5 Reasons to Visit Lviv

Lviv has its unique charm and atmosphere that attracts numerous travelers. Local coffee, pastries and beer became legendary among Ukrainian foodies. Lviv’s architecture, deprived of the Soviet features, which is the architectural core of other big Ukrainian cities, makes an amazing set for lovely photos and magical city views. Lviv has much to offer even to the most spoiled travelers. «Destinations» rounded up 5 reasons to visit Lviv, Ukraine.

#1. Enjoy Lviv unique architecture. Located in the Western part of the country, Lviv is often referred to as the most European city of Ukraine. Lviv prides itself to be the cradle of Ukrainian culture and traditions as well as the most popular travel destination of Ukraine. Lviv boasts lovely European architecture and Ukrainian authenticity.

#2. Enjoying a cup of coffee in Lviv became somewhat an iconic travel experience. Lviv is Ukraine’s coffee mecca, offering an overwhelming selection of coffee shops and cafes. From hipster coffee joints to bourgeois-styled cafes, Lviv will impress even most spoiled coffee-lovers. Local coffee-shops don’t serve food, however, you will always find freshly baked croissants and colorful macaroons to go perfectly with your drink. »

#3. Experience Lviv’s vibrant culinary scene. Chefs of numerous restaurants and cafes lure food lovers with juicy burgers, freshly baked pasties, gourmet hot dogs, green salads, wok dishes, and countless other specialties, which all make their way from the hand directly into the mouth. Dessert lovers will also not be disappointed: with cheesecake, strudel, baked bananas and homemade ice cream, to name just a few, they are spoiled for choice.

#4. Visiting numerous themed festivals. Lviv gets exceptionally busy with various festivals in fall and winter. With all the bookworm crowd leaving the city after the biggest Ukrainian Book Forum in September, it’s the foodies who will take the stage in Lviv. Most popular Lviv festivals include Lviv Street Food Festival, Lviv Coffee Festival, Lviv Wine and Cheese Festival and Christmas Fair. Each festival offers a diverse program of events with something for everyone. Celebrate the excellent food, art, music, culture, history and the rich heritage of Lviv and Western Ukraine.

#5. Bar crawling and local liqueurs and digestifs tasting. Locals get used to meeting numerous party-crowds roaming among different bars and pubs on their drinking quests. Homemade liqueurs («nalyvka») and digestifs («nastoyanka») are very popular in Lviv. They are a touch sweet, intensely flavored, and often served chilled and sipped slowly. Many Lviv restaurants pride themselves for their signature secret recipes of liqueurs and digestifs. Tourists in Lviv made the bar crawling for locally made strong drinks a good traveling tradition.