Home / Countries / Ukraine

About Ukraine

About Country Cheat Sheet

Formal Name:

Ukrainian

Location of Kazakhstan:

Capital:

Kyiv

Demonym:

Ukrainians

Area:

233062Sq Km

Population:

41743935

Ethnic Groups:

Others

Languages:

Ukrainian

Religion:

Other

Currency:

Hryvnia (UAH, ₴)

Best Time To Visit:

May-Sep

Calling Code:

380

Drives On:

Right

Visa on Arrival:

Major Cities:

Administrative and Territorial Structure:

Ukraine is divided into 27 regions: 24 oblasts, one autonomous republic, and two "cities with special status".

Land Boundaries:

Total: 5,618 km, Border Countries (7): Belarus 1,111 km, Hungary 128 km, Moldova 1,202 km, Poland 535 km, Romania 601 km, Russia 1,944 km, Slovakia 97 km

Details

Geography of Ukraine

Ukraine is a country located majorly in Europe and some parts of southern and western regions fall within Alpine System. This is second largest country in terms of area in Europe after Russia. Ukraine Geography varies in different regions of the country. Majority of the Ukraine lies in Eastern European plain. Ukraine has highlands and lowlands. Places which fall in these regions have geographical diversity along with climatic differences. Ukraine is on the northern shores of black sea and the Sea of Azov. Ukraine shares borders with many European countries which include Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in the west, Moldova and Romania in the south-west, Belarus in north and Russia in the east. Kyiv is the capital city of Ukraine.

Ukraine Nature is different in different regions of the country. However majority part of Ukraine is fertile plains and plateaus. Mountains are found only in the western side and in extreme southern side. Carpathians is the major mountain range in Ukraine. Ukraine nature is beautiful and one can enjoy it on a Ukraine tour.

Climate and Weather in Ukraine

Ukraine Climate is mostly temperate continental with warm summer, cold and snowy winters. However in southern coast of Crimea has subtropical climate. Moderately warm, humid air which comes from the Atlantic Ocean contributes to the climate of Ukraine. Ukraine’s average annual temperatures range from 5–7 °C in the northern region, to 11–13 °C in the southern region. Precipitation is also received disproportionately in different parts. It is highest in the west and north side while lowest in the east and southeast side of the country.

Ukraine Weather is generally good. Summer in the country is generally warm which is across the greater part of Ukraine. Only in south summer is hot. Winter season varies. It is cool along the Black Sea and coldest in northeast. For visitors looking to go for a Ukraine trip, summer which happens between June and September is the best time to be in Ukraine.

History of Ukraine

Ukraine History is long and interesting. The modern Ukraine that we know today has been inhabited and ruled by several people and empires throughout history. Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, and Goths were first among other nomadic peoples who populated the land of Ukraine. Kyiv which is currently the capital city of Ukraine was located at lucrative trade routes and so it prospered quickly and became powerful state of Kievan Rus during 11th century. After that Ukraine was invaded by Mongols in 13h century. Over next two centuries Ukraine was annexed by Poland and Lithuania. In 1667 Ukraine was divided between Poland and Russia. And in 1793 when Poland was partitioned major portion of Ukraine was integrated into Russian empire.

In recent history of Ukraine, Ukrainian kept trying for its independence. They got it for a while after World War I. But soon Ukraine was incorporated into Soviet Union. During World War II Ukrainian Army fought against Germany and Soviet Union. The Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945. After that Ukraine was under Soviet Union for long and when Stalin died in 1953, Khrushchev as head of the Communist Party of Soviet Union tried to revive Ukraine. But as in other parts of USSR political repressions against poets, historians and other intellectuals continued in Ukraine as well. Ukraine received independence again when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Culture and Traditions in Ukraine

Ukraine Culture is very much a result of shared culture and history with its neighbouring nations. Ukraine shares history with its neighbours right from 9th century. This you can see in cultural and customs similarities in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Influence of Eastern Orthodox Church and Slavic Mythological traditions can also be seen on Ukrainian culture, customs and traditions. Soviet Union in its time of rule played a huge role in unifying culture of different nations with a common language. Currently there are 3 major religions followed in Ukraine. They are Christianity, Eastern Catholicism and Roman Catholic. Main language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. Social gathering is very common part of Ukraine culture and has been there for centuries. Music and dance also have deep rooted place in Ukraine which can be observed in Ukrainian weddings.

