Tour of the Transcarpathian region: attractions, tourist and little-known places. Traveling by car in Transcarpathia. Mukachevo, Uzhgorod, Lviv Where to go by car in Transcarpathia
General description:
Holidays in Transcarpathia are Carpathian mountain ranges and meadows, the unique beauty of forests, pure springs, centuries-old traditions, ancient stories and legends. Folk cuisine and healing springs of Transcarpathia add charm and charm to your holiday. The region of Transcarpathia surprises and impresses with its sights.I will try to introduce you to the most, in my opinion, amazing sights of Transcarpathia. Let's start our vacation in Transcarpathia from the capital of this region.
IN city of Uzhgorod The longest linden alley is located. The alley was planted by Czech botanists in 1928. Different varieties of linden were planted and therefore you can admire the blooms for almost a whole month. Among the seven wonders of the world of Transcarpathia, the alley took the fifth place of honor in 2009.
A cherry blossoms in Uzhgorod turns the city into real Japan. Cherry blossoms peak, with about 1,000 trees blooming here around April 25th.
The treasure of the Ukrainian Carpathians is Lake Synevyr. The water in Synevyr is so clean that you can see the bottom of the lake, and the trout swimming in it, the lake is rich in. Fishing here is strictly prohibited. And in 1989, Syneversky Park was created in the adjacent areas near the lake.
The sights of Transcarpathia are rich in wonders, one of such wonders is "Valley of Narcissus" During the flowering period in May, everything is covered with a white blanket. It may seem like you are in the Alps. A monument to the narcissus was erected near the valley. Now it will be easier for tourists to find the valley.
The highest point in Ukraine is considered Mount Goverla. The height of the mountain is 2061 above sea level. The mountain is located on the border of Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian regions. The first ascent by tourists took place in 1880. Climbing the mountain is possible from May to November.
There is a Center of Europe in Transcarpathia. The stela is located on the highway of the Rakhiv district in the village of Dilov. The stela and geodetic sign symbolize the geographical center of Europe. The device was made in Austria and Hungary with a scale of meridians and parallels, determined by the Center of Europe in 1887.
The sights of Transcarpathia are unique. The high-altitude observatory is located on Mount Pop-Ivan. The observatory was built on Black Mountain in 1935 at an altitude of 2022 meters on the top of the mountain. The observatory was used as a meteorological station and as a powerful border post.
Still a must see Museum of Folk Architecture. This museum is open air. Samples of wooden architecture from representatives of different peoples of Transcarpathia are collected here.
And near the village of Solotovo there are salt lakes and caves. Lakes that are in no way inferior to the healing power of the Dead Sea. A health complex is open here. It is very beautiful and unusual here.
And now we will get acquainted with such an architectural landmark as: hunting castle - palace of the counts of Schönborn. It was the summer residence of Count Schönborn, for recreation. The house was initially small, but after reconstruction it turned out to be a castle in the Romanesque style. Near the palace there is a garden with a decorative lake.
Next we will visit Mukachevo Castle "Palanok". The castle was built to control and protect military and trade routes. The castle has about 120 rooms, half of which are residential, and the other part is reserved for casemates and trains. Nowadays, the castle houses a historical museum.
And in Uzhgorod castle you can see more than 100 thousand exhibits. The building houses the Transcarpathian Local History Museum. The castle is a fortification structure. The museum's collections include: weapons, bronze items, early printed books, and guild crafts. As well as exhibits: folk clothing, musical instruments and much more.
Need to see more Zoo museum. The museum is located in Uzhgorod in the former Greco-Catholic Church of St. Basil. There are 150 species of Transcarpathian fauna here. The collection also includes exotic animals such as leopard, saiga, crocodile, monkeys, and emu. Shark, crayfish, octopus, squid.
Past botanical garden don't pass by. There are 3,900 species and varieties of open ground plants and 1,100 greenhouse plants. And in the arboretum there are about 800 species of shrubs and trees. The garden has the following sections: Chinese, Far Eastern, Central Asian, Caucasian and American.
In Transcarpathia there are many more attractions, architectural monuments and buildings. And all of them, without exception, are worthy of you coming to this land of wonders and seeing everything for yourself. After all, they say the truth is better to see once than to hear a hundred times.
