If you are really into the art scene, love visiting art galleries in a new city, and want to soak in as much culture as you can on your trip, see our selection of top things to do in Lviv for art lovers. Well, Lviv in itself is a very inspiring place, and you can find art there on the streets and in the air!

1. Visit Dzyga Art Gallery

Lviv's go to place for modern art

This hot spot for cultural events in the city is no doubt the heart of intellectual Lviv. Founded in 1997 by members of Lviv Students Brotherhood and city's artists, the gallery regularly hosts works by contemporary artists, including paintings, graphics, sculptures, installations, iconography, and performances. For those who want to combine the art and a good cup of coffee, a small cozy cafe is opened at the gallery premises. Don't miss out on its delicious Carpathian tea!

 

Where to find: Virmenska st., 35

 

When to visit: Mon-Sun 10:00-22:00

 

How much to pay: for FREE

2. Listen to street musicians in the city center

Jazz up your stay in Lviv

As soon as the weather gets a bit warmer, Lviv streets start bustling with musicians, live bands and performers. They add a special charm to the city and let you enjoy lively music while sitting on the benches of City Rynok Square. Don't be surprised if locals suddenly get up and start dancing. Join them in their fiery jives!

 

Where to find: pretty much everywhere around the city center. However, most popular spots are Halytska street and Serbska street

 

When to visit: throughout the week, but more so - on weekends

 

How much to pay: for FREE

3. Enjoy performances at Lviv Opera Theater

Fountains in front of the Opera Theater

Much can be written about this most famous Lviv landmark. Known as the Grand Theater originally, it is now formally called The Lviv National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Solomiya Krushelnyts’ka, in honor of Ukraine's most well-known female opera singer. The Lviv Opera House was built in 1900 using forms of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The result is one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe with a luxurious interior, including the Mirror Hall and Parnassus Curtain and a stunning facade with ornate sculpture work.  For the curious ones, the Theater stands right at the top of river Poltva, that used to run across the city until some hundred years ago. Reserve your seat to enjoy world-class ballet and opera - from Puccini to Tchaikovsky. Come one hour ahead of your performance and explore the impressive interior of the Opera House in a guided tour (English language tours are available).

 

Where to find: Svobody ave., 28

 

When to visit: 11 am - 7 pm, tours are available starting from 5 pm. Alternatively, you can buy an entrance ticket and tour around the theater on your own.

 

How much to pay: performance tickets cost from 0.5 EURO to 20 EURO, self-guided tour ticket is 1 EURO.

4. Listen to organ music in Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall

Listen to ancient and chamber music at Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall

The building of Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall was constructed in 17th century as a church and monastery of St. Magdalena, but started to function as a cultural institution only in 1960ies. Currently the Hall hosts various music performances, Sunday mass for Roman Catholic Church, and yearly Festival of Ancient Music. The music hall’s magnificent organ by Czech manufacturer Rieger-Kloss is the largest organ in Ukraine. 

 

Where to find: 10 Stepana Bandery St., The Organ and Chamber Music Concert Hall is located a bit outside Lviv’s center, close to Polytechnic University. It’s a 15 to 20-minute walk uphill to reach the concert hall from the center.

 

When to go:  Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm for organ music concerts, early October - for the Festival of Ancient Music

 

How much to pay: weekend concerts – 2 Euro, Festival  - 3 Euro

5.  Enjoy impressive sculptures of Ukrainian Michelangelo Ioann Pinzel

These gorgeous sculptures will surely impress you

10 min away from the Rynok Square stands a beautiful 17th century building - former monastery of Poor Clares. Despite its rather unimpressive exterior, it's home to a great collection of Ukrainian art: sculptures of Ioan Pinzel.  Pinzel is known as Ukraine's Michelangelo and is considered as one of Europe's most talented sculptors of 18th century. The exhibition consists of 32 wooden sculptures, with the famous 'Crucifixion', 'Angel' and 'Samson Tearing the Lion's Mouth'. All works are made of basswood and impress with their perfection and delicacy. The centerpiece of the collection is an awe-inspiring 18th century fresco, located high up in the church's dome.

