Kiev City Break tourist attractions

Popular sites, hotspots, landmarks & sight seeing in Kiev

“Kiev is ripe for adventurous city-breakers”
(The Sunday Times)

Exclusively throughout the year, Vamos Travel can arrange private guided city tours, which can range from 2 – 5 hours. If you would like a private guide at your disposal, to gain a deeper insight into Kyiv and to guarantee a fabulous sightseeing adventure then we suggest you add this to your enquiry form and contact Vamos Travel today.

Kiev’s most historical street is Andriyivsky Uzviz, or St Andrew’s Descent and it is one of the most visited streets in the capital. No short weekend break of Kiev will be complete, without walking along this ancient and winding stone street. Historically, the Andriyinsky Descent connected the governmental part of the Upper City with the Podil, the Lower City of merchants. Today, Kyiv tourists will find the streets aligned with shops & galleries and it is a favourite place to pick up traditional gifts and holiday souvenirs. The Andriyinsky Descent is always thriving with activity and will be a real joy to explore. It’s definitely the right place to discover a deeper insight to Kyiv’s culture and historical roots. If you’re lucky, you’re short break to Kiev, will coincide with an open air concert or street festival. Our little Kyiv city break tip, is to take the cable car at the bottom of the hill, to save time and energy. Once at the top, don’t miss St Andrew’s Cathedral, one of the capital’s major tourist attractions. Andriyivsky Uzviz binds the past and the future, we highly recommend this landmark to be a priority travel discovery in Ukraine.

One historical stop is Babi Yar, the memorial to Kiev's Jews and other Ukrainians who were slaughtered by the Nazis during World War II. Babi Yar is an enormous ravine, where the Nazis systematically slaughtered an estimated 100,000 people. Small groups were taken to Babi Yar and were forced to line up along the ravine edge, overlooking a see of bodies. Nazi soldiers coldly used a machine gun to kill them and as they were shot, they fell into the ravine. Tourists and locals come to pay their respects at the memorial and to wander around Babi Yar Park.

The Chernobyl Museum is well worth a visit, when visiting Kiev on a city break. Although this nuclear disaster is alarming to remember, it is nether the less a fascinating museum to grasp the facts of this terrible event. The informative chronological exhibits are done with style and compassion, using picture displays, actual equipment and even an electronic display depicting the explosion. We highly recommend you take a look at this museum and grasp the real facts and realities of this horrific event. Please note the Chernobyl charities link at the top of the page – please take a look – let us help these children as much as we can.

In the centre of the old town, stands the Golden Gate, a structure which dates back to 11th century. This recently refurbished fortification defined the western limits of the city in centuries past and is one of the most important ancient structures of Ukraine’s past and is an essential must-see, if only on a short break stay in Kyiv. The Golden Gate is one of Kiev’s key holiday attractions, as it used to be one of the most important structures of the city. It was originally built by prince Yaroslavl the Wise in 1037 and served to protect the city from foreign invaders. The gate was destroyed during the Batyi Khan's invasion and was not fully brought to life until 1983. Today, there is a great museum and all Kiev city breaks clients staying in Ukraine should visit this landmark.

The House with chimeras is one of the most unique built houses in the world and certainly has the most unusual shape in Kyiv. The building was designed by architect Gorodetskiy in 1902 and was one of the first houses in the capital to be built in cement. It’s an extraordinary building because of its highly imaginative & intricate façade, which is decorated with all kinds of exotic animals crawling on the walls that moodily stare at people passing by. Every angle of the building conjurors a different artistic impression and is truly one of the most special places to find in Ukraine, a real tourism treat. The House with chimeras is a fantasy palace and medieval mansion rolled into one. Come here on your sightseeing explorations and let your imagination run wild. Where else in the world can you see a house decorated in fantasy creatures, reptiles, and wild animals. The House with chimeras is a tourist landmark, that can’t be overlooked during your stay.

