Chernivtsi

Understand

Chernivtsi like every city in the region has long and complicated history. A fortress existed here before 13th century and was destroyed by Mongol invasion, later the settlement was part of Poland, Moldavia and Austria-Hungary (Chernivtsi was the capital of one of the regions, Bukovina, this was the time of greatest development). In the 20th century Chernivtsi belonged to Romania, the USSR and, since 1991, independent Ukraine.

The city was always very multinational. Jews, Ukrainians, Romanians, Germans, Poles, Roma, etc. mixed here. In 1930 Jews were 27% of the population, today it's 1.2%. During World War II, Chernivtsi was captured by both sides. During the rule of Romanian military dictator Ion Antonescu (Romania was part of Axis forces at that time) around 50,000 Bukovinian Jews were confined to the ghetto built in the city and later moved to concentration camps. Romanian city mayor Traian Popovici and army officers were able to save 20,000 Chernivtsi Jews.

Getting there

By plane Due to the state of war, Ukraine's airspace has been closed to civil aviation.The closest operating airport is in Suceava: Stefan cel Mare International Airport SCV IATA.

By train 1 Chernivtsi-Central Train Station (Залізнична станція "Чернівці-Центральна"), Vulitsa Gagarina, 38 (1.5 km N from the centre), ☏ +380 372 592190. Kyiv (85 грн, 12½ to 15 hr, 2 per day), Lviv (50 грн, 5½ to 11 hr, 3 daily) go via Ivano-Frankivsk. Local trains arrive from Kolomyia (5 грн, 2 to 2½ hr, at least 4/day. You can get to Chernivtsi by train either from Romania or from within Ukraine. The train from Kyiv or Lviv is probably the best option as they are comfortable and cheap. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Chernivtsi-Pivnichna Railway station (Залізнична станція Чернівці-Північна), Zavods'ka str., 13 (NW 3 km), ☏ +380 372 592423. Northern suburb station. 3 Chernivtsi-Pivdenna Railway stations (Залізнична станція Чернівці-Південна), Malovokzalna str., 21 (S 5 km), ☏ +380 372 592300. Southern suburb station. 4 Advance train ticket office, Vulitsa Golovna (Головна вул), 12, ☏ +380 429 24055. 09:00-19:00.

By bus 5 Central Bus station (Автовокзал №1), Vulitsa Golovna (Головна вул), 219 (4 km SE), ☏ +380 372 245620, +380 372 241628, +380 372 241635. There are frequent minibuses from Lviv to Chernivtsi (costing 106 грн as of end-2011). Buses to Khotyn (10 грн, 2 hr, half-hourly to hourly), Kamianets-Podilskyi (15 грн, 2½ hr, half-hourly), Ivano-Frankivsk (24 грн, 4 hr, at least 3 daily) and Lviv (42 грн, 7½ hr, at least 2 daily) . Services to Kyiv (90 грн to 100 грн, 9 hr, 2 daily) and Odesa (100 грн, 13 hr, 2 daily) to Simferopol in summer. To and from Kolomyia (12 грн, 1½ hr) do pass through Chernivtsi station, but many instead terminate at Kalynivsky Market, where you must change to local marshrutky. North, you can catch services from the market to Kolomyia, but the chaos makes choosing the right bus difficult. - One daily bus serves Chernivtsi from Suceava. The bus from Chernivtsi to Suceava (68 грн as of end-2011) leaves at 07:00 every day arriving in Suceava in Romania around 10:30-11:00 depending on the number of people on the bus and therefore the time spent crossing the border. The central bus station is not close to the train station, but cabs are very cheap in Chernivtsi. (updated May 2019) 6 Bus station №2 (Автостанція №2), Fastivska str., 33A (E 3 km), ☏ +380 3722 54-61-69. 7 Bus station №3 (Автостанція №3), Halytskyi Shliakh str., 4A (near Chernivtsi-Pivnichna Railway station). 8 Bus station #5 (Автостанція №5), Ruska str., 250 (5 km SE, at Niva ma

Getting around

By foot The city centre is small and you can manage it all by foot.

