If you know something about Rivne on the level of “Rivne because it’s on a plain?”, then pleasant discoveries are guaranteed. Cultural, natural, beer discoveries no worse than in Kyiv – there’s something here for everyone.
Rivne, Ukraine
Where to stay?
- Not far from the bus station, there is a hostel with an intriguing name – Full House Hotel & Capsule Hostel (Kyivska, 10). One of the few capsule hostels in Ukraine. This concept involves sleeping places in small cells located one above the other. The idea, originally from Tokyo, looks very stylish in the Rivne interpretation! Minimalist rooms with wooden finishes, where you can find yourself in your own personal space as soon as you close the large curtain. At the same time, prices are quite democratic, a night in a capsule will cost up to €6. There are also standard Full House rooms for one or two with private bathrooms and access to a shared kitchen. The cost of such pleasure will be small.
- Do you want to live right in the center, closer to all the action? Then you should go to Rivne Hostel (Soborna 19/21, 3rd floor), located on the main street of the city, a 5-minute walk from the central Shevchenko Park. Everything is up to standard – clean rooms with bunk beds, shared kitchen and bathroom, friendly atmosphere.
- Mini-hotel OK Hotel (Dvoretska, 48) is stylish in its minimalism. And it’s not only about the interior but also about the price. Located a 10-minute walk from the Hydropark (an ideal place for meeting sunsets).
- If all those antics with capsules and hostels are not to your liking and you want a simple human hotel, “Tourist” is at your service at Kyivska, 36. Despite the name, the rooms here are decent, we’re not afraid to say – of good quality. A room for two and a continental breakfast costs 1800 UAH.
Cultural program and walks
We suggest starting with a pedestrian walk along the main Soborna Street. Take coffee with you, look around and study the buildings, many of which are interesting architectural monuments of different eras.
- You should include the monument to Maria of Rivne in your must-see walking route at Soborna Street 99-113. Once upon a time, thanks to her, Rivne grew from a small settlement into a city, receiving Magdeburg rights. The monument itself is located in a gazebo with well-kept flower beds.
- If you travel in the warm season, also drop by Maidan Nezalezhnosti, where a light and music fountain has recently been opened behind the “Ukraina” cinema, on the Alley of Unknown Heroes. It will, of course, look especially spectacular in the evening.
- And be sure to find the strength to walk to house number 137 on Soborna Street – to the former Church of St. Anthony. Besides being a pretty building in the neo-Gothic style, it is now converted into a house of organ music. Cultural development and the creation of a lyrical and thoughtful mood are guaranteed.
- For the evening program, check the billboard of the Rivne Music and Drama Theatre (Teatralna, 1). Don’t be lazy to come a little earlier before the start to walk around Theatre Square – it’s the true heart of the city. You can watch passers-by, fancy-shaped flower beds, or the sunset.
- Amber Museum (Symona Petliury, 17). Polissia is famous for its extraction of amber since ancient times, so it is not surprising that the museum dedicated to this semi-precious stone is located exactly in Rivne. The museum building is a mansion in the Art Nouveau style. Inside, you can learn about the peculiarities of its extraction, look at amber products in all possible (and even those that seemed not very possible) forms, and understand the difficult fate of amber, which was previously used as firewood, because it is the only stone that burns. The ticket will be inexpensive. Note that Monday is a day off! On other days, the museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. The museum of the Ukrainian writer Ulas Samchuk is also located in the same building.
- If you want a break from the city hustle, noise, and transport — head to the First Stage Hydropark. Somewhere among these beautiful landscapes, you can definitely catch a moment and immerse yourself in long-awaited peace.
- Swan Lake Park is an excellent place for a bike ride or walk. An ideal spot to feel the spirit of history: there used to be a whole palace and park ensemble here. The park’s name also changed – it was both “Komsomolsky” and “Park of Youth”, but among the locals, it remained Swan Lake because white and black swans live on the lake. If you want to take a couple of photos as a souvenir, be prepared to contort yourself so that the numerous newlyweds do not get into the frame.
- “Euro-Art” (Prospekt Myru, 4) – a gallery dedicated to painting of the 19th-20th centuries, where you can find works by Ukrainian and Western European artists. A rare evening here goes by without any cultural get-together – tea drinking with artists, creative meetings, public discussions, and master classes. The gallery has its own cafe where you can try “Malevich’s Black Square” or “Claude Monet’s Vanilla Sky” coffee.
Beer culture and bars
In 1849, one of the first breweries in Ukraine was opened in the city. Now, a large brewing plant “Riven” has grown on its territory, for whose products the locals feel the most tender feelings. How could beer culture not develop here? Therefore, we reveal the places where getting acquainted with it will be as interesting as possible. And filling, of course.
- Beer Bar “Riven” (16 Lypnia St, 71). Minimum renovation, lots of Soviet posters urging to consume the foamy beverage wisely. Here you can also look at the pieces of iron that once served as equipment for beer production and are now responsible for creating the atmosphere in this semi-dark space. Since beer is supplied here directly from the factory, it is always fresh, and prices are moderate. Locals vyingly recommend taking “Dark Bergschloss” with pig ears. But no one forbids you to come up with your own ideal combination.
