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Lviv - Wikitravel
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Central L'viv (Latin Cathedral and Ploshcha Rynok)
Lviv (also spelled L'viv, Lvov and Львів; Russian: Львов, Polish: Lwów, German: Lemberg) is one of the biggest cities of regional significance in Ukraine. It was a part of Poland until 1939 when it became part of Ukraine. It is currently the biggest city in the region and a major Ukrainian cultural center. The historic city center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The city has a multicultural history. It was founded in 1256 by King Daniel of Galicia (the city was named after his son, Prince Leo), and it fell under Polish control in the 14th century. Poles, Jews, Ukrainians, Germans and others lived there together for centuries.
The Polish king John II Casimir founded Lviv University in the 17th century and Lviv (known as Lwów) was by that time one of the most important cities in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, along with Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk and Vilnius.
In 1772 the city was taken by the Habsburgs and in Austrian times it was known under the name of Lemberg, the capital of Galicia. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, it was returned to Poland.
As result of World War II, Stalin moved the Soviet frontier westward so Lviv became part of the USSR, as Lvov (still widely frequent, even locally). With the Ukrainian independence in 1991, the name was officially changed to Lviv (Львів).
Lviv is located in the most Ukrainian region of Ukraine; during Soviet occupation, most signs were put only in Ukrainian. Because of its Polish and Austro-Hungarian history, Lviv has a Central European flair in its architecture that makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe.
Its tourist potential is yet undiscovered because infrastructure is rather undeveloped and most people don't speak any foreign languages except Russian and Polish. This is changing among young people, some of whom will speak English. Nevertheless, visiting Lviv is very rewarding for the pioneer traveller, as living is still pretty cheap by Western standards and the place has a truly authentic feeling, unlike places like Krakow or Prague, which are swamped with tourists.
Please note that in Lviv, people are very proud of their history as linguistically, culturally, and ethnically the most Ukrainian city with a population of over half a million from World War II onwards. It is true that before this the majority was Polish, and it had great significance in Polish history. Some Poles will make claims to Lwów and refer to it as a "Polish city" due to its history; however, Poles today constitute a mere 0.9% of the population. The city also had a significant Jewish population prior to WWII. Many people do speak fluent Russian and Polish, due to history and regional significance. However, Russian is declining in usage because many young people are unable to speak it fluently because of its lack of relevance in daily life in the present day. Russian is considered increasingly a foreign language just like Polish or English which just happens to be more well-known, and is taught in most schools as such.
Walking down the street you will rarely if at all hear conversations in Russian, which is a sharp contrast to most other Ukrainian cities of the same size. Do not expect everyone to speak Russian, especially younger people. This is generally considered to be quite rude. Many people in the city who can speak Russian also speak English; and if conversing with such a person, English would be considered a better choice. If you plan on language-learning before traveling to Lviv, please try to learn Ukrainian first. Some people may respond in Ukrainian even if you speak to them in Russian and they understand what you are saying. This is a way of making a point and letting you know subtly that they find your use of Russian to be impolite. This is why it's important to learn Ukrainian and respect the sentiments of the local population.
Lviv has the very efficient new Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (Міжнародний аеропорт "Львів" імені Данила Галицького) just 7km from the beautiful downtown. Lviv is served via direct international routes including flights from Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Berlin (Wizz Air), Warsaw (LOT Polish Airlines), Kraków, Warsaw-Modlin, Weeze, Memmingen (Ryanair), London, Katowice and Bratislava (Wizzair), Munich (Lufthansa), Istanbul Atatürk (Turkish Airlines), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (Pegasus Airlines), Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines), Minsk (Belavia), Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada (Azur Air Ukraine) and some other destinations.
It is relatively inexpensive to fly from Kyiv to Lviv, with multiple daily flights operated by Ukraine International Airlines [1] and Motor Sich Airlines [2]. The national carrier also operates flights to and from other major Ukrainian cities, although it is still more common to travel by train domestically as the overnight trains save you the cost of a hotel while providing you transportation. Return airfares from Kyiv range from as low as $75 (including taxes and fees). Tickets for air travel can be purchased online or via travel agents.
Taxi from the airport to the city center (or visa-versa) should cost around 100 ₴ (€2.5), depending on the time of day. Negotiate prior to departure in case of finding a taxi on site. See #By_taxi for more details. Marshrutka bus 48 operates (4 ₴ (€0.1), without discounts) from the airport (New Terminal). Trolleybus 29 (used to be Trolleybus 9 before renumbering on 1 July 2019) runs every 10-15 minutes from directly outside the terminal to the front of Ivano Franko university (about 10 minutes walk from the old town. Buy a ticket from the driver for 5 ₴ (€0.13) and remember to stamp it using the metal ticket punches inside the bus (failing to do so will land you with a 100 ₴ (€2.5) fine).
Twice a day a modern high speed train, Intercity+, runs from Kyiv to Lviv (5 hours). The difference in price between the 1st and the 2nd class is insignificant, so it is highly recommended to treat oneself to a 1st-class ticket to travel with higher comfort. Moreover, it gives you the access to a separate waiting hall that is less crowded than the dirty and nauseous waiting area of the Lviv train station.
The easiest way to get to Lviv from Western Europe is through Krakow (or Wroclaw/Katowice/Rzeszow) in Poland. From there, you have several options.
Take a train to Przemyśl near the Polish-Ukrainian border. It costs about 40 PLN and takes between 4 and 5 hours. From Przemysl the best option is to take a direct trains to Lviv. They run several times a day (01:10 pm, 03:45 pm, 06:39 pm as for December 2019). The tickets can be bought online: https://booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ and printed, or at the railway station. The border crossing by train is usually faster and easier comparing to pedestrian crossing, or by car/bus. Travel time from Przemysl to Lviv is approximately 2 hours.
If train for some reason is not an option, you can take a bus to the border ('granica' in Polish) for 2.50 PLN, walk through the checkpoint and take another bus (marshrutka) to Lviv. When you exit the final border control, walk straight ahead and you will come out on to a street which cars use to cross back in to Poland. Follow this street up past the shops and money exchanges, and take your first left. About 50 meters down on the left hand side is the new bus terminal where buses run regularly to Lviv for approximately 34 ₴ (€0.85). Get your ticket from the driver. The total cost for this route is approximately €12 and maybe less if you have a student card. It is around half the price of the next cheapest option. Whether to take it depends on your stress tolerance, Polish language skills and ability to push and shove at the border.
For the return journey, you can also take a direct train to Przemysl. As for December 2019, the trains depart at 07:55 am, 11:20 am, 01:55 pm, 11:40 pm, the tickets can be bought online (https://booking.uz.gov.ua/en/), but must be printed before the boarding.
Buses run in the other direction from Lviv's main train station on the hour from 8AM to 6PM and are likely to be the best bet on holidays when other forms of transport aren't running. Otherwise buses depart for Przemyśl on weekdays from the main coach station in the south of the city at 6:20AM, 7:20AM and 10:20AM; although this is unlikely to be the quickest way to get across the border.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING: Queues at the border crossings can be unpredictable and hellish. If you do encounter a queue and are in a hurry, get the guards attention, explain your situation and they will more than likely let you go through immediately. Be polite! 30 minutes from Medyka to Sheheni (Шегині) on foot is now the norm.
There are lots of "ants" - these are people who cross into Poland with relatively cheap Ukrainian cigarettes and spirits, then buy meats and cheeses at low EU prices and return to Ukraine to sell them for a profit. Everyone has to pass through a turnstile and the bulky bags and suitcases they carry are too big to fit. There is a huge log jam of people trying to fit their bags through that turnstile and ugly words are common. Tourists with backpacks are sometimes let through by the "ants".
There is also a direct train from Przemyśl to Lviv and onwards to Kyiv. It is a modern Ukrainian Intercity+ train which departs Przemyśl at 14:26 and arrives in Lviv at 17:17 (local time). The cost is €7.40 to Lviv. Tickets can be bought at any ticket office which sells international tickets in Poland (most of the PKP Intercity ticket offices, incl. the ones at Przemyśl train station).
