Lviv, a vibrant city in western Ukraine that has been a part of Poland, Austria-Hungary, and the Soviet Union, was established in the 13th century and has had several flag changes throughout the years. With attractions like the Market Square (Ploshcha Rynok), the city’s well-preserved historic centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take in the stunning city vista by scaling the town hall tower. World-class performances take place at the impressive Lviv Opera House.
Explore Lviv with Woking Travel!
Flights To Lviv Guide
Upon flying to Lviv, you will land at Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO), which is 6 kilometres from downtown. The airport has several facilities, including restaurants, duty-free shops, car hire services, and forex changers. Taxi cabs, regular bus lines, or nearby trains can be used to get into town.
To facilitate your journey with utmost convenience, Woking Travel offers transportation services from the airport to your hotel upon arrival. For more information and to book a transfer for your trip, visit our Transfers page.
Woking Travel has a selection of hotels that cater to all kinds of budgets. Browse through our Hotels or choose from our Packages for your ideal stay in Lviv. Our range includes luxury accommodation right through to budget-friendly choices, so there is something suitable for everyone. Here are top 10 hotels in Lviv that facilitate all kinds of travellers:
- Grand Hotel Lviv Luxury & Spa: The top-of-the-line luxurious hotel offers various amenities like a restaurant and spa.
- Bank Hotel: A boutique hotel that is both luxurious and historic, with modern comforts and excellent service.
- Swiss Hotel Lviv: Comfortable rooms decorated in traditional/modern mix offering great hospitality too.
- Taurus Hotel & SPA: This hotel features well-appointed rooms and a spa/wellness centre where guests can relax.
- Nobilis Hotel: Elegant sophistication meets convenience; high-quality service is provided by staff who understand what it means to be in the heart of town!
- Hotel Lviv is centrally located and offers comfortable rooms with all the necessary facilities; it’s the perfect choice if you’re on a tight budget!
- Etude Hotel: This hotel offers cosy lodging close to major attractions while maintaining a friendly attitude towards visitors throughout their stay.
- Nota Bene Hotel: This place offers clean, affordable accommodation with a friendly atmosphere. It ensures you feel welcome every step of the way!
- Rius Hotel: It provides all the modern conveniences one expects from such establishments without charging exorbitantly high rates.
- Ibis Styles Lviv Centre: Stylish contemporary design, coupled with accessibility, means good value-for-money packages that make it easier to get around these parts.
Lviv has many transportation means so you can easily travel around the city. There are various ways to get around Lviv, whether public transport or private rentals.
- Buses and Trolleybuses: Buses and trolleybuses run throughout the city and cover almost all areas. They are a cheap way of moving from one place to another.
- Trams: The tram network in Lviv is also quite extensive. Tramlines connect different parts of the city. Besides being an accessible transportation mode, trams also provide beautiful city views.
- Taxis: Taxis are everywhere in Lviv. They offer comfortable and flexible services that will take you anywhere within the city. You can either hail them on the street or book through a mobile app for convenience.
- Car Rentals: Several car rental companies exist in Lviv if you prefer driving. Renting a car gives you more freedom to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace.
- Bicycles and Scooters: Rental services for bicycles and electric scooters have also been introduced in Lviv, which is great for short trips and exploring downtown while keeping it green!
- Rynok Square: The heart of old Lviv is skirted by multi-coloured houses, cafes, and shops that buzz with activity.
- Lviv Opera House: A marvellous piece of architecture where opera, ballet, and classical music performances are held.
- High Castle Park offers a bird’ s-eye view of the city from its highest point, as well as nice walking paths and historical ruins.
- Armenian Cathedral: This is one of the oldest churches in Lviv, notable for its unique Armenian architecture and quiet yard.
- Lychakiv Cemetery: An open-air museum with richly decorated tombstones and monuments that display the history and culture of Lviv.
- Lviv National Art Gallery: Here, you can see European and Ukrainian art collections, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative artworks.
- Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life: It has authentic wooden buildings that show typical Ukrainian village life in an open-air setting.
- Potocki Palace: A beautiful palace built in the 19th century featuring luxurious interiors furnished with works of art on temporary display in its galleries.
- St. George’s Cathedral: The main Greek Catholic church in Lviv is designed in the baroque style. It is famous for its splendid decorations inside and the magnificent frescoes painted on the walls outside the entrance gate.
- Dominican Church and Monastery: This historic baroque church has impressive architectural details. It is often used as a venue for concerts or other public events.
- Baczewski Restaurant: A renowned place that serves classic dishes from Galicia with a modern twist, the vintage atmosphere gives an old look.
- Kryivka: Bizarre is an underground-themed restaurant designed like an underground bunker during World War II, where Ukrainian wartime foods can be eaten.
- The First Lviv Grill Restaurant of Meat and Justice: Known for its mediaeval atmosphere and live sword-fighting performances, this restaurant offers grilled meat in different ways and other local delicacies.