Transcarpathia is famous not only for its sights, but also for its resorts where you can undergo targeted or complex treatment. It’s no secret that sanatoriums in the Carpathians are known not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. And the climate in the Carpathians contributes to health improvement. The air is clean, mineral springs, hot springs, healing mud. And horseback riding, alpine skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing will help improve your health. The resort areas of the Carpathians are all environmentally friendly and therefore it is here that it is best to improve your health and relax, combining business with pleasure.
In the village of Karpaty in the Mukachevo region is located sanatorium "Karpaty". The decoration of the sanatorium is the famous castle of Count Chevron. Treatment profile: diseases of the heart, circulatory system, digestion, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, gynecological diseases, including health improvement for pregnant women, etc.
Accommodation in two buildings, luxury rooms and standard rooms. In the dining room you will taste dishes of national and European cuisine. The following services are also provided: post office, railway ticket offices, swimming pools, sauna, beauty salon. There are walking and bus tours around the cities of Transcarpathia. In winter there is skiing time, and there is also a ski lift. Near the castle located on the territory of the sanatorium there is a very beautiful arboretum.
The village of Polyana is located not far from Mukachevo. The village is famous for its thermal and mineral waters.
Sanatorium "Polyana" is located in the valley of the Pinya River. Treatment profile: digestive diseases, urinary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases. At your service: deluxe and junior suites. Dietary food in the sanatorium canteen.
And: "Glade font"- medical and diagnostic base, cafe-bar, gym, sauna, library, parking lot.
If you have not been here yet, here are the sanatoriums in Polyana: respectively, “Polyana”, “Sunny Transcarpathia”, “Kvele-Polyana”. Come and you will visit heaven on earth.
The best holiday in Transcarpathia and I don’t think anyone disagrees with me.
Carpathians and Transcarpathia - Ukraine
Carpathians and Transcarpathia
Ukrainian Carpathians is part of the Carpathian mountain range, located on the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk, Transcarpathian, Lviv and Chernivtsi regions. The name Carpathians, according to one version, comes from the name of the carp tribe that lived in this territory in ancient times. The highest point of the Carpathians is the peak of Hoverla - its height is 2,061 meters above sea level.
Carpathians - video
Transcarpathia located in the southwestern part and foothills of the Eastern Carpathians. The administrative center of the Transcarpathian region is the city. In terms of area, this is one of the smallest regions (about 13 thousand sq. km.). Approximately 1.2 million people live here. According to the national composition, the population of the region is divided into Ukrainians, Hungarians, Romanians, Russians, Gypsies, Slovaks, Germans, Belarusians, Jews, Poles and Moldovans. The region's relief is represented by mountain ranges, occupying about 80% of the territory, and the Transcarpathian lowland (the remaining 20%), where the bulk of the population lives. More than 9 thousand rivers flow within the region. The largest of all is the Tisa River, the length of which within the region is 240 kilometers. Among the numerous lakes of Transcarpathia, the most famous is Lake Synevyr. The temperate continental climate of Transcarpathia with a rather sensitive influence of the Atlantic results in long and warm summers and relatively mild winters. The average temperature in January is -4 degrees (in mountainous areas -10 degrees), and the average temperature in July is +21 degrees.
The economy of the region is focused on the use of local natural resources. In this regard, industry is represented here by the forestry, wood processing, wood chemical, light, food, engineering industries, as well as the production of building materials.
Sights of the Carpathians and Transcarpathia
The main attractions of the Carpathians and Transcarpathia are ancient castles and fortresses. In the city of Uzhgorod, tourists are interested in old castle, the construction of which dates back to the 12th century. The castle was rebuilt several times, but retained the architectural features of that time. Opposite the old castle there is a museum of residential buildings, where you can see Ukrainian, Hungarian and Romanian buildings, in which the interior, furniture and utensils characteristic of these peoples have been preserved. Also in the museum is an old church built from wood without the use of nails.
It is definitely worth a visit, which is located a few kilometers from Uzhgorod. Nevitsky Castle is popularly called the castle of the “Filthy Virgin”. In the 12th century, the building was destroyed by the Transylvanian prince and has never been restored since then.
Pay attention to the village called Beregovo. In this village you will find a famous thermal spring, the water temperature of which remains at +45 degrees all year round. Bathing in the spring helps in the treatment of diseases of the spine and radiculitis.
In the city of Mukachevo, tourists will be able to visit Palanok Castle, built in the 13th century and recently restored. Currently, the castle premises are used as hotel rooms; weddings and other special events are held here.
