Kiev is a super cool city with lots to see. It is very old and has interesting history, delicious food, amazing cafes and restaurants, so whatever your interest is, you will definitely find something to love here. There are so many reasons to visit Kiev, from amazing architecture to interesting history and a vibrant atmosphere and each of them is already a good excuse to plan your next trip to the capital of Ukraine.
Expect to see beautiful pastel buildings, dancing neon water fountains at night and couples holding bright flowers from the market. Kiev is a young city. Independence was only gained in 1991 and the people you see on the streets, shopping and performing live music, are young too.
Kiev is known for its amazing symbiosis of past and present, the beauty of which can be seen from numerous viewpoints. The city is also known for its high hills that are perfect places for picnics or spending quality time alone. For a breathtaking afternoon, visit St Vladimir Hill, the Park of Eternal Glory, Mariinsky Park, the Arch of Diversity, or Hryshko National Botanical Garden. All are located in the heart of Kiev and can easily be reached on foot.
Kiev to me feels like a city on the rise, improving rapidly. It is particularly worth visiting Independence Square area at night because the water fountains light up and dance to Queen. In the warm weekend evenings, Khreschatyk Street, one of Kiev’s main shopping streets, is buzzing with life and is the best place for people watching.
Golden dome churches are somehow the symbol of Eastern Europe and there is no better place to admire them than at Kiev. There are so many beautiful churches in the capital of Ukraine it’s hard to pick the most amazing one.
Pechersk Lavra complex, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, since the foundation in 11th century has been one of the most important places for the Orthodox Christians. Another UNESCO place – St Sophia Cathedral – and especially its interior takes a breath away (when you’re there be sure to climb to the bell tower for one of the best views of Kiev).
But my three favourite churches, all looking like straight from a fairy-tale, are St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, St Andrew’s Church and St Volodymyr’s Cathedral. If you like shiny places you’re in for a treat!
Recently Kiev has become the capital of street art in Eastern Europe. In fact, Kiev’s murals are its hidden gems – there are more than 150 throughout the city. These murals constitute a large part of the local street art scene, and for many locals, it would be impossible to imagine Kiev without them. Each painting has its own history and a special reason for occupying its wall.
Kiev also has an excellent and very affordable metro system. Using the Kyiv Metro is very easy although it helps if you are able to read Cyrillic: there are three colour-coded lines (red, blue, and green) and three interchange stations.
Kiev is for sure one of Eastern Europe’s most underestimated cities. It’s also very cheap so you can afford many interesting things and have a lot of fun here. Unfortunately, I was only here for a couple of days so I did not manage to see much of the city. However, the parts that I managed to see left me amazed and in awe. To put it simply, the energy in Kiev is electric. The people of Kiev just love to spend their time outside and this vibe is definitely addictive! I just have to return one day as I would also have loved to visit Chernobyl if given the chance!
