Photo: Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv · Rbrechko · CC BY-SA 4.0
First-Timer Guide 🇺🇦Ukraine: What to Know Before You Go
Destination Intel / Ukraine
Travel advisory: The US State Department lists Ukraine as Do Not Travel. This page is here to help you understand the place, not to plan a trip there. Read the safety report and check the official advisory before you make any decision.
Culture, Food and Etiquette
- Borscht, ruby-red beet soup with sour cream; the signature Ukrainian dish
- Varenyky, stuffed dumplings with potato, cheese, or cherries
- Salo, cured pork fat, eaten with rye bread and garlic; a cultural institution
- Pampushky, garlic bread rolls served alongside borscht
- Horilka, traditional Ukrainian vodka; often homemade with honey and pepper
- Pysanky (Easter egg) tradition, intricate hand-painted eggs, UNESCO heritage
- Vyshyvanka Day (May), national day of embroidered shirts
- Ivana Kupala (July 7), pagan water and fire festival
- Ukrainian folk music and dance troupes perform worldwide
Ukrainian is the official language. English is increasingly common in cities; Russian is still widely understood.
Be aware of the ongoing conflict situation, check travel advisories before any travel to Ukraine.
- Ukrainians are proud and resilient, be respectful of their history and struggle
- Hospitality is central, guests are served first, offered the best portions
- Avoid political conversations unless the Ukrainian person brings it up
- Check all official government travel advisories before visiting
Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Ukraine?+
US citizens do not normally need a visa for short tourism stays, but check the US State Department page for the current requirement before any travel.
Source: travel.state.gov
Is Ukraine safe to visit right now?+
The US State Department advises Do Not Travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing war; check the advisory before making any plans.
Source: travel.state.gov
Latest for Ukraine
Updates for Ukraine will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.