Chernivtsi is the hidden gem of Western Ukraine. You may not have heard much about Chernivtsi, but the city is considered to be the cultural, educational, and architectural center of Western Ukraine.
The city was once the capital of Bukovina, a historical region that was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire back in the day, and it is home to one of the stunning and prestigious universities in Ukraine, the Chernivtsi National University.
Chernivtsi is the perfect place to break your trip from Lviv for 2 nights before continuing to Kamianets-Podilskyi, another great city with beautiful architecture.
Here is a complete backpacking guide on how to spend a day in Chernivtsi, with 7 best things to do and tourist attractions to see while in the city. Without further ado, let's begin with the Chernivtsi Tourist Attractions Map.
Chernivtsi Attractions and Things to Do Map
7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi
1. Admire the Architecture of Chernivtsi National University
- 📍 Location: Chernivtsi National University [Map Link]
Chernivtsi National University is by far one of the most iconic architectural structures in the whole of Ukraine, and it is probably the reason why you are visiting Chernivtsi. The university was built in 1875 when Chernivtsi was the capital of Bukovina, which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Seeing the university with your own eyes almost makes you feel like you are not in Ukraine. The Baroque-Romanesque architectural style, the use of red bricks, and its green gardens almost make you feel like you are walking around Hogwarts. To be honest, if my university looks anything close to this, I might have shown up to class more (not really 😅).
The architect responsible for this piece of architectural wonder is Czech Josef Hlavka, who was behind many architectural projects in Vienna. Hence, you might find similarities in architecture between Austria and this piece.
Within the walls of the University, you will find Seminarska Church, where students can get married for free. There are also some other highlights inside the main building parameters, such as the Red Hall and the park.
Unfortunately, you are only allowed to go in if you are with a tour guide. Therefore, if you want to see them, you will have to go with a Ukrainian-only tour group, which can be organized at the entrance.
Where to Stay in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
2. Check Out the Massive Cathedral of Holy Spirit
- 📍 Location: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church [Map Link]
Throughout its many occupations, the Eastern Orthodox spirit lives on within this massive, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church. This Orthodox church is one of the biggest churches in Bukovina and a place where most of the locals go during Sunday prayers.
The inside hall is 46 meters high, and the exterior used to be painted in pink, but they have since repainted it to white. It is a shame because I thought it looked great in pink. Nevertheless, don't get confused by the photos from the Internet since they are of the same church, just at a different time.
That said, it is still a great place to visit, as it is centrally located and you will have to pass through it on your way to our next tourist attraction, the Armenian Church.
3. Visit the Armenian Church
- 📍 Location: Armenian Church [Map Link]
The one thing I have seen quite often in almost every town in Ukraine is that there is at least one stunning Armenian Church somewhere in the city, and Chernivtsi is also one of them.
You may notice some similarities of this red-brick, angular-looking architectural style with Chernivtsi National University, and that is because it was designed by Josef Hlávka, the same Czech architect who designed the University.
The Armenian Church has since been turned into an Organ Hall, and I was quite lucky to be able to see the inside right before the guy closes the door. The inside is also as pretty and unique-looking as the outside.
4. Walk along the Kobylyanskoi Street
- 📍 Location: Kobylyanskoi Street [Map Link]
Kobylyanskoi Street is the main pedestrian street in Chernivtsi, something you would find in almost every major city in Ukraine. The street is not too far from the Armenian Church and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, so you can include it as part of your walk around the city.
This is where the locals like to hang out during the day and in the evening, and you will find many restaurants and shops for you to indulge yourself in.
5. Check Out the Architecture of Chernivtsi Town Hall
- 📍 Location: Chernivtsi Town Hall [Map Link]
Right around the corner of Kobylyanskoi Street, you will find Chernivtsi Town Hall, another great piece of architecture in the city, with a 50m high clock tower where a trumpeter in a Bukovina folk costume will play the melody from the song "Marichka" at 12:00 exactly. Be sure to walk by there during that time.
