Krakow has been one of the main stops on the Central European tourist route for a while now and with good reason. The city is beautiful, has great train connections and direct flights connecting it to other parts of Europe and the prices for food, accommodation and drinks are much lower than in other parts of Western Europe.
The city has been discovered and in the high season, it is crawling with tourists. Lviv, Ukraine offers an excellent alternative to Krakow (and even Prague).
So here are the top 10 reasons to visit this lovely city:
1. Cobbled streets – If cobbled streets and quaint alleyways are your thing, Lviv has you covered. The old town is delightful with a beautiful square and town hall, fountains, and statues to give you the perfect photo opportunities.
2. Street art – If the thought of Banksy excites you, Lviv will not disappoint. Street art, some political, some fanciful, hides around every corner and offers a fresh look at contemporary Ukraine.
3. Cafes – If coffee is one of your vices, you are in luck. Amazing coffee is everywhere and at only a little over a dollar for a cappuccino or latte, you can drink to your heart’s content.
4. Craft beer – What better way to end a day exploring than with a delicious beer? Pravda Beer Theater is a 4-story beer palace located right in the main square and is the answer to my prayers. Make sure to check out the basement where the microbrewery is located.
5. Visa free – Unlike some of the other post-Soviet countries, Ukraine is visa-free for EU and US citizens.
6. Inexpensive – Prices are incredibly cheap. Hostels start at $3 per night, a taxi to/from the train station to the old town is just under $2 and you can eat for around $5 per day.
7. Safe – Despite what some news reports my tell you, Ukraine is safe. I wouldn’t want to wander into Crimea but Kyiv and Lviv feel like any other European city.
8. Trams – Like many of the cities in Eastern Europe, Lviv still uses Soviet-era trams which provide an extremely cheap form of transport and wonderful photo opportunities.
9. No stag-dos – Lviv hasn’t made it onto the stag-do/hen-night trail so less drunken tourists and a more “local” experience.
10. Locals – Speaking of “local” experience, Ukrainians are generally friendly, helpful and it is easier than you think to get by using only English. Signs are mostly in Cyrillic but it is always a fun challenge to try and decipher the letters.
