TOP 10 Most Amazing Places in Kyiv

Kyiv is a unique city that never stops surprising visitors and residents of the capital alike with its landmarks. There are many places here that are definitely worth seeing or visiting in order to leave unforgettable emotions and memories in your mind. And if in compact historic Lviv almost everything is within walking distance, exploring Kyiv’s unique places can take more than one day. For those who do not have much time at their disposal and want to see only the capital’s most amazing places, it is worth taking a look at the TOP 10 locations that will not leave you indifferent!

 

1. The highest viewing platform

 

What could be more beautiful than a panoramic view of a huge city from a bird’s-eye height? Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the city’s grandeur and visit one of Kyiv’s best observation decks — the Motherland Monument. The monument has two paid observation decks. From them, there is an impressive view of the city’s wonderful landscapes.

Photo from the kiev.vgorode.ua website

 The boldest visitors aged 18 and over can go to the “Extreme” platform, which offers a view of practically the entire city. But it is worth noting that this option is only for those who are not afraid of heights and whose physical condition allows them to overcome the 91 m ascent without difficulty. The visit to the platform costs 500 UAH per person (the cost of photo and video shooting is already included in the ticket price). If you are content to simply admire the city’s beautiful landscapes, then choose the second platform — “Landscape”. Its height is 36.6 m, which significantly affected the cost of the ascent — only 100 UAH.

In addition, visitors to the monument can also explore two museum exhibitions — “Ukrainian East” and “Ukraine in the Second World War”.

Opening hours:

Mon.-Fri. — from 10:00-18:00

Sat.-Sun. — 10:00 — 19:00

The ticket office is open until 17:00

How to get there:

• Arsenalna metro station, turn left from there and walk 20-30 minutes;

• trolleybus No. 38

Our advice!

There are many people who want to see the beauty of the Ukrainian capital, so it is better to arrive in advance. No more than 2 people per hour are allowed onto the observation decks, so it is better to come earlier. Before the monument opens, there may already be several people waiting; after 10:00 they are added to a list and told when your turn will come.

Website: https://www.warmuseum.kiev.ua/_ua/visitors/time/

2. “Dead” city — Vozdvyzhenka

 

In terms of the cost of housing, Vozdvyzhenka has become the most expensive place in the capital. And if during the time of Kyivan Rus potter-craftsmen lived here, today it is considered a neighborhood for millionaires, created in the style of an old European town. So it is no surprise, because the minimum cost of housing here starts at 250 thousand dollars. The neighborhood is located in the very center of the capital, parallel to Andriivskyi Descent, in the valley itself. There are 4 streets in the town: Honcharna, Dyhtiarna, Kozhemiatska and Vozdvyzhenska. Since geological conditions did not allow architects to design high-rise buildings here, the town now has buildings up to 5 stories high.

Photo from the ru.wikipedia.org website

The “dead” name was given to the town because of its sparse population. This is explained by the fact that wealthy and busy people live here and spend much of their time traveling. The inner courtyards, where children play, are hidden behind the buildings, so curious tourists cannot assess from a distance how inhabited the town is.

Vozdvyzhenka is not only a beautiful residential neighborhood of Kyiv, but also a popular place with newlyweds. Wedding photo shoots are often organized here, allowing for impressive photos against the backdrop of the “dollhouse” development.

Visitors to the capital should definitely visit this place, since no less popular historical places of the city are located almost nearby — Zamkova Hora, Landscape Alley, and Andriivskyi Descent.

There are shops and cafes, bars, restaurants, and a toilet on the territory of the neighborhood.

How to get there:

Entry to the neighborhood is free. And although there is no parking, you can get there by car or public transport, to Kontraktova Ploshcha metro station.

Our advice!

For those who like spending time over coffee and reading interesting books, we recommend visiting the first private library, bOtaN. It is located at 9-19 Vozdvyzhenska St. (open from 10:00 to 23:00).

