KHARKIV

Kharkiv is the second biggiest city of Ukraine. It is also one of the 2 cities which has a subway. City founded in the intersection point of Lopan and Kharkiv Rivers. It is located in the northeast part of Ukraine. I can say that characteristic of city and people here different than in Kyiv and Lviv. I found people taller and colder. This should be because of geography , on the other hand they are all helpful and there is not any security issue.

Why Kharkiv :

As i stated out before in Lviv and Kyiv pages , Ukraine is not an expensive destination , it is located in Europe and also because of security and lifestyle , it is one of the most visited country by Turks.

When to Visit Kharkiv :

Kharkiv is very cold in winter. But if you don’t travel many times in a year , you can plan a short trip to Kharkiv in winter , not to waste your summer vacation.

Transportation :

After arriving at Kharkiv International Airport , you can get in Marshrutkas number 115 , 119 , 152 , 255. Marshrutka is kind of a mini bus. Then you can reach to subway. If i consider you staying in the old city , then you will need to use the subway to reach to destination.

Accommodation :

Kharkiv is a very safe city. Can be even much safer than other parts of Ukraine. Hotels , hostels and apartments are the options for accommodation. This time my friends helped me to find an apartment in local booking sites and found a really cheap one in the best location in Kravtsova Street.

Things To Do in Kharkiv :

There are really not many things to see in Kharkiv as a tourist. You can finish the old city by walking. But clubs are a bit far away , so i will recommend to you use uber or taxi. While i had many taxi driver friends , it was easy and comfy. I can help anyone about this. Khrakiv is a destination for who likes restaurants and night clubs. First i want to explaing things to see , then i will go on with restaurants.

1-) Avenues and Streets :

First you have some walk and have a look around in the streets and aves of old city. For this i will recommen to choose the most famous 2 avenues.

a-) Sumska Street

b-) Pushkins’ka Street

2-) Squares :

You can spend some time in the squares of Kharkiv which are always an attraction center and host many organisations both in summer and winter.

a-) Strilka Square :

Strilka Square located in a park where Lopan and Kharkiv Rivers meet. This is a small square and not one of the main square but still good place to be especially in the evenings.

b-) Constitution Square :

This is one of the mainn square in Kharkiv. You will often visit this square where famous Thermometer , History Museum and Independence Monument located.

c-) Freedom Square :

Freedom Square is another main square and attraction center. Many people spend their time with many activities here especially with ice skating.

3-) Parks :

Parks are really beautiful in Kharkiv. People often spend time in parks in Kharkiv where they walk , run or rest. You can use free wifi in all the parks.

a-) Strilka Park :

This is where Strilka Square located. I already mentioned about this place before.

b-) Pokrovsky Park :

It is located right next to Pokrovsky Monastery. For my opinion , it is the one with best view in Kharkiv. Especially in the evenings.

c-) Sevchenko Park :

One of the biggest park and on the Sumska Street. Most probably you will pass the park nearly everyday.

d-) Gorky Park :

This is the most visited place in Kharkiv. It is a huge park including amusement park , dance floor and many other activities. It is a bit far compare to other parks but still in a walking distance.

4-) Museums :

Unfortunately there is almost no museum in Kharkiv to visit. I visited only one museum.

a-) History Museum :

Many wars helded in the history of Kharkiv. You will see the traces of these wars in the museum. If you don’t visit the museum , i think you will lose nothing.

5-) Churches :

Churches are all in the old city center and very close to each other. You will pass next to them everyday so you can have a stop and have a look.

a-) Holy Annunciation Cathedral

b-)Dormition Cathedral

c-) Pokrovsky Monastery

SHOPPING

There is a comercial block on the way to City Hall and next to Constitution Sqaure. You can find small souvenir shops on the upper floor of the building and quiet reasonable. On the other hand it is common to buy some cherry liqueur from Drunk Cherry , some chocolate from Lviv Handmade Chocolate or to buy Nemiroff Vodka for souvenir.

FOOD

I found Kharkiv very successful. If you are into meat , you will enjoy , especially steaks. So i am ready to make my list , and the rank is random.

