2024 Kyiv Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities and had an earlier golden age as the capital of the Kievan Rus, the first Ukrainian state. Following years under Soviet rule, today it is Ukraine's most cosmopolitan city, offering multi-ethnic restaurants not found in the rest of the country and was a center of the Orange Revolution of 2004. Amazing sights like the Pecherska Lavra (cave monasteries ), Chernobyl Museum, commemorating the nuclear tragedy, and 11th Century St Sofia's cathedral offer glimpses into the little known Ukrainian history. It's not advisable to drink the tap water, but street food is fine and often delicious, whether it's ice cream or Kvas, a brewed bread drink. A vaguely wild atmosphere persists , evidenced for example in the practice of hailing regular cars and haggling for a price rather than waiting for a scarce taxi. (This is only recommended if travelling with a native). The winters are long and dark, but summer is green and fruitful, fitting for a city regaining its place as a European capital.
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Popular Attractions
Independence Square
Golden Gate
St. Sophia's Cathedral
Kiev Pechersk Lavra
Quiet and comfortable guesthouse, almost located in the city center.
I love this place! The girls at the reception are very friendly and helpful, and they speak English very well. They are always ready to assist you whenever you need help.
This guesthouse is truly amazing. The interior design is super modern, minimalist, and aesthetically pleasing. The bed is very comfortable, and there is a good selection of pillows, both hard and soft, to suit different preferences. You can overlook the city center of Kyiv from the window. The space is really large, well-equipped, and quiet for two people! It's almost in the city center, close to the main road, but it's really quiet here, so you can take a break. They regularly clean the apartment inside and out. There are no unpleasant odors at all. There is a small kitchen, laundry, and ironing facilities. They also provide clean drinking water. The room has a great bathtub that is very relaxing! This was the perfect choice for our short stay in Kyiv.
A Park Filled with Traditional Ukrainian Flavor
If you're interested in learning more about the country you're visiting, its history, and traditions, this is the perfect place for you. This park is themed around a small village where time seems to have stopped, and everything is fascinating. Choose a sunny day to visit.
Cool old-fashioned stalls sell delicious traditional food, and just seeing the food on display is worth the trip. Rent a bike to tour the entire place. There are English-speaking guides at the entrance, and the prices are reasonable. I spent about four hours there. Fresh air, sunshine, delicious food and beer, the smell of barbecue... it was amazing. The old-fashioned houses are also very cool; you can go inside and touch the objects to experience them.
Take the blue line metro from Kyiv to the last stop, Ipodrom (Іподром), then transfer to trolleybus No. 11 and get off at the Natsionalnyi muzei narodnoi arkhitektury ta pobutu (Національний музей народної архітектури та побуту) tram stop. Walk for 15 minutes to reach the park.
Ukraine's Proud Soviet Architecture
If you are in Kyiv, another must-visit is the Motherland Monument. Towering over the city, it is indeed a symbol of independent resistance that many Ukrainians take pride in. Much like the Statue of Liberty, it is one of the admirable works of human engineering and architectural prowess. The park is well-preserved and is a great example of Soviet memorialism.
The Motherland Statue and Museum offer a very moving war tour through both ancient and recent conflicts (the War in Eastern Ukraine). There are real artifacts from the wars, video stories, and in-depth descriptions of some very horrific periods. We spent several hours there reading as much as we could. It was very emotional. I highly recommend visiting here; it is a grand place surrounded by hundreds of military equipment from ground to air.
The Best Aviation Museum in Eastern Europe
A large open-air museum filled with old Soviet aircraft, vehicles, and missiles. If you love airplanes, this place is a paradise for you. Located next to the runway of Zhulyany Airport, you can watch planes take off. If you are a fan of Soviet-era aircraft, this museum is even more suitable for you. You can see huge Mil helicopters, fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance planes, and some iconic aircraft like the Tupolev 95 and 22, Beriev seaplanes, and some Antonov planes designed and produced in Kyiv. It's easy to spend a few hours here. Most of the planes are locked, but you can still enter some of them and even climb inside and sit in the cockpit, feeling like a real pilot. The ticket prices are very affordable.