- Lviv Coffee Mining Manufacture: Unique methods are used to make coffee here, which is done underground to create a cosy environment for coffee enthusiasts.
- House of Legends: It’s difficult to find another multi-storeyed restaurant as whimsically decorated and themed. They serve many different types of food and offer nice views from their rooftops, too!
- Pid Zolotoju Rozoju: Located in the historic heart of the Jewish quarter, this charming little eatery specialises in Jewish cuisine and has many atmospheres.
- Champagneria X&X: This stylish establishment pairs light, sophisticated dishes with champagne and sparkling wines – it’s all about bubbles here!
- Tante Sophie Café Escargot: This cosy French bistro serves escargots and other classic French dishes by candlelight or under twinkling fairy lights if it’s warm outside!
- Kumpel: This popular brewery restaurant serves hearty Ukrainian food alongside craft beers brewed on-site. There are lots to choose from, so decide what you’d like best!
- Veronika Confectionery: An amazing place! You will also find some savoury items alongside stunning cakes, pastries, and desserts
- Explore Lviv Old Town: Wander around the beautiful, delightful old town of Lviv, a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobbled streets, middle-aged buildings, and vibrant bars. Places like Rynok Square, with many shops and multi-coloured facades, are among its trademarks.
- Enjoy Lviv’s Coffee Culture: Lviv has become synonymous with coffee culture, and there are several places where you can enjoy aromatic drinks in historic settings. Check out other famous coffee shops, including the Lviv Coffee Manufacture, or new coffee mixtures found in local roasteries for more insights into the city’s rich coffee history.
- Be Amazed By The Lviv Opera House: The building that hosts this grand opera is situated in the centre of Lviv and is an example of fine architecture. It is a chance to see a first-class ballet performance or opera that reflects what makes Lviv tick regarding cultural activities.
- Go To Lychakiv Cemetery: Find time to visit the historical Lychakiv cemetery, a quiet resting place for many eminent people buried here under elaborate gravestones and sculptures. Let your footsteps through the pretty streets of Lviv remind you about its rich religious background and cultural traditions.
- Visit Lviv High Castle: You can reach High Castle by trekking up a beautiful path or using an elevator. From above, you can observe the entire urban area and surrounding lands. Ancient remnants of the castle can be explored before resting at High Castle Park, surrounded by nature.
- Get Involved In Lviv’s Food Scene: If you want to try some traditional Ukrainian dishes, dine in restaurants, cafes, etc., where they serve them alongside delicious international cuisines. For instance, check out places like the House of Scientists, known for its splendid cuisine and special atmosphere.
- Learn About Lviv’s Cultural History: Visit various museums and art galleries throughout the town, and you will learn much about Lviv’s cultural history. The Pharmacy Museum will teach you about the city’s medical history, whereas the Andriy Sheptytsky National Museum will inform you about Lviv’s artistic heritage.
- Take a Walk Through Stryiskyi Park: Stryiskyi Park, one of the green spaces in Lviv, was created for relaxation and leisure. While enjoying lush environs, hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities are available.
- Be Amazed By Architectural Marvels: Boim Chapel’s intricate design and elegant Potsotsky Palace are among Lviv’s architectural works that can astound you. Learning more about the city reveals different architectural styles, such as Gothic, Art Nouveau, Renaissance, and Baroque.
- Find Hidden Gems: Visit unusual places to explore less famous but hidden marvels in cities like this one. To better understand what happened in this area, visit strange locations like the Lonskii Prison National Memorial Museum or the Handmade Chocolate Workshop in Lviv.
Lviv’s weather is characterised by a wide range of conditions, making it a perfect place for different activities at different times of the year.
Summer (June – August):
- Temperature: 15°C to 25°C
- Few rainy days
- Ideal for open-air cafes, historic sites, and parks
- There are very good fares during this season.
Winter (December – February):
- Temperature: -5°C to 0°C
- There is often snowfall.
- Perfect for warmth indoors, museums, and Christmas markets.
This local weather guide contains more about Lviv’s weather, including updates on the precise weather conditions.
- GMT: Lviv is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
- BST: Lviv is 2 hours ahead of BST, as well.
Currency.
- Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH) is the official currency used in Lviv and all of Ukraine. Payment can be made through both, cards or cash.
Language:
- The official language spoken in Lviv is Ukrainian. However, English is also spoken in many tourist destinations and among young people in Lviv.
Local Customs:
It is important to dress modestly when visiting religious sites, sanctuaries, temples, churches etc. Handshakes are commonly used to greet people. Moreover, tipping usually ranges around 10% in restaurants and cafeterias in Ukraine.
Laws:
To learn more about the laws pertaining to travellers in Lviv, please visit the following links:
Any travel plan to Ukraine should always include a visit to the culturally diverse city of Lviv in the west. Here, the enduring influences of Polish and Austro-Hungarian culture collide with everything authentic and truly Ukrainian.
Book your flight to Lviv with Woking Travel and enjoy a seamless travel experience!