- Beer Restaurant “Kant” (Kopernika, 9) – a paradise for craft beer lovers, located right at the “Riven” plant. A large menu: from snacks and light salads to various types of meat cooked here on an open fire. You can order tasting sets here, having previously tired the waiter with questions. Also, on weekdays, you can treat yourself to an excellent hearty lunch set.
- “Brewery on Hrushevskoho” (Hrushevskoho, 77) – on “Heinrich Schulz” equipment, seven types of beer are brewed here: Pils, Original Pils, Weiss, Dunkel, Ale, Dark Cherry, Special. To not suffer with the choice, order a tasting set. It goes perfectly with a beer board. An excursion around the brewery can be arranged upon request. If you travel in summer, we resolutely recommend settling on the terrace.
- Gastropub Father (Stepana Bandery, 24) also boasts having its own brewery. The main emphasis in the menu is on a variety of meat and fish dishes. In the evenings, live music is played here. A lot of people gather, so we recommend thinking about a table in advance.
- “Three Elephants” (Mitskevycha, 32). A cozy place with energetic music. Besides beer, we recommend trying original shots. And you also need to eat here, a lot, deliciously, and for an excellent price.
Coffee shops for the soul
- Kavasutra (Peresopnytska, 8). The coffee shop cooperates in every way with eco-organizations and craftsmen, so it’s always bright and green here. A smiling barista, who is also the owner of this establishment, will make a cappuccino with plant-based milk and talk “about life” in the process. The main emphasis is on drinks; don’t expect to gorge yourself on sweets here.
- Dobro Kava&cocktail (Bulvar Nezalezhnosti, 7). As the name suggests, in this establishment, you can have heartfelt conversations not only over a cup of coffee but also over a glass of Aperol. Add to all this a restrained Scandinavian style. The concept seems just perfect to us! A bonus for supporters of healthy eating – there are plenty of healthy desserts here.
- In Sweden, there is a concept called “fika” – something like a coffee break, only much more serious than just a break; a whole ritual that helps to cope with all routine problems of the working day and avoid burnout. Fika (Slovatskoho, 9) in Rivne’s execution is the cutest little place, and it’s also open around the clock.
- If you are heading to Shevchenko Culture Park, drop by on the way to the most fashionable café exactly (Drahomanova, 1). The owners themselves claim that their goal was primarily a creative space. The drinks are worth attention, especially coffee brewed by alternative methods.
- “Platform 9 3/4” (Nebesnoi Sotni, 22a) – a coffee shop located, naturally, near the railway station. The brick wall next to the window is decorated with the Sorting Hat and a notable signpost. The coffee here is amazing — try the citrus raf.
Restaurants and cafes
- Chaplin (Kyivska, 10). Interior madness (pink plates, colored striped napkins, and a dog portrait) charges you with a good mood. Breakfasts here are cooked amazingly, there is a terrace in the summer.
- To try the most delicious pizza in the city, head to the “On the Hill” restaurant, which is located right in Shevchenko Park. And do not be confused by the inscription “best for children” at the entrance; adults here are also fed pizza and allowed to wash it down with beer. Prices are democratic.
- “Seven Fridays” (Symona Petliury, 6). A Jewish restaurant in European style, serving Ukrainian cuisine dishes and homemade liqueurs.
By the way, since we’re on the topic of liqueurs, not to mention Servante (Prospekt Myru, 9) would be a gastronomic crime – here you are awaited by cuisine and (bar) of the peoples of the world, where borscht coexists with snails in Burgundy sauce. Your favorite liqueur can be bought to take with you.
A standard set of shops awaits you in two large shopping centers: “Ekvator” (Kulyka i Hudacheka, 23) and “Zlata Plaza” (Oleksandra Borysenka, 1). In the latter, there is a store of the aforementioned socks of the young Ukrainian brand MoKoKo. In the same shopping center, there is a “Bag Factory” store, a large part of the presented assortment belongs to the Rivne factory.
“Knyharnya Ye” – a Ukrainian bookstore chain, a must-visit place. The fact is that Rivne is the birthplace of the Ukrainian writer Max Kidruk, who has been receiving BBC awards for the best book for several years in a row. Talk to the seller, he probably doesn’t mind telling about the local celebrity and helping you decide on a book choice.
“Amber of Ukraine” (Kyivska, 94). There are slightly fewer exhibits here than in the museum, but you can buy and take away everything your heart desires.
If you do not perceive any souvenirs except those you can taste, head to the tea shop “Taistry Zillia” (Maidan Nezalezhnosti, 7). It belongs to true tea fans who monitor the quality of their product very zealously. Naturally, you can both taste and buy to take away.
Outside the city
For those traveling by car and having free time, we also recommend reaching a close natural tourist attraction — Tunnel of Love in Klevan. This romantic name hides a section of railway where trees have intertwined with each other, forming an arch-shaped tunnel. Only 26 km from Rivne.
The Rivne region is famous for the longest narrow-gauge railway in Europe — a whole 106 km. along the route — incredible landscapes of Polissia.
Dubno Castle. Built on the picturesque bank of the Ikva River, on the site of an ancient Rus fortification, Dubno Castle has repeatedly seen Polish kings and Russian emperors. To this day, it looks quite well-kept and generally royal. By the way, after visiting the castle, we recommend visiting the nearest store and trying the sweets of the Dubno Confectionery Factory.