Take the blue line from Kyiv to Demiivska (Деміївська) station, then transfer to bus No. 22 to Muzei aviatsii (Музей авіації) to reach the museum entrance.
A Unique Opera House Experience Like Traveling Back to the 19th Century
The National Opera House of Ukraine is a significant cultural center in the country, offering high-quality classical and modern opera performances. It's a great place to appreciate the arts.
The exterior of the building is stunning, and the interior is equally unforgettable. For those who love taking beautiful photos, you'll find plenty of unparalleled spots here. The corridors are perfect for photography. The main hall is very beautiful, with rich and magnificent layers.
I highly recommend visiting and planning to buy tickets a month or even two to three months in advance, especially around the Christmas and New Year period.
Kyiv's Absolutely Stunning Architectural Highlight!
This is Kyiv's second must-see attraction, right after Saint Sophia Cathedral, which is the most beautiful church in the city.
This 18th-century Baroque-style church is perched on a beautiful green hill. The church's striking colors are its most distinctive feature: turquoise, gold, and white, along with lovely mint green and the sunny blue sky with white clouds. Sometimes you might feel like the building is floating in the air, creating a rare beauty and unusual elegance. According to legend, this church has no bells because their noise would cause flooding on the city's left bank. The church's platform overlooks the eclectic Podil community from the top of Andriyivska Hill.
Nearby, Andriyivskyy Descent has at least 100 vendors selling souvenirs, paintings, and more. This is a great place to start your wonderful time in Kyiv, as the area has many attractions.
A representative filming location, overlooking Kyiv from above.
A very interesting place, but not well-known. When walking along Andriyivskyy Descent, there is a metal staircase on the left halfway up that leads to the top of the hill. This place itself is not equipped with any civilized facilities—it's a completely natural spot. But from the top, you can see wonderful views in different directions. On one side, you can see beautiful buildings. On the other side, you can see the Dnipro River and bridges. The view of Vozdvizhenka is impressive, with colorful and stylish buildings looking like dollhouses from a fairy tale against the bright sky! You absolutely should see this place, at least once, and maybe that's enough!
The Golden Dome Monastery ~ A beacon guiding you into Kyiv.
You can see this shimmering roof from afar when flying in. I had to find it as soon as I landed. It is said to be the first church in the Orthodox region with a gilded dome and now serves as the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Originally built in the 1100s, it was demolished by the Soviets in the 1930s. After the Soviet Union collapsed, it was rebuilt to look like what you see today. It's so cool with its beautiful blue walls and golden dome, seemingly representing the colors of the country. The interior decorations are also quite impressive, and it's interesting to compare the new paintings here with the older ones in the nearby Saint Sophia Cathedral. The area also has many other impressive buildings, making it a fun walk.
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv ~ The spiritual, religious, and intellectual center of Ukraine, Russia, and the entire Slavic world.
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and a symbol of Ukrainian historical culture. It was the spiritual and political center of the medieval Kyivan Rus' Empire. The cathedral's stunning interior, adorned with intricate mosaics and frescoes, is breathtaking, reminding visitors of the grand artistic achievements of that era. A visit leaves many impressions and thoughts.
Saint Sophia Cathedral is truly a gem of Kyiv, attracting visitors from around the world who marvel at its beauty and significance.
The Most Beautiful Tower in Kyiv, Stunning Views Day and Night
This tower is simply a marvelous structure and one of the most beautiful buildings in Kyiv. It can be seen from most parts of the city. Although climbing to the top can be a bit tiring, the breathtaking views make it worth the effort. The tower has its own unique beauty both during the day and at night. If you visit Kyiv, this is definitely one of the places you should see.
Currently, only the third floor is open to the public. This price is included in the general admission ticket.
Experience the Majestic Yellow Cathedral
You can't miss visiting St. Volodymyr's Cathedral! It appears in all travel guides due to its prime location on Tarasa Shevchenko Boulevard, directly opposite the Universytet metro station. The cathedral's striking yellow paint adds a unique atmosphere, compelling you to stop. Once inside, you'll have many opportunities to become emotional. The murals are incredibly lifelike and use darker tones to create a somber mood. You'll clearly understand its impact on ancient Christians.