1-) Gdeburger :

You should go and try some burger here. I think it is really successful but i also found it expensive. They tried their Gdeburger and enjoyed it and paid 225 hryvnia which is quiet high for a burger compare to Istanbul. Here you can have a look at the menu ; https://gdeburger.com/#menu

2-) Churrrasco Bar :

This restaurant is famous with unlimited meat menu. One the common places which is both restaurant and bar. You can go to these places for lunch or dinner but in the evenings at the weekends you will see taht people are dancing. Here the unlimited meat menü costs 359 hryvnia. First many different kind of mezes will be served which you can even find fish mezes. I didn’t find these mezes succcessful enough. Then in each 10-15 mins , some meat , chicken etc will be served. I didn’t like the quality but while it is one of the most famous restaurants in Kharkiv , you may better try it. Here you can have a look at the menu ; http://gastra.com.ua/ua/churrasco-bar/menyu/

3-) 44 Favourite Place :

Here i tried a Picanha Steak which i never tried before and found it really successful. This place is preffered both for steak and sushi. I can not say that prices are much reasonable.

4-) Argentina Grill :

Compare to other restaurants , this place located a bit far. I think Argentina Grill is the top place as quality and also as the prices. Here i tried bife de loma tenderloin and it was really successful. It was 435 hryvnia and it deserves. On the other hand salads and sauces are also great. Here is the menü for you ; https://argentinagrill.rest/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kh_ily.pdf

5-) Georgia Restaurant :

It is a nice georgian restaurant located next to Freedom Square. Georgian restaurants are common in Ukraine. I tried a khachapuri , something like turkish pide witg egg and cheese inside and also a traditional soup. The soup portions are really big and i found the place really cheap. One part of the place is restaurant and other part is bar. I will recommend this good place.

6-) Mafia Restaurant :

Mafia Restaurant is a chain restaurant in all around of Ukraine. Pizzas are big and reasonable but i didn’t like much. But there is no trouble to experience.

7-) Puzata Hata :

Puzata Hata is a chain restaurant in Ukraine in which you can find homemade foods. If you stay longer , this place would be great to visi many times while you can not try an expensive place everyday.

8-) Aroma Kava :

Most common coffee house in Ukraine. You can also try their authentic coffees.

9-) Lviv Handmade Chocolate :

Especially in cold winter days , it is great to try some delicious hot chocolate. It is originally from Lviv and really tasty.

BARS and CLUBS

While museums , churches are not much interesting in Kharkiv , bars and pubs are not bad. My list is here ;

1-) Moskvich Bar :

It is located on the main Street and famouse with coctails. I would recommend to try several different coctails. Atmosphere is really warm. It will be good to be here till around 01:00 and then you can move to a club.

2-) Probka Beer Hall :

Another place located on the main Street. It was the cheapest place i been in Kharkiv. Both bar i club an deven live music bar. It becomes full at weekends.

3-) Drunk Cherry :

Origin of the place is Lviv and 3 branchs opened in Kharkiv in 2020. It is a small and warm place. In cold winters great place for some hot cherry liqueur and get warm. It is really cheap and enjoyable.

4-) Misto Club :

Misto Club is a reasonable place which mostly students visit. You can spend your evening here and enjoy without paying much and if you don’t have some other expectations from a club , this one will be good for you.

5-) Bolero Club :

Known as the best club in Kharkiv. Entrance fee will be around 1.000 hryvnia but you will be able to spend this inside. So it deserves. Most beautiful girls of Kharkiv will be here. If you have some different expactations and want to enjoy all the night , this is the best option for you.

6-) Radmir Club :

One of the best 3 clubs of Kharkiv. Entrance tariff is more or less same with Bolero. But you better go and check this club too.

Note: If you visit the clubs in weekdays , they will not demand and entrance fee or deposit. But clubs are being full on friday and Saturday nights. So you will pay entrance fee or deposit.

Thank you for your patience. If you would like to suggest anything , i would be glad to hear from you. On the othe hand i would be glad to help you with your trip to Kharkiv.