The natural beauties of Ukraine are a national treasure that we often miss. Sometimes this happens due to ignorance or habit, and sometimes because these places are quite difficult to access. However, one has only to visit there, open one’s heart, and there is no limit to delight. Today we will talk about the most popular parks in Ukraine!
Arboretum Sofiyivka: discover the beauty of nature and history
Location: Dendropark Sofiyivka is located in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, at the address. Kyiv, 12a. In fact, it is located opposite the bus station in Uman.
How to get there: Arboretum is located about two hours drive from Kyiv. You can use intercity minibuses or buses that depart from the central bus and railway stations.
Dendropark Sofiyivka is not just an ordinary park. It has the status of the National Dendrological Park and belongs to the Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. In addition, it is a monument of landscape gardening art of the 18th-19th centuries. The territory of the arboretum occupies 180 hectares and includes more than 3,000 plants, among which there are exotic ones, such as plane tree, swamp cypress and tulip tree.
They say that the best time to visit Sofiyivka is autumn or spring, but even in winter the park is shrouded in magic, especially when everything around is covered with snow.
In the park, you can enjoy boating or horseback riding, as well as renting a Segway – however, these activities are available mainly in the summer. In the park you can also see a waterfall, a greenhouse, a labyrinth and many other architectural structures that give it a special charming character.
Dendropark Sofiyivka was founded by the famous Ukrainian magnate Potocki as a gift for his wife Sophia. Sophia is surrounded by an interesting legend related to her past, in which she was allegedly a courtesan, a concubine and even a spy. She was also considered one of the most intelligent and beautiful women of her time. Therefore, the story of Potocki’s love for such an unusual personality made the park even more famous and attractive.
By visiting Sofiyivka Arboretum, you will discover the amazing beauty of nature and be able to experience the historical heritage of this unique place. Do not miss the opportunity to go on an exciting journey and discover all the delights of this beautiful park.
Buki Park: an oasis of beauty in the Kyiv region
Location: Buki Landscape Park is located in Buki village, Kiev region.
How to get there: The most convenient way to get to the park from Bila Tserkva is to take a minibus that goes to the village of Buki.
Buki Park is a relatively new creation as it was created on a landfill site in 1996. Since then, it has been gaining popularity and has become not only a favorite place for Kyivans, thanks to its convenient location, but also attracts tourists from different regions. It deservedly became one of the most popular parks in Ukraine.
At the entrance to the park, you will be greeted by a beautiful temple and Daniel’s bell tower, and nearby you will see the famous fountain, which was previously located on the Maidan in Kyiv before reconstruction. The river flowing through the park adds additional beauty to the territory, and well-groomed alleys, bridges and lawns create a pleasant atmosphere for walking and relaxing.
Especially joy for children will be the field of fairy tales and a mini-zoo where you can meet foxes, deer and bears. Here, young visitors can immerse themselves in the magical world of fairy tales and enjoy communicating with various animals.
Buki Landscape Park is a real oasis of beauty and entertainment in the Kyiv region. By visiting it, you will get an unforgettable experience and be able to enjoy the beautiful nature, atmosphere and a variety of entertainment.
Dendrological park Trostyanets: a unique creation of nature in the Chernihiv region
Location: Dendrological park Trostyanets is located in the village of Trostyanets, Chernihiv region.
How to get there: The most convenient way to get to the park from Kyiv is to take a regular bus from the Darnitsa bus station. It is also possible to get from Chernihiv from the central bus station.
Trostyanets Park is also a monument of landscape gardening art of the 19th century and is part of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
The uniqueness of this park lies in the fact that it was created in the steppe area, and then artificially enriched with hills and ponds. The total area of the park is more than 200 hectares, and more than 600 species of plants grow on its territory, including rare species of pines, junipers, cedars and Siberian firs. Local plants have the status of “National Treasure of Ukraine“.
Swimming swans can be observed on the ponds of the park, and visitors have the opportunity to feed them with delicacies.
Dendrological park Trostyanets is an amazing natural creation in the Chernihiv region. By visiting it, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and the diversity of flora. This park is a source of pride for Ukraine and invites guests on an exciting journey through its expanses.
