5 Ukrainian towns that look breathtaking in winter: the best options for a budget weekend trip

Ukrainian small towns have their own authentic atmosphere and many historical sights that can be explored in one day. If you don't know where to go next weekend, check out our list of Ukrainian cities for an interesting weekend. It's a mistake to think that they lose their charm or appeal in winter. Most locations are already covered with white snow and still full of Christmas and New Year's lantern magic.

Dubno - 47 km from Rivne

When you read the name of the city, all you probably know is Dubno Castle, without much confidence that it's really there. But it is. The city of Dubno can surprise you with its attractions and excellent location to such historical monuments as Tarakaniv Fort, Kremenets, and Vinevets. If you decide to explore Dubno in one day, include the following locations in your itinerary:

• Dubno Castle
• Cafe near Dubno Castle
• Lutsk Gate
• Bernardine Monastery
• Shevchenko Monument
• St. Prophet Elijah Cathedral
• Frog Monument
• Great Synagogue
• Independence Square
• Church of Jan Nepomuk

All the sights are located close to each other, so you can easily plan an early dinner in one of the delicious restaurants in Dubno. The average cost of a double hotel room in Dubno is 600 UAH ($14), in the private sector from 300 UAH ($7).

Chortkiv - 74 km from Ternopil

Oddly enough, Chortkiv Castle does not attract tourists often. Perhaps because only the walls remain of a significant part of it. But what is left impresses with its grandeur and atmosphere. You can take a walk in the city itself, visit one of the most beautiful churches in Ukraine (St. Stanislav) and taste Lemko dishes, or drive a little further to see the real Mlynky Cave or the panorama of the Dniester from the observation deck of Khreshchatyk village. Chortkiv has the charm of a small town where everyone greets each other and there is always delicious coffee and a number of delicacies.

Drohobych - 77 km from Lviv

Drohobych is already a fairly modern town with cafes, supermarkets, and entertainment. But the history of the rich "oil" and "salt" city still lives alongside modernity. The main attraction of historic Drohobych is the salt plant. This enterprise will soon turn 800 years old, and it still keeps working. You can visit the facility by booking a group or individual tour. You can also include in your one-day walk in Drohobych the following sights:

• The wooden church of St. George
• The choral synagogue
• The first gymnasium in Galicia

The city has reasonable prices for housing and food, and if you want to spend money on wellness treatments, you can always go to the neighboring towns of Morshyn or Truskavets.

Khmilnyk - 64 km from Vinnytsia

If you're looking for a cheap place to improve your health in Ukraine, Khmilnyk is the place to go. The town's sanatoriums are known for peat and mud baths and treatment programs. A weekend in Khmilnyk will be full of walks and a relaxing atmosphere. Be sure to visit:

• Palace of Count Ksido
• Church of the Holy Trinity
• Cherevychok Shoe Museum
• Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

You can rent an apartment in Khmilnyk for 300-400 UAH ($7-9) per day, and you can drink coffee three times a day for the price of one cup in Kyiv.

Polyana - 70 km from Uzhhorod

The budget town of Polyana will help you enjoy all the delights of a winter vacation in the Carpathians. For beginners and intermediate skiers, the hills of the village itself are suitable, while others can use the ski lifts of the neighboring resorts of Solochyn, Svaliava, etc. From the city, you can enjoy an excursion to the winter castles of the Carpathians or use the services of resort hotels and soak in hot tubs, swimming pools and spa treatments all weekend. Accommodation in the private sector starts from 500 UAH ($11), in hotels from 1,000 UAH ($23) per night (double room).

Traveling to a small town may be the best solution for those who want a relaxing and attractive vacation while improving their knowledge of Ukrainian history.