There is also a direct train from Krakow to L'viv once a day, plus one with a change. This costs 195 PLN as of the 3/3/2009 booking via Polrail Service [4]. A sleeper berth is required on the train, as only sleeping cars are carried across the border to Ukraine. The direct service leaves Krakow at ca. 20:20. The direct service arrives in Lviv at 06.00, and crosses the border, with four checks, at around 04.00 Polish time: if you want a good night's sleep, this train will not provide it!
There are trains coming from throughout Ukraine, including multiple daily trains (including 3-4 overnight trains) from Kyiv. The timings can be inconvenient - one night train from Kyiv gets in at 4:20am, the one back to Kyiv gets there at 7am - and hotels in Kyiv really like to book that pair of trains for their clients. For better options, check the timetables at poezda.org.ua [5] and buy the ticket at any train station in Ukraine.
Trains from Hungary and Slovakia come through Lviv, usually on their way to Kyiv. Train-fare from both countries is approx $80 per person for a bed in a sleeping car. On the MAV website the round-trip price from Budapest is quoted at €64.40, [[6]] but, when contacting the international rail office by phone in Budapest, the one-way fare was quoted at 12,600 Ft ($75/€50), however, when purchased at Keleti train station the price was reduced to roughly 11,700 Ft ($62/€44) (1.1.09). Make sure to bring enough food and water for at least 12 hours (15 hours from Budapest). To save even more money travelling from Budapest to Lviv, it is possible to buy a seat on the train from Budapest to Záhony (about 3,500 Ft depending on the train, student discounts available), disembark at Záhony and buy another ticket for Chop just across the border (1,120 Ft), then yet another one once in Chop heading towards Lviv (94 hryvnia for a kupe sleeper, can be bought in advance on the official Ukrainian Rail website for no extra fees). The savings apply even if all three journeys are on the same train; the train stops for long enough for you to hop off, buy a ticket for the next leg, then hop back on to a different carriage. Note that one can only buy tickets for the Záhony-Chop leg at Záhony station. Breaking the trip up this way costs about $32 or €24, less than half the price on a direct journey taking the same amount of time.
Tickets in the other direction (Chop-Záhony) can be purchased at ticket counter 9 in Chop, up to 20 minutes before departure (67 hryvnia, as of June 2015). Make sure you have enough time to transfer in Chop, as the passport control / customs refuse people coming later than 15 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Often local drivers waiting for people to earn some money. A taxi ride to Záhony will cost about 100 hryvnia or 1000 forints (in the other direction), but you may haggle down the price to 70 hrivna. It will take about 20-30 minutes, depending on the queue at the border.
You can also cross on foot/ bicycle/ taxi/ car the 200 metres bridge over the Tisa river, from Sighetu Marmatiei (Romania) to Solotvyna (Ukraine). It is just a few minutes walk from the border to the train station. From Solotvyna you can take a night train to Lviv, that has 2nd class (koupe) sleeping cars (4 berths/ cabin) - 7 euros / pers. This is a very cheap way to get to Lviv if travelling from Romania. Sighetu Marmatiei can be reached from major cities from Romania via direct trains: Cluj Napoca, Timisoara, Bucharest (Gara de Nord), Brasov etc. You can proceed in the same way for a return trip.
The train 601 from Solotvyna 1 departes at 17:25 (Kyiv time) and arrives to Lviv at 06:20. This is also a good connection if you go towards Moscow - the train to Moscow departes from Lviv at 08:37. The pair train from Lviv (train no. 601 L) departes at 20:40 and arrives to Solotvyna 1 at 09:05.
Note that you should buy your train tickets in advance to be sure. Tickets can be bought from the official Ukrainian railroad website at: [booking.uz.gov.ua] Print the e-ticket and present it at the railroad station. From there you will recieve the actual train tickets with no extra costs. Note that some(depends on route) printed e-ticked are not valid, unless you have the actual tickets.
From Poland: take the E40, this will end at the city center. Keep in mind that all formalities at the border take from one hour upwards. There will be a long line for trucks, which you can pass if you travel by car. Don't expect the border police to treat you respectfully, or speak any language other than Ukrainian, Polish or Russian. In fact, expect the very opposite regarding both.
Ukrainian roads are bad, and Ukrainian drivers have an aggressive driving style. When you drive into Lviv, make sure you have a good map because getting lost in this town is very easy.
NOTE: It is forbidden to drive around the city center on Sundays and holidays (including Prospekt Svobody). This is signposted, but in Cyrillic only, as one driver caught by a police official learned in July 2012.
Pay close attention to speed limits (which are often badly marked, with signs far off the road, covered with branches etc.), but the speeding fines are usually low if nothing else is wrong with your car. In towns, the speed limit is usually 60km/h (40mph). Speed limits on "nationals" (single carriageway countryside roads) is 90km/h (55mph). The poor average quality of the roads already acts as a speed checker. Speed limits on highways (motorways) is 110-120km/h (75mph).
Be aware that corruption is widespread among Ukrainian police. When you are stopped for speeding or other violations, officers might aggressively try and extract ridiculous sums of money from you (€100 and up), offering "reductions" if you pay on the spot (the proposed alternative being some unpleasant and more expensive way, all made up).
The highest actual legal fine in the Ukraine is the equivalent of about $200. But the fine should be paid in the bank, not directly to police officer! So if you're asked for fine demand a written ticket for you to pay later instead. Don't let them intimidate you. It's very useful to have an embassy phone number handy for these cases (you should NOT under any circumstances travel around Ukraine without your embassy/consulate number handy anyway). If you mention your embassy/consulate, they'll let you off the hook quicker than you know it. At any rate, write down the officers' badge numbers, rank, plate number of the police car, and notify the nearest embassy/consulate in detail, to help fight these corrupt practices.
Lviv is one of the major transportation hubs in western Ukraine. From Lviv [7] go buses in most regions of Ukraine and to the European countries.
The central bus station is Stryisky. Lviv, ul. Stryis'ka 109; Tel: +38 (0322) 63-24-97, 63-24-73.
Bus station 2. L'viv, str. B. Khmelnitsky, 225; Tel: +38 (0322) 52-04-89
Bus station 8 Lviv, pl. Palace, 1, tel .: +38 (0322) 38-83-08
To get from the bus terminal to the city center, take Bus 3A, which can be found just outside the grounds of the station. The buses come quite frequently. The 3A is no longer a small yellow mini-bus; now it is a full-sized, modern city bus. You pay the driver 4 ₴ (€0.1) when boarding.
To get from the city center to the bus terminal, you have to wait for the 3A at a different place from where you get off on the way into town; this is because the bus loops around on its way back. A good place to catch the 3A is on Svobody Prospekt, across from the Opera House.
There are daily buses from Polish cities: Warsaw, Przemyśl, Lublin, Wrocław, and Kraków. It is possible also to get there by bus from other European cities.
From Przemyśl there are 2 types of buses that regularly travel to Lviv. The first is the PKS (Polish Coach Buses) and the second is private buses.
The private buses are found just outside of the train station on the opposite side from the main bus station. They head to the border when they are full, which can take a while at night and travel to the border is about 15 minutes (about 10km of rough road). The price is from 2-3 PLN (November 2011). The mini-bus drops you off at the foot way to the pedestrian crossing Medyka-Shehyni. On the Ukraine side private buses can be taken to Lviv; these take from 2 to 3 hours, and can be found at the bus station around 300 meters up the main road, past all the shops, on the first major road to your left. Right outside the border you will probably meet touters who will tell you that they have best prices and invite to their cars and buses, this option may be faster but is definitely more expensive. The price for a bus from the station is 34 ₴ (€0.85) (Sep 2016); the buses are often packed and can be uncomfortable at times due to road conditions and poor drivers. It is an adventure and it is to be on a bus full of smugglers after they have successfully completed their daily missions. The bus from Shehyni will most likely arrive next to the main train station in Lviv.
There is a daily night bus service provided by Eurobus from Krakow bus station to Lviv, departing at 21:50 from Krakow and supposed to arrive at 6:00 in Lviv (depending on delays at the border [8]. The price is around 110 PLN (September 2013). There is also a Eurolines bus (but not every day) from Krakow, departing at 11:30 to Lviv, arriving at 21:10 [9]. This bus continues onwards to Kyiv to arrive at around 6:00 the next morning. The price to Lviv is around 75 PLN and discounts (ISIC etc) apply(October 2011). If you come from Warsaw, you can take overnight buses from Polonus for 90 PLN (July 2013). The bus from Brest (Belarus) to Lviv departs every day on 08.45 AM from platform 7 and arrives in Lviv at 17.33 PM. The price is around 20 USD.
