UNESCO World Heritage in Ukraine: what places are definitely worth seeing

Ukraine is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, ancient Chersonese, and ancient beech forests in the Carpathians. Here's what other UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can see in Ukraine and what they are famous for

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Ukraine is a country rich in history and cultural monuments. The UNESCO list includes many Ukrainian monuments of high historical, cultural, and architectural significance. In this article, we will look at eight wonders of Ukraine on the UNESCO list that any tourist should definitely visit.

If you want to see Ukraine's cultural heritage with your own eyes or discover other interesting places in Ukraine, check out the tours offered by Visit Ukraine. The portal features original excursions, gastronomic walks, and themed routes that allow you to see the country from a new perspective.

Which sites in Ukraine are included in the UNESCO list and where can they be seen?

The Ukrainian cultural heritage sites are located in different parts of the country, but most of them are located in the western, central, and southern parts of Ukraine.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and St. Sophia Cathedral

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the largest Orthodox monastery in Ukraine, founded in the 11th century during the reign of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The Lavra is known for its caves where monks lived and holy remains were kept. 

There are Near and Far Caves in the Lavra, where the relics of Orthodox saints rest.

St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest stone church in Kyiv, founded in the 11th century. The cathedral is famous for its mosaics, frescoes and icons, as well as its architectural style. 

The cathedral is a symbol of the Ukrainian capital and, together with the Lavra, shares the status of one of the most popular churches in Ukraine. 

These sites were included in the UNESCO list in 1990.

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The historic center of Lviv

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ensemble of Lviv's historic center, which unites the ancient and medieval parts of the city, as well as the territory of St. George's Cathedral on Sviatoyurska Hill (120 hectares).

Lviv city center is a historical complex of architecture and culture that is one of the best examples of medieval urban development in Europe. Lviv is one of the most beautiful cities in Ukraine, famous for its magnificent architectural structures and rich cultural heritage.

The city center is home to such famous landmarks as Rynok Square, the House with Lions, the Shevchenko Monument, and many others. Lviv city center was added to the UNESCO list in 1998.

Points of the Struve geodetic arc

The Struve geodetic arc is a system of points that is 2,820 kilometers long and stretches from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea. This arc was created in the mid-nineteenth century under the leadership of the famous geodesist and astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve to determine the shape and size of the Earth. Today, this arc is one of the most important geodetic heritage sites in the world and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Struve geodetic arc points are located in 10 countries, including Ukraine, where there are 38 Struve geodetic arc points located in 10 regions. Some of them are located in cities, such as Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv and Kharkiv, while others are in remote areas of Ukraine.

One of the Struve Arc points is located in the village of Katerynivka, Khmelnytskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region. The Struve Arc, at one time known as the "Russian" and then the "Russian-Scandinavian Meridian Arc".

Beech forests of the Carpathians

The natural site is a unique ecosystem that has remained virtually untouched by human activity for many centuries. It encompasses high mountains, deep valleys, dense forests and many rivers and waterfalls.

These forests are also home to many rare and unique species of animals and plants, many of which are endangered. Among them are brown bear, lynx, elk, Carpathian roe deer and many others.

Preserving the virgin beech forests of the Carpathians is of great importance for the conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage in Ukraine and around the world. Although these forests are protected, they are still threatened by human activities such as logging, road construction, and tourism.

Residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovina and Dalmatia

A historic complex of buildings located in the city of Chernivtsi in western Ukraine. The residence was built in 1864 and is an outstanding example of Austrian Empire architecture. It consists of several buildings, including the Metropolitan's Palace, the Surrender Hall, St. John the Theologian Cathedral, and many others.

Today, the residence of the metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia is one of the main tourist attractions in Chernivtsi. Its architectural beauty, historical significance and unique spirit attract thousands of visitors every year.

The complex is also home to one of the best universities in Ukraine, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.

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The ancient city of Chersonesos Tavriya and its chora

An ancient Greek city located on the southwestern coast of Crimea, founded in the fifth century BC. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the most significant archaeological sites in Ukraine.

One of the main attractions of Chersonesos is its chora - ancient Greek theaters built during the city's prosperity. 

In Chersonesos Tavriya, you can see the remains of several choruses, including the Great Theater Chora, which was built in the third century BC, and the Small Theater Chora, built in the fifth century BC.

Currently, Ukrainian cultural heritage is under temporary occupation by the Russian Federation. 

Wooden churches of the Carpathian region

The wooden churches of the Carpathian region are a unique monument of ancient architecture. These churches were built of wood between the 16th and 19th centuries and are of high artistic and historical significance. They were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.

The most famous churches on the UNESCO list are the Church of St. Michael in Jasien, the Church of St. Anne in Ladova, and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Schönborn. Yasinia is also home to the Museum-Reserve of Wooden Architecture and Traditions of the Carpathian Region, where you can learn about the history of these unique buildings.

The objects are not only unique architectural structures, but also a symbol of the centuries-old history and culture of this region of Ukraine. 

Historic center of Odesa

Odesa is one of the most attractive tourist cities in Ukraine. But the center of this city will make any tourist plunge into a beautiful example of architecture and history.

Odesa is famous for its architectural landmarks, such as the Odesa Opera House, Potemkin Stairs, House of Figures, Monument to Duke de Richelieu, House of Lions, and many others. Their unique architecture combines elements of different styles, such as Baroque, Classicism, Rococo, Art Nouveau, etc.

In the city center, you can find many cafes, restaurants and boutiques that reflect the richness of cultures and traditions of this region.

Odesa is a symbol of Ukraine's cultural diversity and tolerance. Thousands of tourists visit Odesa every year to discover its beauty and enjoy its unique atmosphere.

In conclusion, Ukraine is a rich and diverse country with many attractions, cultural and historical sites. Only a few of them were included in the UNESCO list, but this is a confirmation that Ukraine has many unique sites that deserve the attention of the world community.

Each of the eight sites on the UNESCO list has its own history, traditions and beauty. They show how rich and diverse Ukraine's culture is and how important it is to preserve and protect this cultural heritage for future generations.

Visiting these sites is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of Ukraine, as well as enjoy its natural beauty and unique architecture.

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We remind you! That Kyiv has demonstrated the resilience of its tourism sector even during the war: in 2025, the capital set a new record for revenue from tourist tax. Revenues increased by almost 65% compared to last year, which was made possible by the development of domestic tourism and an active promotional campaign for the city. Find out how much the capital earned and where the funds are being directed.

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