11 Things to Do in Kiev in Two Days

Walking along Khreshchatyk

It may sound plain, but it is a must do thing: ​​everyone who comes to Kiev for the first time immediately and automatically goes there. Since the Revolution of Dignity, Khreshchatyk, Maidan and surrounding streets have been perceived somewhat differently, but have not become less important. In the heart of Kiev one finds the monument to Ukraine’s Independence, Main Post Office, the “winged” shopping center Globe; you will also see cheerful zebra people, trying to hand you a flyer or hug you despite all your objections. Nearby is the PinchukArtCentre (1/2 Basseinaya Street), the center of contemporary art of the capital. Howevber, we want to warn you at once – queues are always huge, so while waiting you can have a snack. For example, a shawarma in Bessarabka (in the market building) or famous perepichka (3 Khmelnitsky Street) that surprised everyone with its Instagram account.

Play chess with local grandmasters

The park opposite the red building of Shevchenko University (60 Vladimirskaya str.) is the embodiment of the carefree student life of Kiev. You can come here to listen to street musicians, dance, sit on a bench, but the main thing is this is the most famous place for Kiev chess fans. The season opens in the first warm days and lasts even in the winter, so you still have time to lose your 15 hryvnia when playing with the masters.

See the city at a height

In Kiev, there are many popular places to see the city’s districts at a height; we recommend the best of them. For example, two observation platforms (36 and 91 meters high) on Motherland Monument (24 Lavrskaya Street). Those who get to the platform on the shield will enjoy a magnificent view of the Lavra, the Dnieper and the rest of Kiev. But keep in mind that there is a strong wind and in bad weather, and in winter the upper platform usually does not work. There is also a beautiful view of Podol from Castle Hill (22B Andreevsky Descent), from Schekavitsa Hill (3 Nizhneurkovska street) or from the viewing platform of St. Andrew’s Church. To enjoy the classical panorama of the Dnieper go to  Vladimirskaya Gorka (1 Vladimirsky Descent), or to the platform next to the People’s Friendship Arch (next to the European Square) and the Glory Observation Park (15-a Lavrskaya Street).

Wander through bars and cafes

Recently, a lot of new places are opening in Kiev: mainly coffee shops and bars. To feel like a Kyivite, we advise you to visit the secret speakeasy bars. Coffee culture in the capital, same as the bar culture, is intensively developing, and coffee houses are in great demand. In such establishments great attention is paid to the quality of grains and the alternative process of drink production and serving.

Buy Kiev cake

Kiev cake is a real piece of local confectionery art and a permanent symbol of the city, along with chestnuts. For many years it was the main souvenir that tourists brought home to their relatives. The cake is baked according to a secret recipe. Although it is fatty and with margarine roses, everybody likes it, so it’s better to buy two or three at once. You can buy it in any supermarket: beware of counterfeits and check the expiration date.

Walk around Podil

If the heart of Kiev is Khreshchatyk, then its soul is Podol and Andreevsky Descent. Here you can meet a lot of hipsters, photographers, musicians and artists who sell their paintings. Be sure to go to the Bulgakov Museum or the Museum of one street (click here to read about other Kiev museums), and also admire the St. Andrew’s Church. You can also walk around Vozdvizhenka – a window to Europe. These are elite part of the city with bright offices and residential buildings; the area is one of the favorite for Kiev and instagrammers and visitors. On weekends in the warm season, they hold fairs, flea markets and picnics there.

Find crazy Kiev balconies

Do not be afraid to study the Kiev yards and go away from the main streets. You can find a lot of interesting there. For example, Kiev balconies. Old or renovated, in historical or in new buildings, with flowers or with wet underwear – they have all become an unofficial symbol of the city. A separate item to mention is unpleasant specimens, covered with white plastic lining, but this is certainly not a cause for pride.

See lots of temples and architectural monuments

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia and St. Michael’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church – even if you are not religious, these sights are worth visiting for their architecture and for overall development. In case of Lavra, it is worth visiting to get acquainted with the latest innovations in the car industry, if you understand what we are talking about. Nearby there is the Mystetsky Arsenal (10-12Lavrskaya Street), where the largest cultural events are held. We also advise you to have a look at the Golden Gate at least once (40A Vladimirskaya str.) – one of the few buildings of Kievan Rus that have survived to the present day. Spoiler: they are not gold at all.

Take Kiev tram and cable car

No doubt, the Kiev funicular (the lower metro station – Pochtovaya Ploshchad, the upper station – Trehsvyatitelskaya Street) is the most famous and legendary transport in the city. Today it enjoys great popularity among the guests of the capital. For them, it is not a transport, but a real attraction that makes it possible to get from Podol to the center of Kiev in three minutes and enjoy the panorama (if you take seats at the front or rear windows). To leave from the bustling city center for a quiet paradise, take tram No. 12 on Kontraktova Square. In just half an hour you will find yourself in a forest in Pushcha-Voditsa, enjoying the scents of shish kebab; on your way you will be fascinated the most beautiful road in the forest. The main thing is not to get carried away and catch a return tram before 11pm.

Wander through the parks or the Botanical Garden

Landscape alley, Khreschatyi, Mariinsky and Holosiivsky parks, botanical gardens named after Fomin and Grishko and, of course, VDNKh: here there is no habitual bustle of a metropolis, therefore it is pleasant to walk at any time of the year. We advise doing this with a cup of good coffee. Do not forget about Truhanov Island. In the afternoon, before it gets very cold, there is a lot of entertainment: rope jumping, rope park, paintball, football and volleyball fields, bicycle paths and many other activities. Walking to Truhanov Island on the footbridge you can see a beautiful sunset – a view of Kiev and the Dnieper is truly excellent. During the warm, season there are night parties on the island.

Go to techno-party or concert

The nightlife is stormy not only in Berlin. Today the world press writes a lot about such Kiev parties, as Scheme and Rhythm Büro. In early 2017, the popular music portal Electronic Beats included Kiev in the top ten destinations for techno fans. Rave parties in our country have really succeeded lately. And if it works out, you can even go to some worthy concert: the world stars visit our country more and more willingly.

The best places with techno music are the Closer nightclub and Horoscho.Vsegda Bar. You will find quite a lot of information about the first one; however, the second one, Horoscho.Vsegda Bar, opened recently in 2017. This is a bar and electronic music club, aimed at restoring that special atmosphere – to make it always feel perfect.

We offer private sightseeing tours around Kiev:

• Kiev General Tour – the best start to get to know the city, for those who is here for the first time.
• Kiev Pechersk Lavra – the must-see sight of Kiev, the first monastery of Kyiv, full of legends.
• World War II Tour – the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War with 102 meters high Motherland Monument.
• Gastro Tour – for foodies who are interested in Ukrainian cuisine.
• Full day Tour – a mix of Old Town, Kiev Pechersk Lavra and the Museum of War.
• Mezhyhirya Tour – tour out of the city. New outstanding attraction and the symbol of corruption.
• Podil Tour – mysterious and cozy tour for those who like cute paths and old buildings.
• Street Art Tour – if you want to look at Kiev from a different angle.
• Kiev Bar Crawl – the best option for partygoers, because our beautiful lady guide will bring you to the hot spots of Kiev nightlife.

Contact Guide me UA to order private city tours in Kiev:

• +380 66 067 90 89 WhatsApp, Viber, SMS, Calls
• info@guideme.com.ua
• Skype: Guide me UA
• www.guideme.com.ua

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