Countless buses connect Lviv directly with Prague and some other Czech cities, passing through Poland, but mostly not stopping there to take passengers. These can be best viewed using the Czech integrated timetable at http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz (English version available). Advance reservation is recommended and for most buses also possible online at https://eshop.amsbus.cz. Buses can get you from the West to Lviv far faster than trains. However, they are targeted primarily at Ukrainian emigrant workers earning their living in the Czech Republic. Nonetheless, buses are now in most cases modern coaches or sometimes used western buses, but still with air condition. There are at least 5 connections per day but often much more. If you don't travel around religious bank holidays in Ukraine, with arrival to Prague on Monday morning or departure Friday or Saturday from Prague, buses are generally not full and you'll have often 2 seats per person as tickets aren't cheap and bus lines are very profitable.
From the Czech Republic (Prague, Ostrava and Bohumin) there is also Leo Express [le.cz], a private company with trains and buses which run up to Lviv through Poland or through Slovakia.
Buses and mini-buses (known as marshrutky) cost 7 ₴ (€0.18) and follow a set route, but without a fixed timetable. To indicate a desire to board, extend one arm as the bus approaches; simply ask the driver to stop when you would like to get off. Driver will stop the bus for you on the nearest stop.
Trams and trolleybuses offer several ticket options:
1) Regular ticket costs 5 ₴ (€0.13)
2) Reduced fare costs 2.5 ₴ (€0.07) (tickets for students).
3) Time-based ticket, 90 minutes, allows switching the tram or trolley bus. Costs 5.5 ₴ (€0.14). Only electronic (Privat24 or SMS "TN" to 877).
4) Unlimited rides for a day. Costs 15 ₴ (€0.38). Valid for all trams and trolley buses. Only electronic (Privat24 or SMS "DN" to 877).
Actually you have several options to buy the ticket:
1) You can purchase tickets from many news kiosk or from driver in tram. Ask for a "tramvainyi kvytok".
2) If you're using Privat24 app, just scan a QR code with sticker, choose your ticket in the app, select the card for payment and validate the ticket in the app. The stickers are usually placed from the inner side of the doors.
3) If you have a local SIM card, you can send a SMS to a short number 877 with the text ”TN” of ”DN”, depending on the ticket type you want to buy. After that you'll get a response with your ticket details and expiration time.
Keep in mind that if you are carrying a piece of luggage larger than a backpack you will need to purchase a separate ticket for it. Once inside the tram, be sure to validate your ticket(s) by punching them in one of the metal punches mounted on the walls. An inspector may come around to check your ticket - these people do not wear uniforms but flash a little badge. It's interesting to note that mostly all of the drivers of the trams and ticket checkers are women.
For 70-100 ₴ ($3-4) you may get a ride to the main destinations across the city by taxi. The most popular apps for calling a taxi among locals are Uklon, Uber and Bolt. You may be better off with the local sim-card, since the drivers like calling the rider to double check the pick-up address. The app supports both cash and paying by card, although some drivers may pick only cash rides. The advantage of using the app or calling taxi by phone is that you get the price in advance. Otherwise taxis are available throughout the city, and the city center is swarming with them at night. When they aren't equipped with a meter you must agree on a price with the driver ahead of time. It's usually cheaper when taxi do have meter, but even then they may not to turn it on for you. It's still usually cheaper to order a taxi by app or phone than catch a taxi on the street.
Latin Cathedral (Катедра, Roman Catholic) in the south western corner of Market Square.
St. George's Cathedral (Собор святого Юра, Greek Catholic) baroque-rococo cathedral located an the hill
Armenian Cathedral (Вірменська церква, Armenian Apostolic) built between 1363 and 1370, later remodeled few times. Very interesting interior.
Dormition Cathedral (Успенський собор, Orthodox) built between 16th and 17th century i Renaissance style. Next to it stands 65 meter high Korniakt Tower.
Dominican Church (Успенська церква) Impressive Baroque temple built for Dominicans in 18th century. Resembles the church of St. Charles Borromeus in Vienna with its concave facade and huge elliptical dome. After WW2 the building served as a warehouse and later Museum of Religion and Atheism, now it is a Greek Catholic parish church.
The Bernardine Church and Monastery (Костел і монастир бернардинів)
Jesuit Church based on Rome's Il Gesu church.
Chapel of the Boim family (Каплиця Боїмів) a mannerist architecture marvel all made of black stone located next to the Latin Cathedral.
Lychakivsky Tsvyntar (Личаківський цвинтар, Lychakiv Cemetery) [10]. There are about four hundred thousand people buried here, including Ukrainian heroes such as Ivan Franko; the park is enormous, and very pleasant to wander around on a network of variously-maintained paths. At the back of the cemetery is The Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwów, a necropolis which honors the Polish war dead from the Battle of Lwów and the 1918-1920 Polish-Soviet War. Destroyed after the Soviet deportation of the city's Poles, it has recently been restored.
Union of Lublin mound, High Castle (Високий Замок, Vysokyi zamok); The place where a historic castle used to stand and now stands a mound built in 1869 to commemorate 300th anniversary of Lublin Union. On the mound there is an observation platform with nice views of the city and another sandy mound, which you can also climb, and which has a cross devoted to the dead of the war in Afghanistan. From the mound you can walk around the whole central hill-park of the town.
Market Square (Площа Ринок, Ploshcha Rynok). You can climb the tower of the town hall: go in via the main entrance, wander about until you see a sign 'вхiд на вежу', then follow those signs up 103 steps to a ticket-office and up 305 more steps to the top of the tower. There's a great view of the Old Town, and this is clearly one of the romantic spots of the city: I saw a marriage-proposal there.
Shevchenko Monument (Пам'ятник Шевченку), donated by members of the Argentine Ukrainian diaspora, and absolutely unmistakable in the centre of town; a sculpture of the writer, and a wave-shaped monument with Ukrainian folk-art motifs rising to his side. Sometimes seems to be used by locals as a climbing-wall, but I would advise foreigners against this.
Lviv Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre (Театр опери та балету) [11] 28 Svobody ave.
Lviv Municipal Theatre (Театр Лесі Українки), 36 Horodotska str.
Lviv University (Львівський університет, named after Ivan Franko)
Lviv National Polytechnic University (Львівська політехніка)
Lviv Rail Terminal (Вокзал or old fashioned Двірець) built in 1904 Art Nouveau wonder
Lviv State University of Life Safety, Kleparivska St, 35 - an arcade-style (Rundbogenstil) building
Pharmacy Museum "Under the Black Eagle" 2 Drukarska str. tel. (032) 272-00-41. The oldest pharmacy in Lviv, opened in 1735 (Sadly the custodian can be extremely impolite, including banging the door behind you.) Admission 8 ₴ (€0.2).
Museum of the History of Religion[12] 1 Musejna sq., tel. (032) 272-91-00 An interesting museum documenting both Jewish and Christian history of Lviv in one of Lviv's biggest and most beautiful churches. Tickets: 50 ₴ (€1.25) normal, n UAH discount.
The L'viv Art Gallery 3 Stefanyka st. Divided into several departments the central of which is on display at Potoskiy Palace showing mainly Renaissance and Baroque European art (for Ukrainian art see National Musem). Nearby is the Palace of Arts where changing contemporary art exhibitions take place. Other interesting branches of the Lviv Gallery are the Museum of Ancient Books, Museum of Relics and Pinsel Museum (dedicated to the local Baroque wood carver).
The Lviv Historical Museum divided into many departments most of which are in the old town displaying archeology, history from medieval times up to the Ukrainian struggle for nationalism, as well as jewellery and armoury.
Museum of Ethnography and Arts and Crafts 15 Svobody ave. Tickets: 5 ₴ (€0.13) normal, 2 ₴ (€0.05) discount.
The Lviv National Museum 20 Svobody ave. The main building displays Ukrainian Art from the Middle Ages up to the 19th Century. Note that the Lviv Art Gallery mainly shows foreign art in its art collections so if you are more interested in Ukrainian art you should definitely visit this museum. Admission: 1-10 ₴ (€0.03-0.25).