Apparently, you can also go up to the clock tower if you talk to the person at the Tourist Information where they might be able to agree to let you up there. Although I haven't tried it myself, it's worth a shot if you are there.
6. Relax at Teatralna Square at Sunset
- 📍 Location: Teatralna Square [Map Link]
Teatralna Square is the perfect hangout place in the evening, right before the sunset. As the weather gets cooler during that time, locals will come out to the square and socialize with each other.
I went there and sat with a book in hand, spending my evening reading and watching people go by. There are tons of flowers and trees in the Square. All the while, you get to see the stunning architecture of Chernivtsi Regional Music and Drama Theater. If you are looking for a nice sunset spot, Teatralna Square is the place to be.
7. Go Off and Find Other Beautiful Architecture in Chernivtsi City Center
- 📍 Location: The Regional Art Museum [Map Link]
There are several other beautiful architectures all around the Chernivtsi City Center, so be sure to walk around a bit outside of those 6 things I recommended above, and you might find some undiscovered beauty as I did. For example, The Regional Art Museum is another great piece of architecture right next to Chernivtsi town hall.
Sorbonna Night Club is another weird-looking architecture that you will find when you walk from Chernivtsi National University to the City Center. I don't know how good this nightclub is, but the exterior sure made me feel intrigued to see the inside.
One of my favorite streets to stroll is Zan'kovets'koi Street, where you would find colorful buildings on both sides, while the stunning Church Of The Republic Of St. The Patriarchate sits right at the end of the street, where you can go and check that out too.
Where to Eat and Drink in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
Have Coffee at The Best Coffee Shop on the Universytetskiy & Skovorody Street
Yup, that is the real name of the cafe. The Best Coffee Shop on Universytetskiy & Skovorody Street (Найкраща кав'ярня на розі Університетської та Сковороди) is a nice, cozy cafe with a beautiful, atmospheric interior and a nice outside seating area in front of the street.
They serve delicious coffee as well as the best waffle you can find in town. If you are looking for a place for a quick bite in the morning or a place to chill with a glass of wine, you will not be disappointed.
Have Breakfast at Bucco Cafe
Another one of my favorite cafes in Chernivtsi, Bucco, is a modern-style cafe that serves delicious coffee and a full-blown all-day breakfast with sausages, bacon, and fried eggs, which is not easy to come by in Chernivtsi.
They have a ton of pastries and coffees for you to choose from. They also have reliable internet, as well as power sockets, for you to charge your electronics, making it the best place to kill some time and work/browse a little on your laptop.
When to Visit Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
The best time to visit Chernivtsi is during the summer months from May - September. Chernivtsi does not get a lot of foreign tourists, so peak time is still a great time to visit the city without having to deal with overtourism, as seen in Western Europe.
To make it even better, try visiting Chernivtsi during the weekdays so you will have the whole city and Chernivtsi National University all to yourself. Only local tourists visit Chernivtsi, and they often come during the weekends, so weekdays are a great time if you do not like visiting a crowded place.
How to Get to Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
In order to get to Chernivtsi, you will first have to get to Ukraine, and there are several ways you can do that.
If you are coming from the US, there is a direct flight from New York to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline that you can take. You can also fly via several European airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France into any of the main hubs in Europe. From there, you can take a low-cost airline like Ryanair or Wizz Air to Kyiv or Lviv and get a train that goes through Chernivtsi.
If you are in Asia, the simplest option is to fly directly from one of the hub cities like Bangkok to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline. They are cheap and fly directly to Kyiv in 11 hours. From Kyiv, you can take an overnight train to Chernivtsi.
To find a cheap flight to Kyiv, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
From Kyiv, there are several overnight trains that pass through Chernivtsi, so you can take that one. It leaves from 20:05 to 22:22 and arrives in Chernivtsi from 7:57 to 10:27.
