The Best Travel Destinations in 2022
#14: Lviv, Ukraine
Never having heard of Lviv, a 13th-century city in western Ukraine, is an excusable offense. But once its existence is known, it’s hard to resist its pull. If charming squares dotted with a hodgepodge of Renaissance, Gothic, and Post-modern architecture makes the heart flutter, stepping into Rynok Square under a dusting of glinting snow will take your breath away. The cobblestone streets support four distinct fountains presided over by Greek gods that hint at the numerous cultural influences that have taken root in this western outpost by the Carpathian Mountains. From Poland to Austria and Russia to Sweden, Lviv has long been at the crossroads between nations, wars, civilizations, and artistic inclinations.
This long history of varied customs has led to today’s urban patchwork that is simultaneously familiar in its European qualities, yet alluringly mysterious. On the surface, cupolas grace the sky against a horizon rimmed with lush parks that define the boundaries of a city that for centuries has been the heartbeat of Ukrainian culture. But supporting the picturesque views, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a magmatic blend of cultures.
For those visiting Lviv, art and literature is a concept that reaches from the 17th century to Ivan Franko to the modern-day. Music is at once a public affair in the town square, and their food, an exercise in historic geography and trade routes, will also make taste buds sing with delight.
For those looking for the allure of romance that comes along with edgy yet picture-perfect sites, Lviv is a masterpiece waiting to be discovered.