Museum of National Folk Architecture and Rural Life «Shevchenkivsky Hay»[13], 1 Chernecha Gora str. On the central hill about a half-hour walk from the Lychakivskiy Cemetery. This is a collection of wooden buildings from all over Western Ukraine, dismantled and reassembled here; the multi-tiered churches are the most spectacular buildings, and are all still working churches. Tickets: 10 ₴ (€0.25) normal, 5 ₴ (€0.13) discount.
Arsenal Museum Weapons and armour from medieval times to the beginning of 20th century. The museum is located in the oldest (16th century) of three historic arsenal buildings in Lviv.
Visit the Laznia, a Finnish style sauna for men and women (non-communal). There are a few located in L'viv and well worth the trip. The experience can be mildly confronting for the prudish Westerner, as all activities are conducted in the nude but don't worry, it is a highly civilized environment.
S. Krushelnytska Opera House, Svobody Ave. In the very heart of L'viv the historic opera house offers regular performances of various operas and ballets. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre cashier ("Kaca") ranging in price from 50 ₴ (€1.25) to 500 ₴ (€12.5). Even if opera and ballet is not your cup of tea, a night at the theatre is worthwhile, at the very least, to enjoy this spectacular venue.
Gutsulsky Dvir (Lviv restaurant), [x]. (36 Schyretska str.) is one of the most picturesque ethnic restaurants in the city. Ukrainian ethnic cuisine, great atmosphere of wooden restaurant with lots of trees around is a must to visit while staying in L'viv.
The alternative way to explore Lviv is to know it from inside, walking and talking with locals and trying local activities. Those people who have lived here for years would like to tell you a plenty of stories, open some secret places (as roofs or courtyards etc.) and treat you as a friend. Such tours are provided by local guides. The Tour meets every day at 10.30 at the Amphitrite fountain on Rynok, next to the Beer Theatre Pravda. On their Cultures tour they often visit places that are otherwise not well accessible and help connect with locals. They have several kinds of free walking tours in Lviv available and provide a free map at the end of the tour.
The city of Lviv offers a tourist card that you can obtain from either the tourist information center (which is made out of an old tram car, located at 11 Pidvalna Street) or by visiting one of their partnered restaurants. If you visit one of the restaurants, ask your server for a tourist card. your server may make you recite a poem in order to receive a tourist card, but any poem will do. You could definitely make one up to earn a card, especially if you're reciting in English. After you receive the tourist card and map of Lviv, you can use the card when you purchase food at partnered restaurants to earn tourist points. These points give you credit to buy souvineers at the Lviv Souvineers shops (I think there's two in the city center, not sure of all the valid locations). The partnered restaurants are usually themed and offer unique ambiances and a range of dishes.
According to the justlviv.it website, this is the list of partnered restaurants and other locations: Kryjivka, Maki, Lviv Souvenirs, Gas Lamp restaurant, Left Bank restaurant, Lviv Cakes, The Most Expensive Galician Restaurant, Diana at Rynok Square, Zenyk Beer with Potato Pancakes, The First Lviv Grill Restaurant of Meat and Justice, Masoch-Cafe, Just Lviv It! Hostel, Just Old Tram, Lviv Handmade Chocolate, Misko Pstruh Petro Bratvanka Bread and Wine, At the Golden Rose, Lviv Coffee Manufacture, House of Legends, Post Office on Drukarska Street
The numer of bachelor/bachelorette weekends in Lviv're gaining more and more popularity.
Lviv International Harmony School, ([email protected]), [x]. A British-run kindergarden for 3-7 year olds, which teaches in English. It is a green school focusing on environmental sustainability.
Ukranian Catholic University (School of Ukranian Language and Culture), ([email protected]), [x]. Offers immersive teaching into Ukranian language and culture, including costume, building and other techniques.
The Ukrainian currency is known as the hryvnia (you may also hear the pronunciation "grivna"). It was introduced in 1996. The exchange did hover around 5 UAH to 1 USD, but due to the global economic downturn has dropped to between 7.5 and 8 UAH to 1 USD. Nowadays it's around 23-26 UAH to 1 USD.
Both ATMs (known as "bankomats") and currency exchanges ("obmin valyuti") are ubiquitous throughout Lviv, particularly in the city center. Most, but not all, ATMs will accept Visa and Mastercard. Currency exchanges will often only accept foreign currency in pristine condition. Travellers' checks are not very useful in Lviv; however, there are still a few hotels and banks that will cash them for you.
Credit cards are now widely accepted in perhaps all city center restaurants, cafes, hotels and some hostels. Also at the main bus station and long distance train station. Suprisingly lot of small grocery stores now also accept plastic.
You should be aware that attempting to pay for something inexpensive with a large denomination (100 ₴ (€2.5) and above) will often at the very least annoy the shopkeeper; salespeople may even refuse to sell to you if you do not have any smaller denominations. Grocery stores and other high-volume shops are an exception to this rule.
Life in Lviv is very very cheap. It's not difficult to find a place where you can have a full meal for 2 euros. The challenge is rather trying to order if you don't speak Ukrainian. Perhaps all places now offer menu cards in English.
Idalnia # 1 Gurman (Gourmet), on 7, Doroshenka. They are cooking only from Ukrainian products.
Puzata Hata[15], on Sichovykh Striltsiv. Lviv branch of this restaurant chain offers hearty Ukrainian smorgasbord. This cafeteria style eatery has a selection of traditional Ukrainian food mixed with some other food found around the area.
Rodzinka, near Saharova street. It's a cafe with low prices.
Bäckerei Videnski bulochky (бекерай-кав'ярняВіденськіБулочки), Katedralna Sqr. 3, ☎ (+380) 32 235 88 22. 08:00-22:00, Sat 08:00-23:00. Traditional Austrian cafe-bakery. Freshly baked French croissants, real German pretzel, Italian focaccia and ciabatta. Full menu featuring a selection of hot sandwich-baguettes, salads and soups. Coffee.
Cafe 1, just off Rynok Square, in a sort of alley way, adjacent to a large, old cathedral. A very cosy cafe / casual dining restaurant that offers a varied range of modern cuisine. It has a warm atmosphere with non-smoking and smoking areas plus friendly and thoughtful staff.
Istanbul Restaurant & Bar (СтамбулРесторан-бар), Petrushevicha 3, Lviv, ☎ (+380) 97 612 18 18, [x]. Mon-Fri 11:00-07:00, Sat 11:00-07:00, Sun 11:00-07:00. First restaurant in Lviv with traditional Turkish cuisine. Located in the courtyard of Metro Club. The restaurant offers a variety of drinks and snacks, but also Turkish tea, coffee and wine. If you arrive before 21:00 you may enjoy free entrance to Metro Club. In weekends this could save up to 60 UAH (the usual entrance fee of Metro Club), so you basically get a dinner free of charge :) Staff speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English and Turkish. Free wifi.
Kavkaz (or Kaukaz) serves up Georgian cuisine with a charming atmosphere on Zelena street. Try harcho soup and fig salad.
Kupol has a touch of understated Habsburgh grandeur. Homestyle quality for affordable prices. Located at 37 Chaikovskogo Str. Tel.: +38-032-2614454.
Mapa, Halyc'ka str., 4, a quiet café with a special atmosphere and tasty Italian coffee. There are three large rooms for visitors: a large room on the first floor, and old-style rooms in the basement.
Museum of Ideas (Музей Ідей), Valova 18A, a kind of cultural centre located in Bernardine monastery cellars, with hand-made glass souvenirs gallery, exhibition space, sculptures and movie screenings. There's a good small restaurant there and in summer also a nice beer garden.
