There's a special magic in getting behind the wheel and setting off to explore beautiful places in Dnipro by car. The freedom to choose your route, stop at the most picturesque corners, and discover uncharted locations - this is exactly what makes car tourism so appealing. Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk region offer incredible diversity for those deciding where to go for a weekend by car in Dnipro.
From industrial giants to pristine natural reserves, from ancient Cossack fortresses to modern art objects - the region surprises with its contrasts and versatility. We've prepared a detailed guide to the most impressive locations worth visiting by car. Each place comes with precise coordinates, practical driving advice, and recommendations for visit timing.
Urban Gems for Quick Exploration
1. Dnipro Embankment and Monastery Island
Start your city exploration with its main pride - Europe's longest embankment, stretching 30 kilometers. By car, you can easily reach any section of this picturesque city artery. The section from "Poplavok" restaurant to the New Bridge is particularly impressive, where a peaceful atmosphere reigns.
Monastery Island is a true gem for romantics and history lovers. Here awaits a 17-meter artificial waterfall "Roaring Rapids," the majestic monument to Taras Shevchenko, and the snow-white St. Nicholas Church. The island offers stunning city views, especially during sunset.
Coordinates: Monastery Island
Access: City center, convenient embankment parking
⏰ Viewing time: 2-3 hours
2. Menorah - Modern Architectural Wonder
The world's largest Jewish cultural and business center makes an unforgettable impression, especially in the evening when lighting is activated. Seven towers, 77 meters high, seem to float above the city, while the interior decoration of light marble amazes with its luxury.
Coordinates: Sholom Aleichem St., 4/26
Parking: Private secured parking lot
Tip: Best photos are taken from the opposite side of the street
3. Lazar Globa Park - Green Entertainment Oasis
One of the city's oldest parks (founded over 200 years ago) is perfect for family recreation. Central lake with catamarans, children's railway built in 1936, Ferris wheel, and numerous attractions. By car, you can conveniently approach any park entrance.
Coordinates: Andrey Fabra St.
Parking: Several convenient parking areas around the park
⏰ Visit time: Half a day for complete exploration
Natural Wonders Within an Hour's Drive
4. Old Kodaky - Quarry at the Legendary Fortress Site
19 kilometers from Dnipro lies one of the region's most mystical places. Kodak Quarry formed at the site of the impregnable Kodak fortress, destroyed in the 18th century. Crystal clear and always cool water, picturesque cliffs, and ancient history atmosphere create this place's unique aura.
Next to the quarry is an old cemetery from the mid-18th century, adding special mystical charm to the location. This is an ideal place for photo shoots and reflections on eternity.
Coordinates: Old Kodaky
Route: Via M04 highway toward Zaporizhzhia, turn to Old Kodaky
Life hack: Best visited on weekdays - fewer people
5. Tokovsky (Sholokhovsky) Cascade Waterfall
150 kilometers from Dnipro hides a true natural wonder - cascade waterfall 30 meters long and 6 meters high. The waterfall formed on red granite outcrops during the Mesozoic era, presenting a breathtaking spectacle, especially in spring during snow melt.
Multicolored crystals surrounding the waterfall create a fantastic play of light, especially on bright sunny days. All the slabs around have unusual shapes and colors, making this place a unique geological monument.
Coordinates: Near "Tik" station, Apostolovsky district
Route: Dnipro → Nikopol → turn to Grushevka → 15 km on steppe road
⏰ Best time: Spring-early summer when the waterfall is most full
6. Taromsky Quarries - Place of Power and Solitude
One of the region's most mysterious places, shrouded in legends and myths. Gorgeous views, absolute silence, and minimal people create ideal conditions for meditation and unity with nature. Locals tell of mystical phenomena, but the main thing here is the amazing energy and possibility of complete solitude.
Coordinates: Taromsky Quarries
⚠️ Warning: Be careful - snakes inhabit these places
7. Salt Lake - Natural Health Resort
The unique lake between Znamenovka and Novotroitsk villages represents an open-air natural healing center. White shores, mineral-rich water, and healing mud at the bottom make this place special. In Soviet times, there was a popular health resort here.
The surrounding pine forest fills the air with incredible pine aroma, creating ideal conditions for relaxation and restoration.
Coordinates: Salt Lake
Access: Dirt road passable for regular cars
8. Dnipro-Orel Nature Reserve
A massive array of stunning natural places in forest and near water, where you can encounter roe deer, hares, and other wildlife. Few people, absolute silence, and pristine nature in close proximity to the metropolis.
