Kyiv is the capital and biggest city of Ukraine. It is located in the northern pat of Ukraine and city was founded on the Dnieper River.
Why Kyiv :
As i already stated out in my Lviv Page , for its distance , security , friendly people and the costs of vacation , Ukraine is one the most preferred. Kyiv is much more bigger than Lviv and there are many places to see , especially churches.
When to Go :
Winter will be really cold in Kyiv. Summers are hot and humid , but it is still ok. Lviv is really anjoyable in winter , because it has a small center and you will not need to have long walks in cold weather , but i can not say same things for Kyiv. While it is a much bigger and spreaded city , you may need long walks in cold.
Transportation :
There are direct flight to Kyiv from many countries. Once you arrive at Boryspil International Airport , you can get in the Sky Bus and reacht to Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi Railway Station in around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then if you want you can have a 45 mins walk to arrive at Maidan Nezalezhnosti means the main square. Or you can take a taki and reach to home in around 5-10 mins.
Accommodation :
There are many different options for accommodation in Kyiv. I chose an apartment at a Street name is Mikhailovska which leads to main square and i would recommend this area in the old city center.
Things to Do in Kyiv :
First i want to make the list of the places in the old city center and close to each other. After finishing them , i will explain other places outside of the main Street and main square.
1-) Maidan Nezalezhnosti :
I had difficulties while writing this word ‘ Nezalezhnosti ‘. This is the most central point of Kyiv. You can rest here , spend some time in the cafes or experience concerts and many other activities.
2-) Khreshchatyk :
This is the name of the main Street in Kyiv right next to Maidan(main square). It is actually a huge avenue full of with huge and beautiful buildings. You will spend lon time here , most probably you will walk at this Street everyday.
3-) Taras Sevchenko Park :
When you finish Khreshchatyk Street , you will see Taras Sevchenko Park on the right side. I would suggest to have some walk in this park.
4-) St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral :
It is not an important building to see. But after Taras Sevchenko Park , while having your tour , it will be on the way and you can have a look at.
5-) National Opera of Ukraine :
It is located so close to St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. I like the one in Lviv much more , but still it is a place to see and you can experience a play.
6-) Golden Gate :
This gate is the main gate of the old Kyiv. It is not actually only a gate , it is a part of the city walls. You can go upper floor and also city the view. The entrance fee is 50 hryvnia but you can also buy a triple ticket which includes Golden Gate , Saint Sophia Cathedral and St. Cyril’s Monastery for 200 hryvnia. But St. Cyril’s Monastery is a bit far away and in a different direction. If you stay a very short time in Kyiv , you can pass this option.
7-) Saint Sophia Cathedral :
You can arrive at the Cathedral in 5 mins by walk from Golden Gate at the same Street. This place is actually a complex. You need to see this cathedral and also you better go up to bell tower in the entrance of the complex. You can get current information about the tickets ; https://st-sophia.org.ua/en/news/tickets-prices/
8-) St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery :
This one is located opposite of Saint Sophia Cathedral. I would recommend to see this too.
9-) Andriyivskyy Descent and St. Andrew’s Church :
After 10 mins by walk from monastery , you will reach to St. Andrew’s Church. It is located on a hill and has a great view from its garden. I couldn’t go inside because of the restoration in 2018 summer but it was great to be in the garden.
10-) Podil District :
After visiting church , you should walk down Andriyickyy Descent and enjoy this walk to Podil District. It is a nice district which is famous with pretty cafes and beautiful architecture.
Note : After Podil District , you can walk to Maidan in around 40 mins , by this way you will reach to starting point and will complete a 180 degree tour. If you start to tour a bit early , you can complete this in one day.
11-) Boat Tour on The River :
If you go to river port , you can have a boat trip. There are several options. There is a long tour which helds on on Saturdays and go till Kyiv Reservoir. We preferred the short one on Dnieper. It takes around half an hour and quiet enjoyable and relaxing.
12-) Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium :
If you like visiting staiums in the big cities , you can visit Dynamo Kiev’s Stadium. It located behind side of Maidan.
13-) Mariyinski Palace and Park :
It is located in a very close distance to the stadium. Park is one of the many parks in Kyiv to relax and while we didn’t see any other palace in Kyiv , i think it is a good idea to visit this.
14-) House With Chimaeras :
After park , if you turn to Khreshchatyk direcktion , you find House with Chimaeras in Bankovo Street. The architecture of the building seems amazing. Unfortunately the entrance of the Street was closed and i could saw it only from a distance.
15-) Kyiv Pechersk Lavra :
If we call it Pechersk Lavra District , it would be better. It is a huge complex including many buildings. It can take around an hour to reach by walk from Maidan , so you can use bus. You can buy the bus ticket for 8 hryvnia and 80 hryvnia entrance fee for Pechersk Lavra.
16-) Motherland Monument :
It is a gigantic sculptureand symbol of the city , located 20 mins by walk from Pechersk Lavra. It is inside of a large park which has a beautiful view. The sword in the hands of the mother sculpture has been shortened once , for the reason that it was higher than top point of the churches in the city.
17-) WW2 Museum :
Museum is located next to Motherland Monument in the same park. While it is an open air museum and there is no entrance fee , you can have a look at it on your way.
18-) Hydropark :
You can arrive at Hydropark from Maidan by metro. You can get off at the 4th station. It is an island. You can have a walk in the nature or you can swim in the beach on Dnieper River. If you would like you get get off the metro in the formet station on the bridge , enjoy the view and go on with the next metro. You will need ticket for metro for 8 hryvnia.
19-) Chernobyl Museum :
The name of Chernobyl is getting spreaded by series today. It has a big meaning , not only for Ukraine , even for Turkey and other neighbours of Ukraine by Black Sea. There are some daily tours from Kyiv to Chernobyl.
FOOD
There are not concept places in Kyiv like in Lviv. I will list my favourite places for you.
1-) Musafir :
Musafir is my favourite restaurant in Kyiv. Crimean Tatars are running the place. You can try kebabs , soups , pides and meat pastries(manti). My favourite one was Kaynatma (soup with meat and vegetables) which is similar to Yahni(stew) in Turkey. Prices are good. You can visit here nearly everyday.
2-) Mama Manana :
You can try this Georgian Cuisine , traditional kebabs. A small pretty restaurant.
3-) Chachapuri Restaurant :
It is another georgian restauran in Kyiv. You will find similar dishes like other georgian restaurants but with high quality.
4-) Buddha Bar :
You can try some food in the day time or you can have some drink in the evening. I tried sushi and it was great but first you should be sure about your budget.
5-) Mafia Restaurant :
It is a chain pizza restaurant which you can also find many branches in Lviv and Kharkiv. Pizzas are not like in Italy of course but price is very good.
6-) Puzata Hata :
It is not related to pizza hut. This is also a chain restaurant in all around of Ukraine which serves homemade food. If you stay long time in Ukraine , it would be on the top of your list. There many options and for really good price.
SHOPPING
Kyiv is a big city and there are many options for shopping in Kyiv. Most common is maybe the shops along Khreshchatyk but i would recommend the Street vendors along Andriyivskyy Descent.
Thank you or reading patiently. If you woul like to add something or suggest something , please don’t hesitate to write to me.
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