Pid Klepsydroyu (Under a water clock). 5, Armenian Str. The café is easy enough to spot. Just in front of the entrance to the Dzyga Cultural Centre, at the end of Vir’menska St. you'll see about 15 large tables with patio umbrellas crowding the street. You'll also see the city's sophisticated set sipping Under Clepsydra's famous forest tea. Under Clepsydra actually has three sections. The indoor café/restaurant inspired by the Parisian brasseries of the left bank has two sections, smoking and non-smoking, that share a soundtrack of classic French jazz and folk music. Venture upstairs past the funky wood and brass bathrooms and you’ll find the more popular late-night section of the establishment. Ever since Dzyga's alternative club Lyalka closed its doors, this bar has provided shelter for the thirsty denizens of cool. But what really sets it apart from other Lviv hangouts is the menu. Vegetarian restaurants in Lviv are, well, non-existent, but Under Clepsydra's vegetarian menu is sure to please. Okay…the first item is fish, but you’ll also find a collection of fresh, meat-free dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. Being a vegetarian in Lviv isn’t easy, but at Under Clepsydra it can be pretty affordable. Potato and mushroom crepes are less than 2 Euros, and fresh soups and salads are anywhere between 1-2 Euros. Menus are in English. The carnivorous set has plenty of options as well. Few dishes run more than 5 Euros, and entrees include duck, pork, grilled chicken, smoked salmon.
Tsukerna, pr. Staroevraiski. Viennese-style cake and coffee.
Amadeus has a broad European and Ukrainian menu in a 5 star environment with 4 star food and 2.5 star prices.
Wiener Kaffeehaus, on the Shevchenko Prospect right side if you are facing the Opera House. This place has menus in English and English-speaking staff. A main course is around 3 to 4 euros, a three-course meal 6 or 7. The Wiener Schnitzel is great, so are all the soups, the breakfasts, the potato pancakes and the Apfelstrudel.
Veronica, on the Shevchenko Prospect is both a French style cafe (upstairs) and stylish restaurant downstairs.
Baczewski on Shevska street is a high end restaurant with traditional dishes served in a modern way. You have to try all the different kinds of 'nalivka' (fruit infused vodka) they prepare and serve. Prices are more than affordable comparing to western Europe.
The club scene in Lviv is thriving; with many options ranging from the cavernous Club Metro to the intimate and upmarket Zanzibar. There are usually entry charges but drink prices more than make up for this. In most clubs you are able to buy bottles of vodka for a reasonable price and simply chill at a table all evening.
Choven Pub Ukrainian craft beers. Often all the tables are occupied, but if you wait 10-15 mins, you might get a spot
Room Bar great wine & cocktails selection and some food
Fashion Club Bizarre nouveau riche.
Hasova Lyampa (Kerosene Lamp) Unlike many of the best restaurants in Lviv, The Gas Lamp is quite easy to find. Located a couple blocks up Virmenska St. You’ll most likely see a man dressed in Olde Tyme regalia pacing in front of the entrance, beckoning people inside. If he’s not there another more static greeter awaits, in the form of a metal statue sitting at a desk with a… you guessed it, lit gas lamp.
Once inside you’ll find a spiral staircase ascending up three flights of dining space. Each floor is cozy, candle lit, and decorated with classic gas lamps. Gas Lamp also has one of Lviv’s best patios, in the form of their rooftop dining section. With a view of the Armenian Church steeple is the perfect place to spend a warm summers evening.
While the entrees at Gas Lamp are your standard fare, the snacks that do with beer are real standouts. They are an extra big hit with the sophisticated post-work clientele who undoubtedly come here to mingle and complain about their bosses. Try the seasoned croutons, chips and a variety of dipping sauces they’re the perfect accompaniment for their wide selection of cold local brews.
House of Legends, Staroevreyska 48. A bar with small staircase connecting few floors and a roof terrace (great views!), where each room is differently designed around a theme of a lvivian 'legend'.
Kriyivka ('Bunker' in Ukrainian) You repeat the words over and over in your head as you wander through the main square. “Slava Ukrayini, slava Ukraini, slava Ukraini,” You repeat. The phrase means, ‘glory to Ukraine,’ and it’s your ticket to this city’s best kept entertainment secret -- an underground unmarked bar called Kryivka.
Kryivka basically means hiding place in Ukrainian and they’re not kidding. But when you do finally find it, state the password to a man toting a prop vintage machine gun, receive your shot of authentic Ukrainian medovukha, and descend the stairs into the cozy wooden dining room you’ll be glad you took the time to find it. This Ukrainian independence themed bar is decorated with artifacts from Ukraine’s valiant struggle to stay autonomous -- with guns, maps and posters lining the walls. You’ll also notice the names of dishes on the English menu harken back to a military tradition stretching back to the Austrian Empire. Culinary highlights include a half-metre long sausage, pickles soaked in honey and some of the most savory vereniky in Lviv.
There is also a bit of theatre during a dinner at Kryivka. One element of Ukrainian nationalism is the constant struggle against Russian imperialism. If you’re lucky, a “Russian spy” may have snuck in to the restaurant during dinner, and the brave staff will turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, root out this spy and serve him a healthy portion of justice. Once the intruder has been detached, celebratory live music erupts in the basement venue and locals burst into traditional songs of freedom. For the food, and for the fun, Kryivka is a can’t miss restaurant in Lviv.
Masoch café. A place where you get whipped by the bar staff. Yes, seriously. It is not mandatory, of course, but made on request.
Club Metro (Нiчнийклуб), Zelena St. 14, ☎ +38 (032) 242-07-88, [x]. Located on the outskirts of the centre of town, Metro isn’t the easiest place to spot during the day, but at night, just follow the hordes of fabulously dressed young people as they make their way to Lviv’s trendiest nightclub. But make no mistake, Metro isn’t just one of the best discos in town -- it’s three!
This cavernous Lviv club reveals a new surprise around every corner. Entrance will probably set you back about 3 Euro and once inside the first thing you’ll see is Metro’s large disco. Here trendy young students bounce happily to mostly top 40 and pop music. A raised platform in the centre of the dance floor features male and female go-go dancers (and any brave souls who decide to join them on strange). A long bar opposite the stage provides spirits of all kinds at decent prices. Local beers, vodka and champagne are all offered by the friendly (mostly) English speaking staff. If it’s your first time at Metro, we suggest being a VIP for a night. The raised VIP section gives a great view of the entire dance floor and is available to anyone as long as they promise to ring up a reasonable bill. Not a hard thing to do with bottle service and even hookahs available for VIP guests.
For a change of pace, head downstairs where you’ll find two more bars. One serves the techno and house room where friendly local hipsters grind and shake to a pumping beat. The other bar serves the lounge, private rooms and the hip hop dance floor where the freshest tracks from the United States and the UK lend the crowd little swagger. To cool off from all of the dancing, hit the giant upstairs patio with its heat lamps during winter and umbrellas for those rainy Lviv nights. When you’re all done, grab your jacket from the free coat check, head outside, say goodbye to your new friends and try to figure out how it got light out so quickly.
Picasso (Пікассо), 88 Zelena St., ☎ +38 (032) 275 32 72, [x]. If Metro and Millennium Club in Lviv cater to the hard partying type, Picasso aims to be a relaxed alternative to these venues. Picasso is located just up the road from Metro on Zelena St. in a large corner building. Getting in can be a little confusing. The friendly door staff will kindly point you to a door at the side of the building. Here you pay your entrance fee, usually between 3 and 5 Euros, and give you a ticket. Take that ticket back to the doorman, and in you go.
The first thing you’ll notice once inside is just what made this place legendary when it opened as Lviv’s first hot spot. It features a giant vaulted ceiling with a ring of balconies surrounding the venue. Really, it looks more like a church than a club. At the far end is a massive stage, and below that, a roomy dance floor, often packed with a writhing mass of some of this city’s older student crowd. Beers here run a little bit more than your standard club, but their selection caters to a more refined pallet.
The music and dress code here are also a bit more relaxed. Tunes range from disco to rock, with a little techno and house thrown in. One distinguishing feature of the music is volume; not cranked so loud you can’t hear yourself think, but not a library either. There is free coat check, and most patrons are dressed casually, which in Lviv means like models on their day off. The stellar lighting also makes this place a popular venue for concerts. As Lviv does not currently have a large music venue, many acts play Picasso if they can secure a night. The club also hosts private parties and events, so call ahead to make sure you can get in that night
Zanzibar Cool, funky
Leroy Upmarket, mature crowd
Great pubs and bars abound in L'viv but they can be hard to find, do your research as many are tired dens of misery.
Robert Doms Beer House While not exactly in the centre of town, Robert Doms Pub is a must visit venue for any visitor to Lviv. Follow the tree lined street of Kleparivska as it winds up and down hills until you reach the easy to spot entrance of this totally original beer hall and concert venue. It’s attached to the Lvivske Brewery. Depending on the nights festivities you may have to pay a small cover charge, but it’s well worth it, as early evening acts often include international Jazz bands, and late evening events often fall into the feverish dance music category.
