The 11 Best Attractions in Lviv
Lviv is a city of legends. Every ancient building is full of historical spirit. Tiny courtyards and cobbled streets have been keeping secrets since medieval times. There are 60 museums and 104 cathedrals and churches. For the last five years, in terms of the number of tourists, Lviv has surpassed even Kiev and Odessa. Having visited the city at least once, you will remember its mysterious atmosphere forever.
The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet
Building
The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet
The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet is a bright example of the Neo-Renaissance style in architecture. It is often compared with the Vienna State Opera for its grand façade and décor. Being built in 1900 as the project of Polish architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski, the building holds a lot of secrets inside. One of the legends says that the architect attempted suicide the following year, because he had realized that the underground waters of the river Plotva were washing away the foundation of the theatre. Despite that, the Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet is still functioning and holds new performances every season.
Svobody Ave, 28, L’viv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, +380 32 235 65 86
Town Hall
The Market Square is part of the historic center of Lviv, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attraction of the square is Town Hall, constructed in the 14th century. Its height is 65 meters (213 feet), and it is considered to be the highest town hall in Ukraine. Currently, it is a seat of the local authorities and an amazing viewpoint with an incredible panorama over the city.
Potocki Palace
Potocki Palace
A 19th-century architectural monument has been built in the style of French Classicism for the influential family of Polish tycoons – the Potocki. The massive gates and moulded balconies emphasize the majesty of the palace. The exterior and interior décor was provided to arrange chamber concerts and to organize important political meetings. In Soviet times, the building served as a Registry Office, and in the beginning of the 21st century, the Potocki Palace was transferred to the Lviv Art Gallery.
Mykoly Kopernyka Street, 15, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, +380 322 614 145
Armenian Quarter
Cathedral, Church, Library, School
Armenian Quarter
One of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city is the Armenian Quarter. The northern part of the city became a haven for Armenians in the 13th century. They founded their church, school, library, hospital, and theatre here. The vast majority of buildings date from the 16th century, which includes the famous Armenian cathedral. Although the exterior, whose walls reach a thickness of 1.5 meters (5 feet), is not particularly impressive, the interior is incredible. The walls hold stunning paintings, some of which are 600 years old, and the dome of the temple is decorated with mosaics.
Lychakiv Cemetery
Cemetery
Italian Courtyard
Market
Italian Courtyard
The Italian courtyard reflects the architectural monuments of the Renaissance. The most romantic and cosy corner in nearby Market Square, since the noise from the city center does not get there. It should be noted that according to the laws of that time, all the stone houses of the Square could have no more than three windows on the façade. It was a rule of equal opportunities and even the richest citizen of Lviv, the wine merchant Konstantin Kornyakt, had to follow it. But 100 years ago, the city authorities bought the building and placed a museum named after King Jana III there. Now in the Italian courtyard, jazz and classical concerts are often held, during which you can drink a cup of refined Lviv coffee.
Rynok Square, 6, L’viv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, +380 67 917 0562
Dormition Cathedral
The cathedral complex consists of a whole ensemble of architectural masterpieces, which comprised a printing house, a library, a school, and a museum. It used to be the venue of the Orthodox community of the old city. The ensemble has a direct relationship with the Italian courtyard because it was built from the funds of Konstantin Kornyakt. The interior of the Dormition Cathedral is decorated with paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, and it has the iconostasis of 1773. The highest point is the 66-meter tower, which resembles the bell tower of Venice.
Lviv University
University
Pharmacy Museum
Library, Museum
Pharmacy Museum
This museum was opened in Lviv in the 1960s in the space of an old pharmacy. The museum’s display is set out over 16 halls, where more than 3,000 exhibits are shown. Visitors can carefully consider the collection of utensils for storing medicines, along with real pharmaceutical scales and equipment. In one of the halls, a pharmacy laboratory has been perfectly reconstructed. It was reproduced according to engravings and old books. Additionally, in one of the halls of the museum, there is a library with unique pharmaceutical books and documents.
Lviv Arsenal
Museum
Lviv Arsenal
Lviv Arsenal (Museum of Arms) is the only museum of this type in Ukraine. Its collection impresses with its diversity and uniqueness. It features bronze cannons, axes, utensils with weapons, military orders, and many other objects collected in 30 countries of the world. One of the most interesting exhibits of the museum is the unique German sword of the 16th century. The second such sword is stored in the London Wallace Collection.
Pidvalna St, 5, L’viv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, +380 322 358 661
_01.JPG){kind=link}
Library of Ukrainian Catholic University
The project of the library of Ukrainian Catholic University was developed jointly by the German firm Behnisch Architekten and Lviv Chaplinskyy & Associates. It took two years to construct the building and, finally, the opening ceremony of it was held on September 10, 2017. The library has five floors and three terraces: two are are open-air spaces, and on the top floor there is a open glassed-off space with a wonderful view of Stryi Park. It is the most modern and environmentally friendly place in the city of Lviv, which is definitely worth comparing to the ancient architecture of the city center.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.