Independence square, the ‘Maidan Nezalezhnosti’ was famed for the Orange Revolution of 2004-05, where protests were made as a response to Political corruption & Electoral fraud. Interestingly, the revolutionary graffiti on the wall of the main post office has been covered with perspex to remember this significant chapter in history. Independence square, is the most important & the most beautiful square in Kyiv and is an excellent place to begin an holiday exploration of the Ukraine capital. The square itself has many nice attractions from the Independency Column and the ‘Friendship of Nations’ fountain to many shops and vibrant café restaurants. It’s the heart of the capital, a loved centre for public gatherings, national holiday celebrations and cultural festivals. Independence square is an important Kiev short break landmark, never failing to impress tourists and should be firmly marked for a visit. Other squares of touristic interest are Sophiyivska Square, European square and Bessarabska Square, which is where the central covered market is located, for those interested in purchasing some inexpensive caviar. Roam around these squares, soak up the atmosphere and befriend the locals. It will be an experience you’ll remember forever.

The cities main thoroughfare is the Khreschatik Boulevard. It is the most well known street in Ukraine and can’t possibly be missed on your city excursions. Visitors in Kyiv can reach the Khreschatik Boulevard via two metro stations, the Blue line will take you to Maidan Nezalezhnosti Metro Station and the Red line will take you to the Khreschatik Metro Station. The Khreschatik is a grand eight lane wide, tree lined boulevard and to the delight of people on a Kyiv weekend breaks holiday, the road is made into a pedestrian precinct on the weekends. As the boulevard is closed to traffic throughout the entire weekend, one can leisurely stroll down one of the most impressive streets in Europe, being able to soak up the atmosphere and marvel at the imposing Stalinist architecture that flanks both sides. The Khreschatik Boulevard is a very exciting place to visit, full of activity, aligned with boutiques, cafes and offices. Locals, expats and tourists come to this beautiful boulevard to relax and enjoy the sociable surroundings. The Khreschatik is always a source of vibrant entertainment, whether people watching or enjoying street performers & concerts. Many interesting Ukraine city breaks attractions spring from the Khreschatik, most of which are excellent excursions. The Khreschatik Boulevard connects to Lenin Komsomol, where one can view the Statue of Lenin, it also connects to the very famous Independence square, which is famed for the Orange Revolution. Other major Ukraine short break landmarks, are the Bessarabskiy Indoor Market and the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts.

On a hill overlooking the river, south of the city centre, is the Holy Assumption Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, also referred to as the Monastery of Caves. Founded in 1051, it is the oldest Orthodox monastery of Old Rus & Ukraine and is a major spiritual centre of the Ukraine nation. On the UNESCO list of Monuments of World Heritage, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a spectacular 11th century monastery, with a varied ensemble of tourist attractions & ancient monuments. Here guests will be dazzled by the beautiful domed buildings, catacombs, interesting museum collections and the 95m high bell tower and where one can enjoy panoramic views over the city, ideal for those postcard perfect photographs, to bore family and friends about your Ukraine holiday city excursions. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, is how it got the name ‘Pechersk’ or caves. Below the Lavra grounds, are many caves, where historically monks prayed & lived and later used as burial places. The unique geological structure of the soil and constant temperature resulted in the natural mummification of some of the remains. There are 75 burial niches in the caves, including the remains of saints and political leaders. In the Near Caves three crypt churches have been preserved and can be viewed by keen explorers. Besides these amazing relics, the Cave Monastery contains many examples of architecture and fortification structures from 1698 - 1701. The collection of Scythian Gold from various periods of history are also on display at the Monastery and is a must see. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra draws millions of tourists from across the globe and we can’t stress enough that this is one of the delights of visting Kyiv and really shouldn’t be missed. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a fascinating tourist site and we’d highly recommend a tour.

The Mariyinsky Palace was built in the middle of the 18th century by Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the baroque style and at present is the residence for the Ukraine president’s ceremonial purposes. The palace was originally built for Empress Elizabeth in 1755 and it is connected to the Ukraine Parliament, the sole body of legislative power in Ukraine.

On Mikhailovskaya Square, close to St Sophia cathedral is the golden domed Mikhailovskiy Monastery. Although, throughout the course of history, the monastery has been rebuilt and renovated on numerous occasions, the seven gold painted domes are still one of the most beautiful permanent exhibitions of Kiev’s amazing architecture. Inside the monastery, many beautiful mosaics and statues can be seen and there is an observation platform, to take some memorable holiday pictures. Simply, you can not possibly afford to miss the Mikhailovskiy Monastery. You will be delighted to have seen this remarkable piece of architecture during your Kiev short break. Make it part of you wonderful travel experience in Ukraine.

