One of Ukraine’s most cosmopolitan cities, Chernivtsi is celebrated for its tree-lined boulevards and elegant architecture. Cobbled lanes, pavement cafes and pastel buildings create a beautiful scene, while local university students generate buzz with hip bars, galleries and boutiques.

Things to do

Wander through the UNESCO-listed Chernivtsi University while admiring the eclectic redbrick buildings and their decorative Byzantine, Moorish and Hanseatic tiles. The Chernivtsi University was built in 1882 as a residence for the leaders of the Orthodox Church. Don’t miss the marble hall and elegant chandeliers in the main palace or the remarkable Seminarska Church.

Experience the intoxicating sights, scents and sounds of Kalinovsky Market. Spanning 33 hectares, this bustling bazaar resembles a town, attracting tens of thousands of shoppers every day. Find handicrafts, meat, dairy and fresh produce from Ukraine and neighboring Moldova, Russia and Poland.

Stroll down vul Kobylyanskoyi, a pedestrianized street hemmed with beautiful art nouveau buildings comprising art galleries, bookshops, boutiques and cafes. Leafy trees, flower pots and replica 19th-century gas lamps make the street a pleasant place for an afternoon "kvass", a traditional sparkling beverage brewed with yeast, sugar and rye bread.

Do you enjoy the theatre? Don’t miss a performance at the Kobylyanska Theatre, an exquisite art-nouveau building. Before the show starts, enjoy an evening cocktail and smooth tunes at the Contrabanda Bar, an intimate and edgy lounge.

Getting around

You can fly into Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport and take a train, bus, taxi or hire car into Chernivtsi. The two-hour train is the fastest and most convenient option. Once in Chernivtsi, the city is easily explored on foot or bicycle.