Summer Holidays for Ukrainians in 2026: How, Where and How Much?

For us Ukrainians, holidays have become something much more than simply taking time off work in recent years. In conditions of prolonged stress, they are increasingly seen as a way to catch up on sleep, restore energy, maintain psychological resilience and preserve the desire to live.

Quality sleep, a change of environment, time spent in nature and even a short break from everyday worries now have a direct impact on our well-being and emotional state. That is why taking a holiday during the war is no longer so much about experiences as it is about restoring your resources.

Despite the fact that holidays are primarily about recovery, 51% of Ukrainians do not plan to take a holiday in 2026. This is the same as last year. For comparison, in 2024, the figure was 45%. According to a Rakuten Viber survey, the main reason for not taking a holiday remains a lack of money.

This shows that for many Ukrainians, holidays continue to compete with higher-priority expenses. While summer holidays used to be a regular part of annual planning, for a significant number of people they have now become an option that can only be realised when there is enough money in the budget.

Despite all the risks, domestic tourism remains the most popular holiday option. Last year, 85% of those who did go on holiday chose to travel within Ukraine.

The Carpathians remain the most popular destination, particularly Bukovel, Yaremche and other mountain resorts. They were chosen by 75.7% of respondents. In second place was a seaside holiday in the Odesa region, named by 48.5% of respondents.

Interest in other domestic destinations is also growing. During the winter, Ukrainians more often choose the western regions of the country, while in summer demand increases for holidays near Kyiv and in the central regions — Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Volyn regions. The Shatsk Lakes are also worth mentioning, as they remain one of the most popular summer destinations.

The popularity of domestic tourism can be explained by several factors at once: more affordable holiday costs, the possibility for men who are currently not permitted to travel abroad to take a holiday, straightforward logistics and familiar services.

The war has changed not only the geography of travel but also the way people approach holidays.

While families could previously plan a joint holiday lasting 10–14 days, trips now more often take into account travel restrictions, work schedules, mobilisation requirements and the security situation.

As a result, Ukrainians are increasingly choosing shorter holidays, weekend trips or holidays within the country, from where they can return home quickly if necessary.

Preferences regarding the type of holiday are also changing. According to an Inweb survey conducted after the summer of 2025, more than 75% of travellers chose holidays in nature — mountain walks, hiking and similar activities. Around 70% preferred beach holidays, while up to 50% chose gastronomic and SPA tours. At the same time, only 11% opted for active tourism such as cycling trips, kayaking or camping.

This indicates growing demand for calmer and more predictable types of holidays — the sea, mountains, country resorts, local excursions and family trips.

Staycation — spending a holiday at home or close to where you live — also remained a separate trend. According to various estimates, this format was chosen by 30–40% of Ukrainians.

In 2026, last year’s trends in holiday preferences are expected to continue.

The cost of a holiday remains one of the key factors when planning a summer break.

Ukrainians with higher incomes are more likely to consider travelling abroad, while families with average or lower incomes tend to focus on domestic tourism or shorter trips.

A weekend tour in Ukraine can cost from UAH 695 per person, while a three-day trip starts from UAH 2,745.

At the same time, the average cost of domestic holidays has increased by approximately 25–40% over the year due to inflation, higher fuel prices and rising operating costs for tourism businesses.

In Bukovel, basic accommodation options in summer 2026 start at approximately UAH 1,800 per night. The average accommodation cost is around UAH 3,500 in three-star hotels, around UAH 4,000 in four-star hotels and from UAH 6,800 in five-star hotels. Prices may be higher at weekends.

In Yaremche, accommodation prices start at approximately UAH 1,300 per night. Rooms in mid-range hotels usually cost UAH 2,000–4,000, while premium options can cost more than UAH 12,000 per night.

The Shatsk Lakes, particularly Lake Svitiaz, remain one of the most popular summer destinations. Around 100,000 tourists visited the area last season. In 2026, accommodation prices start at approximately UAH 350–400 per day for simpler options in the private sector, from UAH 1,200–3,000 for individual private guest houses, hotel rooms or cottages, while premium properties cost UAH 5,000–10,000 or more per day.

At the same time, the region’s location near the border affects tourist sentiment and discourages some potential holidaymakers.

In the south of the country, the main risk factors remain the danger of mines and the overall security situation. Despite this, Odesa continues to be one of the most sought-after holiday destinations.

Budget accommodation options in Odesa at the beginning of the summer season start at approximately UAH 1,000 per night, while accommodation near the beaches starts from UAH 1,500. Rooms in premium hotels can cost more than UAH 11,000 per day.

Against this backdrop, the Carpathians remain the most stable destination for domestic tourism thanks to a relatively predictable security situation and well-developed tourist infrastructure.

Among international destinations, Ukrainians most often choose Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Despite more complicated logistics due to the situation in the Middle East and higher airfares, tour operators are not reporting mass cancellations of trips to these destinations.

At the same time, the cost of holidays has increased noticeably. As of summer 2026, a one-week trip to Turkey or Egypt starts from UAH 40,000–50,000 per person.

As a result, more and more Ukrainians are planning their holidays more pragmatically, assessing in advance not only accommodation costs but also transport expenses, insurance, food and an emergency budget.

In conditions of prolonged stress, rest is no longer simply a pleasant bonus. For many people, it has become a necessary condition for maintaining their ability to work, emotional balance and psychological resilience.

This is particularly relevant for veterans, military personnel, their families and everyone who has been living under increased pressure for several years. According to a Gradus study conducted at the end of 2025, chronic fatigue remained the most common emotional state among Ukrainians, while around 50% of respondents reported elevated levels of anxiety.

Therefore, regular rest today is not only an expense but also an investment in your health, productivity and ability to adapt to difficult circumstances.

Despite all the challenges, Ukrainians continue to look for opportunities to recover — in the Carpathians, on the Black Sea coast, at the Shatsk Lakes or during short weekend trips. The main purpose of holidays remains unchanged: to restore energy, reduce stress and prepare for new challenges so that we can continue working every day towards bringing our victory closer.

Translation into English was created with the help of artificial intelligence.