The Exclusion Zone is not as deserted as it seems from its name. Pripyat has become a ghost city after the evacuation, but Chernobyl still has more than 3 thousand inhabitants. 150 persons are new settlers who returned here after the accident and live in houses on the main street of the city. The others are workers of the Zone, scholars, guides, military men, cooks, cleaning staff, waiters, and salespersons. They live in Chernobyl on a rotation basis: 3 days on rotation/4 days off rotation, or 15 on/off rotation. This rotation is used to secure people from harmful effects of radiation.

The restored houses on the main street of the city became dormitories. The rooms for 2-4 persons have water and electricity supply systems. Mobile internet is bad here, thus books and conversations are the most common activities in the evening. The citizens of Chernobyl use 4 shops, washhouse, ATM, several canteens, and even the restaurant. The menu includes the first and second courses and compote with a roll. There is nothing to worry about in Chernobyl – food is brought here from Kyiv, local fish is not cooked.

Like any other city, Chernobyl has its hotels. They operate for tourists who come here for several days and stay for the night. There are no deluxe suites, but they have all necessary accommodation for a living (electricity, water, broadband internet).

We remind you that you stay in the exclusion zone, not in a simple Ukrainian town; no children are allowed here and curfew time is still in force. You don’t see any schools or kindergartens. It is prohibited for persons under 18 to enter the Zone.