looking for a nice sunset spot, Teatralna Square is the place to be.
7. Go Off and Find Other Beautiful Architecture in Chernivtsi City Center
There are several other beautiful architectures all around the Chernivtsi City Center, so be sure to walk around a bit outside of those 6 things I recommended above, and you might find some undiscovered beauty as I did. For example, The Regional Art Museum is another great piece of architecture right next to Chernivtsi town hall.
Sorbonna Night Club is another weird-looking architecture that you will find when you walk from Chernivtsi National University to the City Center. I don't know how good this nightclub is, but the exterior sure made me feel intrigued to see the inside.
One of my favorite streets to stroll is Zan'kovets'koi Street, where you would find colorful buildings on both sides, while the stunning Church Of The Republic Of St. The Patriarchate sits right at the end of the street, where you can go and check that out too.
Where to Eat and Drink in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
Have Coffee at The Best Coffee Shop on the Universytetskiy & Skovorody Street
Yup, that is the real name of the cafe. The Best Coffee Shop on Universytetskiy & Skovorody Street (Найкраща кав'ярня на розі Університетської та Сковороди) is a nice, cozy cafe with a beautiful, atmospheric interior and a nice outside seating area in front of the street.
They serve delicious coffee as well as the best waffle you can find in town. If you are looking for a place for a quick bite in the morning or a place to chill with a glass of wine, you will not be disappointed.
Have Breakfast at Bucco Cafe
Another one of my favorite cafes in Chernivtsi, Bucco, is a modern-style cafe that serves delicious coffee and a full-blown all-day breakfast with sausages, bacon, and fried eggs, which is not easy to come by in Chernivtsi.
They have a ton of pastries and coffees for you to choose from. They also have reliable internet, as well as power sockets, for you to charge your electronics, making it the best place to kill some time and work/browse a little on your laptop.
When to Visit Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
The best time to visit Chernivtsi is during the summer months from May - September. Chernivtsi does not get a lot of foreign tourists, so peak time is still a great time to visit the city without having to deal with overtourism, as seen in Western Europe.
To make it even better, try visiting Chernivtsi during the weekdays so you will have the whole city and Chernivtsi National University all to yourself. Only local tourists visit Chernivtsi, and they often come during the weekends, so weekdays are a great time if you do not like visiting a crowded place.
How to Get to Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
In order to get to Chernivtsi, you will first have to get to Ukraine, and there are several ways you can do that.
If you are coming from the US, there is a direct flight from New York to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline that you can take. You can also fly via several European airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France into any of the main hubs in Europe. From there, you can take a low-cost airline like Ryanair or Wizz Air to Kyiv or Lviv and get a train that goes through Chernivtsi.
If you are in Asia, the simplest option is to fly directly from one of the hub cities like Bangkok to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline. They are cheap and fly directly to Kyiv in 11 hours. From Kyiv, you can take an overnight train to Chernivtsi.
To find a cheap flight to Kyiv, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
From Kyiv, there are several overnight trains that pass through Chernivtsi, so you can take that one. It leaves from 20:05 to 22:22 and arrives in Chernivtsi from 7:57 to 10:27.
From Lviv, there are also plenty of trains, both overnight and during the day, as it only takes around 4 hours to get from Lviv to Chernivtsi by train. If you take the one at 18:09, you will arrive in Chernivtsi at 22:02.
You can book your trains online through the official website here: Book Ukraine Train Online or through Tickets.ua. You can simply pay with your credit card, and you will receive an email with a QR code. All you have to do is show it to the ticket master when you are on the train.
How to Get Around Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
Chernivtsi and all its tourist attractions are within walking distance, so it is quite easy to navigate the city. For places that are a bit out of town, you can take their buses or trolleybuses that go almost everywhere in the city. The trolleybuses cost 3 UAH per trip, and you can use Google Maps to find which bus number to get on.
How to Get from Chernivtsi Train Station to the City Center
Chernivtsi Train Station is not too far from the city center and Chernivtsi National University. You can walk if you have the energy and time, as it will only take you 20 minutes. However, be aware that you will be walking uphill most of the time.
If you do not want to walk, you can take a trolley bus #1 that goes from the bus stop in front of the train station (Zaliznychnyi vokzal) to the one in front of the university.
Again, the trolleybus costs 3 UAH per trip, and you can either pay the bus driver on your way out of the bus, or someone will come and give you the ticket when the bus starts moving.
How Many Days to Spend in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
There are quite a few things to do in Chernivtsi, and I would recommend you spend at least one full day (2 nights) so you can see Chernivtsi National University and all the other tourist attractions Chernivtsi has to offer.
If your train arrives in the morning, you don't really have to stay for 2 nights, as you will have the entire day to explore the city when you arrive if you have the energy. Thankfully, the city is not overwhelming to explore, so you will have no trouble hitting the ground running.
Day 1: Simply spend the morning walking around Chernivtsi National University before checking out Kobylyanskoi Street and having lunch there. After lunch, start checking out all the cool churches and cathedrals around the area. Walk along Zan'kovets'koi Street, check out the Regional Art Museum and Chernivtsi Town Hall before ending the day with a sunset at Teatralna Square.
