Visiting LVIV

What about transfer from the airport to the city centre? Is there public transport available?
>> yes. minbuses what outside the airport, ahead and on your left as you leave the main airport exit

What about shop opening times? Wide?
>> Again, yes. Most formal shops operate about 09:30 - 18:00 but some are open much later. The market / bazaar by the old synagogue operates earlier hours; plenty of people around at 07:00 but many of them go home by 15:30

What about public transport in the city? Good public transport?
>> Yes, public transport is plentiful but information is not. You'll see little minibuses scuttling everywhere and a reasonable network of trams but no timetable or route maps posted anywhere. Fares are mostly UAH 1 or UAH 1.50 / person. The centre of town is easily doable on foot, but you'll need to ask around for transport info if you're going further afield.

I am there for a weekend, so 3 days, what are must see's for LVIV in these three days?
>> Get a guide book from the bookshop on sovobdy next to Mickiewicz statue. Most of the sites are in the old town. Its a bus journey to the open air architecture museum. You might want to spend one of your three days visiting nearby castles: Olesko, Pidhorets etc in which case you should try to get a taxi or even a guide. I recommend Slav at www.lvivecotour.com for this, as I used his services a few years ago and was very happy.

And what are some nice party places/nightclubs? Do you need to be aware of scams?
>> No particular scams but as anywhere there are pick pockets and other petty criminals so look after your belongings. Prostitution is more obvious than in Western europe when you visit nightclubs, so if a pretty girl shows unexpected interest then beware a financuial motive.

Oh, and the price level of LVIV? Drinks, transportation, eating...? Reasonable?
>> wages are lower eg than in Poland so most things involving service are good value. Basic foodstuffs are similarly priced to Poland but restaurants are generally cheaper because of the cheaper labour. Booze and tobacoo are much cheaper than in Poland but local cigarettes may not be to your liking.

Great, thanks for your reply!

Oh, and what about international ATM's? Available widely? And also at the airport?

Plenty of ATM's in Lviv. not sure about the airport but there's definitely ОБМІН ВАЛЮТ there who will change your $/EUR into UAH.

I suggest printing out Andrew's Cyrillic in answer #4 as exchange places will only have this sign in Cyrillic (well, most likely only in Cyrillic).

I have only passed through Lviv, but note that Kiev's airport only had credit card cash advance ATMs the last time I was there. Something similar may be possible in Lviv. The airport should have an exchange booth and honestly you'd probably do better to use that than to have to get a cash advance on a credit card if you can find a real ATM. I've not heard of any ATM scams outside of Kiev, but if you want to be safe, only use ATMs directly connected to banks.

Thanks all for your reply's!
I am very looking forward to visit LVIV...
Really last question:
Any suggestions for nightlife? Well, dous not have to be real late, since I want to visit the city as well, but just between 21 and 02.00 o'clock, some nice places?
People aged 25+

From the airport you can try to take a taxi, but they can charge a lot, like 100 uah (11 euros) or even more. But it's fast ;)
When you leave the airport, there is the final stop of the minibus (marshrootka) #95, it will take you to the city center. You pay 1.75 UAH to the driver and then just ask him to stop on the stop you need to get out from the bus.

The public transport can be tricky for a foreigner. The main city attractions are IN the center but to get to some, you'll need to take a tram.
Trams and trolley-buses cost 1 uah one ticket, pay to the driver or buy in the kiosk/magazine booth. Then just validate it in the trolley-bus or tram.

Food shops are open from 8/9am till 8/9pm, supermarkets are open till 11pm.
General shops are open from 10 till 6/7pm

The city has it's attractions mostly in the center. You should visit the main Rynok Square, with it's 4 fountains, there's a tower open till 4.30pm with a great view on the old town.
The high Castle with a super view on the whole city.
The weapon's museum, churches, latin calendar on the buildi, cathedrals.
Depends what you are interested in. You can order a 1person excursion around the city.
There's a tram tour for 50 uah if i remember right leaves just from the main rynok square.

The city has Millenium club and Metro/Positiff club, they are in the center.
Millenium you have to walk a bit far, or use a transport, Positiff is 5 min walk from the center (depends where you will live). There's a hostel leocity just in front of the club.

If you're not planning to visit sleeping quarters, then you will have to be safe ;) Just don't get ito arguing with drunk ukrainians.

The prices are good. Drinks are pretty cheap, food too. It shouldn't be an issue.

Have a good trip ;)

Edited by: isis0911

Hi Isis, thanks for your extensive reply! I def. print it out and take it with me.
I will be staying on Svovbody Ave, so I think that's quite central.
Metro / Positiff is the same?
Do you also have some tips for nice pubs, where it is good to be, between 21 and let's say 00.00 o'clock?

Hi ;)
You are welcome!

Pozitiff club and Metro are the same, very close to the center, has 3 dancefloors, different music, a bar and a pizza place near it. They make alco-trash parties every wednesday.

As for the pubs, we have an irish pub 'Dublin' it is nice but can be a little bit expensive. They sell looooots of beer and irish, scottish, american whisky, vodka etc. Lots of stuff to drink. Like an example: 50ml of irish whisky costs from 3 euros and higher (till 8)

A very unusual place is 'Kriyivka' made in the ukrainian partizan style, it's very popular and they make good meat. Also cafe Mazoh is super unusual and funny to be in ;)
http://masoch-cafe.com.ua/

Puzata khata is the cheapest place to eat, it's self catering, just grab what you like and then pay. They have the best ukrainian style dishes and cakes.
It's near the University.
Most of the bars and cafes are working till 11pm, some till 12.

Cheers!