Are tourists welcome in Ukraine?

Despite the war, Ukraine remains open to travellers and continues to surprise foreigners with its hospitality, culture and resilience. Modern tourist routes, the warm attitude of Ukrainians and new travel formats — from volunteer tours to visits to de-occupied regions — make a trip here special. Find out more about whether tourists are welcome in Ukraine and why people from all over the world continue to visit

Insurance with war risk coverage for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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In 2025, despite the ongoing war, tourism in Ukraine has not stopped. The country continues to welcome visitors, adapt to new conditions and demonstrate its openness to the world. Tourism is not only economic support but also a powerful signal: Ukraine is alive, free, and ready to share its culture, history, and humanity. And yes, tourists are welcome in Ukraine.

Is it safe to visit Kyiv or Lviv today? Which routes are open to travellers, and how do Ukrainians themselves feel about guests from abroad?

We answer all these questions below.

How to travel safely in Ukraine and what rules you need to know to visit Ukraine as a tourist — we told you earlier.

Is Ukraine open for tourism — we explain here.

Detailed information you need to know before travelling to Ukraine can be found at the following links:

– Travelling to Ukraine for tourism;

– Working in Ukraine;

– Immigrating to Ukraine;

– Studying in Ukraine;

– Supporting Ukraine.

Is Ukraine Open for Tourists 2025?

Entry to Ukraine

Foreigners are allowed to enter Ukraine with a valid visa (for countries where it is required) or under the visa-free regime. Additional COVID-19 requirements have been lifted. Customs and border services are operating at the border.

How Ukraine ensures the safety of tourists during the war — read our detailed article.

Traveling to Ukraine During the War: Safety is Our Top Priority

Although some regions of Ukraine remain unsafe due to hostilities, most of the country, including Western Ukraine, is relatively safe for travel. Travel companies offer itineraries that take into account the current situation and constantly monitor risks.

How many foreigners visited Ukraine in 2024 and which countries did they come from most often — read here.

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Ukrainians' attitude towards foreign tourists

Most Ukrainians are warm and grateful to foreign guests. Tourists are not only about travel, but also about supporting the country, its economy and image. The arrival of foreigners is perceived as a gesture of solidarity and interest in Ukraine.

How life in Ukraine differed before and during the war — we told you here.

Foreigners in Ukraine: what do tourists themselves say?

Despite the war, foreigners actively visit Ukraine — and leave enthusiastic, emotional reviews of their trip.

Mark from the United Kingdom spent 11 days in Ukraine, visiting Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv and even the de-occupied regions. He came as a sign of solidarity and felt the true strength and humanity of Ukrainians.

‘The stories I heard and the things I saw will remain in my memory for a long time,’ he says.

Gabi Mimovich from Australia visited Ukraine for the first time after several attempts since 2014. She is fascinated by Ukrainian culture, architecture and resilience.

‘Ukraine is just like any other country. There are many wonderful cities, restaurants and people here. There is no reason not to come,’ she says.

Jim Nathanson from the United States, a 78-year-old pensioner, visited Kyiv, Bucha and Irpin. Impressed by the courage of Ukrainians, he emphasises:

‘Kyiv looked like any other big city. People don't want to live in fear.’

He thanks the Visit Ukraine team for the excellent organisation of the trip.

Read also: ‘Top questions foreigners ask about Ukraine: history, traditions and culture of the Ukrainian people.’

Liene from Latvia is organising a rally in support of Ukraine and, together with her husband, is collecting material for a book. Her tour covered Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Sumy. She travelled alone, stayed in hostels and communicated only with Ukrainians. Her conclusion:

‘It was the trip of my life,’ says the tourist.

Where tourists go: popular tourist destinations in Ukraine

Lviv attracts visitors with its architecture, coffee and atmosphere. Kyiv offers cultural events, museums and street art. The Carpathians offer peace, nature and mountain adventures. Odesa offers the sea, humour and southern hospitality.

Kamianets-Podilskyi — ancient fortresses and unique landscapes.

Which cities in Ukraine are most often visited by foreign tourists, as well as 10 interesting and little-known cities in Ukraine that are worth visiting at least once in a lifetime — read more at the links.

In turn, organised trips to de-occupied territories have become popular among tourists who want to see modern history first-hand. Such tours are accompanied by guides and provided with transport and security.

Ukraine has become a magnet for military tourism. How to organise such a tour — we tell you in a separate article.

Another popular type of tourism is combining travel with volunteering. Foreigners come to help rebuild schools, hospitals, shelters, or bring humanitarian aid. It is a way to get in touch with the real Ukraine and become part of its recovery.

How do military tours differ from donation tours to Ukraine — we explain here.

By the way, tourism revenues in Ukraine have increased. We tell you which cities have earned the most in our review.

The Visit Ukraine portal offers interesting tours of Ukraine for foreigners — from classic excursions in Lviv and Kyiv to in-depth volunteer trips and visits to de-occupied regions. All routes are designed with safety in mind, accompanied by experienced guides and include transfers, accommodation and 24/7 assistance.

This is not just a trip — it is a journey towards understanding and supporting a country that is changing the course of history.

Is it Safe to Visit Ukraine Now?

Relatively safe regions include Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Ternopil, and Chernivtsi regions, as well as parts of Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions. There is no active fighting there, and the tourist infrastructure is functioning normally.

How big is Ukraine and where is the best place to go for first-time travellers — read more at the link.

The main thing is to choose reliable tour operators, follow official recommendations, and use mobile apps for alerts, such as Air Alert (App Store | Google Play). It is worth thinking about logistics in advance, booking accommodation, and following the rules of conduct during alerts.

What not to do in Ukraine and 10 rules tourists should know — follow the links.

Important! Medical insurance covering war risks is a prerequisite for safe travel to Ukraine. You can purchase such a policy in just a few minutes on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Why visit Ukraine now?

Yes, there is a war going on in Ukraine. But life goes on. Museums are open, festivals are held, and Ukrainians are more open to the world than ever before. Travelling to Ukraine today is more than just a trip. It is an act of support, solidarity and discovery of a country that is fighting, inspiring and changing the world.

Organise your trip through the Visit Ukraine portal and discover Ukraine, which is waiting for you with open arms.

Planning a trip to Ukraine?

Don't forget the most important thing — medical insurance covering war risks. It will ensure your safety in unpredictable situations and guarantee a peaceful trip.

Get your policy quickly and conveniently on Visit Ukraine — and travel with confidence!

Reminder! Ukraine is world-renowned for its cultural heritage, one of the components of which is its national cuisine. However, it is not just borscht, varenyky and pampushky. Here we tell you about 15 dishes you must try in Ukraine.

Photo: Depositphotos

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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