Day 2: Spend the morning enjoying a nice coffee and breakfast at Bucco cafe before heading to your next destination.
How Much Money Do I Need for Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
From our recommended one-day itinerary, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you would use for this itinerary. Here is a rough estimate of the amount of money you will spend in Chernivtsi:
Accommodation: 2 nights in Square Hostel will cost you only 10 USD (250 UAH).
Food: As usual, a good meal will cost you around 100 UAH per meal, so that is 300 UAH (12 USD) per day.
Transportation: For transportation, you can almost complete the entire trip without paying anything. However, even if you do pay, it will only cost you 3 UAH per trip. Therefore, I would estimate a total of 6 UAH for a round trip from the train station to the city center.
Activities: To gain entry into Chernivtsi University, you will need to pay 20 UAH. If you wish to have a guide (only Ukrainian guides were available during my visit), it will cost an additional 25 UAH. For most visitors, the total cost would be 20 UAH. That is all you need to pay for your visit to Chernivtsi.
Total Budget for one day in Chernivtsi: 576 UAH (23 USD).
Is it Safe in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
It is a university town, and thus Chernivtsi is one of the safest places to be in Ukraine. Western Ukraine, and to some extent, Central Ukraine, is very safe in general, so you do not have to worry about anything when visiting Chernivtsi.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ukraine?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Chernivtsi, Ukraine without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Chernivtsi, Ukraine:
Since it is a university town, the internet I found at hostels and cafes is really fast and reliable, so you do not really need a local SIM card to stay connected. However, if Chernivtsi is part of a big trip you are doing in Ukraine, I would recommend you get a local SIM card as well, just in case.
You can either get the one from Vodafone or Kyivstar. They both offer similar plans with data ranging from 2GB to unlimited, costing between 55 UAH and 220 UAH.
For more information about Ukraine local SIM card: Ukraine Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Chernivtsi, Ukraine:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 7 BEST Things to Do in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Chernivtsi, Ukraine! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Chernivtsi, Ukraine independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Ukraine
Looking for more information for your trip to Ukraine? Here is a collection of articles about Ukraine that might help you with your trip planning:
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3-Month Itinerary for Europe.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Ukraine is one of the few hidden gems left in Europe, and in order to see the country and all it has to offer, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is a One Month Itinerary for Ukraine.
- Ukraine has recently loosened up its borders a little for non-European travelers with an E-Visa program. Here is my experience applying for an E-Visa for Ukraine and things I wish I knew before applying.
- Of course, one of the reasons why you are visiting Ukraine is to learn more about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and what better way to learn about it than to go into the field and see it with your own eyes? Here is a complete guide on how to visit Chernobyl.
- If you think Kyiv is only good for Chernobyl and Brutalist architecture enthusiasts, then you are in for a big surprise when you find out how awesome the city is. Here are the top 18 things to do in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Are you a coffee snob like I am? If so, then you will love Kyiv and its unmatched indie cafe culture. Here are 8 best indie cafes you should check out in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- The Tunnel of Love is one of the most photogenic attractions in Ukraine, and it would be a shame to miss it on your trip to Ukraine. Here's a complete guide on how to visit the Tunnel of Love independently.
- Thinking of visiting the Tunnel of Love and not sure where to base yourself out of? I would recommend Lutsk, and here are 8 best things to do that will make you fall in love with Lutsk.
- Lviv is the cultural capital city of Ukraine. It is what St. Petersburg is to Russia, Prague is to Czechia, and Krakow is to Poland. It is the most European city out of all Ukraine, and it has so many things to do that you will need a great guide to navigate it. Here are 10 Best Things you should do in Lviv, Ukraine.
- Lviv is another great city to go cafe-hopping if you love coffee, and here are my Top 10 Cozy Cafes in Lviv you should check out.
- Getting bored of cities? How about we go and hike some of the stunning trails in the Carpathian Mountains? Here's a complete hiking guide to Yaremche and the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains.
- Kamianets-Podilskyi, an island city home to Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Ukraine, is a place that seems like it came straight out of a fairy tale and a place that you should not miss. Here's a backpacking guide and top 8 things to do in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
- Odesa is known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, and in order to understand why, you will need to dive deep into its history and even further down underground into its infamous catacombs. Here is a complete guide on tourist attractions and 8 great things to do in Odesa.
- You may not have heard of Kharkiv before, but once you see what I saw when I was traveling in that city, your mind will be blown away by how beautiful it is. Here are the 10 best things to do in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
- Did you know that Kharkiv is also home to the prettiest metro stations in Ukraine? Here are 8 of the most beautiful metro stations to check out in Kharkiv.
- My words are not convincing you about traveling to Ukraine? How about you see it for yourself with my Ukraine travel video? Ukraine Beyond Travel Video
- Want to know where to go after Ukraine? How about visiting Poland, dropping by Kosice in Slovakia, or going bar-hopping in Budapest, Hungary? We have travel guides for those too.
- For all articles about Ukraine, visit the Ukraine Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Eastern Europe-related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- You can also see all of my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.