Traveling in Ukraine during the war: safety rules 23.5.2023

Before the start of the summer season, the State Agency for Tourism Development is updating safety rules for traveling around the country.

We are publishing information on permits and restrictions that apply during martial law in 15 regions of the country, provided to us by military-civilian and regional administrations.

We would like to remind you that if you are going on a trip, you should find out about the availability of shelters along your travel route. And also make sure that the tour operators and guides you use have formed their routes taking into account the location of bomb shelters.

We emphasize that if you want to visit certain tourist locations, you should check their opening hours before visiting.

Also, when planning your travels, please keep in mind that curfews are in place in some areas to maintain law and order. As a rule, it lasts from 00.00 of the current day to 05.00 of the next day.

What is prohibited?

Rafting, hiking, walking and excursions along routes near critical infrastructure, military and strategic facilities are prohibited throughout Ukraine.

Tourist destinations close to the borders with Belarus and Russia are also inaccessible.

Restrictions are in place on visiting some mountain routes, water bodies, and forests in various regions.

Vacationing in the east and south of Ukraine, especially in the frontline areas, is dangerous due to active hostilities. In general, you should refrain from traveling to the territories that were under occupation.

What is allowed and what restrictions are in place in the regions during martial law?

This year, just like last year, Ukrainians will have to forget about beach vacations on the Black and Azov Seas. The coast of the latter is completely occupied by Russians, while the Black Sea coast is inaccessible due to the danger of mines and the threat of rocket attacks.

The central and western regions of Ukraine are relatively safe. However, even these areas are subject to certain restrictions that may vary from region to region.

In Kyiv and the Kyiv region, it is forbidden to visit forests and green areas outside residential areas. Rafting on water bodies is also prohibited. The Chornobyl zone is still closed to visitors. Currently, all locations that have been able to recover are open in Kyiv region, including accommodation facilities, museums, and estates.

In Cherkasy region, you can relax near water bodies, but only those designated by the regional state administration. Officially, there are 5 beaches in Cherkasy: three public and two private. But visiting forests is strictly prohibited.

In Poltava region, it is forbidden to visit forests. It is allowed to swim, but without any watercraft, unless it is part of a sports competition. The regional state administration also asks to coordinate the schedule of training on water bodies, taking into account the approach to bridges at a distance of 100 meters.

All tourist attractions in Vinnytsia region are operating as usual and according to their schedules. However, it should be borne in mind that some museums are closed during the war. Tourist activities are allowed on water bodies, except in places where there are critical infrastructure facilities, as well as in the border area. Visiting forests is prohibited in the region.

In the Zhytomyr region, it is allowed to collect berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants in the forests, except for the territories located 20 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine with the Republic of Belarus and the areas that were temporarily occupied. Visiting the region's nature reserves is also prohibited. Water bodies located near critical infrastructure facilities have been closed, while the rest are ready to receive vacationers. Among the cultural institutions in the region, only those with equipped shelters are open. Others organize online or offsite events.

In Dnipropetrovska oblast, navigation on water bodies by small, motorized, sailing, pleasure, sports vessels and jet skis and water entertainment equipment is prohibited. It is also prohibited to visit forests. Museums and theaters in the region operate in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law". The region has provided for the creation of virtual electronic tours, both in event tourism and geotourism.

In Kirovograd region , it is forbidden to visit forests and use watercraft on water bodies. Motorized, sports, and sailing vessels, as well as jet skis and other means of water-based entertainment are prohibited.

Volyn has no restrictions on visiting exhibitions, cinemas, museums, and other tourist attractions, however, there are certain prohibitions on rafting on water bodies under bridges and visiting forests near the Belarusian border. At the same time, it is allowed to swim in rivers and lakes located in places of mass recreation, including Lake Svityaz.

Inthe Lviv region , you can go to the forest, but it is forbidden to enter it by vehicle. The only exceptions are when a transit route or bicycle route runs through the forest. Campfires are allowed only in designated areas. Excursions, hiking, and rafting on routes near critical infrastructure, military and strategic facilities are prohibited. Tourist facilities are open, and swimming and sunbathing are allowed only on beaches that have been inspected and recommended by the State Emergency Service.

In Zakarpattia, you can go to the forests, but some routes are closed to visitors. In particular, we are talking about a part of the Uzhansky National Park and the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, which border on the borders of other countries. In particular, Mount Pip Ivan and the Yalynsky waterfall, which are located on the territory of the Tribushansky Environmental Research Department, are closed to visitors. Such tourist attraction as flying on single-engine airplanes is also prohibited.

In Ivano-Frankivsk region , it is allowed to visit mountains and forests. On the territory of the Bukovel resort, it is forbidden to ride jeeps, ATVs, buggies, and motorcycles in the forests. In addition, additional temporary regime restrictions have been approved in Verkhovyna district and in villages in the border area within Zelenskiy and Biloberizka village councils. In particular, the ban applies to recreation on the territory of those communities bordering the border.

Forests are also allowedin Ternopil region. Here, all tourist facilities operate as usual and in accordance with approved schedules. The region is currently developing new and improving existing active hiking and cycling routes. Tourist information centers in the cities of Ternopil, Terebovlia, Chortkiv, and Zalishchyky are promoting local tourism products and creating local tourist routes that include excursion programs, workshops, and gastronomic elements.

In Rivne region, the military administration has recently allowed people to go into the forests and pick berries, but not throughout the entire territory. It is forbidden to visit the northern parts of six territorial communities: Loknytsia, Zarichne, Vysotsk, Mylia, Starosilsk, and Berezivka.

In Khmelnytsky region, all tourist facilities are operating as usual and according to approved schedules. Visiting the forests is not prohibited, but there are certain restrictions: it is forbidden to make fires, as well as to enter the forests of all types of vehicles except bicycles.

In the Chernivtsi region, all tourist attractions operate as usual, according to approved schedules, and visits are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law." There is no decision to ban visits to forests. Tourist locations located more than 5 kilometers from the border strip can be visited only with the permission of border guards.