Sofiyivka National Dendrological Park in Uman is one of Europe’s best-known late-18th-century landscape parks. Count Stanisław Potocki created it in 1796–1802 for his wife Sophia, and it still keeps the original design: cliffs, grottoes, waterfalls, ponds and an underground river you can travel by boat. Here is its history, main sights, what blooms when, ticket prices, opening hours, a route around the park and how to get there from Kyiv.
More on this topic: botanical gardens of Ukraine, Hryshko Botanical Garden, when lilac blooms, sakura.
The park was laid out from 1796 to Count Stanisław Potocki’s design, with engineer Ludwig Metzel directing the work and Uman craftsmen building it. Potocki dedicated it to his wife Sophia and, according to legend, gave it to her on her name day in May 1802. Its landscapes recreate scenes from Greek mythology. Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Kotliarevsky and other writers later visited, and today it is a National Dendrological Park of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
The park covers about 180 hectares. Its water system includes the Upper Pond (over 8 ha), the Lower Pond (about 1.5 ha), a 14-metre waterfall and cascades. A highlight is the 224-metre underground River Acheron, travelled by boat. Other sights include the Grotto of Venus, the Grotto of Fear and Doubt, the artificial Leucadian and Tarpeian Rocks, the Flora Pavilion, the Rose Pavilion, the Main Alley, the English Park and the Elysian Fields. Legend says Cossack leaders Maksym Zalizniak and Ivan Honta met under a 400-year-old oak here.
Late April–May: the park turns green and flowers with irises, periwinkle and the yellow blooms of the tulip tree. June–July: roses bloom, with more than 150 varieties. September–early October: the trees turn burgundy, orange and yellow, the best time for autumn photos. In winter the frozen ponds and fountains look completely different, and there are far fewer visitors.
According to the park’s official 2026 information, Sofiyivka opens daily 9:00–20:00, with last entry at 18:00. Adult tickets cost 300 UAH and schoolchildren 150 UAH. Guided tours, the boat trip along the underground River Acheron (100 UAH adults, 50 UAH children), catamarans and boats on the ponds, and photography in the Marble Hall are paid separately. Prices may change, so check the park’s website.
Uman lies on the Kyiv–Odesa highway about 200 km from the capital, so the park makes an easy day trip.
Allow at least 3–4 hours to see the park. Other gardens and arboretums in Ukraine are covered in our guide botanical gardens of Ukraine.
To see the highlights, build your route from these points — you can pick up a park map at the entrance:
With children or in hot weather, shorten the route to the water features and the Acheron.
Travel guides and reports about Sofiyivka most often single out:
The most frequent tip in reviews is to come on a weekday morning and head straight for the Acheron before the queue builds.
The park’s best-known shots:
Besides walking, at Sofiyivka you can:
All of these are paid separately from the entry ticket, and in season boats and carriages have queues — plan them for the morning.
Not to be confused with Nova Sofiyivka. Uman also has a separate fantasy entertainment park called Nova Sofiyivka, unrelated to the Academy of Sciences arboretum.
Roses like those in summer Sofiyivka, or a spring bouquet, can be given without the trip: flower delivery in Uman, for family and friends in the city.
See roses and flowers in a box.
According to the park, 300 UAH for adults and 150 UAH for schoolchildren.
Daily 9:00–20:00, last entry 18:00.
Count Stanisław Potocki, in 1796–1802, for his wife Sophia.
At least 3–4 hours, more with a boat trip.
In Uman, Cherkasy region; the main entrance is at 12a Kyivska St and another by the University of Horticulture (1 Instytutska St).
Yes — pick one up at the entrance or view it on the park’s official website to plan your route.
No. Sofiyivka is the national arboretum; Nova Sofiyivka is a separate entertainment park in Uman.
Late May–early June, when the tulip tree blooms and the park is greenest; June–July for roses; late September–early October for autumn colour over the ponds. Weekdays and mornings are much quieter.
According to official 2026 data, 100 UAH for adults and 50 UAH for children, separate from the entry ticket.
A sightseeing tour usually takes 1.5–2 hours; book group tours in advance.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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