By public transport Chernivtsi has a convenient public transport system:

43 bus routes 10 trolleybus routes Single ride tickets in buses cost 14 грн, in trolleybuses — 10 грн. Schedules are available on the official website (in Ukrainian), on the map (in Ukrainian) and on the second map (in Ukrainian). You can also check information about public transport on EasyWay and Google Maps.

By taxi Taxi is the easiest way of getting around the city. Some popular taxi companies include:

Uber (Убер). (updated Sep 2023) Bolt (Болт). (updated Sep 2023) Uklon (Уклон). (updated Sep 2023) OnTaxi (ОнТаксі). (updated Sep 2023) Opti (Опті). (updated Sep 2023) Shark (Шарк). (updated Oct 2023)

By scooter Kick scooter is a funny way to shorten your time while getting around the city.

Bolt (Болт). (updated Sep 2023)

See

The old town is mainly of Baroque style. Most of Chernivtsi's attractions are located within the historical centre. Some of the centre is a pedestrian zone.

1 Chernivtsi National University (Чернівецький Національний Університет імені Юрія Федьковича), Kotsiubynskoho (вул. Коцюбинського), 2 (900 m W). Afternoon. The complex was built in 19th century in historicist style used to be the palace of the Governor of Bukovina (in 2011 the residence was inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List). You can also visit its gardens and two churches. 2 German House, 53 Olha Kobylyanska Street,. Concentrated cultural activities of the German-speaking inhabitants of the city. Now although their number decreased significantly it is still active. Built in 1908-1910. Architect: G. Frich in partnership with engineer E.Müller. The house was built for the fund collected by Verein der christlichen Deutschen in der Bukowina (Union of Christian Germans in Bukovyna) representing the German community in Bukovyna. 3 Main (Central) Square Complex (Комплекс Центральної площі) (At the corner ulitsa Universitetskaya & ulitsa Glavnaya). The town hall, the Museum of Arts, Taras Shevchenko monument, the old post office. Downtown represents Central Square, Market Square, which was the heart of the city for almost two centuries. The idea of creating the area was born from the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. The architectural ensemble of the Market Square, which began to emerge at the turn of 18th-19th centuries, began to impersonate a new image of the city. 4 Turetska Krynytsia Square Turkish Ensembles (Комплекс площі Турецька Криниця), Square Turetskoi (Турецької Криниці пл.). In this part of town, just outside the city walls, the Turkish community living in the 17th century. Near the old wooden well Turks built stone fountain. Since ancient times, there was a city room, which operated till Soviet times. Also part of the square is a Turkish bridge (Турецький міст) built in the 19th century. Recovered a wooden pavilion (джерелом павільйон) built in an Oriental style arcade over the fountain. 5 Theatre Square (Комплекс Театральній площі), Theatre Square.

Sacred places 6 Armenian Church (Вірменська церква), Vulitsa Ukrainska (Українська вул), 30. Built in 1869-75. Designed by Czech architect Glavka. Remarkable acoustic hall used since 1992 for concerts. 7 St. Paraskeva Church (Церква Св. Параскеви), Zankovetskoi str (Заньковецької вул), 24 (Bus 39, 44, 8, 10A, 1A, 38, 43, 23, 24, 10, 2, 13, 21, 1, 16, 15, 37, 17, 18, 36, 7 or Trolleybus 3, 3A, 5 to Stop «Кукольний театр»). The first Ort

Do

Day tours 1 Balamutivska cave (Печера "Баламутівська"). (updated Mar 2025) 2 Khotyn Fortress (фортеця Хотин). State historical-architectural preserve. (updated Mar 2025) 3 Pogorilivk (Триярусна печера). Three-level cave. (updated Mar 2025) 4 Waterfall Shepit Guk (Водоспад "Сучавський гук"). (updated Mar 2025) Toporivtsi St.Elias church (Іллінської церкви). Built in 1560. (updated Mar 2025) 5 Vyzhnytskyi National Park (Національний парк "Вижницький"). (updated Mar 2025)

