Ukraine
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Eastern Europe
- Capital
- Kyiv
- Population
- 39 million (2025)
- Area
- 603,500 km²
- Languages
- Ukrainian
- Currency
- Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +380
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe. It is Europe’s second-largest country after Russia.
The country recorded a population of 41.98 million in 2019 and 603,628 km2.
Kiev is its capital and largest city.
Other urban cities are Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.
The capital, Kyiv (Kiev)
History
Ukraine proclaimed independence after the Revolution of Russia in 1918.
The Russian Red Army invaded the country and established the Soviet rule in 1921.
Ukraine became fully independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Food & culture
Its culture is influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The crops grown in the country are cereals, sugar beets and sunflower.
The popular dishes are paska, borscht, varenyky, holubtsi, chicken kyiv, deruni and holobtsi.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals are roe deer, wild pigs, wild cats, martens, wild sheep, elk, mouflon, foxes and wolves.
Festivals & events
The main celebrated events include Independence Day of Ukraine on 24th August, Ostrov Festival, Gogol Festival, White Nights Festival, Leopolis Jazz Fest, Centaurs Horse Stunt Festival, Ivan Kupala and The April Palm Week.
Things to see
There is the St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a popular landmark in Kiev city is an architectural monument which was the first in the country to be listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There is also the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, which is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery in Kiev.
Also, there is the Golden Gate of Kyiv that was the principal gate during the 11th-century fortifications of Kyiv.
Other must-visit sites are Independence square, Khreschatyk street, St. Andrew’s Church,
Interesting facts
The major religion is Eastern Orthodoxy.
The official language is Ukrainian.
The country is one of the largest grain producer countries in the world.
City guides
- KyivCapital city
- KharkivUkraine's university and Constructivist city
- OdesaUkraine's Black Sea port city
Cities & towns I’ve visited
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine
1 of 9 visited. See every site I've been to.
- Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra 1990
- Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 2007
- Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora 2013
- Danube Delta 1991
- historical city centre of Odesa 2023
- Old Town of Lviv 1998
- Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans 2011
- Struve Geodetic Arc 2005
- Wooden tserkvas of Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine 2013
My photos from Ukraine
April 2015 Turkey, Ukraine & Czech
Kyiv, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone-Pripyat, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Pripyat
Whole trip gallery
Plan your trip to Ukraine
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Neighbours
Bucket List goals in Ukraine
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.