Near Mukachevo there is the most beautiful castle in the entire territory of Transcarpathia - Schönborn Castle. The building was erected at the end of the 19th century in the romanticism style. The roof of the building is covered with red tiles, so it can be seen from afar. There are about 300 window openings on the facades of the building. Currently, the castle houses a sanatorium called “Carpathians”.
In the 15th century, it was built for Baron Pereni as a residence. Chinadievsky Castle, which is also called "Saint Miklos". In the second half of the 17th century, as a result of an attack by Polish troops, the castle's structures were quite badly damaged. In recent years, the building has been reconstructed - exhibition halls have already opened in some rooms.
In the city of Vinogradovo, tourists will see Kankov Castle, which was built in 1329 as a defensive structure. Also in this small town it is worth paying attention to the Ascension Church.
Ascension Church
In addition to the above-mentioned attractions of Transcarpathia, it is worth paying attention to Borzhavsky, Kvasovsky, Bronetsky, Vyshkovsky, Khustsky, Serednyansky castles with preserved wine cellars, the Dovgaiv Palace and the Dovzhansky Castle in the village of Dolgoe, the Kolochava narrow-gauge railway, the Holy Spirit Church and others.
1. If you go to the mountains, be careful when making fires. To do this, it is best to find a place where there has already been a fire. If there is no such place nearby, then dig in your fire so that sparks from it do not fall on dry grass.
2. While walking through the forest, you should not scare wild animals, as well as domestic cows and goats grazing near you.
3. Don't leave trash behind - the best option is to take it with you. If you have empty cans left, burn them over a fire and flatten them, and then bury them.
4. Take care of nature - do not pick berries unless absolutely necessary, do not cut down tree branches, since you can always collect dry brushwood to make a fire, do not pollute springs and streams.
5. If you lose your way, ask local residents. Here distances are usually measured by travel time. Local residents will point you in the direction and tell you how long you need to walk. By doubling the indicated time, you will find out the true travel time.
6. If you are planning a walk in the mountains, then it is worth considering that the weather here is quite changeable. You need to prepare in advance and take with you spare dry clothes and a hat. When traveling in the mountains as part of tourist groups, never lag behind the person in front, as you may get lost due to limited visibility.
7. Please take into account that this is a border zone, so residents of Ukraine must have a passport or other identification document, for example, a driver’s license. Guests from other countries, in addition to a foreign passport, must have a document with them that confirms that they are in Ukraine legally.
8. Tourists who prefer skiing will be able to rent all the necessary equipment for 20-30 UAH. in a day. You will also have to pay for the use of the ski lift - the price depends on the place you choose for skiing.
9. When climbing mountain peaks, the air density decreases and some people may feel dizzy, experience shortness of breath and attacks of nausea - these are the first signs of the so-called mountain sickness. If suddenly you are faced with a similar situation, then it is better to stop climbing and return back. To relieve symptoms of the disease, taking analgesics and drinking heavily helps. People with heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases should not climb mountains.
10. While relaxing in the mountains, avoid hypothermia, as this can lead to very serious consequences. If this happens to you, then immediately find a warm room, drink hot tea, rub your frozen limbs and go to first aid stations. Attention! In case of hypothermia, avoid drinking alcohol!
For the Independence Day of Ukraine, Channel 24 prepared a special project about amazing places in every region of the country. Today we will tell you which corners of Transcarpathia every Ukrainian should visit.
In the Transcarpathian region there is a holiday for everyone: for extreme tourists - a hike to the Chornohora and Svidovets mountain ranges; for lovers of “lazy” relaxation – the thermal waters of Kosin and Beregova; for connoisseurs of historical heritage - the castles of Uzhgorod and Mukachevo.
All the most beautiful places in Transcarpathia cannot be described in a few words, so we suggest you pay attention to the selection of places that are worth visiting first.
Transcarpathian region: what is worth visiting
Uzhgorod – a majestic castle, a wide river and cherry trees
An amazing city on the Uzh River is the administrative center of the Transcarpathian region. The first mention of it dates back to 872. Today the population of the regional center is more than 100 thousand people.
Sakura Festival. To the famous cherry blossom festival called "Sakura-fest" thousands of tourists come from all over Ukraine. The peak of flowering of ornamental Japanese cherries occurs at the end of April - beginning of May and they bloom for two to three weeks. The program of the annual festival always appears on Internet resources, offering convenient tourist tours and routes around the city.