Parks 6 Forest park 'Hariachyi Urban' (Лісопарк Гарячий Урбан), ~Smotritskiy pereulok (E 5 km: near 'Bus Station #2' - take trolley 4 to 'Muzei narodnoi arkhitektury ta pobutu' walk toward North 500m). 8 Central city park of the name of Shevchenko T.H. (Tsentral'nyi park kul'tury i vidpochynku imeni Tarasa Shevchenka, Центральний міський парк ім. Шевченка Т.Г.), Holovna str.~100, ☏ +380 372 234191. Here is the 7 Chernivtsi University Botanical Garden (Bus 5 to 'Fedkovycha St'). 9 Zhovtnevyi park (Park October) (South 4km - Bus 11, 26, 26A, 31, 44 or trolley 6, 6A to stop 'park Zhovtnevyi'), ☏ +380 372 275674. Cemetery (Християнське кладовище), Vulitsa Zelena. First in 1866 buried here. There are a Romanian square stele, a Polish chapel and family vaults of the late 19th century.

Theatres Musical Society Hall (Philharmonic hall) (Зал музичного товариства (Філармонія)), Filarmonii sq. (пл. Филармонии), 10, ☏ +380 372 524338, +380 372 525509, [email protected]. Daily 09:00-18:00. Chernivtsi Oblast Puppet Theatre (Будинок полковника), Vulitsa Holovna, 22. Former Colonel House (Будинок полковника). Built in 1782. Music and Drama Theatre. O. Kobylians'ka (Чернівецький академічний обласний український музично-драматичний театр імені Ольги Кобилянської), Teatralna sq., 1.

Buy

Markets Bukovynskyi (Ринок Буковинський), Vulitsa Stasiuka, 23. Centralnyi (Ринок Центральний), Vulitsa Zahula D., 8. Formarket (Ринок Формаркет), Vulitsa Dubynska, 1. Golovnyi (Ринок Головний), Entuziastiv St., 2. Gospodar (Ринок Господар), Vulitsa Vilde I., 16. Lileya (Ринок Лілея), Nezalezhnosti Ave., 129. Nyzhnyi (Ринок Нижній), Vulitsa Udonova, 4. Prut (Ринок Прут), Vulitsa Gagarina, 66. Selyanskyi (Ринок Селянський), Zankovetskoi St., 2. Suchasnyk (Ринок Сучасник), Vulitsa Biloruska, 23. Verhnyi (Ринок Верхній), Vulitsa Zelena, 6.

Shops Foxtrot Electronic (Супермаркет електроніки Фокстрот), Vulitsa Universytetska, 2. Kolos Shopping Centre (Торговий комплекс Колос), Teatral'na Sq., 5/4. Maydan Shopping Centre (Торговий центр Майдан), Vulitsa Chervonoarmiiska, 71. Millenium Shopping Centre (Торговий комплекс Міленіум), Vulitsa Universytetska, 14. Roxolana (Торговий комплекс Роксолана), Vulitsa Moskovs'koi Olimpiady, 6A. Ruta Shopping Centre (Торговий центр Рута), Vulitsa Stasiuka, 20.

Eat

Café Français, Vulitsa Українська 1, зі сторони Шептицького (near the city center), ☏ +380 372 51 84 33. 12:00-23:00. You can eat some French food in a very good restaurant. The "filet mignon with gratin dauphinois" is very delicious. The interior decoration is also French. Wine cellar Count Vorontsov (Винный погреб граф Воронцов), Sh. Aleyhema 11, ☏ +380 372 51-53-12. Situated in the very centre, this is a very good place to settle down for a hearty meal in a 19th-century decor. 200-400 грн per person. (updated Sep 2023) There is a good Sushi bar near the theatre.

