Every day, thousands of people hurry or stroll slowly along the streets where the city's life is concentrated, creating a special atmosphere. Most of Lviv's attractions are within walking distance from here, so you should start exploring the city from these places.
Main attractions of Lviv: streets, squares
Svoboda Avenue
Svobody Avenue is the main street of Lviv, where many attractions are located, such as the Opera House and the monument to Taras Shevchenko. It is also known as the "hundred-meter street", where locals and tourists enjoy walking and playing chess and dominoes. In winter, a Christmas market is held on this street and the main tree of the city is erected, and at Easter an Easter fair is organized here and a huge Easter egg is erected. This is a place that is definitely worth visiting while walking around the center of Lviv.
Rynok Square
Rynok Square is the heart of Lviv. All the main attractions of the city are gathered here: the town hall, famous stone houses, palaces, majestic churches, four exquisite fountains and small ancient streets with their own history. In addition, there is the largest concentration of restaurants, cafes, pubs and souvenir shops. At Rynok Square, you can fully feel the atmosphere and color of the city of Lviv, enjoy delicious coffee with the best chocolate, listen to street musicians and admire the beauty of architecture.
Horodotskaya Street
When you leave the train station in Lviv, the first street you notice is Horodotskaya. This street is famous for such famous monuments as the Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth, the Church of Saint Anna, the Lviv Circus and the theater named after Lesa Ukrainka. In addition, Horodotskaya is the second longest street in Lviv.
Shevchenko Avenue
Shevchenko Avenue is one of the main streets of the city, which is usually less frequented by tourists. It is known for its small maple alley with cozy benches, where you can relax after a walk around the city before the next attraction. There are also many restaurants and cafes on the avenue, and the Lviv National Philharmonic Hall is located on one of the side streets.
Konovaltsa Street
This street is famous for its elegant villas that were built several decades or even centuries ago. Each villa has a unique history and name, and its facades are decorated with interesting details, some even have towers. If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy a calm and cozy atmosphere and admire beautiful architecture, Konovaltsa Street is exactly what you need.
Copernicus Street
One of the most famous streets in Lviv - Kopernyka Street - leads directly to the city center and is one of the most popular among tourists. This is due to the location of the famous Potocki Palace - the largest in the city. Visitors can appreciate its beauty while walking along the street. Not far from it is the Palace of Arts, which is a venue for many festivals and events.
Sights of Lviv: iconic cathedrals
Cathedrals in Lviv are unique works of art that have no analogues and leave a unique impression on every visitor. These churches are represented in various architectural styles, such as Gothic (Olga and Elizabeth Church), Baroque (St. George's Cathedral), Renaissance, Classicism, and many others. When visiting Lviv, you should definitely visit:
Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth
The Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth was built in the neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the 20th century. This building was created in honor of Empress Elisabeth, wife of Franz Joseph I. Currently, the temple is the tallest building in the city, reaching a height of 88 meters. A special observation deck from the temple offers an amazing view of the city of Lviv.
Address: Kropyvnytskyi Square, 1
St. Anne's Church
The history of this church includes many trials. The two previous monasteries that occupied this site were destroyed by fire. During the period of Soviet power, the interior of the temple was completely destroyed, and the building itself was used first as a railway ticket office, and then as a furniture store. However, today the Church of St. Anne is open to all visitors.
Address: st. Gorodotskaya, 32
St. George's Cathedral
St. George's Cathedral is perhaps the most famous temple in Lviv. You can see it from anywhere in the city center, as well as from rooftops and special platforms. The cathedral is located at an altitude of 321 meters above sea level. Not only the size of the temple is amazing, but also the detail of the decoration of the facade. Thanks to its unique architecture, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Address: St. George's Square, 5
Latin cathedra
This temple is one of the seven oldest in Lviv. It is distinguished by its iconic tower, which is the second tallest in the central part of the city after the Town Hall. Its height reaches 66 meters. The Cathedral Basilica is also unique in that it preserves the eight chapels that were built around it. Together they create a complex, each element of which is unique.
Address: Cathedral Square, 1
Jesuit Church
The Jesuit Church is one of the most beautiful churches in the city, the first monument of Baroque architecture in Lviv, built at the beginning of the 17th century. Inside there is a huge amount of decoration: beautiful paintings, icons and sculptures of saints. There is also an organ here, which, unfortunately, has not been working since the 20th century due to numerous damages and requires restoration.
Address: st. Teatralnaya, 10
Armenian Church
This church, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the only representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church throughout Western Ukraine. All buildings located on the territory of the temple, including the cathedral itself, the bell tower, the monastery, the archbishop's palace, the Armenian bank, the altar and the memorial column, create a unique architectural ensemble. Inside the temple you can see amazing paintings, frescoes and mosaics.
Address: Armyanskaya Street, 7/13
Church of the Transfiguration
The Church of the Transfiguration amazes visitors with its majestic architecture, but it also has a unique history that dates back many centuries. One of the most significant episodes was the moment when a shell hit the wall of the temple on January 6, 1919. Fortunately, it did not explode and only damaged part of the cornice, which was repaired. Now this hundred-year-old shell is still built into the wall.
Address: st. Krakovskaya, 21
Dominican Cathedral
This huge baroque temple will amaze its visitors with its grandiose dimensions, as well as its external and internal decoration. The Dominican Cathedral was built on the oldest and longest dungeons, which can be visited on an excursion.
Address: pl. Museum, 1
Attractions in Lviv: Palaces
Lviv is a city that is rightly called the cultural capital of Ukraine, since it was here that many social events, balls and official receptions were concentrated in ancient times. To hold them, the nobles built unique palaces, which still amaze with their luxury and sophistication.