A Zoo Striving to Shed Its Soviet Past
Kyiv Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in Ukraine, where visitors can admire a variety of fascinating animals. The park itself is very clean and comfortable, with plenty of benches to sit on and many trees to provide shade from the scorching sun. Anyone in Kyiv would come to visit. We took a ride on the Ferris wheel, and the entire park was clearly visible.
If you are looking for a spacious zoo with a variety of animals, Kyiv Zoo is a good choice. However, if you are concerned about animal welfare, it is best to research the current conditions of the zoo before visiting.
Kyiv Zoo is located on Peremohy Avenue, across from the Politekhnichnyi Instytut metro station.
The Stunning Old Refectory
The Refectory Church is located within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. This is a marvelous structure, with a massive Byzantine-style dome that makes the church unique due to its 20-meter diameter, the most impressive feature, and the largest unsupported dome in Ukraine. It's a very atmospheric place where you can spend hours admiring the church's frescoes, offering some excellent photography opportunities. Why is it called the Refectory Church? Because it used to be the dining hall for the monks of the monastery.
Kiev a memory of a better time
A couple of years ago I frequently visited Kiev for business but still found time to have a look around. Kiev can be very cold in the winter but is pleasant and warm during the summer months.
It still has that same feeling as Moscow with one foot in the future with modern shops and some extreem rich people driving around in big cars but the other foot left in the communist past.
Very friendly people and beautiful buildings. I would recommend a visit in the summer, obviously once things are back to what they were in a recent past. Then stroll along the streets and squares near the blue golden domed monestry and find a terrace to have a local beer, or local wine, and enjoy some traditional food including some delicious cakes.
The airport is slightly outside the town but once in town public transport or walking are good enough to get around. If you do take a taxi be careful and make sure the meter is on.
Andriivskyi descent, Kyiv
Andriivskyi descent is the second famous street in Kyiv after Kreschatik. It’s a walking area, and it’s a museum under the sky. It goes through the historical part of the city. Here there were houses of famous writers and well known people. Now they are museums. In the street there are also art galleries, theater studios , cafes and restaurants. Artists sell here their paintings or national crafts.
Buildings represent the style of 19th, the beginning of 20th century. It’s a real street museum. I hope you will have chance to visit it. It’s a part of Kyiv’s history.
How to get there: subway, Golden Gate station or Contraktova station.
#bucketlistreboot
Kyiv ( the Capital of Ukraine)
Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine . big and beautiful . with different parts of old and modern parts . it was in 2014 that i went to Kyiv for the first time . it was 4 months after Ukraine revoloution against russian president and rejim . it was so beautiful city . i could feel music and smell of coffee and cake on streets . beautiful kiosk cafes and big modern cafes also . there is a music conservatory in the center of Kyiv . independence square . you can walk on Khreshatik street . its a long street with night life. also near Dnipro river you can walk and see people . also you can ride a ship . in summer people swim in the river and enjoy the sun . you can find modern beautiful shopping malls also there and traditional market also . #kyiv #cafe #river
12 Months Zoo
The 12 months Zoo is located 37 kilometers from the center of Kiev in the village of Demidov.
A new zoo opened in Demidov on May 16, 2015. It took 2 years to build the facility. Its owner loves animals very much, he used to buy them for his private collection, which eventually grew into an animal park.
European zoos were taken as a model, in which animals are close to visitors, but are securely fenced. The main goal was to create such conditions that the zoo, and in particular the animals, were accessible and open to visitors all year round. This is where the name 12 months comes from.
The territory of the zoo is 16 hectares of land, where about 100 animals live. The collection at 12 months is impressive. In the animal park, you can not only observe the behavior of animals, most of them can also be stroked and fed. For those who want to pamper their pets, you need to purchase food, which is sold in the trailer at the beginning of the path to the enclosures. There are also several species of birds (owls, peacocks, pelicans, etc.), rodents (capybaras and maras).
