This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Poltava.
Poltava, Ukraine, is a city in the east of the country, about four hours from Kiev and one-and-a-half hours from Kharkiv. Although it is in the east of Ukraine, it still has a mix of a European atmosphere and Soviet architecture.
The best place to book your Poltava, Ukraine hostel is near the park with the Monument of Glory. The area around this park has the best ambiance in the city with many cafes and restaurant. Despite being a small city, Poltava has a good nightlife with a decent amount of clubs. The best nightlife can be found on Sobornosti Street, at the all pedestrian street at the end of the Monument of Glory Park. When you walk down this pedestrian street, it may feel more like a street in Europe than one in a former Soviet country. However, if you walk Sobornosti Street in the opposite direction from the park, which is not a pedestrian street, you can enjoy many buildings in the style of Soviet architecture.
The most important place to see however, is not in the centre. About five kilometers from the centre, you can find the Poltava Battle History Museum. The museum, and the Swedish cemetery which is next to the museum can be reached by marshrutka (taxi bus). The place remembers of the Battle of Poltava in the eighteenth century, led by Peter the Great. It is believed that the triumph over Sweden in Poltava was the start of the decline of Sweden as a big power in the world.
As mentioned before, for the most atmospheric part in town it is recommended to book a Poltava, Ukraine hostel near the park with the Monument of Glory. In fact, there are only a few Poltava, Ukraine hostels; Poltava is not a very touristic city, and in particular Western travelers do not often visit Poltava. However, if you do plan to go anywhere beyond Lviv and Kyiv in Ukraine, Poltava is worth stopping by for a day or two.
Written by local enthusiast for Poltava hostels
Martin Straatman