Kyiv at a Glance
The enigmatic Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine divided by the Dnieper River, is a place of striking contrasts, featuring rich religious heritage, diverse architecture, lively streets, and abundant green spaces. As the birthplace of Kievan Rus, the first Slavic state, the city is often called the mother of Russian cities and fiercely protects its traditions, from Cossack performances to painted egg artistry. Art gallery and opera lovers will find plenty to enjoy here. It is also your chance to try national borscht served with galushki bread dumplings, which are delicious.
The climate is humid continental with long, cold winters and mild summers averaging 20-25°C.
A Unique and Spiritual Destination
A UNESCO World Heritage site and a true city symbol, the majestic, white-and-green Saint Sophia Cathedral was built to rival its Istanbul counterpart, featuring a sublime mosaic-covered dome inside. Do not miss the lavender-toned baroque Saint Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery dedicated to the patron saint of Kyiv, the rococo Saint Andrew's Church, and the luminous Saint Vladimir Cathedral.
The majestic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the country's most visited monument. It is a massive religious complex featuring three cave networks transformed into catacombs, where you can walk by candlelight through a spiritual atmosphere filled with religious chants and prayers.
The Babyn Yar memorial, which honors the thousands of Jewish people brutally murdered by the Nazis in 1941, is located in the Syrets district, northwest of the centre.
Starting from pier 10, numerous themed boat cruises are available covering panoramas, locks, and the mouth of the Desna River, offering a wonderful way to experience the city from the water.
To learn all about Cossacks, the Mamajeva Sloboda open-air museum is worth a visit, with superb daily performances.
If you have extra time, the Museum of Kyiv History helps you understand all its facets, while contemporary art lovers can head to Mystetskiy Arsenal.
About 12 km from the capital, the Pyrohovo Museum of Folk Architecture and Life reconstructs rural life from the 16th to the 19th centuries with churches, windmills, wells, and artisans. If you visit in June, do not miss the Ivan Kupala festival.
A Vibrant and Appealing South Bank
Stroll down the main Stalinist-style avenue of Khreshchatyk to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, where maidan means square in Ukrainian, topped by a 61-meter column. Large concerts take place here in warm weather, and the chestnut trees and friendly atmosphere will win you over.
Continue your walk to the Lypky neighborhood, where the 19th-century aristocracy lived, and check out the enigmatic Art Nouveau House with Chimaeras.
Change pace by heading to the Podil district with its maritime and quirky vibe, reached by taking the small blue funicular. Start at the Mohyla Academy, the country's oldest university, and its botanical garden before getting lost in the narrow streets lined with multicolored facades. Do not miss the bohemian Andriyivsky Descent, where the famous novelist Mikhail Bulgakov once lived.
In summer, the Dnieper islands turn into hubs for swimming, relaxation, and outdoor sports. Truhaniv, a Venetian-style islet, houses a large leisure complex known as Hydropark.
The Bessarabski covered market, also called Bessarabka, is one of the city's oldest. Picturesque and warm with fully stocked stalls, you can even find caviar there.
If you are traveling with children, take them to the zoo, where the reconstructed river and petting farm are sure to please.
When to Go?
The best time to visit is in the spring, between April and June.
How to Get There?
Ukrainian airspace has been closed to civil aviation since February 2022: Kyiv can no longer be reached by air. Access is overland, most often by train from Poland.
Getting Around
International trains arrive at the central station, where the city network takes over.
Trams and the metro provide a well-connected and inexpensive way to get across the city.