Kyiv, Ukraine
Visiting Kyiv
Kyiv is the capital and largest city in Ukraine. When visiting, it is hard to miss the sprawling apartment towers located on the eastern side of the Dnieper River on the outskirts of the central hub of Old Kyiv. Traffic and parking is always a challenge, so the Metro and public transportation is commonly used.
By the way, the spelling of Kyiv is the preferred and official Ukrainian spelling using the Latin alphabet, while Kiev is based on the original Russian spelling of the name. As Ukraine is attempting to distance itself from its Soviet past, the locals prefer the Ukrainian Latinization of its name. In the Cyrillic alphabet, Київ, is how you will see it displayed around the city.
Kyiv is an interesting city to visit. It seems caught between relics of its Soviet past (obvious when catching an old bus in many parts of the city) and its current independence, which has not always been peaceful. The city is always busy. There are many museums located around the city, with topics ranging from war memorials to the nearby Chernobyl nuclear disaster. As with many old cities, churches, cathedrals and monasteries makes up a large element of the city’s history and current significance.
Kyiv is worth a visit, even if it’s just for the food. Borscht and dumplings (pirogies) will be found on most menus in the city. There’s lots to see, so take a look at a few highlights worth visiting.
Golden Gate
This original location was where the main gate was built for the entrance to the fortification surrounding the city of Kyiv in the 11th century. However, it was demolished in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in 1982.
Old Kyiv was surrounded by walls during the reign of Volodymyr the Great in the 10th and 11th centuries. It was presumed to be destroyed during the Mongol invasion of 1237.
This gate is easily accessible today as it sits at the exit of the Zoloti Vorota Metro station and is surrounded by Golden Gates Park.
St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery
The original cathedral that stood on this spot was destroyed in the 1930s by Soviet Republic, but was rebuilt in 1999 after Ukraine’s independence in 1991.
Currently the monastery serves as the headquarters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. You can walk around the grounds inside the gates and view the interior of the monastery for no charge.
St. Andrew’s Church
A major baroque church constructed in the 18th century that sits at the top of Andriyivskyy Descent. It is possible to walk through and tour the interior of the church during certain hours of the day.
Andriyivskyy Descent
This cobblestone road leads from the Oldf Kyiv to the Podil neighbourhood in the Lower City. It is a well-known tourist attraction, with many vendors and shopkeepers taking advantage of the walking traffic to sell their wares.
Aleya Khudozhnykiv Art Gallery
This art gallery takes up a winding pedestrian pathway near the Andriivs'kyi Descent. This view from the pathway over Kyiv looks north over Podil, the lower city of Kyiv toward the Dnieper River.
Klitschko Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge
This is a view from the newly constructed pedestrian bridge that was recently opened in May 2019 to connect Volodymyrska Hill and the People's Friendship Arch. It is regularly packed with walkers, cyclists, photographers and street artists.
People’s Friendship Arch
The People’s Friendship Arch sits near the newly constructed pedestrian bridge and was initially built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the USSR and the 1,500th year of the city of Kyiv. This arch is planned to be dismantled soon in place of a different war memorial.
Independence Monument
This monument stands near Independence Square to commemorate Ukraine’s independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union.
Today, surrounding the monument, are large signs that reflect the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 in the words of those involved. It captures the thoughts and feelings of the citizens of Ukraine over the perceived corruption of the government officials and their mistreatment of Ukrainians.
Independence Square
The square in central Kyiv is a common gathering point for political rallies and protests. It is also the site for large scale events, shopping and sightseeing.
Independence Square and the area surrounding it, was the main site of the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, a violent clash between protesters and police over the government’s corruption and abuse of power as it suspended its agreement with the European Union, while choosing to ally with Russia and its economic union.
At one point upwards of 800,000 protesters gathered in the square and nearby streets in the snow and below freezing temperatures. Today, the streets are lined with homemade posters and photographs of those citizens who were killed during the protests.
The Motherland Monument
Part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, this massive stainless steel monument stands over 200 feet tall is visible from many locations around the city of Kyiv. It is possible to go up to the top of the statue and see the city through her eyes. It stands as a memorial to the soldiers who died fighting during WWII. The park and area surrounding the statue also contains many examples of military equipment through the years and another small war museum with many photographs and war artifacts.
The Alley of the Hero Cities
Located near the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War and the Motherland Monument, these sculptures depict the courageous defence of the Soviet border from the German invasion during WWII, the Nazi occupation, Ukrainians support on the home front, and the Battle of Dnieper in 1943.
Kiev Pechersk Lavra
This is a massive monastic complex that could take you the whole day to explore the grounds. It is an Orthodox Christian Monastery that contains many monuments with cathedrals, catacombs, towers and museums. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and a national sanctuary as a prominent site in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Be prepared for a strenuous walk around the grounds with plentiful hills and steep inclines up stairways. The site looks out over the Dnieper River in many spots, and it’s easy to find a quiet place for lunch or a quick rest.
A highlight attraction for many visitors is the underground cave system which is a system of narrow corridors that lead to small chapels, underground churches and many burials that can be toured with a candle.
South Bridge, Kyiv
The view from this beach looks out onto the Dnieper River and across to the South Bridge, connecting the left and right banks. There are several beaches around Kyiv that give visitors the chance to swim in the water, rent kayaks or just lounge in the sun on a warm summer day.
This beach, located near the Slavutych Metro station, has some nearby amenities, rentals and restaurants for staying busy during a day on the water.
Along with their five children, the Lavrics operate In a Fairytale sanctuary on four hectares of land with the main goal of giving their animals a better life than they had before, while teaching children about their environment.