From Lviv, there are also plenty of trains, both overnight and during the day, as it only takes around 4 hours to get from Lviv to Chernivtsi by train. If you take the one at 18:09, you will arrive in Chernivtsi at 22:02.
You can book your trains online through the official website here: Book Ukraine Train Online or through Tickets.ua. You can simply pay with your credit card, and you will receive an email with a QR code. All you have to do is show it to the ticket master when you are on the train.
How to Get Around Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
Chernivtsi and all its tourist attractions are within walking distance, so it is quite easy to navigate the city. For places that are a bit out of town, you can take their buses or trolleybuses that go almost everywhere in the city. The trolleybuses cost 3 UAH per trip, and you can use Google Maps to find which bus number to get on.
How to Get from Chernivtsi Train Station to the City Center
Chernivtsi Train Station is not too far from the city center and Chernivtsi National University. You can walk if you have the energy and time, as it will only take you 20 minutes. However, be aware that you will be walking uphill most of the time.
If you do not want to walk, you can take a trolley bus #1 that goes from the bus stop in front of the train station (Zaliznychnyi vokzal) to the one in front of the university.
Again, the trolleybus costs 3 UAH per trip, and you can either pay the bus driver on your way out of the bus, or someone will come and give you the ticket when the bus starts moving.
How Many Days to Spend in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
There are quite a few things to do in Chernivtsi, and I would recommend you spend at least one full day (2 nights) so you can see Chernivtsi National University and all the other tourist attractions Chernivtsi has to offer.
If your train arrives in the morning, you don't really have to stay for 2 nights, as you will have the entire day to explore the city when you arrive if you have the energy. Thankfully, the city is not overwhelming to explore, so you will have no trouble hitting the ground running.
Day 1: Simply spend the morning walking around Chernivtsi National University before checking out Kobylyanskoi Street and having lunch there. After lunch, start checking out all the cool churches and cathedrals around the area. Walk along Zan'kovets'koi Street, check out the Regional Art Museum and Chernivtsi Town Hall before ending the day with a sunset at Teatralna Square.
Day 2: Spend the morning enjoying a nice coffee and breakfast at Bucco cafe before heading to your next destination.
How Much Money Do I Need for Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
From our recommended one-day itinerary, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you would use for this itinerary. Here is a rough estimate of the amount of money you will spend in Chernivtsi:
Accommodation: 2 nights in Square Hostel will cost you only 10 USD (250 UAH).
Food: As usual, a good meal will cost you around 100 UAH per meal, so that is 300 UAH (12 USD) per day.
Transportation: For transportation, you can almost complete the entire trip without paying anything. However, even if you do pay, it will only cost you 3 UAH per trip. Therefore, I would estimate a total of 6 UAH for a round trip from the train station to the city center.
Activities: To gain entry into Chernivtsi University, you will need to pay 20 UAH. If you wish to have a guide (only Ukrainian guides were available during my visit), it will cost an additional 25 UAH. For most visitors, the total cost would be 20 UAH. That is all you need to pay for your visit to Chernivtsi.
Total Budget for one day in Chernivtsi: 576 UAH (23 USD).
Is it Safe in Chernivtsi, Ukraine?
It is a university town, and thus Chernivtsi is one of the safest places to be in Ukraine. Western Ukraine, and to some extent, Central Ukraine, is very safe in general, so you do not have to worry about anything when visiting Chernivtsi.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ukraine?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Chernivtsi, Ukraine without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Chernivtsi, Ukraine:
Since it is a university town, the internet I found at hostels and cafes is really fast and reliable, so you do not really need a local SIM card to stay connected. However, if Chernivtsi is part of a big trip you are doing in Ukraine, I would recommend you get a local SIM card as well, just in case.
You can either get the one from Vodafone or Kyivstar. They both offer similar plans with data ranging from 2GB to unlimited, costing between 55 UAH and 220 UAH.
For more information about Ukraine local SIM card: Ukraine Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
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