If you are in Ukraine for the first time, the “Golden Horseshoe” or “Galician Horseshoe” car route is the best recommendation I can offer. When mapped out, the route forms the shape of a horseshoe, hence the name.
Old small towns, medieval castles, and Lviv in a European setting – there won’t be any boredom. And considering that you can spend five times less in 3-4 days than in Europe, while enjoying nearly the same quality of accommodation and food, there’s no better option for a short weekend trip in Ukraine.
Route Description
For convenience, I’ll list the entire route with exact destinations for your GPS:
Zhovkva – Krekhiv – Bryukhovychi – Lviv – Stare Selo – Svirzh – Univ (Mizhhirya) – Zolochiv – Pidhirtsi – Olesko
The total length of the route is 180 km, and including departures from overnight stays and returns along the route, it’s about 250 km.
To fully enjoy the trip and not mix emotions, I recommend at least one overnight stay in Lviv or its surroundings. There are some good accommodation options in suburban complexes near Lviv.
Where to Find Hotels or Apartments in Lviv
Booking.com – Lviv, the well-known booking site, may not have the cheapest accommodation options.
Zhovkva
A small town in the Lviv region, which, due to the grandeur of its neighbor, remains in the shadow of Lviv. Zhovkva’s perfectly restored center makes for a pleasant few hours spent exploring its churches, monasteries, and the fortress-castle.
Krekhiv
This is primarily the Krekhiv Monastery of a defensive type. And then there are the picturesque beech and pine surroundings. The monastery is located not far from Zhovkva and 3 km from the village of Krekhiv.
Its full name is the Krekhiv Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Basilian Order. I consider it a must-visit for its beauty and photogenic qualities. The monastery has a rich history that I won’t retell here. My goal is to provide you with travel beacons.
Bryukhovychi
Bryukhovychi is the Lviv equivalent of Kyiv’s Koncha-Zaspa. One of the best recreational areas near Lviv, this settlement is ideal for both an overnight stay and a meal surrounded by lush greenery.
Lviv
Lviv is the center of Galicia. Nowadays, it is less about museums, churches, and fortresses and more about being the gastronomic capital.
Stare Selo
Here you’ll find the largest castle in the Lviv region – the Stare Selo Castle, which was destroyed and later reconstructed in the style of Eastern European Renaissance. It’s worth a visit as part of the route.
Svirzh
Svirzh Castle is one of my favorites. This is how a castle should look in my imagination. It was made to be in films. It is considered the most romantic castle in the Lviv region. The final episode of the well-known “Three Musketeers” was filmed here.
Univ Monastery or Univ Lavra
A functioning Greek Catholic men’s monastery, which has the status of a lavra. Besides this one, there are three more Orthodox lavras in Ukraine. It’s very beautiful and more resembles a defensive citadel. A must-visit.
Zolochiv
Here, you will find a fortress that restorers have polished a bit too much, slightly “spoiling” it. However, despite being somewhat commercialized, it’s worth visiting to stroll around the earthen ramparts and view the fortress from different angles. Inside, there is a museum – we didn’t like it much.
In Zolochiv, there are places to stay overnight and have a cheap lunch, so you can plan for a two- or three-hour stop.
Pidhirtsi
Here is another hero from the movie “D’Artagnan and Three Musketeers” – Pidhirtsi Castle. Incredibly picturesque in its semi-ruined state. They try to restore it from time to time, but it seems to be a long-term project.
I consider this castle the most beautiful in the Lviv region. It is not a fortress like in Svirzh, but rather a castle surrounded by fortification walls. Be sure to see it from all sides. Near the castle, you can find a very old small Catholic church.
Olesko
Located next to Pidhirtsi Castle, Olesko Castle is well-visible from the Kyiv-Lviv road. It is well-preserved and in much better condition than its neighbor – Pidhirtsi Castle. There is a restaurant, a museum, and a small tourist market on the premises.
Apartment Rentals in Lviv
Currently, the best option is to rent apartments or daily apartments through Booking.com – apartments.
Indispensable for Trip Planning:
Booking.com – the familiar and convenient site for finding and booking accommodations worldwide
Hotline Finance – travel insurance, including Green Card insurance for motorists. You can ignore insurance, but only until your first insurance case (from personal experience).
Tickets for the train can be purchased online on the “Ukrzaliznytsia” website, and it’s best not to delay this. There are many trains, but the demand is even higher. Just enter the dates, and you’ll immediately get all the possible route options.
