Autumn in Ukraine opens up new travel routes. The Carpathians captivate with misty sunrises and thermal resorts, while Podillia enchants with picturesque landscapes and ancient landmarks. In our selection — places worth visiting during this magical season.
Autumn in Kamianets-Podilskyi has its own rhythm. The ancient fortress rises above the Smotrych Canyon, while the river below disappears among ruby and golden leaves.
The best way to feel the atmosphere is from the Turkish Bridge. From here, a view of the canyon opens up, and the light mist adds a touch of mysticism. In the Old Town, time slows down: narrow streets lead to churches and cathedrals, and more than 190 architectural landmarks create a true open-air museum. No wonder the city's historic center is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
October in Kamianets also means the "Fortress" festival. Knight tournaments, medieval fairs, and evening fire shows take visitors back to the time when the fortress was an impregnable stronghold.
In autumn, the resort town of Truskavets gains a special mood. The old Adamivka Park dresses in crimson and gold, the paths are covered with a leafy carpet, and the air is filled with cool freshness. It's the perfect time for those who want to combine wellness with leisurely walks and a sense of complete harmony and relaxation.
Autumn here has its perks: the resort’s infrastructure operates as usual, but the prices for accommodation and treatments are pleasantly lower than in summer. Truskavets remains the country’s top balneological center, but this time of year it feels especially cozy and intimate.
Active vacation lovers can choose from cycling routes around the city or take excursions to nearby gems: Drohobych with its unique saltworks, the medieval Tustan Fortress, or the picturesque town of Skhidnytsia. And after returning — warm up with a coffee or mulled wine in the city center while watching how the evening lanterns illuminate the autumn alleys.
Autumn in Zakarpattia has a unique charm: golden leaves cover forest trails, the air carries coolness and the scent of mushrooms, and among this beauty emerge the thermal pools of Kosyno. This place is often called the “Carpathian Iceland” — thanks to its geysers, water with a unique mineral composition, and an atmosphere of total relaxation.
The water here is as warm as a cozy bath and rich in calcium, magnesium, and sodium. It helps relieve fatigue after mountain walks, boosts immunity, and benefits joints and skin. It's especially enjoyable to soak in the pools in autumn, when the air is already chilly and the body is wrapped in the gentle warmth of the thermal springs.
The Kosyno complex offers several pools with different temperatures, barrel-shaped saunas, spa treatments, and even coffee or tea you can enjoy right by the water. The atmosphere here combines physical rest with mental rejuvenation: the warm baths melt away stress, and the nearby Carpathian scenery reminds you that nature is the best healer.
Khashchovania is a small Boyko village in the Lviv region, as if hidden among the Carpathian hills. Only a few hundred residents live here, and instead of hotels, there are private homesteads with outdoor tubs and saunas, with windows overlooking the forest. It’s an ideal place for those seeking peace and a true disconnect from the urban hustle.
The village lies at an altitude of 728 meters and has an interesting history: according to legend, people fled into the thickets to escape Tatar raids, cleared the forest, and built their homes here. Since then, Khashchovania has preserved the spirit of a primitive mountain community. Autumn here is particularly vivid: chilly mornings with mist above the Slavka River, red-and-gold mountain slopes, and evenings when the lights in wooden houses seem warmer than any city lantern.
Besides tranquility, the village can surprise with its architecture: the Church of St. John the Baptist and an old bell tower are examples of classic Boyko style preserved to this day. For travelers, it’s also a convenient starting point for hikes in the Skole Beskids. Nearby are Mount Kychera, the peaks of Rivna and Hnyla, and the highest point in the area — Mala Slavka at 1,121 meters above sea level.
Another interesting nearby location is Lake Khashchovanske, shrouded in legends. Its origin is still unknown: some say it could be a landslide lake or even man-made. In autumn, the lake sparkles in the sunlight and becomes a wonderful spot for a short walk or a photo shoot.
Not all autumn routes in the Carpathians lead to mountain peaks and forests. Sometimes the real magic is hidden underground. Molchnyi Kamin Cave in Zakarpattia is a small but surprisingly atmospheric location where nature and history intertwine.
The cave got its name thanks to the white limestone solution that seeps through the cracks in the rocks, resembling milk. The entrance is quite wide, so soft daylight filters inside. The total length of the passage is 92 meters, and right at the entrance, visitors are greeted by bizarre stalactites.
But the greatest value of Molchnyi Kamin is its history. Archaeologists found evidence of an ancient human settlement here—people who lived in the Carpathians more than 20,000 years ago. This makes the cave not only a natural wonder but also an open-air museum of sorts.
The trail to the cave is easily accessible and suitable even for those without mountain experience. An autumn hike here is a great idea, especially on rainy days when it's nice to hide inside the cool stone walls and feel the breath of history.
This is a place where history and nature are woven into one dramatic narrative. Once, Bakota was the capital of the Dniester Lowland, and today it's a picturesque bay with unforgettable views. When the surrounding forests turn fiery orange and morning mist rises above the river, the canyon looks like a massive watercolor painting.
The tragic chapter of this village is connected with the construction of the Novodnistrovska Hydroelectric Power Plant in the 1980s. Residents were given eight years to leave their homes. People demolished the houses they had built all their lives with their own hands, and the cemetery was moved to higher ground. After that, the village was flooded. Today, only legends and underwater ruins hidden by the river remind us of Bakota.
Despite its sad past, Bakota is now one of the most romantic tourist locations in Podillia. Start your walk from the observation deck in the village of Kolodiivka: the view of the canyon and the vast Dniester opens up as if in the palm of your hand. Then comes a boat ride. A trip through the canyon with a stop at the rock monastery gives the feeling of traveling through time. The monastery is carved into a limestone cliff 120 meters high, where archaeologists found tombs with human remains.
For those seeking more activity, Bakota offers SUP surfing and jeep tours. But even without any extreme adventures, the place enchants—you just need to sit on the slope with a cup of hot tea and watch the sun slowly disappear behind the Dniester Canyon.
Autumn in Podilski Tovtry is a journey into another dimension. Here in Khmelnytskyi region, nature has created landscapes that combine the tranquility of Podillia and the grandeur of the Carpathians. Hills are covered with a soft blanket of fallen leaves, and rivers and lakes reflect the orange and red hues. Autumn makes the park especially attractive: there are fewer tourists, and one can enjoy solitude with the autumn forest.
The routes here vary—from easy eco-trails for family walks to more challenging ones for experienced hikers. The autumn air is fresh and filled with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves, while the park’s silence sounds louder than any urban rhythm.
The special value of Podilski Tovtry lies in its geology: millions of years ago, this area was part of the Miocene sea, and the rocky ridges that rise above the ground today are remnants of an ancient barrier reef.
Autumn is the perfect time to discover new routes. And if you're looking to add some thrill to your journey, check out 5 road trip routes across Ukraine: from Podillia to Bukovyna.
Photo: Kraina UA
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