18 things to do in Kyiv
To get to know the capital of Ukraine, you need more than one day. But for those in a hurry, there is a kind of gentleman's set that must fulfilled, while visiting Kyiv.
So, here are they: 18 things that you need to do, while visiting the City on the Dnipro.
1. Admire the Virgin Mary Orans, praying in the Saint Sofia’s Cathedral and climb the tower of Sofia. You get a magnificent view of the city center.
Photo Source: panoramio.com, author - Igor Mamotenko.
How to get there: Metro station "Maidan Nezalezhnosti" and up the Sofia’s street.
2. Walk on the Andriyivskyi descent in the evening, when the buzz of the tired City dies down and only the lights are reflected on the roadway slopes. Do not forget to visit the great Mikhail Bulgakov.
Photo Source: srgktk.livejournal.com.
Sit down next to him on the bench and feel the atmosphere of the most Kyiv street of all. Only let’s no be too familiar – no need to rub the nose of the Master. Would you have liked it, if hundreds of hands touched yours every day?
How to get there: Metro station "Kontraktova Ploshcha."
3. Meet the sunset of the Castle Hill, overlooking the Andriyivskyi descent. In addition, before the sunset, climb to the observation deck of the neighboring hill Uzdyhalnytsia, that is towering over Podil. Look at Richard's Castle and the Descent from an unusual point.
Photo Source: srgktk.livejournal.com.
How to get there: Metro station "Kontraktova Ploshcha."
4. Lean against the stone, "Where does the Rus land coming from", hidden in the shadow of historical museum on the Peizazhna Alley. Close your eyes and feel the blood flow in the heart of ancient Kyiv.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Maidan Nezalezhnosti" and the beginning of Volodymyrska street.
5. Pet a cat, situated in the garden behind the Golden Gate. This purring creature named Panteleimon, that according to the legend have warned the owners about the fire, sacrificing his life, has been an integral part of Kyiv folklore fro a long time.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Zoloti Vorota".
6. Taste cacao buns from a bakery "Yaroslava" (that according to the rumor, has been running since 1947) at Yaroslaviv Val. The ones with eggs and onions are especially good.
How to get there: Metro station "Zoloti Vorota".
7. Ride the Funicular connecting Podil and St Volodymyr Hill. This type of transport exists only in the capital. In Europe it is quite rare.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Poshtova Ploshcha".
8. Stand in the shadow of Volodymyr the Great and on the mountain with same name. Listen to the bird’s tweet, enjoy the peace and clean air of one of the best parks in Kyiv.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Maidan Nezalezhnosti."
9. Give your sympathy to the lion, whose jaws are carefully teared by Podilsky Samson. But you should not drink water from this historic fountain (it is now a closed cycle), your body will not approve.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Kontraktova Ploshcha."
10. Enjoy coffee in one of the cozy yards on Podil. And not necessarily in a restaurant or cafe, just grab a drink at one of the many coffee machines and wander through narrow streets, feeling the spirit and soul of this ancient district of Kyiv.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Kontraktova Ploshcha."
11. Find the real Chicken Kyiv. This task is quite complicated, especially because very few people nowadays are preparing it according to the classic recipe. At various times in the list among the best restaurants for cooking this dish were "Spotykach", "Vulyk", "Zhuravlyna i brukva." You can also try fast food option. In this list "Puzata hata" is a leader.
12. Walk on the Dnipro embankment, that stretches all the way to the Paton Bridge. Past the charming Church on the water, river station, Postal area, paying attention to the Pedestrian bridge. Feel the wind from Slavutych on your face, throw a piece of bread to the gulls that are rare in these parts, look at Kyiv from upside down.
Photo by Sergey Officer.
How to get there: Metro station "Poshtova Ploshcha".
13. Swim on the boat on the Dnipro River (in cold season navigation along the river is closed), enjoy the panoramic views of the city center, Podil, Lavra Monastery, Vydubychi. You have never seen Kyiv from this point of view.
Photo Source: paul-itk.livejournal.com.
How to get there: Metro station "Poshtova Ploshcha".
14. Light a candle in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the main Orthodox sanctuary of the country. The Cathedral is not the only interesting thing here. You can spend the whole day in Lavra. And not only one. This is one of the places that you should visit in Kyiv.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Arsenalna", trolley bus № 38.
15. Climb the viewing platform of the monument the Mother of the Fatherland. There are two of them here, at a height of 37 meters and 91 meters. One of the most convenient places to observe the City.
Photo Source: skyandmethod.com.
How to get there: Metro station "Druzhby Narodiv", trolley bus № 43 or metro station "Arsenalna", trolley bus № 38.
16. Enjoy the flowers in the botanical garden of M. Hryshko. Depending on the season you can enjoy the lilacs, magnolias, tulips, roses and a whole bunch of other beautiful flora.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
How to get there: Metro station "Pecherska", a trolley bus № 14.
17. Go to Khreshchatyk – the main street of the capital. See the Ukrainian house, Independence Square, Philharmonic and Conservatory. Do not forget to pay attention to the Passage, try not to get lost among the countless boutiques of Globe and Metrohrad. In general, fully feel the pulse of the trade Kyiv.
Photo Source: paul-itk.livejournal.com.
How to get there: Metro station "Maidan Nezalezhnosti."
18. Taste Kyiv cake – the culinary symbol of the capital. It is better to buy them in retail stores of the ex-factory of Karl Marx. It is good that there are a lot of them in the city. Be sure to check the date of production and spare your stomach, by not eating the whole cake at a time, because there is quite greasy butter cream used in the recipe.
Photo by Yuriy Perebayev.
18 actions and points on the map. 18 out of many hundreds of charming places and events that make up the body of the Big City. If you do not have time to get to some of them at once – it is okay. There will be a reason to return.
If you have time to visit all – great! After all this time the City of Kyi will become a bit dearer and closer.