Despite the popular myths about the appearance of pink trees in Uzhgorod, according to the official version, in the 1920s, Czechoslovak engineers were supposed to plant trees in the new administrative quarter in the city center and planted cherry trees as an experiment, which unexpectedly took root in this area. Today, the largest number of sakura can be seen in spring along the Uzh River - the longest alley in Europe (2.2 km).
Cherry blossoms on the streets of Uzhgorod
Regarding the interesting tourist places of the “capital” of Transcarpathia, on Kapitulna Street there is an analogue of Lviv Shevchenko Guy - Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life. The open-air local history museum stores 14 thousand ancient exhibits of folk applied art. It was created in 1965 and now covers an area of 5.5 hectares.
Uzhgorod Castle It is considered one of the oldest fortifications in Ukraine (the first mention was in the 10th century), which since the mid-20th century has turned into a local history museum and invites all tourists on excursions. A small observation deck offers a magnificent panorama of the city, against which you can take beautiful photos.
Panorama from the territory of the Uzhgorod castle
It is impossible not to mention such wonderful architectural monuments as the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross (1841), the Roman Catholic Church of St. George (1775), Shelestovo St. Michael's Church (1777), Uzhgorod Synagogue (1910), Church of St. Yuri, Episcopal Residence, Uzhgorod Children's Railway and Botanical Garden.
Roman Catholic Church of St. George
The best way to get to Uzhgorod is by train, which goes directly to the regional center.
Palanok Castle
The legendary Mukachevo castle Palanok has been inviting thousands of tourists to its possessions for several years now. The first mention of it dates back to the 11th century, and it was built to protect and control trade and military routes. The fortification at one time withstood many enemy sieges, the longest of which was the Austrian one, which lasted three years (1685-1688). Then the castle belonged to the famous Hungarian princess Ilona Zrini - she led the national liberation movement of Croatia and Hungary against the Austrian Empire.
Palanok Castle in Mukachevo
Medieval walls keep many secrets and myths that have not yet been solved. However, we know one thing for sure - from the mountain on which the castle is located, an amazing view of the ancient city of Mukachevo opens up. There is even a legend that supposedly people built this mountain, but their labor cost them terrible suffering, which is where the probable name of the settlement Mukachevo came from.
Palanok Castle, with an area of almost 14 thousand square meters, is divided into three levels: Upper, Middle and Lower castles. Also, under the majestic historical building, secret underground passages are still preserved, which at one time were considered a refuge for people and livestock.
Today, many excursions are held at the castle. To get to it, you need to take any transport that takes you to Mukachevo and go up to the castle gates on your own.
Nevitsky Castle
A dilapidated castle near the village of Kamenitsa, Uzhgorod region, was first mentioned in history around the 12th century. After lengthy clashes and religious wars, the Transylvanian prince Yuri I Rakoczi destroys the castle - and all that remains is a few castle walls and one tower. However, this castle is considered the first castle building built on the territory of modern Ukraine.
Nevitsky Castle near the village of Kamenitsa
If you want to get to Nevitsky Castle, you need to take any bus from the bus station "Uzhgorod-2" ("Perechinsky bus station") that passes through the village of Nevitskoye. At the stop near the castle there are information boards with a marked walking route to the Nevitsky Castle.
Palace of the Counts of Schönborn
In the euphonious village of Karpaty near Mukachevo there is the palace of the Counts of Schönborn, or Beregvar Castle. It was built at the end of the 19th century - then the palace served the owners as a residence and hunting lodge.
In 1946, it turned into the Karpaty sanatorium, which specialized in treatment and rehabilitation after vascular and heart diseases. In addition to rare plants that have been growing in the arboretum garden for decades, there is also a pump room with mineral water on the palace grounds. It is also called the source of beauty for the healing properties of water.
Palace of the Counts of Schönborn (Beregvar Castle) near Mukachevo
The best way to reach the castle is by rail. In Mukachevo you need to take the train, which goes to the Karpaty station, and from there walk to the palace. You can get to the sanatorium by car, driving along the Kyiv-Chop highway. There you will come across the settlements of Suskovo and Chinadievo, between which the amazing palace is located.
Thermal waters of Transcarpathia
If you have never had the opportunity to swim in thermal waters, then the city of Beregovo and the village of Kosino (Mukachevo district) will definitely appeal to you. Tourist complexes fascinate with their beauty and range of medical services.