Bandinelli Palace
This late-Renaissance palace is one of the most famous buildings on Rynok Square. It was built for the Italian merchant Roberto Bandinelli, and previously the city’s first post office was located here, through which you could send or receive letters from anywhere in Europe. Today the building houses the Postal Museum and the Historical Museum.
Address: pl. Market, 2
Pototsky Palace
The magnificent Potocki Palace, built in the style of French classicism, attracts the eye with its sophistication. Today, everyone can not only look at it from the outside, but also look inside, wandering through the luxurious halls and rooms. It is interesting that before the site was acquired by the Potocki family, in this place there was only a marshy bank of the Poltva River and a hunting estate.
Address: st. Copernicus, 15
House of Scientists
The House of Scientists is a unique place that can attract the attention of every guest and passerby. The neo-baroque architecture is surprising and breathtaking, because at the entrance you can see the powerful figures of the Atlanteans. The main feature of this place is the exquisite carved staircase that takes you to the second floor. No less interesting is the rich decoration of the rooms. In addition, in the past there was a gentry casino in the House of Scientists.
Address: st. Deciduous rank, 6
Lubomirsky Palace
In the past, the Lyubomirsky Palace served as the base for the famous Ukrainian society "Prosvita", which is marked on the facade with blue frames. The building also housed the bookstore of the Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society, the editorial offices of the Delo newspaper and the Civil Voice magazine. Today the building houses the Museum of Ethnography and Arts and Crafts.
Address: pl. Market, 10
Kornyakt Palace
This palace was built for the richest man of his time - Konstantin Kornyakt in the Renaissance style. The palace is decorated with many figures on the roof. The royal halls have been preserved inside, as the building was once the residence of John III Sobieski. The exquisite Italian courtyard with numerous arches creating a stunning view is worthy of attention.
Address: pl. Market, 6
Dunikovsky Palace
This villa-palace was built to order by Emil Dunikovsky, professor of geology at Lviv University, who subsequently sold it to Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky to create a Church Museum there. The building amazes with its luxurious decoration, including many figures and stucco work in the neo-Baroque style. Currently, the palace belongs to the National Museum in Lviv named after Andrey Sheptytsky.
Address: st. Dragomanova, 42
Semensky-Levitsky Palace
The Semensky-Levitsky Palace is closed to the public, as it now houses an educational institution. But you should definitely see its unique architecture. The building is not a famous tourist spot, so no one bothers you to explore it. The palace will definitely surprise you with its original design.
Address: st. Pekarskaya, 19
Józef Sosnowski Palace
This palace was created by the famous architect Józef Sosnowski for himself. The building was divided into two parts, one of which served as the architect’s residence, and the other was rented out. Sosnovsky Palace is a unique example of a pseudo-Gothic style with elements of Venetian Gothic, which will not leave any visitor indifferent. A special feature of the building is its unique decoration, including ancient paintings.
Address: st. General Chuprynki, 50-52
Lviv sights: Universities
Not only the beautiful buildings of ancient churches and castles can inspire admiration, but also educational institutions. Some of the universities in Lviv are included in the list of the best in Ukraine.
National University "Lviv Polytechnic"
"Lviv Polytechnic" is the oldest technical educational institution in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. It includes 16 scientific and educational institutes, 8 colleges, its own publishing house, 2 gymnasiums and many other educational institutions. You can enjoy not only the architecture of the university, but also relax on the benches in the courtyard.
Address: Stepan Bandera Street, 12
Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
Ivan Franko University is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Previously, the university building served as the Galician Sejm, but now it impresses with its size and architecture, surprising every visitor.
Address: 1 Universitetskaya Street
Lviv State University of Life Safety
This university is known for its unique architecture, which in appearance resembles a medieval castle. However, this building was originally built as a Home for Disabled Military Persons. Only later it was turned into an educational institution.
Address: st. Kleparovskaya, 35
Lviv National Medical University named after Danylo Galitsky
This university is one of the oldest and largest medical institutions of higher education. It ranks first in the ranking of the best medical universities in Ukraine. Interesting fact: more than 120 graduates of this university received a doctorate degree.
Address: Taras Shevchenko Street, 69
Sights of Lviv: Theaters
Theaters cannot be forgotten when visiting Lviv, because here you can enjoy exciting dramas, perhaps tragedies or your favorite comedies. Even children will find a place where they can watch performances based on famous fairy tales. Talented actors will be waiting for you, but first you should examine the appearance of the buildings themselves, which will certainly surprise you.
National Drama Theater named after Maria Zankovetskaya
Founded by Count Skarbek, this theater was designed with perfect exterior and interior finishing. Even when the marshy ground created a problem with the construction of the foundation, the count allocated 16,000 oak trees taken from his properties near Nikolaev to support the theater, which to this day is a unique piece of engineering thanks to its innovative systems. Today the theater invites visitors to exciting performances.
Address: Lesi Ukrainka Street, 1
Solomiya Krushelnitskaya Opera and Ballet Theater
The Lviv Opera and Ballet Theater named after Solomiya Krushelnytska is located in the very center of the city and is one of the most famous architectural landmarks. Before the start of construction, a competition for the project was announced, with the condition “only Polish and Russian nationality.” Only two projects were accepted for the competition - from Zygmunt Gorgolewski and Jan Zawieyski. The jury chose Gorgolevsky's project, but Ian did not give up and caused a discussion, attracting the attention of the people. This led to two additional meetings, as a result of which Gorgolevsky's project was chosen. Today the Opera House impresses with its architecture and design.
Address: Svobody Avenue, 28
Lviv Regional Puppet Theater
This puppet theater is designed in the Renaissance style with a lot of arches that will surely surprise you with its architecture. The theater is open to everyone to immerse themselves in the world of childhood and goodness during performances.
Address: pl. Danila Galitsky, 1
