Summer Tourism 2025: Where Ukrainians Travel and What Kind of Vacation They Choose During Wartime

Despite the war, risks, and restrictions, Ukrainians continue to travel. Summer 2025 has once again confirmed the steady interest in domestic tourism. People are seeking recovery—physical, emotional, and psychological. And short trips within Ukraine offer a chance to briefly "exhale" from daily tension.

Western Ukraine – The Steady Leader of the Summer Season

For the fourth consecutive year, the most popular destinations among Ukrainian tourists remain the western regions—Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, and Ternopil. These areas are associated with relatively safer conditions compared to the central, eastern, and southern parts of the country, well-developed tourism infrastructure, and attractive landscapes.

The Carpathians—particularly the regions of Verkhovyna, Yaremche, Slavske, and Bukovel—attract active tourists, mountain hikers, cyclists, and those seeking health and wellness. This summer, many guesthouses and hotels offer new service packages, including spa treatments, relaxation programs, and gourmet weekends.

In Zakarpattia, gastronomic travel is gaining popularity. For example, the updated “Castles and Winemaking Route” combines cultural heritage with tastings of local wines, cheeses, and traditional dishes. In recent years, the areas around Berehove and Khust have become true cycling hubs, with dozens of safe bike paths and eco-trails.

Meanwhile, Lviv region offers the “Travel with Taste” program. These trips to local cheesemakers, bakeries, and wineries have become a magnet for urban residents seeking authenticity and culinary experiences.

New Formats in Central Ukraine

Central Ukraine is also surprising travelers with new formats and ideas. This summer, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Poltava, and Podillia have gained attention from tourists—primarily due to meeting the current needs of Ukrainians: relative safety, peace and quiet, scenic nature, and affordable prices.

Cherkasy region is attractive thanks to water routes along the Dnipro and its tributaries, as well as historical tours tracing the footsteps of Taras Shevchenko and the Cossack era—especially appealing to families with children.

Podillia’s “Small Towns Routes” are another trend of the 2025 season. Ancient castles, centuries-old wooden churches, nature parks, and communities preserving authentic culture are now magnets for tourists seeking serenity, depth, and aesthetics.

Kyiv and Kyiv region also remain popular destinations for short getaways. Tourists actively visit natural areas, parks, and botanical gardens, participate in hiking and cycling tours, cultural festivals, and gastronomic events. Thematic happenings are gaining popularity—from the Ivan Kupala celebration in Pyrohiv to ethno-festivals in Rzhyshchiv. These experiences combine nature, history, and modern service. There is growing demand for comfortable and safe recreation, especially due to convenient infrastructure, rich cultural offerings, and proximity to the capital. Kyiv region shows steady growth in domestic tourism, particularly on weekends and holidays.

The Black Sea Region Still Holds Tourist Interest

Despite security threats, the summer season has launched in Odesa. Ukrainians are still eager to enjoy the seaside, even for a few days. As of now, 11 beaches have been officially opened in Odesa, and one more in the village of Prymorske, Izmail district. Six additional beaches are planned to open soon. Permits have been issued only to those operators who have fully equipped their areas according to new safety standards: fenced-off swimming zones with buoys and nets, rescue posts, and air raid alert systems.

Unfortunately, beloved seaside resorts like Zatoka and Karolino-Buhaz remain closed to visitors due to the threat of shelling.

In the meantime, Odesa is actively developing other forms of domestic tourism: city walking tours, culinary experiences, museum routes, and themed festivals.

Ukrainians’ Travel Preferences

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians have consistently shown a preference for short trips lasting a few days, excursions to historical landmarks, wellness experiences, and nature-based getaways. Gastronomic tours, festivals, and eco-travel also remain in high demand.

Despite all the challenges and ongoing danger, the desire to travel within Ukraine is slowly returning. In today’s reality, domestic tourism plays an essential role—it supports the economy, boosts local communities, and helps maintain the population’s emotional well-being.