Drink & nightlife

Chocolat, Vulitsa Kobylyanskoi (walk down the street, and you'll see a big sign with Chocolat (in Cyrillic)). They have extremely thick chocolate here (served with a bit of water to thin it a little). Videnska Kava (Віденська кава), Vulitsa Kobylyanskoi. A coffee house with impressive dessert selection and wide variety of coffees and teas served.

Sleep

Budget 1 TIU Chernivtsi Backpackers, Apt 3, Vulitsa Sheptytskogo no 2 (Short bus ride from the train station, centrally located opposite the famous blue Town Hall.), ☏ +380 508 857049. 24/7. The common room has computers, plasma tv with surround sound with English-speaking channels and the kitchen is fully equipped. Dorm (12 bed) 70 грн, dbl 100 грн. (updated Sep 2023) International Hostel Chernivtsi Backpackers, Vulitsa Zankovetska, 4. From 610 грн. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Vokzal Rest Room (Готель Вокзал), Vulitsa Haharina, 38. 3 Like Hostel (Лайк Хостел), Eduarda Raysa Street (вулиця Едуарда Райса) 12/1 (Train Station is 1.5 km). Double from 200 грн, Dorm bed (14 bed) 80 грн, Dorm bed (6 bed), Dorm (12 bed) 100 грн (updated Sep 2023) 4 Yard Hostel & Coffee Shop, Olgy Kobylyanskoi Street, 10. Double 200 грн, 80 грн. (updated Sep 2023)

Mid-range 5 Andina Hotel (Готель Андінна), Vulitsa Libavskaya, 22А. From 2,000 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Bukovinskay Zvezda Hotel (Гостиничный Комплекс Буковинская Звезда), Boiany settlement (9 km from the City). From 1,280 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Cheremosh Hotel (Гостиница Черемош), ул. Комарова, 13-а (4 km S). From 1,000 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Delta (Готель "Дельта), Vulitsa Haidara, 3 (4 km SE), ☏ +380 372 2 4-43-10. Bukovyna Hotel (Готель «Буковина»), 141 Holovna Street, ☏ +380 992585625, +380 372585625, +380 372583600, [email protected]. From 1,900 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Hotel Kakadu (Готель Какаду), Vulitsa Bilousova, 9. Hotel Pod Lipami (Гостиница Под липами), Sypyntsy village, Vulitsa Holonaya, 25. From 1,320 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Hotel Premium (Гостиница Премиум), Vulitsa Golvnaya, 124 B (ул. Главная 124 б), ☏ +380 372 528899, +380 99 0303652, [email protected]. Some English, German speaking Dbl standard 290 грн, Superior 340 грн, Triple 430 грн, Suite with kitchen 520 грн, Honeymoon 620 грн (2014). (updated Sep 2023) Tourist Hotel (Готель «Турист»), 184 Heroiv Maidanu Street, ☏ +380 372558820, +380 991495113, +380 372509024, [email protected]. From 560 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Hotel Verhovina (Готель Верховина), Tsentralna sq., 7. Kayser Hotel (Гостиница Кайзер), Vulitsa Haharina (Gagarin), 51 (1.5 km NW), ☏ +380 372 585 275. From 1,600 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Kyiv Hotel (Гостиница Киев), Vulitsa Golovna, 46. From 1,200 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Koral Hotel (Гостиница Корал). dbl. shared bath 280 грн, standard 400 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Leoton (Готель Леотон), Vulitsa Chkalova, 30. 6 Magnat (Гостиница Магнат, Готель Magnat), Tolstovo ul.(вулиця Льва Толстого),

Go next

Kamianets-Podilskyi used to be a county capital and still has a well preserved castle. It is about an hour away from Chernivtsi. The Painted Monasteries in Southern Bukovina a UNESCO heritage in Romania. It is geographically only about a 100 km from Chernivtsi, however crossing the border may be very time-consuming. The Carpathians. Kolomyia a typical Gallician town which is now a centre of local crafts. Khotyn is a fortification on the Dniester river.