9 Best Cities in Ukraine That Are Beautiful & Safe Amidst the Ongoing War

This is the updated list of Ukraine’s cities today in the year 2024 while the war is still going on. Some of these cities are famous and rich, others not so much. Some are big, others are smaller. But they are nice places where to be for Ukrainians and foreigners who visit the country for various reasons.

It feels somewhat weird to talk about the best cities in Ukraine at this time when my country is at war (which by the way is getting worse), but I will try as this is the second most popular question I’ve been receiving lately.

Perhaps you landed on this page for the same exact reason – to find out the answer to the same question. In this case, given the complex situation, I’d love to ask back – what do you consider the ‘best cities’ in a war-torn country? 

Do you mean… safest cities in Ukraine where the likelihood of the missile landing on your head is very low while you are there? Or best cities for Ukrainians to live in? Or maybe by ‘best cities’ you imply beautiful cities to visit that do not have daily air raid alerts and shellings but offer a high number of interesting activities?

Well, to be honest, considering current situation, determining Ukraine’s ‘best cities’ today is difficult. Because the concept of ‘best cities’ in a war-affected country is subjective. 

But if I compare all cities in Ukraine among themselves based on military activity, quality of life, and let’s say electricity supply (yes, having electricity these days at least a few hours a day in all Ukrainian cities is a true luxury), then I can certainly list them in that order where life is better and a bit more peaceful.

So let’s discuss them now.

Lutsk – City in Western Ukraine With Minimal Effect of War

Lutsk has remained largely unaffected by the war from the beginning until this day. While air raid alerts are common, the city itself has not been directly hit and barely felt any impact of the war.

Of course, many men from Lutsk joined the army as from any other city, but overall, it hasn’t seen any disruption or damage and didn’t really go through any major changes in daily life (besides inflation and electricity shortages).

This makes Lutsk one of the safest cities to live in and visit at this time. The direct impact of the war on the city’s functioning is minimal as well. The only thing since recently is a schedule for rolling blackouts, and electricity supply is being restricted for all consumer queues, similar to other parts of Ukraine. As a result, the level of comfort has decreased.

Ternopil – Safest & Most Sustainable City in Ukraine

By various rankings from different research institutions and government agencies in Ukraine, Ternopil ranks as the top safest city in Ukraine now during wartime. This conclusion is based on the city’s low crime rates, effective local security measures, and its overall stability amidst the ongoing conflict.

However, safety is not the only feature why I put Ternopil on this list. It is also a very comfortable destination where to live. Ternopil’s compact size makes everything easily accessible, its excellent infrastructure enhances overall convenience for everyone.

The city is green and clean with big lush parks and well-maintained public spaces (which contributes to its environmentally friendly ambiance). There are many cafes, grocery stores, good schools for kids, and just one city is a delight for the eyes.

Additionally, what I find important is Ternopil’s location. It is strategically located in Western Ukraine, making it easy to reach any other regional center. You’ll find numerous public transport routes that allow easy and quick travel to any part of the city.

I visited Ternopil in the past before the full-scale invasion and every time I was coming in, I could see how quickly this city was changing for the better. The same still takes place to this day. It is developing amidst war in all aspects.

Vinnytsia – Safe City With the Most Development

For many years, Vinnytsia has been one of the fastest-developing cities, both before and during the war. I’m not sure why this is the case (perhaps a good mayor, haha), but the fact remains.

In my opinion and observation, the city’s success in development and comfort is partially because of improved cooperation between community groups and local government officials which is more developed here compared to other cities. This partnership has led to tangible, beneficial results such as effective policies, projects, and initiatives that positively impact residents’ lives.

Unfortunately, Vinnytsia has been hit hardly a couple of times and there were casualties. But yet, everything in this city seems well-maintained and intact – there’s a new and efficient transportation system, thoughtfully designed infrastructure, and the city is well-kept with frequent additions like new parks, fountains, and appealing cafes. Most importantly, the cost of living remains affordable.

It is an excellent city where to base yourself or visit quickly (I say quickly because there is not much to do and see here for tourists).

Khmelnytskyi – Second Most-Developing City Which Is Also Quite Safe

My hometown, Khmelnytskyi, is also rapidly developing, as evidenced by various polls and my own travel experiences across Ukraine.

There is a lot of construction, improvement, and beautification happening in the city. The government is creating favorable conditions for new businesses, with many new buildings (both business and residential) emerging that are supported by good infrastructure, while the cost of living remains relatively low.

The only area that has yet to see significant change is transportation. The city still relies on many old buses and minibuses, which contribute to pollution with outdated diesel engines. This is more of a national issue, as Ukraine permits the use of diesel types banned in Europe, leading to substantial air pollution.

You need to see my post about Khmelnytskyi which will help you get at least some feel of this city. I am sharing my favorite spots and some things to do as well.

Ivano-Frankivsk – Most Comfortable City in Ukraine

In my opinion, Ivano-Frankivsk is one of the most beautiful cities in Ukraine – it is old, with beautiful architecture from different eras and styles, and right by the mountains (just a short drive brings you to the heart of the Carpathian Range).

But for many years in a row, it has also been voted as one of Ukraine’s most comfortable cities due to the lowest average housing costs in new developments across the country, high-quality water supply, low crime rates, a strong sense of safety, and long life expectancy.

In addition to these practical aspects, Ivano-Frankivsk is also recognized for its rich cultural life (including numerous festivals, museums, interesting things to do) and its status as a cultural center with a rich history. It is also a nice transportation hub from where you can travel easily to other cities and beautiful nature.

Despite facing challenges due to the war, including missile strikes on the airport and damage to infrastructure, Ivano-Frankivsk has managed to maintain its overall appeal and tranquility. The city’s resilience and ongoing efforts to enhance living conditions contribute to its reputation as a comfortable and attractive place to live.

