Ukraine has a rich history. That’s why it’s not a surprise you can find lots of outstanding palaces, fortresses, and castles in Ukraine. We’ve chosen the most famous and beautiful of them from different regions and centuries, so you can plan your castle visiting trip.

KAMIANETS-PODILSKYI CASTLE

Magnificent, large, well-maintained fortress with museums, cafe, places for great shots. Where each stone breathes with history and people’s destinies. Great place to feel the History of Humanity in general. Trip Advisor Reviews

Let’s start with the most famous fortress that you can visit. It’s listed as one of the seven miracles of Ukraine due to its amazing beauty. Every year this place attracts people from all over the country, as well as foreign guests. Historians consider the fortress to be built in XIVth century, however, there are some mentions about it a few centuries before. Another curious thing – you can take part in the Night theater tour and open this place from another side.

You can take hare very nice pictures. To open for yourself history of Ukraine and take a pleasure of view. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Price: 30 UAH
How to get: with a direct train or bus from Kyiv or near cities (Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi).

KHOTYN FORTRESS

Not too far from Kamyanets-Podilsky this fortress is a must see. There is surprisingly a lot in English at this fortress. You can catch a local bus that you can catch from Kanyanets Podilksy then just use google maps to walk to the fortress. Trip Advisor Reviews

This is, probably, the oldest and the strongest building in Ukraine. Because since centuries it was built it remains almost unchanged. Moreover, you can imagine how many different events it went through if the first mentions about this fortress belong to the IXth century. Due to this fact, the place is famous as movie making and historical reconstructions venue. Here you can feel the true spirit of the old times.

It felt good to be there, to walk the paths and climb the stairs that have seen so much history unroll before them. Dniester River is gorgeous and adds a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the whole picture. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Price: 40 UAH
How to get: with a direct bus from near cities (Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi).

SHENBORN PALACE

Castle is surrounded with nice bushes and a small lake. Very peaceful place to lay on the grass. Nice architecture and plants near it Trip Advisor Reviews

Today it’s a well-known sanatorium, while years ago here, in Zakarpatska region, Austrian Earls had built their residence here. It’s special one of the castles in Ukraine due to its construction principle that corresponds to an astronomical year. The building has 365 windows (365 days), 52 chimneys (52 weeks), 12 towers (12 months) and 7 exits (7 days of the week).  Till now you can find family coat-of-arms on walls that give this place a unique Renaissance charm. Another interesting fact – there is a lake next to the castle that has a shape similar to a former Austrian empire.

The amazingly beautiful castle which impressed me much! Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Price: 15 UAH
How to get: by train (station – Karpaty village).

OLESKO CASTLE

I really liked the castle. It’s not as much of a military fortification as saying Khotyn and more of a country house but even though, this is a great location with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside which is pretty in itself. Trip Advisor Reviews

One more architectural monument that is located in Lviv. It’s one of the first castles in Ukraine that was renovated and opened for visitors. First mentions about it belong to XIVth century when it was placed exactly on the border of Polish and Lithuanian empires. Because of this, the castle went through several wars and battles. Today it’s a museum opened for visits for those who are curious to know about ancient everyday life. By the way, if you are in Lviv already or you are planning to go there check our article about one day bike tour from Lviv to the castles.

Olesko is easily reachable by public Minibus from Lviv, only about 1.5 hrs ride, and definitely worthwhile. The main attraction, of course, is the Olesko Castle, which was photogenic both outside and in. We enjoyed our day. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Price: 45 UAH
How to get: by bus from Lviv.

PALANOK CASTLE

It’s one of the best preserved medieval castles in western Ukraine with gorgeous views, many photo opportunities and several small museums on site. Trip Advisor Reviews

This amazing castle found its place in the West of Ukraine, in Mukacheve (Zakarpatska region). It was built around 900 years ago as a wooden fortress and those time survived two big invasions of enemies. However, after growth of cannon forces usage during wars it had to be reconstructed with the use of more strong materials. After it, the castle became perfectly adapted for protection, and not only due to a location on a high hill. A large amount of food could be harvested at the cellars. In addition, it had 70-meters well that, by this moment, remained in a good condition. Moreover, the thickness of some walls reaches 18 meters. Now it’s a famous touristic place perfect for small weekend trips.

