Welcome to Donetsk!

Donetska Oblast: population: est. 4.77 million

Donetsk City: population: est. 1.01 million

Landscape: mainly flat, rural

Main Industries: Metallurgy, agriculture, and chemicals

Distance from Kyiv: 729 km

History

Donetsk, (Ukrainian Donetske), located in southeastern Ukraine on the Kal'mius River. The city was founded in 1870, when a British manufacturer, John Hughes, received a concession from the Russian government to manufacture iron rails here. The community was named Yuzovka (also spelled Hughesovka) in his honor. In 1924 the city was renamed Stalino. In 1961 the city was given its current name, after the Donetsk River.

Today Donetsk ranks the fifth largest city in Ukraine with over 1,566,000 citizens in the metropolitan area. Donetsk remains vital for the economy of independent Ukraine. Its industry, science and sport make a big contribution to the overall performance of the country and global recognition of Ukraine.

Indeed, the city looks international. Its enchanting vista naturally combines the modernity with history and is marked by comfortable boulevards, appealing shopping malls and a bright spectrum of colorful facades.

The 2009 UEFA Cup victory of the local football club Shakhtar Donetsk has been a true milestone in the city profile. Oncoming European championships of 2009 and 2012 will be a landmark as well. Donetsk takes both tournaments very seriously with preparations being at full throttle. A new stadium Donbass Arena, a new airport terminal, roads are a striking demonstration of the commitment of Donetsk to take its place on the international map of business and tourists destinations.

Sights

A trip to Donetsk city will be a pleasant discovery for those, who have heard of it as of purely industrial place. This is a misleading idea as Donetsk is a surprisingly international city with own treasures. Being a blend of industrial scenery, modern office buildings and places telling much about the history of Ukraine, Donetsk leaves an abiding memory.

In Voroshilov district of Donetsk you can find a Park of Forged Figures. Every year in this park takes place an international festival of blacksmith's skill. After this festival, the best works are exhibited in the park. In forged figures park you can also find arbour of loving couple, Ukrainian arbour and arbour four dragons, the alley Zodiac signs, the alley Newlyweds and the alley of Tales.

In August 2009 in this park was opened Donbass Arena stadium, designed and built in accordance with the standards of UEFA category Elite. The stadium was called “a diamond” in the early stages of its construction. The oval shape, glass walls and sloping roof, as well as external lighting at night will make the Stadium shine like a diamond. Although uncompleted, it has been one of major sites of Donetsk and a symbol of future for locals – the future of Shakhtar FC, the city and the Ukrainian football. The new stadium will meet Elite class UEFA standards and be the first facility of the kind in Eastern Europe.The comfort of spectators is paramount. The Stadium will provide a wide range of services to satisfy the whims of the most jaded spectators. Shakhtar Donetsk is the city's most prominent football team, and one of the best in Ukraine. The team frequently plays in the Champions League, and is competitive in the Ukrainian League nearly every season. 

The Planetarium
Donetsk takes pride of its new digital planetarium (Planetariy) – one of just 20 similar facilities around the globe. Every show is breath-taking thanks to the latest digital equipment, which allows to create a 3D picture of space landscapes. 

A visit to the planetarium is always full of mystery and excitement. Whirling planets, speeding meteors and horrifying space catastrophes flash across the display and throw you billions of light-years back into the time of the Great Explosion which gave birth to our solar system. 

The new planetarium was launched on 30 August 2008 by the city mayor Aleksandr Lukyanchenko and the astronaut Aleksandr Volkov. 

The facility is intended for 88 spectators, whose comfort is, of course, top priority. Although voiced in Russian, the shows are worth visiting and unforgettable.

Nemo Donetsk Dolphinarium
Nemo appeared on Donetsk map just a while ago, but has already turned into one of the most desirable entertainment spots pulling both kids and adults. The venue lies amidst one of the most bustling green corners in Donetsk city – Shcherbakova park - adding to its numerous attractions. The Donetsk-based dolphinarium is part of the Ukraine's network providing entertaining and medical services. Nemo comprises a dolphinarium itself, an oceanarium and a dolphin-therapy centre. Alongside watching an exciting performance, you can also take a swimming or a diving session with exotic sea and ocean habitats. Today, the centre is home to bottlenose dolphins, South American sea bears and a sea lion .
Every visit here leaves good memories. To please all categories of guests, the dolphinarium arranges various performances ranging from a joyful show for children to romantic night-sessions.

Suburbs

Despite numerous attractions of Donetsk, staying downtown all the time can be rather tiresome. A gulp of fresh air from outside the city will elevate your spirits, all the more that Donetsk suburbs are rich in fascinating places which can be visited on a guided tour or individually.

Artyomovsk Winery
Wine making traditions were set in Artyomovsk city over 50 years ago.