Descend a flight of stairs past a charming little merchandise stand to the cavernous first room. Sit down at a long beer garten style table and order a giant stein of the Lvivske beer. The name, Robert Doms comes from the man who founded the brewery in 1715 (also the name of their signature brew). The food here is great, so even if you’ve already eaten, it’s suggested you order a salty snack from their German-style menu to accompany the delicious beer.
The pub is often open late, so make an evening here. The underground location and stone walls give Robert Doms Beer House great acoustics and an intimate feel. Or, if you’re not in the mood for music, head to the ajoining Austrian style pub room. Plush, wooden and well lit, this is a great place to watch a game of football with friends as the giant TV at the end of the room has a habit of sucking in peoples attention.
Kumpel Mini-brewery and a beer restauraunt on Mytna square
Kult Cool underground bar
Blue Bottle Intimate, medieval
Pub Filharmonia above Kult, very cool underground feel.
FRANZ JOSEF The twighlight zone. 24 hour outdoor freak show. See the local intelligentsia acting rather unintelligent.
Dublin Irish Pub Irish pub with good food, English menu. Staff no English though! While not the easiest place to find in Lviv this heavily promoted Irish style pub is both a favourite with locals as well as ex-pat patrons of the nearby Kosmonaut Hostel. You can find Dublin pub in the busy courtyard just off Doroshenka St. The name is written in Cyrillic as well as Latin, so have no fears there.
Dublin does a good job of not packing the tables in too tightly, you after you’ve grabbed a seat, don’t be shy to get up and wander around a little bit with a pint of any of their host of international beers in hand.
If you happen to be hungry, you’ll be glad to know that the menu is in English (though the staff don’t speak English), and features many of the pub favourites you would expect at home. However, you’ll find that many of these dishes have been modified slightly as local ingredients are substituted for traditional ones. Most dishes are reasonably priced and quite tasty. If you are feeling homesick, this is a good cure. If football is your thing, Dublin Pub spares no expense. If there is a game on, anywhere in the world, chances are Dublin Pub will be showing it live. However, if your side happens to be playing at the same time as any of Ukraine’s club, or national teams you might want swallow your pride and join in, as you’re not likely to find anyone here who will permit you to change the channel.
Korzo Irish Pub Though it may sometimes seem like it, not every bar or restaurant in Lviv has some kind of theme or hook, and Korzo Pub is one of these places. Located in the narrow Brativ Rohatinskiv street just off the main Rynok, Korzo is as close to your local pub as you’ll find in Lviv. Nothing too fancy here, just an oak bar, brass taps and well worn tables that have eavesdropped on hundreds of conversations, arguments and romantic encounters.
The menu is actually one of the more familiar ones in the city, so if you are looking for a little taste of home this is probably your best bet. Korzo also has a great selection of international spirits, so if you’re the kind of person who needs a shot of tequila to get the night going, this is your place. As the beer flows, you might want to try the fish soup, hearty and robust, locals say it is the perfect ballast to prevent a hangover the next morning. If quenching your thirst on a sunny afternoon of exploring is your goal, Korzo has just installed on of Lviv’s largest patios. With plenty of tables and shelter from the glorious sunshine, or menacing thunderstorm (it’s really either, or, in this city) the patio makes for pure people watching pleasure.
L'viv has a variety of hotels, hostels and apartments to suit all budgets and needs. The best deals for budget travellers (2-3 people) are found with the lovely apartments for rent all over town - These can be found online (preferably in Russian) or on arrival at the train station. Expect to pay around 400-800 UAH per night for a nice studio apartment with a kitchen, TV and a nice warm-water bathroom.
The hostel scene is quite new in L'viv so be sure to check reviews of hostels using well known booking agents and forums like Hostelworld, hostelbooking and tripadvisor.
Art Hostel, 3 Rynok sq. (From airport: 1) Take a Taxi to 3 Rynok sq. (~ 40 UAH) 2)Take a trolleybus #9 to the end stop (Lviv National University).Then go left to Sichovyh Striltsiv Str. and go 300m. Turn right to Gnatuka str. and go 190m till Svoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue go to Rynok sq. Find n.3 (200m) From the bus station: 1) Take a Taxi to 10 Teatralna str. (~ 40UAH) 2) Take a minibus (‘Marshootka’) #3A to Pidvalna str. Then cross the road and go straight to the Main Square (Rynok Square)’ in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the left side behind City Hall You will find 3 Rynok sq. From the railway station: 1) Take a Taxi to 10 Teatralna str. (~35UAH) 2) Take a Tram #1 to the stop named ‘Main Square (Rynok Square)’ in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the left side behind City Hall You will find 3 Rynok sq. 3) By foot: go 250m straight, make left on big street cross, go down the Horodotska Str till Opera House, make right and go down Svoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue, 3 Rynok sq. Total 2700m (~45 mins)), ☎ +38 067 911 1431 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 11:00. Uniqe design hostel, 24 hour reception, English, Ukrainian, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, breakfast, bed linen, towels, slippers included, washing machine, library, tourist information, maps, luggage storage. Hostel is located on the main square. From €6.
Cossacks Hostel, 6 Teatralna (Театральна) street, ☎ +38 093 030 94 37 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12AM; checkout: 11AM. * <sleep name="Cats' house hostel" alt="" address="20 Saksaganskoho St., apt. 4 (Second Floor) - вул. Саксаганського, 20, кв. 4" directions="This is the information how to get to the hostel in Lviv: Adress Cats house Hostel Lviv 20 Saksaganskogo str. From airport: 1) Take a taxi. 15 minutes. Average price is 40-50 hryvnas. From the bus station: 1) Take a Taxi to 20 Saksaganskogo str. (~ 40UAH) 2) Take bus №3A or trolleybus 5 to the stop Shota Rustaveli street. It will take you 15-20 minutes. The price for bus is 2 hryvnas, for trolleybus - 1 hryvna 50 kop. The stop is situated in 3-minute walk from hostel. From the railway station: 1) Take a Taxi to 20 Saksaganskogo str. (~30 UAH) 2) Take tram 9 to stop Zelena street (Vulitsya Zelena) or tram 1 to stop Saksahans’koho street (Vulitsya Saksahan'koho). It will take you approximately 15 minutes. The price is 1 hryvna 50 kop. Both stops are situated near our house. 3) Take bus 15, 50 or 24 from Pryvokzalna square to stop Zelena street (Vulitsya Zelena). The stop is situated in 3-minute walk from our hostel." phone="+38 0934837665" url="http://catshostel.org/" checkin="12 am" checkout="11 am" price="From €6" lat="" long="" email="[email protected]" fax=""> 20 beds, 24 hour reception, English, Ukrainian, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, breakfast, bed linen, towels, slippers included, washing machine, library, tourist assistance – information, maps, luggage storage. Hostel is located in the old Austrian house in the middle of the city near tram and bus stop. From €8.
Central Square Hostel, 5 Rynok Square, ☎ +380 95 225 66 54 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 11.30. Cozy hostel located in the heart of the city - 18 beds, English, Polish, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tourist information, free maps, coffee & tea, linens & towels included, washing machine. Also will show you the city.Bed in dorm 95 UAH, double room 350 UAH.