Easy to get here and interesting to see. I recommend visiting this castle as it has a very interesting history and is considered a national treasure by Hungarians as well as Ukrainians. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Price: 40 UAH
How to get: with a direct train or bus from Kyiv or near cities (Uzhorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv) to Mukachevo.

AKKERMAN FORTRESS (OR BILHOROD-DNISTROVSKYI FORTRESS)

Loved it, a great tour with a very informative guide. The history is mind blowing, and to see the remaining structure showing beautiful views of the lake and the Black Sea is a highlight. Worth a look, a nice drive, close to Odessa Trip Advisor Reviews

This remarkable fortress is located on the South, in Belgorod-Dnistrovkyi not far from Odessa. Historians consider it was built in the XIIIth century since that time it kept its original state. There are a lot of legends related to this fortress. One of them tells about the Girl tower, where the king immured his daughter because she’d stolen money from him to build her own fortress. You should definitely come here and ask locals to tell you more. For sure, they have way a lot more legends to tell.

Close to the sea, this is a well-preserved castle with good activities for children and adults at very fair prices. Torture chamber is highly recommended Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 8 am – 8 pm
Price: 50 UAH
How to get: by bus from Odessa.

LUBART’S CASTLE

It is a big and old castle. It was rebuilt a lot, so it looks very well.There is a foundation of the church in the middle of the castle. And you can see a great view from the walls. Trip Advisor Reviews

This place used to be a political and economic center of the former Lithuanian empire. It was a venue for important city events, a court of justice and the place for executions. Being almost 1000 years old, it survived till nowadays in a fair condition that allows making the castle a museum, concert venue and a place for walking tours. In case you have a chance to come here, don’t miss a chance to visit dungeons and see the ruins of the oldest church of the region.

Interesting old castle with a museum inside. Was short of time or would have enjoyed spending more time exploring. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: 10 am – 7 pm
Price: 20 UAH
How to get: by train or bus to Lutsk.

KURIS CASTLE

… Close to Odessa… Beautiful view from the behind… Trip Advisor Reviews

The supports of the destroyed bridge near this place point to the fact that once upon a time there was a river flowing here. Today there is just the big field with a small stream under the ruins, and a small village a little further. When you look better, there is a spire of either a church or some other old building. If one is not familiar with a place, he will easily miss the turn that leads to the breathtaking castle nearby. Come to explore it.

Working hours: –
Price: 50 UAH
How to get: by car from Odessa to Tiligul Lyman.

POPOV MANOR HOUSE

This is a view of past history and what it was like. It is a very nice place to visit. Trip Advisor Reviews

This is one of the most interesting pieces of heritage and castles in Ukraine. Moreover, it’s the only one representation of the XIXth century palace architecture that survived till nowadays. It took almost 30 years to build this palace. Rumor has it that the owner once met a gypsy who prophesied he will leave as long as the palace would be building. That’s why the project went under numerous changes during years. However, one day the works were finished and indeed, together with this event the prediction came true – the owner died.

Working hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Price: 20 UAH
How to get: by bus or car from Zaporizhia to Vasylivka village.

CHERVONOGRAD CASTLE

It is now just a shell of its past but still holds a certain charm as an abandoned relic. Trip Advisor Reviews

This place deserves to be named the most mysterious one among castles in Ukraine. The only things that left from the monumental building are two round towers. Today we can just imagine how breathtaking this place was. The palace was built in the IXth century, later went through reconstruction and now serves as reminding about the old times and inhabitants of this place. However, this place is worth seeing. The castle situates far from civilization and infrastructure, surrounded by mountains forests. Definitely charming.

It is abandoned but totally beautiful. And I am pretty sure haunted… There is also the very nice ruin of the church and refreshing waterfall nearby. Trip Advisor Reviews

Working hours: –
Price: free
How to get: take a car with a local guide in Ternopil, the place is hard to find without guidance.