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KIEV, UKRAINE

Destination Overview

Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine, bisected by the Dnieper River and known for its religious architecture, secular monuments and history museums. The 11th-century Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a monastery and pilgrimage site encompassing several gold-domed churches. It’s known for its catacombs lined with the burial chambers of Orthodox monks, and a collection of gold objects from ancient Scythian times.

In the beginning there was Kiev. Long before Ukraine and Russia existed, the city’s inhabitants were already striding up and down the green hills, idling hot afternoons away on the Dnipro River and promenading along Khreshchatyk – then a stream, now the main avenue. From here, East Slavic civilisation spread all the way to Alaska.

Today, history continues to unfold. As revolution has come and gone, and as war in the east smoulders, Ukraine’s capital has rebelled yet again, only this time culturally. A creative wave has swept over the city, embodied by urban art, vintage cafes and 24-hour parties. Seemingly overnight, Kiev has become hip. It’s also cheap. You can eat at superb restaurants and drink at hidden cocktail bars for a fraction of what they would cost in the West. Kiev’s time is clearly now – or until the next revolution rolls around.

Attractions in Kiev

National Art Museum of Ukraine

The National Art Museum of Ukraine is a museum dedicated to Ukrainian art in Kiev, Ukraine The National Art Museum of Ukraine is of course not the oldest in the list of most famous museums of the world. But its prestige is constantly becoming higher. And the belief of museum founders that Ukrainian culture is valuable on international level today has spread around the world. One hundred years ago, at the beginning of the history of the National Art Museum of Ukraine, which was first called the City Museum of Antiques and Art, there was hardly any concept of Ukrainian professional art. Ukraine was always famous for its national ethnographical applied art.

The founders of the museum’s collections decided to prove that this opinion was wrong and defined the list of main representatives of Ukrainian fine art. These scientists have included in the list not only those who were born and worked in Ukraine, but also those national-conscious artists who lived abroad. They thought that foreigners who worked in Ukraine have enriched a national culture too. These principles were the basis of their collective work.

The National Art Museum was established in 1897 by a successful patron of the arts, Bohdan Khanenko, who was determined to build the first museum in the country. Succeed he did—the historically important building contains a collection of important sculptures, artwork, and icons. Represented are Ukrainian artists, both local and those who have moved to other countries and continued their career in the arts. The museum also shows the work of contemporary artists and is recognized around the world as an important representation of art from Eastern Europe.

M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden

The M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden is located in Kiev, Ukraine. Garden is a botanical garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Garden was founded in 1936, covers about 1.3 km² and contains 13,000 types of trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants from all over the world. It has many coniferous trees and honey locusts, and flowers such as peonies, roses, magnolias, and bushes including lilacs. The territory of the garden is divided into floristic complexes, such as Ukrainian Carpathians, Plains of Ukraine, Crimea, Caucasus, Central Asia, Altai and Western Siberia, Far East. In every zone plants typical for particular region can be found.

The garden has hothouses, conservatories, greenhouses and rosaries. It is the most popular amongst the residents, where one can see exotic plants, and attend flower exhibitions. The Vydubychi Monastery and Trinity Monastery of St. Jonas are located on the grounds of the botanical gardens. Named after the famed botanist Mykola Gryshko, this beautiful nature preserve is filled with local flora and fauna, as well as plants from all over the world.

Mariyinsky Palace

Mariyinsky Palace is the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine in Kiev and adjoins the neo-classical building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. It is a Baroque palace on the hilly bank of the Dnipro River. Due to a fire original structure was destroyed and later Alexander II had the palace reconstructed in 1870, following the model of the old drawings.

The pale blue exterior lends a dreamy quality to the magnificent architecture. Inside, visitors will find a collection of artwork by Ukrainian masters, as well as cultural and historic treasures. The surrounding landscaped gardens are a nice place for contemplation.

Khreshchatyk Street

Khreshchatyk is the main street of Kiev (Ukraine). The total length of street is 1.2 km. It stretches from the European Square through the Maidan and to Bessarabska Square where the Besarabsky Market is located. There are the offices of the Kiev City Council which contains both the city’s council and the state administration, the Main Post Office, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the State Committee of Television and Radio Broadcasting, the Central Department Store, the Ukrainian House, and others.

The street was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt in the post-war Soviet style. It’s busy on the weekdays but closes on the weekends and serves as pedestrian zones. All the main institutions are located there: City Administration, Main Post Office or few Ministries. Among prominent buildings that did not survive were the Kiev City Duma, the Kiev Stock Exchange, Hotel Natsional, and the Ginzburg House. The street has been significantly renovated during the modern period of Ukraine’s independence. Today, the street is still significant to administrative and business city organizations, as well as a popular tourist attraction. As of 2010, Khreshchatyk is included in the Top 20 of most expensive shopping streets in Europe.

St. Andrews Church

St. Andrew’s Church is a major Baroque church located in Kiev (the capital of Ukraine). The church was constructed between 1747 and 1754. It is sometimes referred to as a cathedral. The church is part of the National Sanctuary “Sophia of Kiev” as a landmark of cultural heritage. Churches were often built high on a hill for all to see, and St. Andrew’s is a prime example.