Coffee Home Hostel, 10 Teatralna (Театральна) street (This is the information how to get to the hostel in Lviv: Adress Coffee Home Hostel Lviv Lviv 10 Teatralna str. From airport: 1) Take a Taxi to 10 Teatralna str. (~ 40 UAH) 2)Take a trolleybus #9 to the end stop (Lviv National University).Then go left to Sichovyh Striltsiv Str. and go 300m. Turn right to Gnatuka str. and go 190m tillSvoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue go to 10 Teatralna str. (200m) From the bus station: 1) Take a Taxi to 10 Teatralna str. (~ 40UAH) 2) Take a minibus (‘Marshootka’) #3A to Pidvalna str. Then cross the road and go straight to the Main Square (Rynok Square)’ in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the left side behind City Hall You will find 10 Teatralna str. From the railway station: 1) Take a Taxi to 10 Teatralna str. (~35UAH) 2) Take a Tram #1 to the stop named ‘Main Square (Rynok Square)’ in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the left side behind City Hall You will find 10 Teatralna str. 3) By foot: go 250m straight, make left on big street cross, go down the Horodotska Str till Opera House, make right and go down Svoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue, go to 10 Teatralna str. Total 2700m (~45 mins)), ☎ +38 067 911 1431 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12AM; checkout: 11AM. Located right next to main square. Chamber hostel — 40 beds, English, Spanish, Russian speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, tourist information, free maps, coffee & tea, linens & towels included, laundry. Coffee interior style.From €8. (49.841424,24.029616)
Dekolotel, Derevach Village, 25 Lvivska St., ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 7:00; checkout: 11:00. family-friendly amenities, easily accommodates a family of up to 6 people, larger groups can also be housed upon agreement, 24 hour online reception, English speaking staff, breakfast at €5, tea, coffee, washing machine, fully-equiped kitchen area, game room, sauna, TV set, bathroom, located in a serene vicinity 10 minutes driving distance from the Arena Lviv Stadium and 20 minutes in Lviv. Free parking available. Transfers can be arranged.From €15 per person if more than 6 persons, or €60 for the place. Up to 40 people can he accommodated..
Hotel Lviv. Just off the main strip, two blocks north of the Opera. Inexpensive, no-frills, unfriendly, mainly 1-2 person rooms, many with nice views of Lviv center - pick the ones facing the street (obviously). There is also a restaurant/bar and a currency exchange kiosk inside the lobby.
Mini Hostel Lviv, Sichovyh Streltsov St., 12, Ap. 16, ☎ +380-97-9315628 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 11:00. The Mini Hostel Lviv is located close to the famous Opera House, Shevchenko monument, Rynok Square and Ratusha in downtown Lviv. The hostel offers free wi-fi, maps, coffee, tea, and free pub crawls. Guests of the Mini Hostel Lviv get discounts for to stay in the Mini Hostel Kyiv and the Mini Hostel Odesa.From € 5. (49.84036,24.02381)
Old Ukrainian Home Hostel, 12 Lepkogo (Лепкого) street (From airport: 1) Take a Taxi to 12, Lepkoho str. (~ 50 UAH) 2)Take a trolleybus #9 to the end stop (Lviv National University).Then go right 300m. till 12, Lepkoho str. From the bus station: 1) Take a Taxi to 12, Lepkoho str. (~ 40 UAH) 2) Take a minibus (‘Marshootka’) #3A to the end stop (behind Opera House). Then cross the road and go straight to Horodotska Str (500m) till clothing store “GEOX”. Opposite store you will find Lepkoho str., find number 12 the hostel in Lviv is there. From the railway station: 1) Take a Taxi to 12, Lepkoho str., first floor. (~ 40 UAH) 2) Take a minibus (‘Marshootka’) #31 till Horodotska Str, till clothing store “GEOX”. Opposite store you will find Lepkoho str., find number 12. 3) By foot: go 250m straight, make left on big street cross, go down the Horodotska Str (1400 m) till clothing store “GEOX”. Opposite store you will find Lepkoho str., find number 12.), ☎ +38 067 911 1431 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12AM; checkout: 11AM. Located in the centre of the city near the Lviv National University. Chamber hostel — 20 beds, English, Spanish, Russian speaking staff, free wi-fi, touristic information, free maps, breakfast, coffee & tea, linens & towels included, laundry. Old Ukrainian interior style. One bathroom with two showers.From €8. (49.841829,24.020067)
Retro Hostel Shevchenko, Shevchenka prosp. 16, ☎ +380 32 240 37 61. One of the biggest and most centrally located hostels in Lviv. Every room has a bathroom. Privates and dorms on few floors, with nice outdoor common area (table tennis, billiards, barbecue available free of charge). There's a bar as well. from € 5.50.
Roxelana Hostel (Lviv Backpackers Roxelana), Generala Chuprenke 50/4, ☎ +38 0974449789 ([email protected]), [x]. checkout: 12:00. Accommodation within a majestic historical castle. This castle was once inhabited by a famous Count. We are very near to the train station. Offers discounts to nightclubs in town. Offers deals on city tours, pub crawls, gun shooting experiences and famous Russian saunas. Helpful and friendly English staff. From €7.
Rynok Square Apartment, 16 Rynok Square (Across from main entrance to Lviv Town Hall), ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: flexible; checkout: flexible. Modern, clean and most central, seconds from Lviv's cafes and most attractions. Includes king size double bed and additional single bed optional. Free tea, coffee, kitchen self catering, washing machine and powder, microwave, TV, bedding, towels. Minimum stay 2 nights. Discounts for stays over 3 nights. Friendly owner speaks English, Polish, Ukrainian, can arrange transfers within Ukraine and Poland.€20 per person.
Soviet Home Hostel, Drukarska 3, top floor, door code 250 (From airport: 1) Take a Taxi to 3, Drukarska str. (~ 50 UAH) 2)Take a trolleybus #9 to the end stop (Lviv National University).Then go left to Sichovyh Striltsiv Str. and go 300m. Turn right to Gnatuka str. and go 190m tillSvoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue go (300m) through the Main Square (Rynok Square) to pharmacy Museum and on the left you will find 3, Drukarska str. From the bus station: 1) Take a Taxi to 3, Drukarska str. (~ 60 UAH) 2) Take a minibus (Marshootka) #3A to Pidvalna str. Then cross the road and go straight to the Main Square (Rynok Square)in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the right side behind City Hall You will find 3, Drukarska str. From the railway station: 1) Take a Taxi to 3, Drukarska str. (~ 40 UAH) 2) Take a Tram #1 to the stop named Main Square (Rynok Square) in front of City Hall (building with a tower),on the right side behind City Hall You will find 3, Drukarska str. 3) By foot: go 250m straight, make left on big street cross, go down the Horodotska Str till Opera House, make right and go down Svoboda avenue (main avenue, Shevchenko monument). From Svoboda Avenue, go to 3, Drukarska str. 2700m (~45 mins)), ☎ +38 067 911 1431 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 12AM; checkout: 11AM. - 2 $ Discount for Peace Corps volunteers! Soviet Home is the place where comfort meets USSR! Comfortable beds, hot shower, breakfast and soviet interior!From €8. (49.842879,24.031992)
The Georgehouse Hostel, 1 Ustyjanovycha 8 (Устияновича 8), ☎ +380504306454 ([email protected]), [x]. checkout: 11AM. Georgehouse Hostel offers 4-bed and 8-bed mixed dormitories, free wi-fi, maps, breakfast, linens & towels included, modern colourful design. Free bed on your birthday (with minimum stay two nights).From 95 UAH.
The Kosmonaut Hostel, 4 Tomashivskoho St., apt. 5 (Second Floor) - вул. Томашівського, 4, кв. 5, ☎ +38 0936554219 ([email protected]), [x]. 20 beds, 24 hour reception, English speaking staff. Free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, washing machine, rated the Best Hostel in Ukraine by Hostelworld.com 2008. For good reason too. With a central location, hot powerful showers and a friendly common room perfect for meeting other travellers, this hostel has it all. Some additional attractions like bania, AK-47 shooting trips etc. Staff are very helpful. The Kosmonaut relocated and the new address is 4 Tomashivskoho St., apt. 5 (second floor).From €7. (49.836419,24.028776)
Hotel George (Жорж), Pl. Mickiewicz 1, ☎ +380 322 725 952, [x]. Only some rooms have private bathrooms (from $73). $38-$121.
Hotel NTON (ГотельНТОН), Shevchenka 154b (вул.Шевченка 154б) (3 km from the downtown), ☎ +380 32 233 31 23, [x]. Hotel "NTON" has been in operation since January 2001. Offers more than 70 modern comfortable rooms equipped with phones, TV-sat, showers and bathrooms, air conditioning, hairdryers, refrigerators with mini-bars. Hot & cold water is around a clock, heating is autonomous. Services include restaurant, guarded parking place, 4 conference halls, business center and free wireless Internet. The hotel transfer service brings you to the hotel and any destination point in the downtown or behind the city at any time. Moreover the hotel also has fitness complex 'Pharaoh' (offering pharaonic massage, fitness gym, solarium, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, IR-sweating).€28-€55 (breakfast included).
