Travel to Transcarpathia: what to see and what to impress yourself with (PHOTOS)

Transcarpathia is a beautiful land where different cultures, peoples and traditions are mixed. The region borders with as many as four countries – Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

Transcarpathia is striking for its rich history, incredible nature, high mountains and hospitality. TSN.Tourism compiled a list of reasons to visit this unique Ukrainian region.

Uzhgorod is a window to Europe

The regional center attracts with its unique beauty. The city has it all: an ancient castle, numerous museums, a botanical garden and even an embankment. At different times, the city was under the rule of Czechoslovakia and Hungary, which of course has left its unique imprint. You can come to the city at any time of year. In the spring, you can see the cherry blossom. The tourism sector in Uzhgorod is very developed: there are hotels, restaurants, and so on.

Mineral waters of Transcarpathia

Resorts in the region are very popular not only in Ukraine but also abroad. Carbon dioxide springs are the most popular. There are many of them in the villages of Nelypine, Solochyne, Polyana, Ploske, Luhy. The water from these springs is comparable with such known water as "Borjomi" and has the same taste, especially "Luzhanska" "Polyana kvasova", "Ploskivska", "Svalyava." 

You can drink healing water in sanatoriums that are happy to receive visitors. European service, treatments attract people all year round. Sanatoriums have well equipped medical and diagnostic facilities and spas. Also, every year, the festival of mineral water is held here. Here, manufacturers and resorts offer their services.

Castles of Transcarpathia

The region is rich in castles. Some are very well preserved, while others turned to rubble. Particular attention should be paid to Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Nevytsky castles. All other ones only remind tourists of the past luxury. Thus, the most striking is the Palanok Castle, located in Mukachevo. The facility is located on a hill, making it look even more dizzying. Now, there is the historical museum in Mukachevo castle.

Goverla

Goverla is the highest mountain of the Ukrainian Carpathians. This place has become a center of pilgrimage for those who want to receive an unforgettable experience. You can climb the Goverla on two slopes. One of them is in Transcarpathia. Overall, climbing on the Transcarpathian slope will take more time, but it is the easiest one.

If you climb the Goverla during sunny weather, you can see Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia on the north side, Romanian Sighetu Marmatiei and Pip Ivan – on the south, Petros – on the west, and the peaks of Chornohora on the south-east.

The Narcissus Valley is an unforgettable journey that will forever remain in the memory

The Narcissus Valley is located near Khust. There are very few such places in nature. In particular, similar natural features are preserved in the Alps, the mountain areas of Romania and some Balkan countries, but they are smaller in size.

You should come here in early May, when the daffodils begin to bloom. The peak of flowering is traditionally in the middle of May, but this year because of the warm weather daffodils bloomed earlier. You can learn more about this unique valley in the museum. Every year, Narcissus Valley attracts more than 10,000 tourists.

Synevyr is the gem of Transcarpathia

The lake, which is a part of the national park, is very popular among tourists. We recommend to start your journey to the Synevyr from the museums that will give a complete picture. There are two of them: the museum of rafting (you can see the entire process of harvesting, sorting, storage and transportation of wood) and the museum of Kolochava (here, they will tell you all about the life and traditions of the Transcarpathians).

Then the journey continues to the lake itself. It is an incredible beauty. The water in the lake surrounded by mountains and forests is so clean that you can see the bottom. Locals say that if a couple met on the lake, and then married, their love will be strong.

Transcarpathia cuisine

Transcarpathian cuisine is very diverse. It depends on the area where you are. In Beregovo you will be treated with Hungarian dishes (bograch, goulash), Hutsuls will treat you with banosh and kremzlyky.

We also recommend to try tokan, which is made of cornmeal, cheese and cracklings. And for dessert, you can try hombovtsi with different fillings.

Festivals of Transcarpathia

More than 160 festivals are held here each year, attracting more than half a million tourists. They come here for the Bride Parade involving nearly a hundred girls in wedding dresses. Want to taste wine? Come to Mukachevo fot the "Red Wine" festival or to the white wine festival in Beregovo. Want to try local cuisine? You are welcomed at the festival of cheese, which takes place in Rakhiv, or the "Plum Jam".

The festival of butchers, Sakura Days in Uzhgorod, "Berlibasky banosh" in Kostylivka, the Midsummer festival in the tract of Voyevodino, "Golden goulash" and the Beaujolais Festival are also well known.