Sumy can be explored through its historic sites, a seasonal walking excursion, and summer recreation areas. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: city history, exploring on foot, or taking a break at the beach and in the park. These options raise different questions and do not have to be combined into a fixed day-by-day itinerary. The walks differ in route and theme, while the beach and park offer distinct opportunities for relaxation.

City History in Different Places

Altanka is now considered one of Sumy’s landmarks. Its symbolic significance is tied to a specific moment in the city’s history: a photograph taken by a front-line photographer after Sumy’s liberation in September 1943 made it a landmark.

The complex of the former Panteleimon Monastery lies on the southwestern outskirts of Sumy. It consists of the Church of St. Panteleimon, a two-storey building, and a gatehouse. The different structures give the site the character of a complex, rather than just a single church building.

The A. P. Chekhov Memorial House Museum in Sumy was established in 1960 by local historians, with the participation of artist Sergii Chekhov, on the grounds of the former estate of the pro-Ukrainian landowners, the Lintvarevs. The museum’s history and the context of the former estate are thus connected in one place. According to one account, the dome of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Sumy bears Catholic sculptures.

Explore Sumy on Foot

There are two walking formats for exploring the city, each with a different focus. “Zhyvyi Shliakh” is a seasonal nature and history walking excursion along the riverbanks in central Sumy. The route runs from the confluence of the Strilka and Sumka rivers at Chornobyltsiv Square to the Kharkiv Bridge and the Sadko Fountain. “Legends and Facts of the City on the Psel,” by contrast, is an extensive walking tour through the historic part of Sumy. One tour follows a named route along the riverbanks; the other focuses on the historic urban area. If you want to make the city tour a firm part of your plans, check in advance whether it is offered on your preferred date.

Summer Recreation and a Date for Your Calendar

A sandy beach on Lake Chekha is used for recreation in summer. For a summer trip, this is a practical option if a day by the water fits your plans. Kozhedub Park in Sumy offers a different focus: it has more than 30 species of greenery, including trees and shrubs, as well as a city beach and several attractions, including a Ferris wheel. If you want to ride the Ferris wheel, check in advance whether it will be operating on your chosen date.

Another possible reason to visit is the all-Ukrainian brass band festival “Trumpets of Ukraine.” It takes place every year in Sumy on Constitution Day of Ukraine.

Discover more destinations: Krasnopillya, Voronivka, Zhovtneve, Okhtyrka, Sokolyne, Shostka, Romny, Konotop.

For the broader travel overview: Sumy Oblast.