Where to go for the weekend: 5 most instagrammable places in western Ukraine

09 June 2025

The beautiful nature, ancient cities and unique architectural monuments in western Ukraine attract tourists from all over the country and abroad like a magnet. Groups of friends and relatives customize their vacations to fit each other’s schedules to travel together to these amazing places. 

But why wait so long for that carefree moment? Vacation is a luxury that you can “take” at work at most three times a year, but what about the rest of the time? True vacationers, following the example of European tourists, fill every free day with life and adventure. Thanks to this approach, weekends have become very popular in Ukraine. Of course, these 2–3 days are simply meant for relaxation, so why waste them?

With the onset of Thursday, you can already safely choose routes where to go for the weekend in Ukraine, and on Friday, let’s go on a trip! Your navigator is just waiting for new locations on the map! 

Immediately after work, grab your family, friends and loved ones by the hand, pack a pair of tracksuits and comfortable shoes, and go to meet new experiences! 

We have prepared five of the best places to spend your vacation — Western Ukraine has something to surprise you!

What makes western Ukraine so attractive for a weekend getaway?

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway away from the urban landscape, traffic jams, crowds, and concrete infrastructure, a weekend in western Ukraine will be the perfect solution! This region is ideal for a short trip regardless of the time of year, and here’s why:

1. Mountains that are close. What can you do to impress a tourist who spends most of his time in an office and only sees the beauty of nature on a computer monitor? There seems to be no better idea where to go for the weekend — Western Ukraine and its majestic Carpathians! Walking along eco-trails, climbing a mountain meadow, conquering a peak, trying Hutsul dishes, riding an ATV, or simply “disconnecting” from reality while meditating or reading a book is more than ideal for a couple of days of rebooting. 
2. Fabulous architecture, medieval cities, remote villages and picturesque settlements. True lovers of urbanism often want to change the environment of a modern city to a more mysterious, historical, and cultural one. A weekend trip to Lviv, Chernivtsi, Mukachevo, Yaremche, and Kamianets-Podilskyi is a real time machine that takes you to a special ancient atmosphere.
3. Cuisine and traditions. Taking a break from home cooking and plunging into the atmosphere of gastronomic pleasure with Hutsul dishes — what is it but gourmetism? 
4. An atmosphere of unhurriedness. Three days seems to be so little. But it is the chosen options for where to go to the Carpathians for the weekend that help you stop, slow down and just be among the frantic nature, incredible mountains and magical beauty.
5. Variability and accessibility. For residents of large cities and small towns of Ukraine, it is convenient to get to the west of the country by car, train, or bus. Here you can find accommodation for every taste and budget, as well as combine relaxation, active and gastronomic tourism in one trip.

Without further ado and doubts about where to go this weekend, consider locations in western Ukraine. We have a sincere recommendation: for 2-3 days of carefree vacation, it is better to choose places close to nature. In the cities, you are unlikely to be able to change the picture, but in nature, among the mountainous terrain, you, your eyes, soul and body will have 100% rest.

We offer you to consider the most beautiful locations to go to in Western Ukraine to bring back a lot of impressions, emotions, memories and beautiful content.

Western Ukraine: where to go to see Instagram natural locations?

Western Ukraine is not just a region. It’s a whole universe for a short trip that energizes, inspires, and gives you a sense of authenticity. You want to stay here longer, even if you come for just a few days. Alternatively, the weekend can become a small info tour and introduce you to places that you should consider for a full vacation for a few weeks later. Take everything from life and save this article so that when you are looking for where to go in Ukraine for the weekend, you always have options for ideas.

Lake of Youth, Bukovel resort, Ivano-Frankivsk region

It is worth starting with the heart of the Carpathians, with their soul, with their unconditional beauty, with places where modernity is intertwined with history, where the infrastructure is well developed and does not violate the originality of the rocks — with the most popular resort of Bukovel. This place has absolutely everything for a short or long vacation in the mountains: luxurious hotel complexes, cottages, ethno-huts, estates and camping sites. The resort offers cafes, bars, restaurants, amusement parks, eco-parks, and extreme recreation. Recently, Bukovel has the most Instagrammed water park and observation wheel, and almost all locations are located near the Lake of Youth, which aesthetically and naturally dilutes the highly infrastructural resort. 

