Within an hour or two of Lviv there are castles, monasteries, cliffs and spa towns. Most of them are hard to combine in one day by bus, but by car you can see two or three places and be back in the city for dinner. Here are one-day routes, ticket prices for November 2026 and a short plan for Lviv itself.
The Golden Horseshoe: three castles in one day
Olesko, Pidhirtsi and Zolochiv castles lie close to each other east of Lviv, so people usually visit them in one loop.
- Olesko Castle — about 75 km along the M-06 towards Brody. A castle on a hill with a museum of paintings, sculpture and antique furniture.
- Pidhirtsi Castle — another 15 km from Olesko. A palace with terraces and a park, plus a tour of the cellars about the "White Lady".
- Zolochiv Castle — about 70 km from Lviv on the M-09 towards Ternopil. The Great Palace and the Museum of Oriental Art in the Chinese Palace.
A ticket to each castle costs UAH 200 for adults, UAH 150 for students and UAH 100 for children and pensioners. The castles are closed on Mondays; on other days they open at about 10:00–11:00 and close at 16:00–17:00, with shorter hours on Tuesdays. Check the schedule before you go on the website of the Lviv National Art Gallery, which runs them.
Tip: leave before 9 a.m. Start with Olesko, then Pidhirtsi, and keep Zolochiv for last — it has the shortest road back to Lviv.
Zhovkva and Krekhiv: half a day to the north
Zhovkva is about 30 km from Lviv, less than an hour's drive. The town was built as a 16th-century "ideal city": Vicheva Square with arcades, the castle, the church and mausoleum of the Zhovkevsky family, and the wooden Holy Trinity Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Castle ticket: UAH 200, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00.
From here it is about another 15 km to Krekhiv Monastery, a working monastery in the forest with caves, a spring, its own cheese dairy and a shop. Keep your voice down and dress as you would for a church.
Svirzh Castle: a castle and a lake in one shot
About 50 km south-east of Lviv, via Bibrka. The castle stands above a pond, and that side gives the best photos. There is no museum exhibition; visits are by guided tour only, ticket UAH 150. The castle is seasonal: open Friday to Sunday in the warm months and closed in winter. In autumn and winter, Zhovkva or the Golden Horseshoe is a better plan, and Svirzh can wait until spring.
Tustan: a rock fortress in the Carpathians
About 120–130 km, 2–2.5 hours via Stryi towards Skole, to the village of Urych. The cliffs rise up to 50 m, and a wooden fortress once stood on them — the museum shows what it looked like. Ticket: UAH 200, UAH 100 for children, students and pensioners. Wear comfortable shoes: the path around the rocks is stony and slippery after rain.
Truskavets and Skhidnytsia: mineral springs
Truskavets is about 95 km away, and Skhidnytsia is a little further into the mountains. Both are spa towns with pump rooms, parks and hotels, good for a day or a few days. On the way you can stop in Drohobych: the wooden churches of St George and of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross are also UNESCO sites.
What to see in Lviv in one day
If it is your first time in Lviv, walk around the centre before heading out of town:
- Rynok Square and the City Hall — the tower gives a view over the whole old town;
- Virmenska Street and the Latin and Dominican cathedrals;
- the Opera House and Svobody Avenue;
- the High Castle — the best panorama of the city;
- Lychakiv Cemetery — an open-air museum;
- Shevchenkivskyi Hai — wooden houses and churches from all over Western Ukraine.
The centre of Lviv means cobblestones, narrow streets and paid parking. The easiest option is to leave the car in a car park near the centre, walk around, and use the car for trips out of town.
Things to know before you go
- Most castles are closed on Mondays. Wednesday to Sunday is the best time to go.
- In winter the days are short and the castles close at 16:00–17:00. Plan no more than two places a day.
- Village roads can be narrow and potholed — drive calmly, especially after dark.
- During an air-raid alert museums pause and tours may be stopped.
- In case of an accident, call 112.
Day trips with NarsCars
The NarsCars office in Lviv is at 18 Volodymyra Velykoho St. Pick-up at the office is free, daily from 9:00 to 18:00. We can bring the car to the railway station or to an address in the city for €45, and we also deliver to Truskavets, Stryi and Drohobych.
An economy car is enough for a day trip — from €25 per day. For Tustan or village roads, a crossover with higher ground clearance is more comfortable. The minimum rental period is 1 day. With Full Protection no deposit is needed, and booking online on our website is 10% cheaper.
Also on our blog: "Lake Synevyr: how to get there by car".
FAQ
Where to go near Lviv for a day?
The most popular options are the Golden Horseshoe (Olesko, Pidhirtsi, Zolochiv), Zhovkva with Krekhiv Monastery, or Tustan.
How much are tickets to the castles near Lviv?
Olesko, Pidhirtsi, Zolochiv and Zhovkva castles cost UAH 200 for adults; Svirzh costs UAH 150.
Are the castles open on Mondays?
No, they are closed on Mondays.
How long is the drive to Olesko Castle?
About 75 km, roughly an hour and a quarter.
Can I rent a car in Lviv for one day?
Yes, the minimum rental period is 1 day.
