4 Ukrainian villages recognized by UN: What makes them unique
Festival “Tu Stan!” in the village of Urych (photo: Andrii Parubii Charitable Foundation)
Vorokhta suits those looking for active recreation and resort infrastructure; Urych is ideal for history buffs and fans of unusual landmarks; Kolachava appeals to travelers who want to immerse themselves in Carpathian culture, while Synevyrska Polyana is perfect for those seeking nature and mountain trails.
Ukrainian tourism has been changing in recent years not only because of the war, but also because of the way tourist destinations present themselves to the country and the world. One indicator of such recognition is the Best Tourism Villages international initiative run by UN Tourism, a specialized United Nations agency for tourism. Its main idea is not simply to select beautiful places for vacation.
The list includes rural communities that demonstrate how tourism can support local economies, preserve traditions, cultural heritage and the natural environment. The initiative was launched in 2021, and in its first years it received hundreds of applications from countries around the world.
For Ukraine, this story began in 2024. That year, two Ukrainian destinations — Vorokhta in the Ivano-Frankivsk region and Urych in the Lviv region — joined the Best Tourism Villages international network for the first time. Their applications were selected from more than 260 participants from over 60 countries. The following year, two more Zakarpattia villages — Kolachava and Synevyrska Polyana — joined the Ukrainian list. As a result, following the 2024–2025 selections, Ukraine now has four representatives in this international tourism network.
Ukrainian villages with international status once again came into the spotlight in August 2026, when UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwaiys made a one-day official visit to Ukraine. It was the organization's leader’s first visit since the beginning of the full-scale war and the first visit by a UN Tourism secretary-general to Ukraine in ten years. During the visit, representatives of the organization, the State Agency for Tourism Development and Ukrainian communities discussed not only the future of the industry, but also achievements already made. Among them, particular attention was given to the four villages that had received international tourism recognition.
At the same time, it would be wrong to view this status merely as a prestigious award. For communities, it has very practical significance. The Best Tourism Villages concept itself views tourism as a tool for developing rural areas. It creates opportunities to attract partners, create jobs, support local businesses, develop tourism infrastructure and, at the same time, preserve local identity. That is why the program's criteria cover more than just tourist attractions. Cultural and natural resources, sustainability, infrastructure, social and economic factors, community involvement and the extent to which tourism actually contributes to the development of the area are all important.
Interestingly, Ukrainian communities are already using the experience of previous winners when preparing for subsequent competitions. In 2026, Ukraine submitted five more applications for the Best Tourism Villages program. The candidates included Opishnia in the Poltava region, Vyhoda and Kryvorivnia in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, and Medzhybizh and Kytaigorod in the Khmelnytskyi region. The results of this year's selection are expected at the end of the year. In other words, the four current winners are no longer isolated success stories, but part of a broader process in which Ukrainian communities are gradually learning to work with international tourism standards.
This is what makes the Ukrainian quartet particularly interesting. Vorokhta, Urych, Kolachava and Synevyrska Polyana are completely different in character. One is known for its sporting history and railway architecture, another for its medieval fortress built on rocks, the third has built its tourist identity largely around museum heritage, while the fourth serves as a gateway to one of the best-known natural attractions in the Ukrainian Carpathians. What they have in common is something else: tourists come here not simply to "see the scenery," but to experience something specific — nature, history, ethnography or sport.
Vorokhta: a Hutsul resort that has long moved beyond winter tourism
If you name a Ukrainian Carpathian settlement most commonly associated with skiing, Vorokhta will almost certainly be among the first options. But its tourism history is much older than modern skiing, cottages and winter resorts. Vorokhta emerged as a tourist destination as early as the beginning of the 20th century, when the railway reached the area. Along with transport connections came hotels and guesthouses, while the mountain air and landscapes began attracting vacationers from different parts of Europe.
Vorokhta (photo: Wikipedia, VargaA)
The railway played a role in Vorokhta that is difficult to overestimate today. Thanks to the railway, the settlement stopped being a remote mountain village and gradually developed into a resort. Tourists were drawn not only by the nature and climate, but also by the opportunity to spend longer periods here. During the interwar period, Vorokhta became known as a center for winter sports. It was even compared with foreign ski resorts, while its sports infrastructure began shaping a distinct image for the settlement.
One of the most interesting chapters in this history is the local ski jumps. The first ski jump in Vorokhta was built in 1922. It became a venue for ski jumping competitions, and Vorokhta established itself as a winter sports hub. The facility was later reconstructed, and the ski jump remained part of the settlement's sporting life during different historical periods. This sporting heritage remains an important part of Vorokhta's tourism appeal today.
Vorokhta (photo: Wikipedia)
But there has long been little reason to come here exclusively in winter. Vorokhta is located at an altitude of about 850 meters above sea level, on the banks of the Prut River, surrounded by forests and mountains. UN Tourism specifically highlights its network of hiking and eco-trails, cycling routes, natural attractions and architectural landmarks. In other words, during the warmer months, Vorokhta changes its tourism profile: instead of skiing, visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, walks, and exploring Carpathian architecture.