Coordinates: Nature Reserve
Advice: Prepare for lots of walking
Industrial Tourism and Extreme Locations
9. YUGOK Iron Ore Quarry - Ukraine's Grand Canyon
One of Europe's largest quarries amazes with its scale: 3 km long, 2.5 km wide, and 400 meters deep. This is an active enterprise where over 34 tons of rock mass are extracted annually. The observation deck offers breathtaking views reminiscent of America's Grand Canyon.
Coordinates: Kryvyi Rih, Metrenivka settlement
Visits: By appointment only (yugok@metinvestholding.com)
Important: Free tours, but only on weekdays for groups
10. Volnogorsk "Maldives" - Ukrainian Tropical Paradise
The flooded quarry with snow-white sand and transparent turquoise water earned the nickname "Ukrainian Maldives." The contrast between white sand and sky-blue water creates the impression of a tropical island amid Ukrainian steppe.
Coordinates: "104 km" station
Access: By train or car to the station, then on foot
⚠️ Attention: Part of the territory is closed due to ongoing work
11. Sazhevka Ravine - Ukrainian New Zealand
Unusual geological formations on the outskirts of Old Kodaky create landscapes reminiscent of distant New Zealand. Bizarre rock formations, deep ravines, and hills form a unique relief, perfect for drone photography.
Coordinates: Old Kodaky, "Cemetery" stop
Route: Bus #109 or personal car
12. MOPR Rocks in Kryvyi Rih
A geological natural monument representing a group of scattered rocks 2 to 27 meters high on the slope of the Ingulets River valley. The place is popular among rock climbers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Coordinates: Kryvyi Rih, MOPR district
Transport: Buses #287, #203 with transfers
13. Elizavetovsky Pit - Blue Lagoon
The blue lake formed in the 1970s during the construction of Kamenskoye's Left Bank. The depth reaches 20 meters, and the transparent water creates a blue lagoon effect. The surrounding pine forest adds special charm to the location.
Coordinates: Elizavetovka settlement
Access: Bus from Kamenskoye bus station, 40 minutes travel
Historical and Cultural Locations
14. Humpback Bridge in Novomoskovsk
Novomoskovsk's calling card across the Samara River connects the city with the forest massif. This old bridge serves as the city's symbol and starting point for exploring surrounding natural beauties.
Coordinates: Humpback Bridge
Route: Dnipro-Poltava highway, turn to Novomoskovsk
15. "Agro-Soyuz" Ostrich Farm
One of Europe's largest ostrich farms in Mayskoye village offers fascinating excursions. Besides ostriches, there's a mini-zoo here, and on the complex territory is an airfield for parachute jumping and airplane flights.
Coordinates: Agro-Soyuz Farm
Bonus: Opportunity for weekend parachute jumps
Ready Weekend Road Routes
Route 1: "Classic Dnipro in a Day"
Distance: ~80 km | Time: 8-10 hours Embankment → Monastery Island → Menorah → Globa Park → Old Kodaky → return via city viewpoints
Route 2: "Region's Natural Wonders"
Distance: ~300 km | Time: weekend (2 days) Dnipro → Salt Lake → Tokovsky Waterfall → Volnogorsk Quarries → overnight → Taromsky Quarries → return
Route 3: "Industrial Extreme"
Distance: ~200 km | Time: 1 day Dnipro → Kryvyi Rih (YUGOK and NKGOK quarries) → MOPR rocks → Karachunovsky waterfalls → return
Car Rental in Dnipro for Comfortable Travel
Planning to explore beautiful places in Dnipro by car but don't have your own vehicle? BLS company offers modern and reliable cars for rent for your travels around Dnipro and the region. Just imagine: complete route freedom, the ability to stop at the most scenic places, and reach remote locations where public transport doesn't go.
Our fleet includes crossovers for trips on dirt roads to natural attractions, comfortable sedans for long highway journeys, and spacious minivans for large groups. All vehicles are in excellent technical condition, and our team provides 24/7 road support. With BLS, your journey through the most beautiful corners of Dnipropetrovsk region will be maximally comfortable and carefree.
Practical Tips for Road Travelers
What to bring:
- GPS navigator or mobile app with offline maps
- Camera and spare batteries
- Comfortable shoes for nature location walks
- Water and light snacks
- Insect repellent (especially in summer)
Best travel times:
- Spring (April-May): Waterfalls most beautiful, nature awakening
- Summer (June-August): Perfect for swimming in quarries and lakes
- Autumn (September-October): Photogenic landscapes, comfortable temperature
- Winter: Suitable for industrial tourism and urban locations
If you're wondering where to go in Dnipro on weekends, this list of locations will provide you with numerous options - from peaceful family walks to extreme adventures. Each place has its unique atmosphere and can give unforgettable impressions.
Dnipro and the region are ready to reveal their secrets to those who aren't afraid to turn off beaten paths and explore real gems of Ukrainian land. Get behind the wheel and head toward adventures!