Self-Guided Tour of Lviv - 3 Days
Highlights
- Eat, drink, and explore in the old merchant area known as Market Square
- Hike the ruins of Lviv High Castle to gain access to the best panoramic views
- Visit the various chocolate and confection shops to indulge your sweet tooth
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Lviv | Lviv |
| Day 2 | Explore Lviv | Lviv |
| Day 3 | Lviv Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lviv
Welcome to Ukraine! When you arrive at the historic Lviv Train Station, take the shuttle to the city’s legendary Rynok Square, and make your way to check in to your apartment. Your accommodations will include a guide booklet to help you navigate your three-day trip in Lviv. Once you are settled, you can take the time to explore the area.
Rynok Square, also known as Market Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The former political, economic, and cultural hub of Lviv was once a trade market that welcomed Persian, British, French, and Turkish merchants. The area consists of close quarters, which was once divided by merchant interest. Rich with history, you can walk this complex of historical monuments. You can explore the town on a walking tour, where you will discover street musicians, cafes, cathedrals, and museums along the way. Sites to bookmark include:
- The American Quarter
- City Hall
- Pharmacy Museum
- Black Mansion
- Korniakt Palace
- Latin Cathedral
- Jewish Quarter
Retire for the evening with a taste of Galician food and drinks at one of the popular restaurants in town, including Gas Lamp, Kryjivka, or At the Golden Rose.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 2: Explore Lviv
Good Morning! Today, you will wake up early so you catch local painters in action, or see their work in the various art galleries scattered around the city. You can peruse notable art at:
- Dzyga: Founded in 1993, you will find masterpieces from students and youths. Enjoy a cup of tea and a snack while you are here.
- Lviv Art Gallery: Part of a museum complex that features both local and foreign works, here you will find paintings, sculptures, and more representing the 19th and 20th centuries among the 24 rooms.
- Contemporary Sacred Art Gallery: Here, you will find religious-themed art from local artists. Discover contemporary art featuring Christian spirituality.
Continue the art appreciation into lunch. In Lviv, you will find plenty of restaurants with the arts in mind. Two eateries to bookmark include Left Bank and Salo Art Museum.
For an active adventure in the afternoon hours, make your way to Lviv High Castle. The walk from Rynok Square is 1.2 miles, and you can expect to hike up to the ruins of the castle for a spectacular view of the 800-year-old town below.
To wind down, take the trip over to House of Legends, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset on the outdoor terrace of the seven-story building. You can enjoy a unique dining experience, where you can taste a dish on each floor of the building, each pertaining to its own legend. Your servers can explain the ingredients and significance to you to round out your educational visit.
Day 3: Lviv departure
On your final day in Lviv, take some time to explore the delicious delicacies of the town. Keep your breakfast light, and then get to tasting the confectionary gems all around. Bakeries and chocolate shops are numerous here. Depending on your taste, you can visit:
- Lviv Handmade Chocolate: Featuring sweets from ancient recipes, you can indulge in chocolate-covered fruit, coffee drinks with different syrups, and signature hot chocolate with nuts.
- Lviv Galician Cheese Cake and Strudel Bakery: Here, you will find the specialty syrnyky (cottage cheese pancakes), along with different types of strudels. For lunch, you can customize a plyatski (homemade cake) with meat, salmon, or vegetables, or include sweet fillings for dessert.
- Cukiernia: Enter this three-room café for a grandiose experience. In the first room, select your confections of choice at the extensive dessert buffet, which features pastries and sweets galore. Then, find your way through two sitting rooms, where you can indulge at your leisure since it is impossible to taste all of the treats on your first round, alone.
Once you have had your fill of goodies, kick back and enjoy the music at the Lviv Organ Hall, where you can enjoy a striking Vivaldi concert.
To close out your stay in Lviv, it is customary to enjoy the local spirit. Toast to your visit with a glass of cherry wine (and consider packing a bottle to take home, too) before heading to the train station.
Board your overnight train to Kyiv, where you will spend the evening in your own two-bed compartment recalling a wonderful time exploring the age-old town of Lviv.
Map