While it is relatively small, I think it is difficult not to like Ivano-Frankivsk, it is just really cozy and charming.

Uzhgorod – Westernmost City in Ukraine Untouched By War

Uzhgorod is the smallest regional center of Ukraine and the capital of Transcarpathian Ukraine. It is known for May sakura blossom, a castle in the very city center, and wine festivals. Since the beginning of the war it became a safe haven for many people from eastern Ukraine who fled the destruction. And the city is really safe, was never bombed or targeted at all because it is built directly on the border with Slovakia.

Here you can hardly find tall buildings as everything is small and compact and the city center is paved with cobblestones.

Since Uzhgorod is almost on the border with Slovakia, it is easy to come there from Budapest or Kosice. 

I personally have mixed feelings about Uzhhorod. On the one hand I love it – it is old and lovely and people are so nice (for some reason, most of my former coworkers and nowadays friends come from Uzhgorod). It is a city of romance, cultural heritage, and spiritual life (most people who are from here are very religious).

But while being on the border with Slovakia and Hungary (and where one might expect a strong European spirit and mentality), it doesn’t quite feel that way.

At times it feels like a big village with shabby streets where many drivers speed recklessly, seemingly indifferent to pedestrians and others on the road. There are also significant power outages, even though the city partially receives electricity from Europe.

Lviv – Ukraine Best City in Terms of Activities & Cultural Life

One of the most famous cities in Ukraine is sooo famous that you definitely heard about it. It has been mentioned in many books about Ukraine. For many people (and for Mark and I including) Lviv is a favorite city. Everyone who has been to Lviv, remembers its aromas of coffee and chocolate, picturesque cobbled streets, unique architectural work, and quirky breakfast places. 

People come here for romantic getaways, atmosphere of the old city, and historical sights. An incredible number of churches, temples, and castles make it truly medieval and fabulous, especially during the Christmas holidays.

Lviv is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage City. Recently, it has turned into the restaurant capital of Ukraine, thanks to a network of unusual restaurants and cafes that were/are opened by people from all over Ukraine who moved here to escape the war in the east.

Here, you need to walk a lot and not be afraid to venture off the main streets looking into every courtyard. Also, you have to devote time to at least one day trip from Lviv to castles or the Carpathian mountains. Throughout the year, there are some unique festivals (like a festival of ice cream for example) and street events. Although, now with the war, the latter one has slowed down a lot.

One of the must-visit places in Lviv is one of the atmospheric cafes. I have two guides to the best restaurants in Lviv and the most atmospheric Lviv cafes. You’ll definitely need to check some of them when in the city! 

Chernivtsi – Not the Best, But Definitely Beautiful & Safe

What I love about Chernivtsi (and think what makes it beautiful) is its architecture and heritage. It is considered to be the capital of the Bukovina region (cultural region divided between Romania and Ukraine with multicultural influences from various ethnic groups including Romanians, Ukrainians, Germans, and Jews).

So there is a lot of potential and beauty in this city. Just one university (Chernivtsi National University) alone speaks volumes as it is a UNESCO site and is the perfect set for Harry Potter scenes! 

But what I don’t like about it – many parts of the city appear to be neglected, with many areas looking dilapidated. Despite not being directly hit by the war, some streets and buildings look as though they’ve been bombed. Although I am adding my photos here that I took on nicer streets. 

Many people here live well, partly because many work in Romania and bring money back to the city. While their private homes look affluent and well-kept, the city in many areas looks shabby.

It was like this when I was a kid, it stayed like this throughout the years, and it is like this now. I recently revisited and was surprised to see that not much has changed (besides the central street and adjacent quarters). I guess Chernivtsi just lacks a responsible administration to oversee its maintenance. Once the attitude towards the city changes, it can become one of the best places to live and visit in Ukraine.

But I cannot deny the fact that Chernivtsi is safe and beautiful!

Kyiv – the Capital

I put it in the end of my list not because it is the least favorable city, just because I personally don’t think it is a good place where to be now while the war is on. Among all the cities on this list, Kyiv is probably the least safe. It is too unstable and too unpredictable these days when it comes to war-time security. 

Kyiv gets attacked often (and will be under thorough air attacks until the end of the war, obviously, it is a capital). It has reportedly received advanced air defense systems, but for some reason they often fall short, leading to significant damage and casualties. Additionally, when drones are intercepted, their debris frequently falls on residential buildings which poses a risk to civilians and contributes to the damage in already vulnerable areas.

Also, due to the airstrikes, its energy system has been severely damaged, leaving people without electricity every day (with power only available for a couple of hours at a time), and this situation has persisted for a long time. While other cities have managed to maintain a more stable power supply, Kyiv has been enduring these conditions for a while (and government says it’s going to be even worse, especially when winter comes to Ukraine).

I have many acquaintances who live in Kyiv and say they are okay. At the same time, each of them lives in fear and regularly works with psychologists (in many other cities people also seek emotional support, but it seems that in Kyiv this need is particularly acute).

I also see quite a few foreigners posting on TikTok and bragging about how safe they feel, how everything is fine despite the air alerts, and how they enjoy the city so much… As for a Ukrainian, it’s distressing for me to watch these types of videos. 

Kyiv is not okay, it is not as safe as it may seem to be. In addition to problems from potential attacks, crime rates went up, and there are unresolved issues such as unauthorized projects that affect safety in some ways too. For example, construction projects are underway without proper licenses, and attractions that are unsafe and lack official approval are operating because they benefit certain parties. 

But I cannot deny the fact that Kyiv is beautiful. There are so many interesting things to do there, amazing restaurants to visit, and so much to explore in the city and around Kyiv on day trips.

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