Uzbekistan Tradition is also rich in terms of its art and craft. The Ukrainian applied art is an integral part of the country with deep roots in the past. For instance, in Ukraine woodcarving is one of the oldest types of folk applied arts and crafts which include wood sculpture carving. Along with this carpet making, embroidery, pottery and ceramics are also fine examples of brilliance of Ukrainian craft.

Food and Cuisine in Ukraine

Food has special place in Ukraine culture. Special Ukraine foods are prepared on different occasions like Easter and Christmas. Kutia is a special food item which is prepared during Christmas. This is made of cooked wheat groats, poppy seeds, honey and special sweet breads. Fish, cheese and different types of sausage are part of normal Ukrainian food diet. Bread is generally a part of every meal cooked in Ukraine. Without bread the meal is considered incomplete here. Head cheese and Kolbasa which is a type of sausage is also quite popular in the country. During special occasions like Christmas it is a tradition to have twelve course meatless dishes which shows the love for food of Ukrainians. Social gathering and chit chat is quite common over a meal in Ukraine. And after the meal they like to have tea, coffee or wine with a simple dessert. Some of special food items of Ukraine are Salo, Chicken Kiev, Pilaf and Pierogi.

Ukrainian Cuisine is rich and has variety of different ancient food items for both locals and visitors. However in recent times it has very much modern cuisine as well in their restaurants and cafes. In restaurants of Ukraine cuisine includes menu which are generally Eastern European.

Languages of Ukraine

Ukrainian, as language, acts as a pillar to strengthen the relationship between eastern and western Ukraine, though the southern and eastern Ukrainian cities use Russian as a regional language.

Interesting Facts About Ukraine:

1. Ukraine is the largest state situated entirely in Europe.
2. The world's worst nuclear power plant accident, the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, took place in the now abandoned Ukrainian town of Pripyat.
3. The name Ukraine is believed to originally mean "borderland" or "region". In English 'The Ukraine' used to be the form used now it is just called 'Ukraine'.
4. Arsenalnaya Metro Station located in Kiev is the deepest in the world (105 meters).
5. As of 2011 Ukraine was the world's 3rd largest grain exporter.
6. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world. They voluntarily gave it up, becoming entirely free of nuclear weapons by 1996. Ukraine had over a thousand nuclear warheads and the third largest nuclear potential after Russia and America. The warheads and missiles were given to Russia, silos were destroyed.
7. Ukraine has been in a demographic crisis since the 1980s because of its high death rate and a low birth rate. The population is shrinking by over 150,000 a year.
8. Ukraine is a 4th educated nation in the world: 99.4% of Ukrainians aged 15 and over can read and write.
9. The world’s heaviest aircraft is An-225 Mriya is created by the Kyiv-based Antonov design bureau. The plane was designed to airlift space shuttles and rocket boosters, however is now carrying oversized payloads.
10. Ukraine is tech-savvy. They’ve got the 4th largest number of IT professionals in the world, behind the US, India, and Russia.

Tourism

Ukraine Tourism

Ukraine is one of the biggest countries in Europe, yet it fails to attract visitors. It is a country struggling to find its identity between Western Europe and Russia. With so much economic, political and territorial difficulties, the tourism department is trying its best to put Ukraine in the best spotlight. Nevertheless, it is home to some of the most beautiful places in the world. It offers visitors to catch on eye on some of its ancient cities, castles, countryside, welcoming attitude and vibrant cities. Some of its best attractions are Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Sofiyivsky Park in Uman, Kyiv, Mukacheve, Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi and many others.