The old railway viaducts are another major attraction. The stone bridges associated with the history of the Carpathian railway have long been one of the most recognizable visual symbols of Vorokhta. They are interesting not only as photo backdrops. They are part of the story of how the Carpathians were gradually integrated into the transportation network of Central Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This also makes Vorokhta appealing to those who come not for active sports, but for the atmosphere of an old resort.
Another area that is gradually becoming more important is ecotourism. In Vorokhta, efforts have been made to improve access to the Rudyak bog, a natural ecosystem home to more than 200 species of organisms. A wooden footbridge, recreation areas, and lighting have been installed there for visitors. UN Tourism also highlights the development of digital tourism tools, including virtual tours and a 3D map.
Vorokhta (photo provided by the author)
Therefore, Vorokhta’s international recognition looks entirely logical in the context of the Best Tourism Villages program. Its advantage is not a single attraction that can be photographed in ten minutes. Instead, it combines resort history, Hutsul culture, sporting heritage, mountains, forests, railway architecture and modern tourist routes. For travelers, this means something quite simple: Vorokhta can be a destination in both winter and summer, and a trip here is not limited to one popular attraction.
Kolachava: the “village of ten museums” and Zakarpattia that tells its story
Kolachava has a completely different tourism character. While Vorokhta largely sells travelers on mountains, sports and resort history, Kolachava focuses on memory. It is often called the “village of ten museums,” and this is not simply a catchy tourist epithet. The museums here tell the story of different periods in Zakarpattia’s history — from everyday peasant life and education to the political and social changes of the 20th century. This combination of the natural environment and a wide range of cultural attractions was one of the reasons Kolachava received Best Tourism Village 2025 status. UN Tourism views it as an example of a community using cultural heritage to develop rural tourism.
Kolachava (photo: Wikipedia)
One of the best-known attractions is the “Old Village” museum complex. Essentially, it is not a traditional museum where visitors move from one display case to another. The complex recreates fragments of an old Zakarpattia village and shows how people lived during different periods. Visitors can see traditional buildings and household items, while the space itself serves as a kind of setting that makes it easier to understand local history not through dates, but through everyday life. According to the Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration, the museum complex once won first place in an all-Ukrainian competition of community museums in the category dedicated to traditions and customs.
Interestingly, Kolachava also has its own seasonal natural attraction. In spring, the area around the museum complex and in the valley becomes covered with blooming Heuffel’s crocus, commonly known as a crocus. The blooming period usually falls between late March and April. The plant is listed in Ukraine’s Red Data Book, making the location interesting for more than just its aesthetic appeal. For the local tourism model, it is also important that this natural feature is not simply being turned into a photo spot, but is being protected as well.
Kolachava (photo: Wikipedia)
At the same time, Kolachava does not exist separately from its natural surroundings. The village is located within an area associated with Synevyr National Nature Park, so there are mountain trails, forests, and natural attractions nearby. The park has hiking, cycling and horseback riding routes, with one popular option being the trail from Kolachava to Strymba Mountain. This means tourists can combine a museum program with active recreation in the mountains during the same trip.
This combination largely explains Kolachava’s popularity. People come here not only to spend a few days in the Carpathians. The destination also appeals to those interested in ethnography, local history, traditional architecture, open-air museums, local cuisine and the opportunity to take a mountain trail. At the same time, Kolachava does not feel like a purely museum-oriented settlement. Its natural surroundings remain an important part of the experience.
The international award also has practical significance for the community. Kolachava community head Vasyl Khudynets has said that tourism has long been viewed as one of the economic components of the area’s development, while the international recognition provided an additional boost. This is important for a small community: tourists do not spend money only at a particular museum or attraction, but also on accommodation, food, transportation, tours and local products.
Urych and Synevyrska Polyana: two different Carpathian stories on one international list
Urych in the Lviv region also joined the Best Tourism Villages list in 2024, together with Vorokhta. At first glance, this small village may seem like a less significant tourist destination than the better-known Carpathian resorts. However, it is home to one of the region’s most important historical and cultural complexes — the Tustan rock fortress. Its cliffs and remains of the ancient fortification have become Urych’s main tourist symbol, while the landmark has allowed the village to build an entire range of tourism experiences around its historical heritage.
Urych (photo: Wikipedia)
Tustan is known as a medieval defensive complex associated with the fortification system and trade routes of the Carpathian region. What makes the landmark unique is the combination of natural rock formations and man-made structures. The wooden fortress itself has not survived, but traces of its existence remain on the rocks, including grooves and holes that researchers use to reconstruct what the ancient structure looked like. This unusual feature makes Tustan particularly interesting to tourists: visitors see not simply ruins, but a landscape that was itself part of the defensive system.
