L’viv

L’viv

A month in Lviv is not too long for a visit - unless you are young and looking for an exciting adventure, a few days here should be enough. Me however, I’m not so young and just wanted to enjoy a beautiful city center with inexpensive food and drink. I actually could have easily stayed another month because I have a son who lives here so it’s also a personal gift to spend time with him and his girlfriend. I have the privilege of time, so staying in one place for this long does not take away from the rest of my adventure.

A perfect day for me was strolling through one of their beautiful parks, enjoying a beer (for a buck) and people watching. Appreciating a fantastic meal and walking through the city center listening to music from people on every corner. Did I mention that you can enjoy a beer for a buck!

There are plenty of sights to see and the weather can be unpredictable at times, so if you have time, spend at least a week here. August 24th is Ukrainian Independence Day

so it was a bit more crowded and hectic but it’s a beautiful thing to see people proud to wear traditional clothing while dancing and singing traditional songs.

Most people would go to Kiev when visiting Ukraine and yes, Kiev is the capital so it is a must see, but if you had to choose between Kiev and Lviv, definitely choose Lviv.

The negatives of Lviv are few, but they are substantial.

1. The airport is not big, therefore flying in and out, you are limited and usually will have to make a couple of stopovers to accommodate your next destination.
2. The food is excellent but your choices are limited. Don’t even try the Mexican food here.
3. Things are cheaper than most other countries and you are tempted to buy, buy, buy, but your luggage has limited space, such a conundrum.
4. The Ukrainian International Airlines suck! If at all possible, fly on another carrier. They will cancel flights and it’s too bad for you. They are not held to the European standard therefore you are screwed. Sure, their website states they will be responsible for cancelled flights and will accommodate your inconvenience but don’t believe what you read. They are cheap in every possible way. They will nickel and dime you to death. Yes, I have stories but all you have to do is watch their customers go back and forth paying for every little misstep. I feel sorry for the employees who have to put up with the customers who have been ambushed.
5. So this is a little thing, but drove me bonkers. They are constantly stealing your napkins. Yes, I’m complaining about how the restaurant staff is overly attentive. It’s just such a waste, I can use the same napkin for more than 5 minutes.

Lviv 101
Jetsetalona

Rynok (Market) Square

Lviv random photos

Drinking in the rain

Grandmas making a living

Musicians, live bands and performers

Independence Day Festival

The Lviv Opera House is built in a Neo-Renaissance style, which combines the elements of Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. The facade of the theatre is splendidly decorated with allegorical sculptures of muses, Corinthian columns, niches, balustrades.
On the top of the façade, you could see two allegoric bronze sculptural groups, which symbolize Drama, Comedy, and Music. In the center a sculpture of Glory with a palm branch is placed.

Ivan Franko National University of Lviv

Ivan Franko Park (My favorite people watching park)

In 2005, the Lviv brewery - the oldest one in Ukraine - turned 290 years old; on this occasion a Brewery Museum was opened on its territory. Where every beer lover can approach the mystery of the birth of a beverage.

Shevchenkivsky Hai (Shevchenko Valley), is probably the best place for relaxation, education and entertainment in Lviv. In a couple of hours you can learn more about lifestyle of Ukrainian villagers through exploring over a 100 of wooden village houses, churches and everyday household items.

Lychakiv Cemetery
The famous Town of Dead was built in 1786 and is the last refuge for almost 300,000 people. Among them are renowned Ukrainian poets, artists and politicians.

Janowska Concentration Camp

Olesko Castle, an important architectural monument of the XIV-XVII centuries. Polish king John III Sobieski was born there, and often visited this fortress later and collected a great number of works of art.

Zolochiv Castle, built in XVII century.

Pidhirtsi Castle – a splendid example of the Renaissance architecture.