Synevyr National Park – Transcarpathian Pearl
Location: Mezhhirya district, Transcarpathian region.
How to get there: The most convenient way to get to Synevyr National Park is by regular buses from Ivano-Frankivsk, Mezhhirya or Volovets.
Synevyr National Park, located next to the magnificent Synevyr Lake, is one of the most beautiful natural corners of Ukraine.
Lake Synevyr occupies only 7 hectares, but the park itself extends over a vast territory of 40,400 hectares! Here you will find an incredible variety of flora and fauna, including 38 species of plants and 22 species of animals listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. This place is perfect for endless exploration and adventure.
The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities. There is a restaurant next to the lake, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding nature. You can also rent a bike or enjoy horseback riding.
In addition to the magnificent natural scenery, the park has many other interesting places worth visiting. You can visit the rehabilitation center for brown bears, enjoy the view of the Shipit waterfall, visit the Zoo “Valley of the Wolves”, get acquainted with the history in the open-air museum “Old Village”, ride the Kolochaevskaya narrow-gauge railway and visit the thermal springs.
Synevyr National Park is a real pearl of Transcarpathia, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and discover unique places.
National Natural Park “Podolsky Tovtry” – a living edge of nature
Location: Khmelnitsky region, on the territory of Kamenetz-Podolsk, Chemerovets and Gorodok districts.
In 2008, the Podilski Tovtry National Natural Park was included in the list of seven natural wonders of Ukraine, and since 2017 it has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is the largest in Ukraine, its total area is 261,316 hectares.
Here you will find everything that nature has to offer: unique natural landscapes, many historical and architectural monuments, a variety of rare species of flora and fauna, mineral springs, sanatoriums, tourist bases, as well as businesses and agriculture. It should be noted that there is also a cement plant in the park, which, unfortunately, has a negative impact on the environment.
In general, the Podolskie Tovtry National Natural Park offers all the conditions for lovers of ecotourism, hunting and fishing. Here you can enjoy the unique beauty of nature and do your favorite outdoor activities.
Park High Castle – a true gem of Lviv
Address: st. Castle, Lviv.
There are several parks in Lviv that are worth a visit, but High Castle Park is a real must-stop! Old Lviv is already magnificent in itself, but with the panoramic views that open from this park, it becomes truly unforgettable. You will enjoy majestic 360-degree views.
The park is located on the slopes of the Castle Hill near the center of Lviv. Its territory extends over 36 hectares and includes two terraces: lower and upper. Pleasant tree-covered paths greet visitors. Here you will also find some interesting buildings. On the upper terrace of the park there is an observation deck located on an artificial mound, to which a serpentine leads. Not far from it is the Lviv TV Center.
High Castle Park offers unique views and atmosphere that will allow you to immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Lviv. This is a place that is definitely worth a visit when traveling to this beautiful city.
Mariinsky Park – a historical beautiful corner in Kyiv
Address: st. Mikhail Grushevsky, Kyiv.
Almost any tourist route passing through the main sights of Kyiv will lead you to the Mariinsky Park.
The Mariinsky Palace and the park adjacent to it were originally built for Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, but she never visited the place. At that time, the park was called the Royal Garden and served as a place for walks and recreation for senior officials and the nobility. The park was planned in such a way that it was possible to walk along its paths in carriages or on horseback. The trees were placed to reflect the beauty of the scenery at any time of the year.
The park is located on the slopes of the Dnieper, so it offers a magnificent view of Kyiv.
Mezhyhirya Park – an oasis of nature near Kiev
Address: st. I. Franka, 19, p. New Petrivtsi, Kyiv region.
How to get there: fixed-route taxi 902 from the metro station “Geroiv Dnipra”.
Recently, Mezhyhirya was the residence of the fourth president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. However, now it is a beautiful park complex, located not far from the Kyiv Sea.
Here you will find well-kept grounds, fountains, waterfalls, a small zoo and an interesting collection of plants. The total area of the park is 25 hectares.