Health complex in Kosino
It is here that you will find outdoor pools and saunas with thermal waters, the temperature of which reaches more than 40 degrees. Natural mineral water, in particular in Beregovo, rises directly from thermal wells, more than 1 km deep. Thousands of tourists from all over the country come to these parts of Transcarpathia to go not only to taste delicious wines and cheeses, but also to have a great time and improve their health.
Balneological resort Lumshory
An ideal place to relax and recuperate is the balneological resort of Lumshory, which dates back to the 17th century. The village of Perechyn district, which is located at the foot of the largest valley of the Ukrainian Carpathians - the Runa valley - invites you not only to have a pleasant time, but also to recover in metal vats.
For some, such an exotic vacation may seem a little strange, but swimming in mineral hydrogen sulfide water will definitely be remembered for a lifetime. In addition to unforgettable impressions, bathing in vats helps to improve the musculoskeletal system and rejuvenate the body.
Lumshory invites you to bathe in vats
Considering the distance from civilization, getting to the village is quite difficult. It is best to start your route from the regional center by train, which passes through Perechyn. There you will change to a shuttle bus that departs regularly from the bus station.
Lake Synevyr
The real pearl of the Carpathians, which amazes with its beauty and unique flora and fauna, is located in the Mizhhirya region. It has become not only an excellent tourist destination, but also a place for filming more than one film and video clip. It is also often called the “Eye of the Sea”, which amazes with its crystal water and mountain landscapes.
A beautiful region where different cultures, peoples and traditions mix. The region borders on four countries - Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Transcarpathia amazes with its rich history, incredible nature, high mountains and hospitality. TSN.Tourism has compiled a list of reasons why it is worth visiting this unique Ukrainian region.
Uzhgorod - window to Europe
The regional center attracts with its unique beauty. The city has everything: an ancient castle, numerous museums, a botanical garden and even its own embankment. The city was often at different times under the rule of Czechoslovakia and Hungary, which, of course, left its unique imprint. You can come to the city at any time of the year. In spring you can see the cherry blossoms. The tourism sector of Uzhgorod is very developed: there are hotels, restaurants, etc.
Transcarpathian Museum of Local History
Uzhgorod Castle
Mineral waters of Transcarpathia
Resorts in the region are very popular not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. The most common are balneological springs. There are especially many of them in the villages of Nelipino, Solochino, Polyana, Ploskoye, and Lugi. The waters of these sources are analogues of the well-known waters of the "Borjomi" type and have the same taste, especially the waters of "Luzhanskaya", "Polyana Kvasova", "Ploskivskaya", "Svalyava".
zakarpattyachko.com.ua
Mineral waters of Transcarpathia are very useful
You can drink healing water in sanatoriums that happily welcome holidaymakers. The European level of service and treatment attract people all year round. The sanatoriums have well-equipped treatment and diagnostic rooms and hydropathic clinics. A mineral water festival is also held annually. Here manufacturers and sanatoriums offer their services.
Castles of Transcarpathia
The region is rich in castles. Some of them are very well preserved, while others have turned into ruins. Particular attention should be paid to Uzhgorod, Nevitsky and Mukachevo castles. All the rest only remind tourists of the luxury of the past. Thus, the most striking thing is the Palanok Castle in Mukachevo. This object is located on a hill, which makes its view even more dizzying. Now the Mukachevo Castle houses a historical museum.
UNIAN
The brave ones want to get to Hoverla
Hoverla
Hoverla is the highest mountain of the Ukrainian Carpathians. This site has become a center of pilgrimage for those who want to get an unforgettable experience. You can climb Hoverla from two sides. One of these is from Transcarpathia. In general, the ascent from Transcarpathia will take longer, but it is the easiest.
UNIAN
Valley of Narcissus
If you manage to climb Hoverla in sunny weather, you can see in full view Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia from the north, in the south - Romanian Sygit and Pop Ivan, Petros stretches from the west, and the peaks of Chornohora rise in the southeast.
Valley of Narcissus- an unforgettable trip that will forever remain in your memory
The Valley of Narcissus is located near Khust. Nature has given very few such places. In particular, similar natural objects have been preserved in the Alps, mountainous regions of Romania and some Balkan countries, but they are smaller in area.