Throughout this time the Winery has polished up its craft to become the largest East European facility producing exquisite bottled sparkling wines. Today Artyomovsk Winery is our national pride. The production cycle has no matches in Ukraine, as it is located 72 metres underground in fantastic caves with a total area of 26 hectares. Over 30 million wine bottles are simultaneously kept here.

The history of the Winery goes back to 1950, when the USSR Ministers Council issued a decree to establish a wine-storage in Artyomovsk underground mine tunnels. The conditions here perfectly matched the purpose: favourable temperatures, humidity and a large territory for wine storage.

It was a hard task to launch the production as the abandoned mines were flooded. Today the underground territory is a complex of brightly-lit caves with elaborate carvings and colour arches. Classic bottled wine-making provides for an individual control over each bottle and involves a great deal of hand work to produce top quality wines which are highly appraised both in Ukraine and abroad.

Artyomovsk Winery is a frequent prize winner at international contests and exhibitions. It also holds dozens of prestigious awards and certificates confirming the high quality of its wine.

The place is open for pre-booked tours. English-speaking guides will take you around the fascinating fairy-tale process, which turns a wine mix into the finest sparkling drink.

Holy Mountains 
The Holy Mountains are a blend of picturesque landscapes, breathtaking views of chalk hills along Seversky Donets river bank and fabulous forests on sand terraces. The history of this area is quite interesting – millions of years ago the land was covered with a warm sea, which left a thick layer of limestone and chalk sediments.

Unique species inhabit the park, many of which are protected as rare or endangered. The territory also comprises numerous attractions. Svyatogorsk Lavra of the Holy Dormition is the must-see historical and religious destination here.

One of the largest and most picturesque rivers of Ukraine – the Seversky Donets – flows all across the territory of the park. The river has channelled its way through the rocks and cut off lakes that make part of the reserve’s scenery. Bannoye (Bathing) and Bezdonnoye (Bottomless) lakes are of exceptional natural beauty and have been tourist attractions for years. Bannoye also was considered sacred and pulled hundreds of pilgrims. A miracle-working oak used to grow on the bank of the lake. Legends about miraculous properties of oaks by the lake side still live among the locals.

A harmonious blend of natural scenery, history and culture, favourable climate and a long-standing record as a tourist destination contribute to the recreation potential of the region.

Salt Mines in Soledar
Soledar town might seem a commonplace at first glance, but the most distinguishing sites are hidden underground. Industrial scenery of the city changes into a miraculous fairy-tale as you descend 300 metres beneath the ground surface. As the center of Donbass salt industry, the city runs dozens of salt mines, with those exhausted being places of special interest. The mines are opened for tourists year-round and have a huge appeal for travellers.

Over 280 million years ago the Perm Sea ran its waves here and now the visitors actually stroll over its bottom. Everything is made of salt here – the walls, the ceiling, the floor… Huge crystals of salt still keep the prints of ancient fishes and birds which inhabited the land millions of years ago, while the underground labyrinths feature carved panels and salt sculptures created by local craftsmen.

The underground gallery welcomes various music concerts regularly as the acoustics here is amazing. It also hosts a health improvement centre, as the air saturated with salt particles, low humidity and moderate temperatures favour health improvement and rejuvenation.

Sea of Azov
The Sea of Azov is one of top attractions in the south of Donetsk oblast. Being the world’s smallest, the shallowest and the most distant sea from the World Ocean, it is a natural phenomenon in itself.

The area is just the place, where you can mix recreation with heath improvement. A warm sea, sand beaches, mineral waters, therapeutic muds, favorable climate and geography make Meotida the best option for a city break.

The Azov Sea located in 95 km south from Donetsk, is a popular recreational area for those living in Donetsk.

Places to Eat

Donetsk city is practically stuffed with versatile eateries raging from deluxe restaurants to small coffee-shops. Ukrainian and Russian restaurants in Donetsk offer traditional food with borshch (beetroot soup), vareniki (boiled dumplings filled with potatoes, cabbage or cottage cheese) and pelmeni (boiled dumplings filled with meat) being the first choice. Vodka (horilka) with pepper is a popular drink in Ukraine. Donetsk restaurants eagerly serve also a wide selection of Italian, French and oriental cuisines. Check this section for more information about restaurants in Donetsk.

Nightlife

Donetsk city continues to live after dark. Once the business is done, it’s time to plunge into a whirlwind of the nightlife.Donetsk night clubs, disco raves and live music bars combined with cocktail atmosphere of foam and champagne parties will shake up any night owl. Donetskcity.com is happy to be a full city guide about Donetsk and will update you on every new opportunity to spend a night with fun.

Shopping

Donetsk is more than suitable for a shop-till-you-drop time. Here shopping is fun as prices may differ much in the same mall and haggling is possible even in big stores. This can turn your shopping tour into an exciting bargain quest. Donetsk shopping malls are similar to European big stores. New collections of clothes and shoes are hugely overpriced, as a rule. Discounts are generous if you are lucky to encounter them. Since Donetsk City is only gathering pace as a tourist destination, looking for souvenirs might be tiresome.