Nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Ivano-Frankivsk is a historic city that was originally established as the fortress of Stanyslaviv. It’s home to ornate churches and one of Ukraine’s most striking town halls, as well as a lakeside park famed for its Bridge of Love.

Things to do

One of the most important architectural landmarks in Ivano-Frankivsk is the Armenian Church, a late-Baroque building constructed after the discovery of a miracle Virgin icon. It’s beautifully decorated with wooden sculptures and frescoes depicting biblical scenes, as well as a striking Armenian-style altar slab.

Don’t miss the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, originally established as a Jesuit church in the 1720s. It now functions as Ivano-Frankivsk’s Catholic cathedral and boasts an ornate Baroque facade topped by two spires and an interior lavishly decorated with frescoes and a gilded altar.

Venture into Market Square to see the Ivano-Frankivsk Town Hall, which features a 50-metre-high tower topped by a gilded spire. It also houses a museum with traditional furnishings, stuffed animals and sculptures.

Relax on the shores of picturesque Miske Lake. Rent a boat to explore the waters and surrounding parklands at your leisure or romance your partner with a stroll along the Bridge of Love to the lake’s small island.

Getting around

Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and trains make the eight-hour journey from Kiev to the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. Buses travel throughout Ivano-Frankivsk and the city centre is easily explored on foot.