An amber pendant around 2,500 years old, a park with waterways and a 19th-century garden monument show just how varied Rivne is to explore. The city combines collections and cultural attractions with green spaces, wildlife and a historical reconstruction park.
Museums and Living History
The Rivne Regional Museum of Local Lore offers themed tours and master classes. Its collection comprises more than 297,000 exhibits, over 20,000 of which are displayed in the permanent exhibition halls and at exhibitions. Collection figures may change over time. Those interested in regional finds will discover a different perspective at the Amber Museum, where pieces of amber up to 40 million years old are exhibited. They were found in the Rivne region at different times. Amber jewellery is also part of the collection.
Among the Amber Museum’s notable pieces is an amber amulet disc around 2,500 years old, described as the oldest amber object in Ukraine. Stones containing crystallised insects are also on display. The focus here is therefore both on the material itself and on its shapes and inclusions—offering a different approach from the Regional Museum’s broad collection of local history.
Ostvytsia: Reconstruction and Participation
The historical reconstruction park “Ostvytsia” (Ostvytsia) presents Ukrainian history and traditions through performances, fairs, exhibitions, master classes, lectures, workshops and other participatory activities. Children and adults can learn archery there; participation conditions may vary from visit to visit. The park is located in the Basivkutskyi district on Marusi Churai Street, next to the Basivkut Hill Fort, an archaeological monument of national significance.
The warm season from April to October is recommended for visiting the Ostvytsia Museum. Admission to the grounds is free. Check the latest visitor information before travelling, especially if you are planning to visit the museum or take part in a particular activity.
Water, Wildlife and Parkland
The City Hydropark is a water system in the Ustia River basin. An artificial canal connects it to the Basivkut Reservoir; it is fed by the Tynnivska and Boyarchyk tributaries. Walking paths and bridges cross the waterways, and there is also an area for cycling, scootering and skateboarding, as well as a children’s playground. The Hydropark is also home to concrete sculptures covered in mosaics: “Neptune and the Mermaid”, “Crying Crocodile” and “Snails”. They were installed to mark Rivne’s 700th anniversary.
The Rivne Zoo has 216 animal species in its collection. Of these, 108 are listed on the International Red List and 13 in the Red Book of Ukraine; species numbers may change over time. Information boards provide details about the individual animals, and guided tours can be booked. The zoo’s landscape also includes the remains of an old orchard and a 4.7-hectare natural forest, considered the only natural forest complex within the city.
Taras Shevchenko Park offers a different setting: it is a garden monument of landscape and garden art from the 19th century, designated as being of national significance. It covers about 32 hectares. The park’s described features include tree-lined avenues, lakes and flower beds, as well as children’s playgrounds and rides. The park’s facilities may change over time.
Independence Boulevard is also part of the city’s public life: for decades it has been considered a place for romantic dates, while parents and grandparents take a rest on its benches. When choosing a hotel in Rivne, you can start by deciding whether museums and collections, waterscapes, wildlife watching or garden monuments should shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Birok, Dubno, Klevan, Braniv, Obariv, Kolodenka, Moshchanytsya, Ostroh.
See the regional travel guide: Rivne Oblast.