Kiev Tourism

Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine and its one of the largest city in the country. Its history has resulted in the mix style of architectural buildings, skyline, monuments, ancient ruins etc. There’s still a very small number of tourist in the city which means that the city is not overcrowded. It’s an easy place and the people are friendly, fun and patriotic. Kiev comes alive at night with many clubs and pubs with stylish lounges which get started in the midnight and carries forward till morning. The streets of Kiev are filled with markets, bars, cafes and restaurants creating a vibrant city.

Different Types of Tourism in Ukraine

1. Historical Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine has over 1,500 years of history which gave rise to many different historical and architectural sites in the country. There’s history imbibed in almost all the monuments and architecture of Ukraine. Some of its best monuments are Rodina Mat Motherland Monument, Prince Yaroslav the Wise Monument, HetmanBhodan Khmelnytskyi Monument, Monument of Prince Volodymyr.

2. Culture Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine’s culture is framed through its history and it’s focused on the history of its capital city along with the region around it. Since its independence, the country has experienced a significant resurgence and the people are still trying to retain their culture that legacy has created. Their customs and traditions are highly influenced by the Slavic mythology and Eastern Orthodox Church and some Russian, Asia and Western Europe.

3. Wildlife Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine has a number of national parks and protected areas which offers beautiful sights of natural splendours. The landscape is filled with forest, rivers, and lakes which provides a perfect habitat for a number of species. The forests of the country attract a number of birds which makes it a great place for bird watching. Throughout the western zone, the area is forested dotted with trees with a number of evergreen shrubs and grasses.

4. Sports and Adventure in Ukraine

Ukraine has made a name for itself in the sports entertainment but there are many opportunities waiting for you to explore its adventurous sports. Ukraine has a number of outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, diving, snow skiing, trekking, swimming, horse riding and many others. Skydiving is great to try out at Mt. Klementieva, rope jumping at Ai-Petri, Scuba diving at Cape Tarkhankut and many others.

5. Honeymoon Tourism in Ukraine

While some may enjoy being romantic with loves, gifts etc and others enjoy the cold weather to have romantic dinner and time with their loved ones. And, to think of this there’s no better place to explore if you are looking for a honeymoon destination other than Ukraine. Some of the romantic places to spend a good honeymoon with your loved ones are The Sculptures Alley in Kyiv, The seaside walk of Yalta, Lviv courtyards, Castle in Kamyanets-Podilsky, Shoenborn’s Castle in the Carpathians and many others.

6. Health and Wellness Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine is a great place which offers rejuvenation and relaxation to many tourists from all over the world. When you are here, you should not miss out on trying some of the health spas that the country offers in Truskavets and Morshyn which are warm with nice facilities. There are natural springs, mud baths, massages, Jacuzzis, special diets etc. These spas are affordable at a good price inviting you to enjoy, relax and improve your well-being.

7. Culinary Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine’s cuisine is not all about the chicken Kyiv and borsch, the country has much more to offer than just these. Most of the traditional cuisine is cooked at home, while restaurants food still tries to catch up to the recipe. Their peculiar traditional recipe has been forming over centuries which have been influenced by many neighbouring countries over the complexities of the dishes.

8. Nightlife Tourism in Ukraine

Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine is famous for its good bars, nightclubs and a place to spend leisure time. Since it is a worker’s city, it has a working crowd who want to enjoy and have fun by the end of the day. There’s is always something to do in the city every night of the week. People go by the bars and hang out with their friends etc. Some of the best nightlife districts in Kyiv are the Arena City, where you will find a number of bar, clubs and restaurants open all night long.

9. Winter Tourism in Ukraine

Ukraine has a number of beautiful natural landscapes which gives every season its own charm and beauty. In the winter, the top of the Carpathians is snow-capped and beautiful architectures glow with the bright lights rays on them. There are a lot of places to see and explore here in the winter along with exciting winter sports and adventures. Some of the places to see are Sviatohirsk Lavra, Khotyn Fortress, Hryshko National Botanical Garden, The Carpathian Mountains, Lviv and many others.