This is a great place to relax with friends, children and the whole family. Here you can see many representatives of the animal world and feed them.
#kyiv #ukraine #zoo
Kyiv City Center
Kyiv is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural center of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions, and historical landmarks. The city has an extensive system of public transport and infrastructure, including the Kyiv Metro.
The city's name is said to derive from the name of Kyi, one of its four legendary founders. During its history, Kyiv, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of prominence and obscurity. The city probably existed as a commercial center as early as the 5th century. A Slavic settlement on the great trade route between Scandinavia and Constantinople, Kyiv was a tributary of the Khazars,[14] until its capture by the Varangians (Vikings) in the mid-9th century. Under Varangian rule, the city became a capital of Kievan Rus', the first East Slavic state. Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasions in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come. It was a provincial capital of marginal importance in the outskirts of the territories controlled by its powerful neighbours, first Lithuania, then Poland and ultimately Russia.[15]
#europe#experience#landmarks#travel#explore#city#center#
Mysteriously interesting
Kiev is a cool place to visit that isn't normally on people's go to places. However it's still a capital that has some interesting sites, while still retaining vestiges of it's past.
Like other former Soviet places, the city is reminded of this past with numerous buildings in this Brutalist and/or Stalinist style. There are also traces of the period before that as evidenced through the more European architecture you'll find in the city center and surrounding areas. It really marks for a grand capital.
The city isn't awfully expansive so it's feasible #city o walk around and explore various neighborhoods. You'll find pretty blue churches, a cute (and cheap) funicular, as well as grand squares and avenues. Especially when visiting in early spring, the cloudy and gray weather adds an extra sense of mystery to the city that makes it all that more exciting to explore! #urban #City #travel #Kiev #Ukraine
Getting There - KLM Airline
Attractions - Churches
Hotels - Dnipro hotel
Food & Restaurants - Billa
Shopping - Shopping markets
#summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer
#kiev is the capital of Ukraine. The main square - Maidan Nezalezhnosti offers the main attractions but also there is a monastery on the hill that is very nice (1st picture). In addition to the monastery on the hill there is a good view to the river (2nd picture). The other pictures are from the main square I mentioned before.
#happynewyear
trip make the enjoyable! Kieve
#merrychristmas
Trick or treat😈🎃👻. The best Halloween which i ever had was not in my childhood many years ago but it was recently in Shanghai. Magical night life atmosphere for Halloween night here gives you real feelings that you are part of the horror story. Here you can meet anybody: dead brides, vampires, demons, zombies, witches and costumes of them are mostly look realistic. I’m glad that I had a chance to be part of this mystical celebration and suggest to feel the same for everyone!)🎃🎃🎃
Kiev, which was built at the end of the 6th century AD, is known as the "City of the Emperor" on the Dnieper River. The Eastern Slavic culture spreads from here. As one of Europe's geographical centers and one of the oldest cities in the Slavic nation, no matter the warmth or coldness of the day or night, the corners of Kiev can wake up the photographer's dopamine and adrenaline.
Kiev is a magical mix of old and orthodox, rebellious and conservative, Soviet constructivist architecture and modern skyscrapers, painful memories of revolution and riots... all like gemstones The cut surface flickers in the sun, reflecting a long-lasting brilliance.
Kyiv is also hospitable, making our explorers fascinated. An intriguing story and a magnificent church are worth our slowdown to listen and feel.
It seems that the cold country is more top-notch in life aesthetics. When I came to the door of the Ronin restaurant in Kiev, I thought which museum I went to. The space of this cross-border restaurant is unique, the courtyard of the tree house, the origami jellyfish hanging from the ceiling, the huge X-shaped table, the ukiyo-e background wall of the console... The design is eye-catching and harmonious.
Ronin is the first restaurant in Ukraine to serve Japanese Peruvian cuisine. The taste comes from Japanese immigrants in Peru. It combines Japanese and South American cooking techniques. It is special Peruvian style sushi is not always available. Eaten. The freshness, color and taste of the ingredients are excellent, the only thing that is not addictive is that wasabi is not hot enough, perhaps this is the result of the fusion of Peruvian style.