When planning a trip for a couple of days, it is important to choose the right place to stay so that no detail in the hotel breaks the atmosphere of a carefree weekend. For connoisseurs of modern designs with ethnic senses, the hotel rooms at Stara Pravda are available for booking. The hotel complex, like a Hutsul museum, offers guests interesting options for overnight stays:

• 34 themed rooms where you can feel the spirit of the times of Kyivan Rus, spend the night in the Cave, touch the history of the UPA, plunge into the atmosphere of Trypillian culture, or have a colorful vacation like real Cossacks;
• modern cottages for large companies and families with aesthetic terraces for meditation, reading, and rebooting;
• is a fantastic area where you can retire in every corner and just be among the mountains;
• a luxurious spa vacation with a full range of relaxation services, swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas and massages;
• own restaurant “Art Drovitnya”, where Hutsul cuisine is delicious and incredibly beautiful;
• barbecues, gazebos, playgrounds, animators, a yoga area, bungee cords, and outdoor exercise equipment.

Book a room at the Stara Pravda Hotel for the weekend, so that a small weekend trip will leave a lot of impressions and warm memories that begin to form within the walls of our hotel!

Manyavsky Vodopad, Ivano-Frankivsk region

We have another interesting option where to go for the weekend in Ivano-Frankivsk region and be under the crazy impressions! Not far from Bukovel and Yaremche is the Manyava Waterfall, one of the highest, most Instagrammable, and most colorful in the Carpathians. The cascades of the waterfall, about 20 meters high, seem to cut through time, stop the moment and drown out the roar of water flows. In summer, you can swim here and arrange an incredible photo shoot, and in winter, you can see with your own eyes the miracle of how this hydrological beauty freezes. The road to the waterfall is no less picturesque. It passes through rural settlements, Hutsul meadows, winding paths and elevation changes. Not far from the waterfall is the Manyavsky Skete, an Orthodox monastery. On Sunday, you can attend a church service to purify yourself and be filled with new energy. This weekend will definitely be special!

Hiking to Hoverla

Put everything aside, take only a backpack with the necessary equipment and go with a group of complete strangers to the top of Mount Hoverla. For a weekend, this is a cool experience. It completely changes your worldview after conquering the first and highest point of the Carpathians — the majestic Hoverla. 

Of course, hacking is not exactly a vacation, but a challenge to yourself. Perhaps this is what the soul, mind, and body want in the moment? To leave everything behind in one day, go to the mountains at an altitude of 2061 meters and return to a new person? An unforgettable idea for a weekend in the Carpathians!

Lake Synevyr, Transcarpathian region

Lake Synevyr is an equally crazy but cool option for a weekend trip to Zakarpattia. It is shrouded in mythical history, wildlife, dense spruce forests, and incredible photo locations. On the way to the lake, you can visit the Brown Bear Rehabilitation Center, eco-parks and private eco-farms, enjoy barbecue and bograch, visit souvenir shops, and just walk around in the midst of this beauty. One day is not enough to explore the Synevyr National Nature Park, but a full weekend should be enough!

Tustan, Skhidnytsia, Lviv region

Where can you go for a weekend and feel the incredible energy of the mountains, the power of nature, and touch history? We have an idea — the Tustan fortress. It is both an interesting geological monument and a unique historical find, and it still preserves the remains of an ancient Russian defense complex on the rocks.

Today, Tustan has come to life and has become a favorite tourist destination for those who want to look at the mountains from above, appreciate the power of rocks and stones, and be alone with thoughts and nature. This location is also chosen by brides and grooms to declare their love, and newlyweds come here for memorable shots. In addition to the rocks themselves, the Tustani Museum and the Hata u Hlubokym cultural center will be interesting to explore.

All these TOP 5 places are united by nature! Majestic, powerful, unique, and beautiful, with an energy that knocks you off your feet. It doesn’t need any filters or correction, but falls in love with you forever. A weekend in such locations will truly be unforgettable. 

When planning a weekend in the Carpathians, you now know where to go and can organize a dream weekend for your family and friends. Along with wildlife, you will find comfortable conditions for rest and “Stara Pravda”, which knows all the secrets for a perfect short trip!