The St. Andrew’s church has no bells, as according to legend, their noise would cause flooding of the left part of the city. St Andrew’s Church overlooks the historic Podil neighborhood, situated on a steep hill to which the church gave its current name—Andriyivska Hill. St. Andrew’s church is currently one of four architectural landmarks of Ukraine, which were put down on the List of Mankind Treasures of Five Continents by the world society. As the church sits atop a hill, foundation problems have been one of the main concerns of preservationists. More recently, the foundation below the church has started to shift, causing some concerns that the church’s foundation might collapse. Cracks have already appeared in the foundation, and some of the church’s falling decor has been found in neighboring areas. While the church is no longer religious in nature, it does house an important collection of paintings and sculptures. St. Andrew was a patron saint of Kiev, and the impressive Baroque architecture reflects his importance.

St. Sophias Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is an outstanding architectural monument. St. Sophia’s Cathedral is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine and was awarded the important status in the 1980s.

It was constructed in 1037 and is named for Hagia Sophia. Since it’s a favorite of tourists, visiting earlier in the day is recommended. Aside from its main building, the cathedral includes an ensemble of supporting structures such as a bell tower and the House of Metropolitan. In 2011, the historic site was reassigned from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. One of the reasons for the move was that both Saint Sophia Cathedral and Kiev Pechersk Lavra are recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Program as one complex, while in Ukraine the two were governed by different government entities.

For Ukrainian, the cathedral is known as Sobor Sviatoyi Sofiyi or Sofiyskyi sobor. The complex of the cathedral is the main component and museum of the National Sanctuary “Sophia of Kiev” which is the state institution responsible for the preservation of the cathedral complex as well as four other historic landmarks across the nation. Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the oldest and most jaw-dropping of Kiev’s impressive churches. Famous for its beautiful murals, mosaics & frescoes adorn the interior.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery

Kiev Pechersk Lavra also known as the Kiev Monastery of the Caves. It is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery. This monastery complex was founded by two monks of the caves: St. Anthony and St. Theodosius. Constructed over a series of caves excavated by the monks, it is remarkable to think they date to the 11th century. The Lavra has been a preeminent center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lavra is located in another part of the city KIEV.

While being a cultural attraction, the monastery is once again active, with over 100 monks in residence. It was named one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine on 21 August 2007, based on voting by experts and the internet community

Independence Square

Independence Square Is one of the city’s main squares.Many festivals, concerts, and parades take place in the area. The main attractions of square are: six fountains, a waterfall, and a large column representing Ukrainian independence. In the evening, it makes for a great people-watching spot, and there is often a light show and music with the fountains on colourful display. The square has been known under many different names, but often it is called simply Maidan. In the 19th century, the square contained buildings of the city council and noble assembly.

Since the start of Ukraine’s independence movement in 1990, the square has been the traditional place for political rallies, including four large-scale radical protest campaigns: the 1990 student “Revolution on Granite”, the 2001 “Ukraine without Kuchma”, the 2004 Orange Revolution, and the 2013–14 It is also a regular site for non-political displays and events. Visitors will find this area a convenient location for their stay in the city as it is close to many shops, restaurants, and popular areas.

Museum of the Great Patriotic War

This could be your favorite place in Kiev! The Museum is located just next to the Pechersk Lavra but is like from another world. The complex is a memorial commemorating the German-Soviet war and it was opened in the current location on 9th May 1981. This would be the most surreal place you’ll ever visit. It’s a park full of war machines: tanks, cars, planes.

There are also huge Soviet monuments and the Soviet war songs used to be played in the background. But the best thing in that Museum is a huge monument of Mother Motherland that overlooks the area and can be seen from far away. 102 meters high! It’s enormous and mind-blowing! You can take a lift and visit the viewing platform in the head of the sculpture – sadly it was closed when I was there, that would have been quite an experience!

Activities in Kiev

Helicopter Ride over Kiev

One of a lifetime experiences! You can fulfil your dream to fly on a Helicopter and enjoy the beauty of the Kiev city from a birds-eye view. Take a 15-minute flight on a Helicopter and touch the skies!

You may use regular flights often from point-A to point-B. However, there is no excitement. Sightseeing flight over Kiev on a helicopter is a lifetime experience. You will enjoy watching beautiful city from the birds eye view! It`s a short 15-minute sightseeing flight over Kiev and it gives you a proper image of all the attractions such as Kyiv Pechersk monastery, WWII museum -Motherland monument, river Dnipro and beautiful nature, scenic beauty of city.

Shooting Experience

Fire a Soviet AK-47 at a shooting range. Learn how to handle firearms in a safe environment.

Shooting experience with famous Soviet AK-47 and other gun during a gun shooting tour in Kiev is also a lifetime experience. Normally we do not have change even to hold a AK 47. Here guest can try a variety of other weapons, including the Colt Competition, Glock-17, and Beretta.

Local trainer will provide detailed instructions for each firearm, as well as pointers to improve your aim. During our Shooting Tour, Guest will have experience to hold different types of guns: from Soviet Kalashnikov to modern rifles and guns such as:

AR-15 Rifle
Steyr AUG Rifle
Glock-17 Gun
Beretta Gun
and others.

Tank Riding

Activity area located outside the city in forest range. Here guest will have chance to learn how to drive a real Soviet era military vehicle/ Tank (BRDM2 , BTR-80, etc) on a real military range with a real officers!

You will have opportunity to click as many pictures and videos as you wish.

Please Note such activities services are conditional:

Not wheelchair accessible,
Operates in all weather conditions,
Please dress appropriately,
Not recommended for pregnant travellers