Lviv, (also known as Lvov and Lemberg) is the largest city in western Ukraine and well-known as a cultural and historical centre. Founded in the 13th century, it was under Polish rule for most of its history and was known as Lvov. The historic city centre survived German and Soviet occupation largely intact and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today it is known for its cultural institutions including an orchestra, opera and ballet.
Lviv is packed with museums, churches and monuments. It’s a compact and the sites can easily be navigated on foot. It is sometimes compared to Prague or Krakow. While not quite in their league, it is relatively untouched by mass tourism and super cheap.
It is well known as a culinary destination, especially grilled meat. There are several theme restaurants located in old castles where the waiting staff dress in traditional costume. Due to mass immigration over the centuries, you can find a wide variety of cuisine from local specialities to Polish, German and even Central Asian cuisine.
Apart from being a cultural centre, Lviv is also an IT hub. Most young people speak English and there is free public wifi.
Getting there can be tricky, but has improved considerably since the 2012 European football championship (hosted jointly by Poland and Ukraine), when a new international airport was built.
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