Top Things to Do in Kiev
Ukraine, as a whole, has many things to offer. Sightseeing and walking around the city are the best things to do in Kiev for tourists and newcomers. The amazing city of Kiev, with its many tourist attractions, has been the center of the dynasties of Russian kings for centuries. Also, over the years, this city has changed a lot, becoming more accommodating to tourists with many things to do in Kiev for them. Art centers, churches, green spaces of this city, and hidden mysteries in the heart of the city will surprise you. Here are some of the things you can do while visiting Kiev.
Visiting Pinchuk Art Centre and Museum
One of the things to do in Kiev is to visit art museums. The Pinchuk Art Center is an international contemporary art center that holds a variety of exhibitions for prominent artists. There are no permanent collections in this exhibition, but all are temporary. Therefore, be prepared to see new and exciting things every time you visit. Works by artists such as Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, and Olafur Eliasson are on display at this art center.
Enjoying Ukrainian Food in Puzata Hata
With a wide variety of restaurants, Kiev is a good place to choose Ukrainian food at a variety of prices. For budget travelers, the popular local restaurant chain Puzata Hata offers simple yet traditional food at an incredibly low price. In general, all restaurants include Ukrainian soup in their menu. Therefore, choose any restaurant you want with peace of mind and enjoy new flavors.
Visiting St. Sophia’s Cathedral in National Sanctuary Complex
Another one of the things to do in Kiev is to visit St. Sophia. It is one of the two places in Kiev that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is not only a cathedral but also a complete set of eleventh-century religious buildings. The main building of this church preserves its magnificent mosaics and original paintings and is the burial place of the great Yaroslav the Wise.
Taking A Walk in Holodomor Genocide Museum
The Holodomor, or Great Famine of Ukraine, was a fictitious famine that killed 2.5 to 7 million Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933 and marked a terrible turning point in Ukrainian history. Therefore, it is a place for contemplation of the disastrous events in Ukraine.
Shopping in Kiev Street Markets
Kiev has lovely street markets. Therefore, one of the main things to do in Kiev is to visit its day markets. In the summer, it is as if a new temporary street market is set up every week. The most interesting part of these markets is the holding of various events, such as the Art Picnics. These markets offer a collection of handmade clothes and items by Ukrainian professional designers or ordinary people, delicious toys, and cakes.
Visiting Pechersk Lavra Orthodox Church
Built in 1051, the Pechersk Lavra is an important center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It is a historic monastery and probably the most famous temple in Ukraine, attracting millions of tourists, travelers, and pilgrims each year. The incredible part of the temple is a large network of caves and underground corridors, apparently built around the 11th-century St. Anthony’s Cave in Kiev. Also, there are many saints buried in these caves.
Exploring the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art & Culture Museum Complex
Although the building was used as a secret military base during the Soviet era, its landscape eventually changed dramatically thanks to the establishment of the National Museum of Art and Culture of Mystetsky in recent years. This structure promotes Ukrainian art, history, and culture. In this center, you can see temporary and permanent exhibitions and attend concerts and various lectures.
Strolling in Khreschatyk Street And City Square
Khreshchatyk is the main road to Kiev and is a major street that stretches from northeast to southwest that passes through the famous city square. This beautiful street becomes a huge sidewalk for pedestrians on weekends, and with its unique attractions, it is a good place for evening walks and relaxation. Among the Krishchatik sights are the domestic markets, the Kyivrada City Council, the Maidan, and the People’s Friendship Arch monument, a large building from 1645 that symbolizes the unification of Russia and Ukraine.
M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden
There are two botanical gardens in Kiev, but the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden is unique because it creates a relaxing and uplifting environment in the middle of a crowded and large city. A stunning green environment bordered on one side by the Dnipro River and also home to more than 13,000 species of trees, flowers, and plants from around the world.