Be sure to visit Hashtag Bar on Vozdvyzhenska St. 48. Only here is there a wide variety of cocktails based on whisky and craft beer. The bar often hosts poetry evenings, you can listen to good live music or appreciate the work of contemporary artists. Opening hours: 16: 00-23: 00.

 

3. Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine

 

One of the popular places where residents of the capital like to relax from the everyday bustle of the city. The place impresses with its authenticity and beauty. Visitors are involuntarily immersed in the atmosphere of the 19th century. This is a huge open-air museum. Those who have never been here before should book a guided tour.

Photo from the zikua.tv website

The museum covers 133.5 hectares, so there is plenty of space for everyone to roam. If you do not like walking, you can take your own bicycle or rent one at the point located near the entrance. Rental cost — 100 UAH / hour.

There are many cafes and places where you can have a snack on the territory. There is an active church on the territory, so many people come here for a wedding blessing or a child’s baptism. Given that there are cottage-cafes on the museum grounds, you can mark a festive occasion right here.

There are many beautiful places on the territory, so many people choose Pyrohovo for photo shoots.

Admission prices:

For adults: 50 UAH

For children from 7 years old — 30 UAH

Schoolchildren from 7 to 10 years old — 15 UAH.

Children under 7 years old - free.

To receive a discount, ID cards and student cards are required.

Tours can be booked by phone: +38044 526-24-16

The ticket office is open from 10 to 17:00

Address:

 Kyiv, Akademika Tronko St. (Pyrohovo).

How to get there:

• from Lybidska metro station — Trolleybus No. 11

• from Bessarabskyi Market — Minibus No. 15

• from Leningradska Square, Druzhby Narodiv metro station — Minibus No. 172

• from Akademmistechko metro station — Minibus No. 576

• from Lukianivska metro station — Minibus No. 496

Our advice!

The museum grounds have master classes for children. Various events are held on holidays. You can learn about them from the museum's official Facebook page.

 

4.  The House with Chimeras — a place where wishes come true

 

One of the well-known and unusual architectural landmarks of Kyiv is the House with Chimeras. The building, done in the striking Art Nouveau style, was designed by architect Horodetskyi in 1901. Because of the large number of decorative sculptures, this house is often compared to Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. The building's uniqueness lies in the facade decoration with fantastic creatures, including lions, giraffes, frogs, snakes, elephants, antelopes, and sea monsters. Many believe that if you make a wish and find a crocodile among the many sculptures, it will definitely come true. Whether this is so is worth checking for yourself.

The House with Chimeras has its own unique history. There is an opinion that Vladyslav Horodetskyi built this house with his own money. For its construction, the architect used materials that were new at the time — concrete and cement — and took out a loan for the building itself. It was a difficult project to build, as the site had many drawbacks: uneven ground, near a cliff above a dried-up stream.

The architect had high hopes for this house, which came to nothing. So before he left, he cursed the house. According to the curse, only Horodetskyi's blood relatives can live in the building; all other residents are doomed to an unhappy fate. Whether the curse is true or not, during all this time no organization that rented premises in this house has been able to succeed in its business. Many tenants have simply gone bankrupt.

Since 2005, the building has been the president's residence. Since then, only official talks and receptions have been held here. Tours are also held in the House with Chimeras. They take place from 10 to 12:00. Therefore, only those who have registered in advance by phone can attend:

+38044 207-12-55

Cost:

A ticket for an adult — 400 UAH per person.

Tour duration — 2 hours (in Ukrainian)

Address: Bankova St., 10

How to get there:

• From Khreshchatyk metro station, 300 m, walk along Arkhitektora Verbytskoho St., then along Ivan Franko Square.

• From Bessarabska Square — about 800 m.

Our advice!

If you plan to go on a tour of the House with Chimeras, you should book well in advance, 2-3 months before the expected date. You must have your passport to enter!

You can get acquainted with the exterior and interior of the building in advance using Google Maps, which will let you take a free mini-tour of the house's rooms.

 

5.  Journey Into Yourself

 

You have probably heard or seen many labyrinths in some city in the world in your life. We, however, offer you a visit to Kyiv's first and so far only stone labyrinth called Journey Into Yourself. There are rumors that this is where a person can tune in to their inner voice of reason and find answers to troubling questions.