Travel Guide

Ukraine Tour and Travel Guide

Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe which gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Being Europe’s second largest country, it has a rage of a big area with fertile and agricultural plains. The country is intertwining with many different cultures and traditions as they share the same historical origins with Russia, and the western part of the country has strong ties with its European neighbours. Ukraine has a diverse crowd, from the sophisticated, business to farmers which thus boasts much of its mixed population.

Kiev Tour and Travel Guide

Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine plagued by its recent history is going through a lot of change and development. Therefore, the city is never short of inspiring visitors with a blend of old and new things around it. Kiev is surprised you with its brutal architecture, religious history and its hip neighbourhoods. Having gone through a modern revolution, the city shows a culture of the combination of the east and the west where it intermingles in the most intriguing and bizarre way.

1. Penny Wise Ukraine

Items	Price in Hryvnia	Price in Dollars ($)
Meal for 2, in mid range Restaurant, Three-course	500	18.4
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar	66	2.4
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)	15	0.55
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)	30	1.1
Cappuccino (regular)	22	0.8
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)	10.5	0.4
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	8	0.3
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	90	3.3
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro)	26	0.95
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	35	1.3
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	5	0.2
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	60	2.2

* Prices are our approximation and may vary slightly.
* Prices are market prices of articles and may vary at restaurants and hotels.

2. Accommodation in Ukraine

There are a number of the hotel in larger town and cities which offer a standard price like elsewhere in Europe, especially in Lviv, Kyiv, Yalta and Odesa. In the western part of the country, there is a cheap converted apartment which offers accommodation such as hostels with shared facilities for a very low price. You can also find bread and breakfast stay, self-catering stay, homestays etc.

3. Travelling in Ukraine

Getting around the city is easy with many public modes of transport, and travelling by road them to the outskirts of the country can be difficult. As the road is not in good condition and they are still in a developmental phase. If you want to explore the country, you can hire a taxi which is an affordable option. There are coaches with services available all over the country.

4. Shopping in Ukraine

If you are looking to shop for local items such as ceramics, paintings, jewellery it can be found in local shops on the streets of the city. You can find others souvenirs such as carved wooden items, hand painted eggs, hand-embodied clothes, matryoshka etc.

5. Best Time to Visit Ukraine

Ukraine is blessed to have four seasons where the summer is sunny, spring receives the maximum rainfall and winters are marked with chilly weather and snowfall. The summer weather starts from the June to September, and off seasons from October and winter month’s starts from November to January.

6. Ukraine Travel Tips

• People speak Ukrainian and Russian in Ukraine.
• Always hang your coat at the back of the chair.
• Cover your head in religious places.
• You can find everything to shop in the metro and subway.
• Don’t drink tap water.
• The local currency in Ukraine is called hryvnia.
• Use the trains for easy travel.
• Time shifts twice a year.
• Try local cuisine

7. Ukraine Flight Connections (Flight to Kiev)

Destination: Kiev - Ukraine
Pickup & Drop: Delhi International Airport
Mode of Travel (Flight Details): Fixed Departure for Kiev

Kiev Flight Connections:

• Air Arabia and Fly Dubai have flights via Sharjah and Dubai respectively, from numerous airports in India.
• Air Astana has flights ex-Delhi via Almaty.

Frequency:

• Air Arabia has flights on Tue, Fri, Sat & Sundays from 13 airports in India.
• Fly Dubai has daily flights from 8 ports.
• Air Astana has connecting flights to Kiev four times a week via Almaty.

8. Ukraine Tour FAQs

If you have any query about Ukraine Tourism, Tourist Destinations, Attractions, Visa Process, and other tour related information then visit Frequently Asked Questions of Ukraine.

Visa Information

Ukrainian Visa Information:

Ukrainian visa process takes 7 working days.

• Ukrainian visa for Indian tourists is on arrival for a fee of 100 USD.
• It helps to have good international travel history on the passport to acquire Ukrainian visa.
• Border immigration police reserves the right to refuse entry in Ukraine.

Contact for more details about Ukraine Tourist Visa!