 

Where to find: Mytna sqr, 2

 

When to visit: in summer - from 11 am to 6 pm (ticketing office is opened until 4 pm), in winter - from 10 am to 5 pm (ticketing office is opened until 5 pm), on Sundays - from 12 pm to 5 pm (ticketing office is opened until 4 pm). Closed on Mondays.

 

How much to pay: entrance tickets – 0.5 euro, guided tour – 3 euro, photography - 3 euro

6. Soak in city's past in the impressive Lychakiv Cemetery

Lonely Planet's No 1 place to visit in Lviv

OK, you probably think that we mis-typed something - no way a cemetery can be one of the city's most exhilarating attractions. But oh well, if Lonely Planet puts it on its 'Must-To' list and passionately names it as '...immense and moving..', then it must have something worth checking!

The famous Town of Dead was built in 1786 and is the last refuge for almost 300,000 people. Among them are renowned Ukrainian poets, artists and politicians. In 18th century the place was re-designed into a solitary park, with beautiful alleys and walks. Add to that 86 fields, over 500 graceful handcrafted sculptures, serene atmosphere and you'll realize that getting bored here is not at option. Cemetery also houses graveyards for soldiers from Red Army, Ukrainian Liberation Army and Polish military troupes from 1918-1920. A walk there is bound to give you an insightful lesson in ever complex Eastern European history.

 

Where to find: 33, Mechnykova St., Take tram No.7 from Mytna Square near the Pinzel Museum and get off at the fourth stop on Mechnykova Street

 

When to visit:Lychakiv Cemetery is open daily from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m.

 

How much to pay: Entrance costs 10 UAH (about 1 EURO), contact us to arrange for a guided tour of the cemetery

7. Participate in local festivals

From jazz to classical music, from cycling to international cuisine - Lviv got a festival for every one!

In the past couple of years Lviv has grown to become a true city of festivals. Every month celebrates one or more of the city's virtues. Winter brings out the special Christmas spirit of traditional Ukrainian countryside, and delicious Chocolate Festival. Spring celebrates the Easter Egg (Pysanka) Festival, pleases your taste buds with 'Lviv On a Plate' Gastronomic Festival, jazzes up with Weather-Vanes of Lviv Festival and ends with the crazy row of non-stop festivities in May (Lviv City Day Parade, The Rascal (Batyar) Day, and International Classical Music Festival Virtuosi.

Summer is buzzing with many music festivals, among them the well-known Alfa Jazz Fest, that brings world's most famous jazz musicians to the Lviv stage, Wiz-Art Short Film Festival, and International Folklore Festival Etnovyr. To end the year, the city celebrates Coffee Festival in autumn.

 

Where to find: traditionally at the city center, other performance places usually include Lviv Opera Theater, Philharmonic, and Shevchenkivsky Hai

 

When to visit: for the latest schedule check Official City Travel Website

 

How much to pay: mostly for free, though some events within the festivals might have entrance fees

8. Watch performance of Lviv Les Kurbas Theatre

Lviv's most cultured and entertaining venue

You will probably have hard time finding this little tucked-away theater stage. You will probably not understand much, as performances are mainly in Ukrainian. But yet, we are including the Les Kurbas Theater in your top 'to-do' list in Lviv! This charming little drama hall was created in 1988 and represents one of the best modern theater groups in the country. Its expressive and moving performances, colorful costumes, use of voice and movement are truly captivating and will make you sit in awe, despite the language barrier. The theater also performed in Italy, Russia, Poland and USA. Put this highly rated place by fellow travelers on Trip Advisor on your 'must-visit' list and you are bound to spend a couple of hours of your time with '..mouth opened during the whole performace!'.

 

Where to find: 3, Les Kurbas st.

 

When to visit: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 19.00

 

How much to pay: 5-7 EURO, you can book your tickets on the theater's website (in English)