Travel: Pripyat, Ukraine

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

Ghost city of Pripyat

Pripyat is a city in northern Ukraine just a few miles from the border with neighbouring Belarus. Founded in 1970, it was named after the nearby Pripyat River.

pripyat city sign chernobyl
Pripyat city sign

The city was created as a settlement for workers at the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. By the time the evacuation of the city came on 27th April 1986, the population was around 49,000 inhabitants.

Of course people know about the Chernobyl nuclear powerplant distaster and assume that Chernobyl town may be the worst hit by the disaster but actually Pripyat was most effected by the radiation as it is only 2 miles / 3.5km north west of the destroyed reactor, and the bulk of released radition travelled northwards, whereas Chernobyl town is around 11 miles / 18 km south. Read about our visit to Chernobyl town here.

The abandoned city is now experiencing an increase in tourism thanks to the HBO/SKY TV series Chernobyl. We visited as part of an organised tour with www.tourkiev.com in 2013.

Here are images from the city of Pripyat including the iconic Ferris wheel which was put in place for May Day celebrations and never used as a result of the evacuation a few days before.

pripyat ukraine chernobyl disaster
housing block

pripyat ukraine chernobyl disaster

hotel chernobyl pripyat

Chernobyl Pripyat

Chernobyl Pripyat

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

pripyat chernobyl ukrainepripyat chernobyl ukraineChernobyl Pripyat

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

Chernobyl Pripyat

Chernobyl Pripyat

Chernobyl Pripyat

pripyat ukraine chernobyl disaster

pripyat ukraine chernobyl disaster

pripyat ukraine chernobyl disaster

pripyat chernobyl ukraine

Where

The easiest way to get there from outside Ukraine is to fly to Kiev (either Boryspil or Zhuliany airport) and take part in an organised tour, most of which depart from Kiev.

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Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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