Austrian Lviv Tour: Habsburg-Era Architecture and Palaces
A historical tour of Austro‑Hungarian Lviv focusing on Habsburg‑era architecture and urban growth. We cover the historic center and 19th‑century boulevards: the oldest trading passage, the main city avenue, the largest medieval church, Secession‑style housing, and grand palaces and theatres.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Neptun Statue next to the Town Hall, Information Center at Market Square Nearest public transport: Площа Ринок tram stop; Руська tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Lviv guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
19th century Lviv was the capital of the big imperial province and one of the biggest cities in Austria: this is where the province parliament worked with its official languages being Polish and Ukrainian, having a sizeable Jewish and Armenian minority and being a settlement for the university and many famous noble families with their glorious palaces. Austro-Hungarian period in Lviv (which is nearly 150 years) is often humorously called ‘Granny Austria times’. Lovely name to refer to a country, right? The Habsburg’s federal system granted many freedoms to the Ukrainians (called ‘Ruthenians’ at the time); first coffee houses and buildings with balconies appeared in Lviv during that period, city walls were dismantled and the city extended greatly. These and many more changes were brought by the Austrians. It was a period of cultural and economic growth and a bloom of architecture.
La petit Paris or a brother to Krakow, that might remind you a bit of Prague, Vienna or Budapest – this is our noble Lviv.
Highlights
- 1
Granny Austria Times
Discover why locals fondly call the 150-year Austro-Hungarian period the era of ‘Granny Austria’.
- 2
Secession Architecture
Admire stunning buildings in the Vienna Secession style, a hallmark of Lviv's architectural bloom.
- 3
Noble Palaces & Casinos
See the lavish residences of noble families and glamorous casinos that defined 19th-century high society.
- 4
Old Trading Passage
Explore the city’s oldest covered shopping arcade, a hub of commerce with original old advertisements.
- 5
The Grand Avenue
Stroll along the main city promenade, the heart of Lviv's social and cultural life.
- 6
Austro-Hungarian Housing
Observe diverse housing styles from the era, reflecting the city’s social and economic growth.
7Lviv Coffee Culture
Learn about the first coffee houses that appeared in the city during the Austrian period.
Map
Neptun Statue next to the Town Hall, Information Center at Market Square Nearest public transport: Площа Ринок tram stop; Руська tram stop