Hotel Volter (ГотельВолтер), Lypynskoho 60a (3 km from the downtown), ☎ +380 32 294 88 88, [x]. Offers 56 comfortable rooms of different categories, namely, standard, superior, semi-suite, Deluxe suite, equipped according to modern norms and standards. Includes round-the-clock hot and cold water supply, installed independent heating system, satellite television, telephone, hair-drier and mini-safe in each room. The restaurant's staff is available round-the-clock.€33-€70 (breakfast included).
Reikartz Dworzec Lviv, Gorodotskaya Street, 107, ☎ 00 38 (032) 235 0 888, [x]. It offers rooms with modern ambience, all of which have a private toilet and shower with bathtub, cable TV, Internet access, and mini-bar. Some of its amenities are fitness room/gym, a swimming pool, and a sauna. While staying here you can visit some tourist spots like Church of St. Olha and Elizabeth, Pharmacy Museum, and The High Castle Park.Best rates on official website start at EUR 55.
Wien Hotel (ВіденьГотел), Pl. Svobody 12, ☎ +380 32 244 43 14 ([email protected]), [x]. $70-$140 (breakfast included).
Lion's Castle Hotel (ГотельЗамокЛева), Glinka str. 7, ☎ +380 (32) 297-15-63 ([email protected]), [x]. $80-$160 (breakfast included).
Opera Leopolis (ГотельЛеополіс), Teatralna Str. 17. Prestigious Leopolis Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of the city center.
Grand Hotel (ГрандГотель), pl. Svobody 13, ☎ +380 322 724 042 ([email protected]), [x]. Absolutely central - right in front of the Teras Shevchenko statue.$126-$360 (breakfast included).
Opera Hotel (ГотельОпера), Pl. Svobody 45, ☎ +380 32 225 90 00 ([email protected]), [x]. $96-$336 (breakfast included).
Citadel Inn (Citadel Inn), Hrabovskoho street 11, ☎ +380 32 235 76 30 ([email protected]), [x]. $150-$430 (breakfast included).
Guest house Andriivskyi (Гостиннийдім), . Levyts'koho street 112., ☎ +380 32 235 76 30 ([email protected]), [x]. $150-$300 (breakfast included).
Apart-terrace on Baker Street (Апарт-терасанаБейкерСтріт), Pekarska str. 30 (800m from downtown), ☎ +380 (50) 553-86-46 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Apart-terrace has it's unique interior design. The highlight of the apartment is it's terrace with a breathtaking view of the High Castle and historical city center. There is a garden with outdoor furniture and barbecue facilities. $80-$200.
The dialing code for Lviv is +380 32(2). The telephone system was recently modified; thus, to dial 6-digit numbers, use the city prefix 322, but for 7-digit numbers, use only 32.
All calls to and from cell phones are treated as long distance calls. The telephone system was recently modified one more time, thus, you must not dial an 8 followed by the city/mobile prefix, followed by the phone number. Some frequent mobile prefixes are 050, 066, 095, 063, 093, 067, 096, 097 and 098. The main mobile operators are Kyivstar, MTS, and Life. You can buy a SIM card or a balance replenishment card at many stores and newsstands throughout Lviv.
Internet cafes are plentiful. Centrally located is Chorna Medeia on Kryva Lypa. Wi-Fi networks are freely available in most cafes in city centre, as well as in hotels and some hostels.
Street crime (pickpocketing and scamming) is not common, but can occasionally happen, particularly in crowded places, in tourist areas, in bars and nightclubs and on public transportation. Street fights are rare and armed robbery is practically unheard of. However it's recommended to keep you bags and personal items in sight when at crowded bars as there are reports of phones and wallets being stolen sometimes.
Common tricks from other Ukrainian cities are rather rare in Lviv. There have been stories of robbers impersonating police officers in other years. But the new police in Lviv generally speaks some English and has to show you an ID. You are not required to follow them. Police officers in Lviv usually patrol in Toyota Prius police cars.
It is essential to learn some Ukrainian before visiting, or at the very least, learn the Cyrillic alphabet. Everyone can also read, speak and write in Russian and aren't so prickly about it, although they'd apreciate that you learn a few basic phrases in Ukrainian as well. Learn the Cyrillic alphabet (both the Russian and Ukrainian versions) way in advance until you can write words with perfection, as many do not know the Latin alphabet. German and, especially, Polish (as Lvov used to part of Poland, 1031-1772 & 1918-1939) is spoken well among people with mature memories of the interwar era.
People selling you tickets at the train station will most likely not speak anything other than Ukrainian or Russian and may have no patience nor sympathy for you. (Neither will the people waiting behind you in line). If you speak Polish then surviving in Lviv shouldn't be a problem, as many people understand it since it's quite close to Ukrainian. Some sales people will not know the Latin alphabet, so make sure to carry a small note with your name written in Cyrillic! Queues in Ukraine tend to be a chaotic mess, especially at stations. Assert your place with an elbow and mean stare, because everyone else will, including the fifteen babushki pushing you to the side. Make sure you get in the line for foreigners when you want to buy train tickets. No, the cashier will NOT speak English, but if you know the details of the train you want, just write them down! But if you go to a different line they'll just tell you to go to the foreigner's line, and then you will have wasted a lot of time waiting for nothing.
There are many possible day trips from Lviv. Some options include nearby monasteries Krekhiv and Univ; the beautiful Carpathian mountains and their accompanying ski resorts are also not far.
The town of Ivano-Frankivsk is less than three hours by train and is also accessible from Lviv's main bus station.
For people who want to head south to Transylvania, this is best done jumping buses to Chernivtsi (a bumpy 6,5 hrs ride, or you can take one of overnight trains). Near Chernivtsi, you can visit the lovely Kamianets-Podilskyi with its ancient castle. To Suceava, the bus takes around 4 hours with border formalities. From Suceava to Bacau and finally to Braşov, each bus will take about 4 hours on very bumpy roads.
A quick and direct way to get to Romania is to take the 601L train from Lviv to Solotvino (Transcarpathia Oblast); it departs Lviv at 20:23 and arrives in Solotvino at 9:47. Cost of ticket costs less than 10 euros depending on whether one chooses 2nd class "kupet" or 3th class "platzkart". Solotvino is a very small town, and the border station (which will be on the other side of the Tisa river, or the right hand side of the train) is not too hard to locate: when exiting the train, take a left until you approach the first road. At the road, take a right, and walk about 100m before coming to a three-way intersection (there will be a monument in the middle. Take a left onto the road that heads down into the river valley, and you'll come straight to the border station. You'll be treated very professionally, and possibly with preference over the Romanian majority who cross the border to take advantage of the lower Ukrainian prices. Once you cross the border, you'll be in Sighetu Marmaţiei, a charming and secluded town, and from here one can take advantage of the direct train to Braşov/Bucharest that leaves that afternoon around 4-5ish. UPDATE: Starting December 2011 the train from Sighetu Marmatiei to Brasov / Bucharest is found under two different train numbers, but it is still a direct train - you don't have to change trains. The train leaves Sighetu Marmatiei at 17:11 (local time) and arrives to Bucharest at 09:56. You can gett off at Brasov at 04:22. For more info check the Romanian Railways official website, wherefrom you can buy an online ticket: www.cfrcalatori.ro)
There is a comfortable Highspeed train to Kyiv in early in the morning and around 6pm. It takes you 5 hours and costs around 350 UAH in second class.
Tickets for the direct train (015 F) from Lviv to Budapest cost 648 UAH. The same trip is also possible for a better price, but requires three changes. Take a train from Lviv to Chop (94 UAH in 3th class, 112 UAH in 2nd class), upon arrival buy a ticket from Chop to Záhony (approx. 40 UAH). From Záhony you may take a train to Budapest for approx. 20 euro.
Train tickets can be purchased on the railway station or in the city center at the "Центральні залізничні каси", located on Hnatyuka str. 20. Go straight to ticket Desk 1 for international tickets. Trains to Kraków leave daily at 22:59 or 23:59 (depending on the day of departure). Tickets to Kraków cost 520 UAH, to Rzeszów 382 UAH and to Przemyśl 302 UAH for a 3-person berth. (Prices as of Jan. 2014.)