Urych has also become an example of how a small community can gain international recognition not through a large number of hotels or entertainment complexes, but by working with its heritage. As noted by the Lviv Regional Military Administration, the application for the competition was based on completed projects and museum initiatives developed by the Tustan historical and cultural reserve, a civic organization, and the “Tu Stan!” Ukrainian medieval culture festival. In other words, the international recognition was the result not simply of the village’s proximity to the landmark, but of systematic work to preserve its history and present it in a modern way.
The “Tu Stan!” festival became one of the most prominent examples of this approach. The historical landmark is presented not only through information boards and guided tours, but also through live reenactments of medieval culture. For tourists, this offers a completely different way of experiencing the past: history becomes an event rather than simply text on a sign.
The “Tu Stan!” festival (photo: Andrii Parubii Charitable Foundation)
Another distinctive feature of Urych is its Boyko cultural context. The region has preserved traditions, wooden architecture, local cuisine, and customs that complement the historical image of Tustan. This is why the village is interesting for those who want to combine a day trip to the fortress with a more leisurely exploration of the Carpathians. There is no need to create an artificial tourist image here — it is already rooted in the area itself.
Synevyrska Polyana, which has also received international recognition, has a different main advantage. It is nature. The village is located in the heart of the Carpathians, near Lake Synevyr and within an area associated with Synevyr National Nature Park. The lake itself is the best-known natural symbol of this part of Zakarpattia and is included among the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine. However, it would be wrong to reduce Synevyrska Polyana to simply a route to the lake: UN Tourism highlights more than 65 tourist attractions here, as well as an entire network of natural and cultural routes.
Synevyrska Polyana (photo provided by the author)
Around Synevyrska Polyana, the tourism offering is essentially built around different ways of interacting with nature. There are hiking routes, eco-trails, cycling routes, and horseback riding opportunities. One route leads from the Krasnyi tract to Lake Synevyr, while another runs from the Forest and Rafting Museum to the wild Ozirce Lake. The park is also home to rehabilitation centers for brown bears and birds of prey.
This is an important detail, as Synevyrska Polyana appeals not only to lovers of scenic landscapes. An ecotourism model is developing here, in which the natural environment itself is the main resource, while the task of tourism infrastructure is to make it accessible without excessive intervention. UN Tourism specifically highlights the community’s environmental initiatives, the development of sustainable tourism, and cooperation with local producers and craftspeople. Cultural routes and ethnographic programs are also being developed in the village, offering visitors opportunities to learn about the traditions of the highland areas of Zakarpattia.
Synevyrska Polyana (photo provided by the author)
It is also important that nature tourism here is complemented by history. In the national park, visitors can see the Forest and Rafting Museum, old wooden churches, and sites associated with defensive structures dating back to World War II. Thus, a trip to Synevyrska Polyana does not have to consist solely of the “hotel — lake — hotel” route. For those willing to stay longer, the area offers a much wider range of experiences.
There is another important point here. Synevyrska Polyana has become an example of how natural popularity can be turned into a comprehensive tourism product. Lake Synevyr has long been known to Ukrainian travelers, but it was not the lake itself or a single tourist attraction that received international recognition. The award recognized the village and community that work with natural resources, culture, local entrepreneurship, and tourism infrastructure. This is a fundamental difference.
Synevyrska Polyana (photo provided by the author)
As a result, the four Ukrainian villages on the international list showcase four different models of rural tourism development. Vorokhta relies on its resort and sporting heritage, Urych on its medieval heritage, and Tustan, Kolachava on museums, ethnography and the history of Zakarpattia, while Synevyrska Polyana focuses on nature and ecotourism. And this is perhaps the most interesting part of the entire Best Tourism Villages story: international recognition went not to identical “tourist pictures,” but to communities with completely different characters.
For travelers, this means they should not be viewed as competitors. Rather, they complement one another. Vorokhta will appeal to those looking for active recreation and resort infrastructure, Urych to history buffs and fans of unusual landmarks, Kolachava to those who want to immerse themselves more deeply in Carpathian culture, while Synevyrska Polyana is ideal for people seeking nature and mountain trails. At the same time, a trip does not have to be limited to one village — the Carpathians offer many other places to visit, each with its own atmosphere and tourism opportunities. Verified accommodation options in these and other Carpathian destinations can be found on the Na More i V Hory website.
For the communities themselves, the Best Tourism Villages status can become not the final award, but the beginning of the next stage. International recognition alone will not create new roads, replace local businesses or solve all tourism infrastructure problems. But it provides something that small communities often lack most — attention. And whether this prestigious status turns into real jobs, new routes, investment and the preservation of local heritage will depend on how the communities use that attention.
The Ukrainian four have already shown that the potential is there. And judging by the new applications for 2026, the list of Ukrainian villages in the international tourism network may yet grow.
