Ukrainian Maldives and Pamukkale: 7 stunning spots that look like paradise destinations
Amazing beaches and locations in Ukraine (RBC-Ukraine collage)
To see turquoise water, white shores, and breathtaking landscapes that look like they came straight off a National Geographic cover, you don’t always need expensive plane tickets, visas, or long-haul flights. Often, the most impressive places are much closer than we think.
RBC-Ukraine has compiled 7 locations that, thanks to their incredible scenery, have earned the status of Ukrainian Maldives, Croatia, or even Iceland.
June traditionally opens the summer vacation season. It’s a time when the heart craves adventure, and the mind needs a reset. Many Ukrainians are now looking for cozy, safe, and beautiful places to relax without complicated travel logistics.
And this is where Ukraine’s natural wonders come in. The country can be surprisingly beautiful: sometimes just one look at a photo is enough to take your breath away and make you ask, “Is this really not a tropical resort or a Norwegian fjord?”
Druzhbivskyi Quarry – Ukrainian Pamukkale in Zhytomyr region
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the famous white travertine terraces in Turkey, there’s good news: in the Zhytomyr region, near the village of Druzhba, there is a photogenic alternative. This quartz quarry has become one of the biggest Instagram discoveries in recent years.
What makes it impressive:
- Snow-white cliffs: piles of white clay and quartz sand form giant terraces resembling Turkish landscapes or even snow-covered mountains in summer.
- Fairy-tale water: the flooded section of the quarry has a stunning turquoise color due to the purity of the water and light-colored bottom.
- Striking photo spots: it’s a perfect place for unique, almost “cosmic” photo shoots. However, it’s important to remember that this is an industrial site, so caution is needed when walking along the steep white slopes.
Druzhbivskyi Canyon (photo: Zhytomyr Journal)
Bakota Bay – Ukrainian Croatia
If there is a place capable of making you fall in love at first sight, it is Bakota in the Khmelnytskyi region. The history of this location is dramatic: once there was a thriving village here, which was completely flooded in the 1980s during the construction of the Dniester Reservoir. Today, this area has transformed into a unique microclimate and a breathtakingly beautiful bay surrounded by towering cliffs.
The landscape is so reminiscent of Croatia’s Adriatic coast that it is easy to forget which country you are in. The vast body of water changes color from emerald to deep blue on sunny days. And if you climb the White Rock at sunset, it’s a view you will never forget.
Bakota (photo: Wikipedia)
Blue Lakes of Chernihiv region – Ukrainian Maldives
When travelers first see photos of these lakes near the village of Oleshnia, the first thought is: “There must be some serious photo editing here.” But there is no Photoshop involved. The water here truly has a bright azure color.
The secret of the location:
The lakes formed on the site of former quarries where pure quartz sand was mined. This sand, lying at the bottom, acts as a natural light prism, giving the water its “Maldives-like” shades.
The lakes are surrounded by dense pine forest, so the air smells of pine needles and freshness. Visitors can rent a cozy wooden house, set up a campsite, go paddleboarding, or simply sunbathe on the white sand. It is an ideal spot for a peaceful family getaway.
Blue Lakes (photo: Wikipedia)
Basalt Columns – a corner of harsh Iceland in Rivne region
For those who prefer cosmic photo spots and mystical landscapes over beaches, the village of Bazaltove hides a real treasure. This is an active quarry where black stone is extracted.
Huge basalt columns in multi-faceted geometric shapes rise in sharp, clean lines up to 30 meters high. They were formed millions of years ago due to volcanic activity.
Part of the quarry is flooded, and in the middle of the turquoise water lies a small island, which locals romantically call the “Island of Love.” The landscape looks so northern and cinematic that it feels like you’ve stepped onto the set of “Game of Thrones” somewhere in Iceland.
Basalt Columns (photo: Wikipedia)
Pink Lake in Kherson region – Australian-style exotic landscape
Before the full-scale war, Lake Lemuria and the remnants of the Syvash were one of the signature attractions of southern tourism in Ukraine. The water here has an incredible pink, sometimes almost neon-purple color due to the unique microalgae Dunaliella salina, which produces beta-carotene under sunlight.
Due to the security situation and proximity to the frontline, full tourism in the area is currently not possible. However, this location remains in the heart of every traveler as one of Ukraine’s natural wonders that we will definitely visit again in the future.
Lemurian Lake (photo: Wikipedia)
Aktove Canyon – Ukrainian Grand Canyon
In the Mykolaiv region, in the middle of the steppe, there is a real geographical paradox – the Aktove Canyon. It is a unique complex of granite cliffs and gorges that, due to its geological age and beauty, resembles a miniature version of the famous canyons of North America.
The canyon reaches a depth of up to 50 meters (about a 15-story building), and the Mertvovod River flows along its bottom. People come here for wild nature: to pitch tents under the starry sky, go rock climbing, catch morning mist between massive boulders, and listen to complete silence. For lovers of active and slightly extreme tourism, this is the number-one destination.
Aktove Canyon (photo: Wikipedia)
Myhiya – Scandinavian-style adrenaline on the Southern Bug
Completing our top list is the village of Myhiya in the Mykolaiv region – a true mecca of Ukrainian rafting. Thanks to the fast-flowing Southern Bug River and granite rapids, this place has become a major hub for water-based extreme tourism.
The landscapes here are rocky, with turbulent foaming water that strongly resembles river rapids in Sweden or Norway. In addition to rafting and kayaking, visitors also come here to jump into the water from cliffs near Radon Lake – a former granite quarry filled with crystal-clear spring water of an intense blue color.
.jpeg)
Myhiya (photo: Wikipedia)
Why June is the perfect time to travel
Experienced travelers know a secret: June is one of the best months for traveling across Ukraine. Here are the main reasons why you should pack your backpack right now:
Comfortable weather without extremes: The sun is already warmly summery, but the exhausting July heat has not yet arrived. Walking through canyons, cliffs, or white terraces in June is a real pleasure.
Nature at its peak of beauty: June greenery is at its brightest, freshest, and most vibrant. It has not yet been scorched by the hot sun, so the contrast of white sand, turquoise water, and lush trees looks truly stunning.
Fewer crowds: The main peak of summer travel begins in July and August. Right now, locations are much less crowded, with no queues at viewpoints or overcrowded spots.
Better prices for accommodation and services: Since it is just the beginning of the season, renting cottages, hotels, thermal baths, and local guide services is often cheaper than later in the summer.
Longest daylight hours: June offers the longest days of the year, meaning you can explore twice as many places in a single weekend.
Sometimes, to fully reset and get unforgettable emotions, you don’t need to fly to the other side of the world.
Just take a closer look at the map of Ukraine, fill up the tank, and discover places that can make you fall in love for a lifetime.
