Mykolaiv Oblast: Steppe, River Valleys and Ancient Sites

In Mykolaiv Oblast, you’ll encounter a range of themes: unspoilt steppe, river valleys and archaeological sites. The diversity is vividly illustrated by the “Yelanetskyi Step” Nature Reserve, “Buzkyi Gard” National Nature Park and “Tyligulskyi” Regional Landscape Park. There is also the “Olvia” National Historical and Archaeological Reserve, which is linked to present-day Berezan Island. You can plan your trip around your interests: nature, river landscapes or ancient history. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred focus can be a good starting point for planning.

Unspoilt steppe and a seasonal educational trail

The “Yelanetskyi Step” Nature Reserve is the largest area of unspoilt steppe in the north-western Black Sea region. The “Dyvo - step” ecological educational trail is open from the beginning of April to mid-October. The excursion covers the history of the reserve, its plant and animal life, and the animals in the enclosure.

The administration must be notified in advance of a visit; visitors must stay on the designated paths. Check the current visitor conditions before planning your visit.

River valleys and distinctive sites in “Buzkyi Gard”

In Mykolaiv Oblast, “Buzkyi Gard” National Nature Park extends along the valleys of the Southern Bug from Pervomaisk to Oleksandrivka. It also includes the valleys of the Mertvovid and Arbuzynka rivers between Petropavlivka, Aktove and Trykraty; the park is located in Voznesensk and Pervomaisk districts. The rivers and their valleys are the defining feature of this landscape. At the close of the 2025 tourism season, sites near the Myhiya Rapids and Aktove Canyon were also among the most attractive places for visitors in Mykolaiv Oblast.

The Labyrinth tract is also part of the national nature park. Known as Count Skarzhynskyi’s park, it is characterised by narrow paths, canals and bridges over waterways.

“Tyligulskyi” Landscape Park

“Tyligulskyi” Regional Landscape Park covers 8,195.4 hectares within Mykolaiv Oblast. At the close of the 2025 tourism season, its recreational areas were among the most attractive places for visitors in the oblast. The park is considered open to visitors year-round; check the current access conditions before your visit.

Archaeological history at Olvia and Berezan

The “Olvia” National Historical and Archaeological Reserve includes the ancient city of Olvia and its necropolis, as well as the site of the ancient city of Borysthenes on present-day Berezan Island. The reserve thus brings together two archaeological sites: Olvia, with its city and necropolis, and the site on Berezan.

Choose a focus for your trip

The visiting periods also offer a useful point of comparison: the “Dyvo - step” educational trail is open from the beginning of April to mid-October, while “Tyligulskyi” Regional Landscape Park is considered open to visitors year-round. Once you know when you’ll be travelling, you can take these different dates into account when planning.

When looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred mix of themes is a useful first filter: would you like to focus on the steppe and educational trail, river landscapes or archaeological sites? If you’re travelling with children, you can discuss this together and take everyone’s interests into account.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Mykolaiv, Kobleve, Bashtanka, Chornomorka, Berezans'kyi District, Bashtans'kyi District, Ochakivs'kyi District, Kazankivs'kyi District, Leninka, Ochakiv, Kryve Ozero, Mykolaivka.

Go to the main travel overview: Ukraine.