Photo from the website my-obolon.kiev.ua

Address: Obolonska Embankment 7, building 5, on the flower bed, next to the church).

Our advice!

Before you start walking through the labyrinth, don't forget to focus on the problem that worries you. Think about its solution while going through the labyrinth.

 

6. Zhukiv Island

 

Zhukiv Island is one of the most beautiful and cozy places in Kyiv, where there are few people and a chance to be alone in nature. A unique combination for a densely populated capital! The area is located near the small Zhukovka River, which flows into the Dnipro. As far back as the 19th century, this was one of the favorite hunting places of the Kyiv rulers, and the livestock belonging to the nearby monastery grazed on the large meadows. Unfortunately, only ruins remain of it now.

Photo from the website sollyplus.rent

Today Zhukiv Island is a huge area (with an area of about 360 hectares), where you can find rare plant species listed in the Red Book: a five-hundred-year-old oak, stoats, and more.

The island is often used as a place for overnight stays by small groups. So here you can not only walk around, but also sit noisily with a group of friends.

How to get there:

• By minibus No. 412 to the Korchuvate stop, then walk from there;

• By car through the Zhukiv Ostriv checkpoint (entry is paid)

Our advice!

There are plenty of mosquitoes on the island, so it is worth avoiding clothing that leaves your legs bare, as well as very comfortable high-heeled shoes. In summer, be sure to stock up on mosquito repellent.

 

7. Lysa Hora

One of Kyiv's best-known places is Lysa Hora, shrouded in myths and scary stories. More frightening stories have been told about this place than about any other, and they not only fail to scare off curious tourists, but rather attract them with their mystery.

The legendary Lysa Hora is also called a “place of power” because it is considered popular among witches and sorcerers. Rumour has it that pagan rituals and witchcraft are constantly performed here.

Photo from zeft.in.ua

Lysa Hora is located near Vydubychi metro station. To the east it is bounded by Stolychne Highway, and to the north by Saperno-Slobidska Street. According to legend, pagan rituals were once held here, and a pagan sanctuary stood on the very meadow. According to psychics, this place has bad energy, but it does not scare away Satanists, pagans or nonconformists.

How to get there:

From Vydubychi metro station, you need to walk 5.5 km or get there by car.

 

8. Crane Cemetery

Kyiv is a city of new buildings, where the volume of construction is the largest in Ukraine. So it is not surprising that, as a result of the huge volume of construction, a place called the “Material Base of the Tower Crane Administration” appeared. Spare cranes in various conditions are brought here. Most of them are no longer used for construction and are left to rust, increasing the number of residents of the “metal cemetery.”

Photo from successful-city.com

The territory is closed, but you can ask security to let you in so you can take good industrial photos, provided safety rules are observed.

Address: Promyslova St., 7

How to get there:

Walk from Vydubychi metro station.

 

1. 9. The House with a Train Compartment
2.  

On Shovkovychna Street stands a small house that resembles a medieval palace. It was built in 1912 by the Ukrainian architect P. F. Aloshyn at the request of Councillor Kovalevskyi.

Photo from uk.wikipedia.org

The uniqueness of the two-story building with a corner tower lies in the fact that one of the rooms is designed like a train compartment. According to legend, it was in a train compartment that the owner of the house met his future wife, so one of the rooms is arranged as a reminder of that important fateful meeting.

Address: Shovkovychna St., 1/15

 

10. Ar-Rahma Mosque

Kyiv is home to many people of different nationalities. The number of Muslim residents reaches 250 thousand people. So it is not surprising that a real Muslim mosque — Ar-Rahma — appeared among the city's buildings. This is the first and largest mosque in Ukraine. It consists of three large halls that can accommodate up to 2000 people.

Photo from kievtime.com

Once you enter the complex, you find yourself in a real “Arabian fairy tale,” so in the photos it is hard to recognize even a fragment of Kyiv.

Address: Lukianivska St., 46