If you are planning to go to Kiev and looking for some ideas on things to do, you must know that with everything it has to offer, there’s no way you’ll be disappointed. You probably know that Kiev boasts many beautiful churches that will stun anyone who loves architecture, but other than these architectures, there are other many things to do in Kiev.
In this article, we listed down some of the things you should not miss when you book a flight to Ukraine’s capital city.
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9 Exciting Things to Do In Kiev
1. Wander around the Green Scenery of the City’s Parks and Gardens
Kiev is one of Europe’s most stunning and greenest cities. When exploring Ukraine’s capital, you will enjoy some colorful flowers or bug chestnut trees in many gardens and parks. The city’s first park was put up in 1631, and following parks were put up all along the Dnipro Riverbank. The main Parks in the central part of the city include Askoldova Mohyla, Mariins’kyi Park, Khreschatyk Park, Volodymyr’s Hill, The City Garden, and Pechersk Landscape Park. If you want to make the most of your visit, the best time to visit Kiev is during summer, spring, or autumn.
2. Say Your Prayers at St. Cyril’s Monastery
A beautiful medieval monastery, St. Cyril's Monastery has the renowned St. Cyril's Church, an important sample of 12th century’s Kievan Rus' architecture, and combining features of the 17th and 19th centuries. However, being generally Ukrainian Baroque on the surface, the church still has the original interior or Kievan Rus.
3. Learn the History at National Chernobyl Museum
This little museum documents the disastrous nuclear event that happened at Chernobyl on April 26th, 1986. This museum has a slogan that goes “est dolendi modus, non est timendi,” which is a Latin phrase which translates to “there is a limit of sadness, anxiety has no limits.” When you go out of the museum you will see a tank, a fire jeep, an ambulance, as well as a military jeep standing as if it was just placed there. It has staircase entrance lined with street signs that name all villages that got affected by the tragedy. Chernobyl had a population of almost 50,000 people living in more than 11,000 households, and that’s why the evacuation wasn’t done immediately.
The Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum tries to portray the scale of this tragedy and offers an informative yet extremely touching experience. It’s an emotional reminder of the disastrous results of a nuclear tragedy and grants a forbidding understanding into what has taken place at Chernobyl more than three decades ago.
4. See the Beauty of Andriyivskyy Descent
Andriyivskyy Descent is a historic street which connects Upper Town neighborhood of the city and the mostly commercial neighborhood of Podil. The street, normally called by tour guides the "Montmartre of Kiev," is one of the major attractions in the city. It’s one of the national landmarks by the government resolution. Furthermore, the descent is also a portion of the historic reserve of Kiev city.
Andriyivskyy Descent is a beautiful cobbled street that runs its way to Volodymyrska Street from up from Kontraktova Square. Legend says this is where Apostle Andrew predicted the establishment of Kyiv, overlooking the stunning lands he was on, thus the street’s name. The best part of the Uzviz is the spectacular blue and gold sight shining over you will see St. Andrew's Church.
5. Ride a Bicycle in Golosiyivsky Forest
Kiev has many historical attractions that you can easily access by bicycle, one of which is Golosiyivsky Forest. Golosiyivsky is a nature park located in the central part of Kiev. As mentioned earlier, Kiev is known for having many green areas and this park is one of the most accessible ones you can find. When you are at the heart of the scenic natural landscape, you will forget how you are just one stone throw away from busy city streets of the city.
Golosiyivsky Nature Park also has a unique nature park with its natural landscape, beautiful lakes, as well as fresh air. If cycling is not your thing, going here is still one of the best things to do in Kiev, so you can get there by taking the metro going to Lybidska station and from there, get on a trolley bus number 4, 11, or 12 and get off at ‘Park Rylskova’.
6. Visit A UNESCO World Heritage Site - St. Sophia Cathedral
This city’s oldest church, St. Sophia Cathedral was built in the year 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. He aimed to build this church to honor the place of a victory of Kyivan Rus against the Asian nomadic tribes called Pechenegs and to worship Christianity. The church was named after Constantinople’s St. Sophia’s Cathedral.
This magnificent 13-dome sanctuary is connected to Yaroslav’s Palace and turned into a holy place for worshiping for Kyivites on top of being a cultural and political center. By having an interior of rich murals and mosaics, a lot of which are still in one piece almost a thousand of years later, this cathedral made a massive impact on the local Christians.
7. Be Amazed at Museum Of Miniatures
If you are looking for something that will be perfect for anyone of any age, then one of the things to do in Kiev is to check out Museum Of Miniatures. This museum exhibits the work of only one artist, the talented Mykola Syadristy. The most amazing thing about this works is the fact that they are all done by hand with the help of special technology.
To be able to see the artworks, you will have to look through a microscope. Yes, they are that small! Each piece of art seems to belong in their own worlds, which reflects different eras and different phases of life. Every miniature seems like a fairytale captivating the visitors’ heart.
8. Take a Pleasure Cruise
The gigantic Dnipro River that runs through the central part of Kiev which separates the notable west bank from the contemporary east bank is known for its mini cruise tours. Once you get there, it’s not hard to notice that the best way to explore Kiev is by boat. Fortunately, with the help of ‘pleasure cruises’ that leave from the river terminal every 30 minutes will make things easier for you. These simple cruises offer spectacular sights of the city’s attractions and they are really affordable as well. Definitely one of the best things to do in Kiev!
This massive, wide monastic complex is where you will to an enormous network of uncanny 11th-century caves. Some of these caves are home to monks’ mummified bodies. You can simply buy a candle or use a torch, go underneath, and you will see how the bodies of monks have been impeccably preserved after many years. You can explore the cave by yourself, but if you’re not brave enough for it, then you can get an English-speaking tour!
9. Explore Underground in Kievo-Pecherska Lavra
This massive, wide monastic complex is where you will to an enormous network of uncanny 11th-century caves. Some of these caves are home to monks’ mummified bodies. You can simply buy a candle or use a torch, go underneath, and you will see how the bodies of monks have been impeccably preserved after many years. You can explore the cave by yourself, but if you’re not brave enough for it, then you can get an English-speaking tour!
So, there you have it! Nine of the best things to do in Kiev! This list only shows our personal picks, but there surely are more things to do in Ukraine’s capital we failed to mention. If there’s something you think deserved a spot on this list, let us know in the comment below!