Dmitro Gnap
Synevyr - the pearl of Transcarpathia
You should come here in early May, when the daffodils begin to bloom. Peak flowering traditionally occurs in mid-May, but this year the daffodils bloomed earlier due to warm weather. You can learn more about this unique valley in the museum. More than 10 thousand tourists visit the Valley of Narcissus every year.
And now the main attraction of Mukachevo is Palanok Castle.
The castle is located on a hill whose height is 80 meters. The origin of the hill, as the guide told us, has two versions. According to one, it is bulk, according to the other, it is of volcanic origin.
Road to the castle:
A bridge spans the dry ditch:
On the right is our guide:
According to legend, the castle once looked like this:
The thickness of the walls is impressive:
An analogue of a modern intercom between floors - you need to shout into this hole and you will be heard on the next floor:
In the courtyard:
The oldest well:
Let me remind you that the castle is located on a hill whose height is 80 meters. So it was very difficult to get to the water. But nevertheless, they dug a well of the required depth, and water appeared in the castle.
On the observation deck:
Mukachevo is like the palm of your hand:
The inspection of Mukachevo is now complete and you can move on to Uzhgorod.
Uzhgorod is the capital of the Transkrpatya region. Uzhgorod is a city located on the Uzh River. Here is the river itself:
In the place where we left the car, some kind of rally was taking place (in the background):
A few shots of the city center:
Monument to the lamplighter:
Castle (oh, we had to look for a guide; we ourselves saw almost nothing, and from what we saw, we understood little):
Moat around the castle:
Courtyard:
From the fortress wall:
This could be the end of the story about visiting Uzhgorod, if not for one establishment. Having been in Uzhgorod, you can’t help but go for lunch at the “Detsa U Notary” tavern. Cult place. Literally translated it means 100 grams from a notary. A place where Transcarpathian humor is collected and embodied.
Before having lunch, you need to walk around and inspect the entire territory.
Guess for yourself who or what we are talking about))):
The fresh topic of Euro 2012 is also not left aside:
Along the path to the WC:
Outstanding Beans:
Before leaving))) :
Despite all the fun, the food in the tavern is serious and tasty. National dishes of Transcarpathian cuisine.
We laughed and had lunch in the tavern, then left Uzhgorod and headed for Lviv (road M06 - Chop - Uzhgorod - Lviv). We drove past Mukachevo, after which we made a stop in Chinadievo – there are two more castles here.
The first castle looks more like a big house:
And the second castle is a real palace. The former hunting lodge of the Counts of Schönborn (a hunting lodge of such a scale seemed normal to them). Now it is a sanatorium:
And they went out to inspect the surroundings from the height of the pass:
Somewhere not far from Skole, near the village of Nizhneye Sinevidnoye, we liked a motel for an overnight stay:
Decent, clean, tidy, inexpensive and almost empty. The motel immediately put me at ease. Polite and pleasant staff, good rooms. The motel is called "Viking Carpathians". Near the motel there is a gas station, as well as the Dikanka cafe, where they prepare delicious dumplings with a variety of fillings. We had dinner and breakfast at Dikanka.
And on the other side of the motel there is a playground where we immediately started playing football:
It got dark and we went to our room to sleep. And when we wake up, we see this view from the window:
This motel, by the way, turned out to be the most comfortable of all the hotels we came across during our entire trip. And Wi-Fi was free in the rooms, and the Internet worked. And I slept very well. 320 hryvnia for a 3-bed deluxe room for our family (we were given an extra bed, so all four of us could fit in).
We have breakfast and leave for Lviv, about 100 km away.
And finally, a few shots from the streets of Lviv:
The city is very beautiful:
Every journey comes to an end someday. Farewell, Lviv, goodbye, Transcarpathia, see you, Ukraine, and it’s time for us to return home.
Practical information
Road conditions and traffic in Western Ukraine
As of the summer of 2012, the H09 road, along which we drove from Yaremche through Rakhiv, Khust to Mukachevo, was of quite decent quality. It’s not wide, but there are a minimum of holes and potholes, and the quality of the coating is quite normal. The asphalt was almost everywhere without cracks, and there were no potholes. The M19 / E85 road on the Ratno - Kovel - Lutsk - Dubno section is much worse; it’s better not to drive there at night - there are a lot of holes, potholes, and in some places real ruts have formed in the asphalt from trucks - you can damage the bottom. Driving during the day is normal, everything is visible, all obstacles can be avoided if you don’t rush. The same road M19 / E85 on the Dubno - Kremenets - Ternopil section is a little better, but only a little.