Children will fall in love with it - the restaurant has a children's entertainment space where full-fledged children can play and consume their endless energy. Adults can also relax and enjoy the good times brought by the food.
As a museum control, the museums of different themes I have seen in these years are not too small, but the "Corruption Museum" was heard in Ukraine for the first time.
The so-called "corruption museum" is actually a luxury manor in the exile of Kiev, the former Ukrainian President Yanukovych in exile. The girl at the ticket office reminded me that it would be better to buy a battery ticket because the museum is too big the manor covers an area of 137 hectares and is fast enough to catch up with the size of a country in Monaco.
Sitting in a battery car, roughly wandering around the manor built on the banks of the Dnieper River, it took almost an hour. The manor is complete and extravagant, with helipads, zoos, artificial lakes, golf courses, dairy farms, yachts, villas, tunnels, marinas and large gardens... everything is like an independent empire.
Yanukovich's mansion is rich in oil paintings, gold-plated toilets, 2 kg of pure gold bread and expensive classic car collections, but his annual salary is less than 100,000! Since he fled to Russia, this luxury manor has been exposed to the world and became the "corruption museum" we see today.
In 988, the Grand Duke of Vladimir, who pioneered the Golden Age of the Kyiv Roths, introduced the Orthodox Church to Kievan Rus, asking the people to be baptized in the Dnieper River, and the East Slavs gradually separated from the backward ignorance.
He dropped the "seed", then rooted, grew, blossomed, and the result, the largest type of "fruit" is undoubtedly Kiev's most famous world cultural heritage - the Pecher Cave Monastery.
12th century, the cave church was once the center of Eastern Europe's religion and culture. There is an iconic studio and a writing room, which translates the scripture into church Slavic language and translates foreign literature. In the underground caves of the monastery, celebrities and famous monks of various eras were buried and naturally dried up into mummies.
Resplendent interiors, exquisite murals, Europe's tallest clock tower, well-preserved priest mummies, museums with different themes... here, if you don't have a full day of sightseeing, you will definitely You are entangled in madness.
The cave monastery in Kiev is one of the world famous monasteries. The Pechersk Lavra is also named after the cave (the cave in Ukrainian is called Pechersky), which is the main and most influential Orthodox monastery, and enjoyed a high status before the rule of Mongolia. Kiev-Pechersk-Lavra.
In the 1970s, the monastery experienced a large-scale stone building, during which the Dominican Cathedral, the Trinity Gat Chapel and the restaurant were built, and the entire monastery complex was not completed until the end of the 12th century.
There are several museums hidden here, the most famous of which are the Gold Museum and the Micro-Sculpture Museum. The gold museum displays the golden national treasures of Ukraine in various periods, ranging from jewelry to utensils. It is very similar to the treasure house of the Forbidden City in Beijing.
There is also a micro-carving museum that displays the finest micro-carvings of Ukraine, each with its own theme. But you can't take pictures, you can buy a book of introduction.
In addition to this, there are books and book printing museums, the Ukrainian National Decorative Art Museum and so on. Some of them are not allowed to take pictures with professional photos, and some are not allowed to take pictures at all.
The celebrities and famous monks of various eras have been buried here. Here are 11 priests who have saved their corpses. After the death of the priest, the corpse was preserved in the cave. Due to the special climatic environment inside the cave, the corpses were naturally dried into mummies. The mummy is considered a miracle, a manifestation of the power of God, and the monastery is therefore well known.
Kiev: A Captivating City Where History and Nature Harmonize
Kiev is a captivating city where history and nature harmonize. Under the night sky of Trukhaniv Island, the sparkling lights of the Dnipro River and its bridges offer a romantic night view. The Motherland Monument overlooks the city, symbolizing Ukraine's strong history, while the Pechersk Lavra, with its splendid golden domes, adds value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kiev, making it the perfect place to capture the city's beauty at a glance.
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