Where to Go in Ukraine for Authentic Experiences: Three Destinations for the Soul

Ukraine is worth discovering not only through its major cities and popular routes. There are places people visit not for all-inclusive hotels, but for the silence of the Carpathians, salt lakes, Hutsul villages, ancient fortresses, and the feeling that the country is far more diverse than it appears on tourist maps. We have gathered three destinations that are worth experiencing at least once: the medieval Tustan, the wellness resort of Solotvyno, and Kryvorivnia — the cultural heart of Hutsulshchyna.

Tustan: Where the Cliffs Remember the Middle Ages 

Today, few people in Ukraine have heard of Tustan. Yet during the Middle Ages, it was known throughout Europe. It served as a district administrative center and an important customs post on the Salt Route connecting Drohobych with Western Europe.

This medieval fortress and rock settlement is located in the Lviv region, among the Carpathian peaks at the foot of the basin on the southern slopes of the Voronovyi Ridge. It is part of the historic and cultural reserve of the same name. It is an ideal destination for slow, soulful travel. According to experts, it is also a model for rethinking recreation within Ukraine itself.

Today, Tustan is a unique monument of nature, history, architecture, and archaeology. Its greatest highlight is the wooden defensive structure built directly into the sandstone cliffs.

Tourist infrastructure here is still relatively undeveloped: you will not find all-inclusive hotels, but you will, for example, be able to enjoy crystal-clear spring water. It is worth staying with local residents to experience the authentic atmosphere of the area. Alternatively, you can stay in the neighboring town of Skhidnytsia, which offers a good selection of hotels and accommodation in traditional guesthouses. Here, visitors are served exceptional mushroom soup, entertained with Boyko Christmas carols around the bonfire, and welcomed with genuine hospitality and generosity.

You can reach Tustan from Lviv by public transport for as little as 200 hryvnias.

Solotvyno: Swimming in Salt Lakes and Relaxing by the Tysa River

In this small town nestled amid the breathtaking beauty of Zakarpattia, you can restore both body and soul. It is a balneological resort whose unique healing properties are often compared by specialists to those of the Dead Sea. The water in the local lakes is so dense that it effortlessly keeps a person afloat.

Moreover, Solotvyno lies on the banks of the Tysa River, directly opposite the Romanian town of Sighetu Marmației. Visiting this place is therefore not only relaxing but also an interesting cultural experience.

Solotvyno is home to several salt lakes and former salt mines. The therapeutic mud and brine help improve skin health and are recommended by doctors for various skin conditions. They are also beneficial for the musculoskeletal system and joints. In general, the natural environment of Solotvyno promotes respiratory health as well.

You can stay at one of the many local recreation resorts and holiday complexes.

Kryvorivnia: The Cultural Heart of Hutsulshchyna on the Cheremosh River

This is the legendary cultural heart of Hutsulshchyna in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

First of all, the Hutsuls are people who heal with words. Simply being surrounded by them is nourishment for the soul.

Secondly, Kryvorivnia is a highland village. It offers unforgettable views of magnificent mountain landscapes from the surrounding peaks.

Thirdly, it lies hidden in the winding valley of the Chornyi Cheremosh River. It is a wonderful place to relax by the water, where the untamed beauty of the mountain river can easily replace the sea.

In addition, Kryvorivnia is recognized as a retreat for great minds. Lesya Ukrainka, Ivan Franko, Olha Kobylianska, Les Kurbas, and many other prominent Ukrainian cultural figures lived and vacationed here. Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky wrote his famous novella here. Serhii Parajanov filmed Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors here. The first head of Ukraine's Central Rada, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, owned a summer villa here, which you can now visit as it has become a museum.

Kryvorivnia is also home to several other important cultural landmarks:

• one of the oldest churches in Hutsulshchyna — the 300-year-old wooden Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos;
• the House-Museum Grazhda — a traditional Hutsul fortified homestead dating back to the late 19th century;
• the Ivan Franko Museum, where the writer spent his summers for ten consecutive years;
• cliffs covered with ancient petroglyphs that also preserve handwritten inscriptions by Ivan Franko and Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky.

Traveling around Ukraine can take many different forms: peaceful, health-oriented, cultural, or filled with childlike excitement. If, after visiting Tustan, Solotvyno, or Kryvorivnia, you would like to continue your journey with a focus on family entertainment, take a look at our selection “Where to Go with Children: Five of the Best Amusement Parks in Ukraine” — featuring destinations with dinosaurs, VR attractions, trampolines, carousels, and activities for children of all ages.