After the roads described above, the quality of the M06 / (E40, E50) road on the Rivne - Dubno - Lviv - Uzhgorod section is beyond praise. It’s no wonder – this is the best track in Ukraine. There is a median and two lanes in each direction, the asphalt is not bad. The speed limit is sometimes 90, sometimes 130. Locals rush faster than these limits :) .
There are traffic cops, they usually sit at a table with a laptop in a tent on the side of the road. Somewhere there are radars with video recording (then they will show you a video on your laptop screen with you in the main role :)), and somewhere there are ordinary old radars. I don’t recommend violating them, the fines are large – from 400 hryvnia ($50) onwards. Traffic cops work mainly for their own pockets, immediately reducing the fine for the client by half. You can and should bargain!
The most frequent and “expensive” violations are speeding and crossing a double line (where there is one, of course). As long as you haven’t violated anything, no one will “just like that” stop you, even despite your “foreign” license plates, don’t worry. Our crew was stopped the only time for driving into the oncoming lane on a very “tricky” circle outside Mukachevo, like driving from Mukachevo towards Uzhgorod. There, three roads meet in a circle; more precisely, the P54 road adjoins the M06 road through a circle. We left Mukachevo along the P54 and had to turn around on the M06 towards Uzhgorod, but it turned out that this circle is not completely one-way traffic, and one sector of it has two-way traffic (where the M06 is)! And so I drove along a smaller radius, and it turned out to be oncoming traffic! Well, it didn’t come to an accident, and I sensed something was wrong, moved to a larger radius, inevitably breaking the markings and the double solid line. The traffic cop saw these maneuvers of mine, stopped me, took me to the booth, showed me a video recording, asked if I recognized my car... We talked for a long time, the result of the conversation was minus 400 hryvnia to the traffic cop (the bidding began directly with the price of the fine for creating an emergency situation and crossing a double solid line - from 850 hryvnia). It's harsh, but there will be a lesson. And the circle there is really very tricky, and whoever passes it for the first time, almost everyone automatically falls into this trap.
Local drivers are generally adequate, of course there are reckless drivers and boors, but there are not many of them.
In general, road traffic does not pose any difficulties.
Where to stay overnight in Transcarpathia (Mukachevo and Uzhgorod)?
In Mukachevo we spent one night at the Weekend hotel - 400 hryvnia for a four-bed room. The furnishings in the room where we spent the night were quite up to standard, there was satellite TV, a refrigerator, air conditioning, and a nice full bathroom. Breakfast is not included, the rooms have free Wi-Fi, through which it was actually impossible to access the Internet. There is a bar and restaurant with food and drinks delivered to your rooms. We ordered two mojitos for our room - the cocktails were well made and delivered quickly. Overall, nothing like this hotel.
They also recommend the Palanok Hotel (next to the castle of the same name, very convenient for visiting it). A cozy double room will cost 290 hryvnia. There is a TV, refrigerator and air conditioning.
And about one more hotel. "Mother's Abode" is a private boarding house of the European type Bad&Breakfast, located on General Petrov Street. Quite a cozy hotel.
In Uzhgorod we recommend the Zolotaya Gora hotel. Essentially this is a villa, located 2 km from Uzhgorod. Address: Uzhgorod district, village. Periwinkle. And about one more good hotel - “Duet Plus” Double room from 400 to 500 hryvnia. Air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi. Located on the street. Koshitskaya, 6.
Where to eat in Uzhgorod?
If you want to laugh, taste Transcarpathian humor, and eat well at the same time, visit the tavern
Where to eat in Lviv?
You can sit, drink beer in a pleasant and interesting place, and eat, at the same time, inexpensively in the Kryevka cafe. Located on Rynok Square. A very unusual and creative cafe, you even need to know the password :) . Without a password - cafe "Gasova Lampa" (Armenskaya St., 20)
Sit and drink coffee and a lot of other things instead of coffee and with coffee - the Golden Ducat coffee shop. I. Fedorova Street, 20. Or go to Tsukernya (Staroevreiskaya St., 3)
Tasty, satisfying and expensive food with a beautiful view of the city - Garmata restaurant of the Citadel Hotel, st. Grabovsky, 11. Or the restaurant of the Opera Hotel at 45 Svoboda Ave.
P.S. Go to Transcarpathia!
Good luck!