The National Opera house is a beautiful building and whether considering booking theatre opera tickets or not, it is a place worth investigating. The exterior is very beautiful and its interiors are even more impressive. Compared to western prices, even the best category seats for operas and ballets in Kiev, are extremely cheap and will be a massive holiday saving. The Operas are world class and the ballet productions are world renowned. If you have a passion for opera & ballet, then please contact us and we can arrange your opera holiday around performance schedules. Speak to our opera specialist today at Vamos Travel.

Away from the old town, along the river is the Pechersk district, which is one of the most prestigious districts in the nation’s capital. The Pechersk district is a cultural & spiritual area and is home to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The Ukraine parliament, presidents offices and many important administrative buildings are located in Pechersk. Not surprisingly, some of Kiev’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods are to be found within this district. Interestingly, it was in Pechersk that the first Red Light District appeared in the 18th century but is no longer and today it is the historic religious centre of the capital and a huge hot spot for tourists site seeing. People come here to enjoy leisurely strolls, escape the summer heat under the tree lined streets and to discover off the beaten track city sights, which aren’t on the tourist map.

From the Old Town, it’s well worth walking towards the Podil district, along Kiev’s famous cobblestoned street, Andriyivsky Uzviz. On route to Kyiv’s historic merchant quarter and river port, Guests can find many galleries, souvenir stalls and local artists along the ancient road decent. Several slopes run from the Upper City to the Podil, but the Andriyivsky Uzviz is the most popular and the recommended street to take whilst on a Ukraine weekend break. Podol district has a great atmosphere, a mixture of bars, cafes and restaurants that are all very close to the river and cultural city attractions. Highlights are; the drugstore museum, the baroque style Pokrovska Church and the Church of St. Nicolas.

One of the most popular city sights you can possibly find in Kiev is the ‘Rodina Mat’ statue. It stands 68m tall, on a 40m base and weighs over 500 tons. This gigantic statue of the Mother land, is quite incredible to see and although it’s not loved by the Ukrainian locals (the statue holds the USSR symbol), it is loved by discerning holiday travelers.

St Andrew’s Church is a major religious building that must be visited. It was built from the blue prints of Bartholomew Rasterelli in 1744 and is said to stand on a spot associated with legends. The church was built for the Russian Empress and historically, she herself, laid the first symbolic brick of the new palace and church. The churches large dome & five smaller cupolas are a very impressive sight, but where the exterior is undeniably beautiful, the interior is quite a let down and really isn’t worth investigating. However, all in all, St Andrew’s Church has a majestic beauty and historical aura, that is hard to be rivaled in Kiev. St Andrew’s church, remains to be a must-see place to be seen – don’t miss it.

St Michael's cathedral has been one of the jewels of Kiev’s architecture since the 12th century. It was originally built by Prince Sviatopolk in 1108, but was destroyed by the Soviet regime in 1934-35. Following Ukraine's independence in 1991, St Michael's was rebuilt and amazingly, it was reconstructed from scratch in less than two years. It’s decorated with gold inside and out and in wedding cake-icing blue and white paint. The cathedral with its beautiful blue colour and glittering golden domes is especially stunning on a sunny day. For those who like the ‘off the beaten track’ types sites, you might find this sight of great value.

The Old Town of Kiev hosts a number of historical landmarks and is within easy walking distance of from the centre of the capital. The most famous attraction has to be to Kiev’s oldest standing church, St Sophia Cathedral, which is an architectural masterpiece that will impress any Kiev city break visitor. This is a very popular attraction, we recommend a visit. It was built by Prince Yaroslav in the first half of the 11th Century. It is an incredible building that is impeccably preserved and displays beautiful mosaics and frescoes inside. St Sophia is rightfully considered as a National treasure of Ukraine and is protected under UNESCO for being one of the ancient buildings of Eastern Christendom. St Sophia Cathedrals green and gold cupolas are one of the most commonly seen images of Kiev, so don’t miss the opportunity, to view them in the flesh and touch another part of the Ukraine’s spectacular religious heritage.

Other points of interest for visitotrs is the magnificent St Vladimir's Cathedral and its triple navel, seven-cupola cathedral built in 1882 in the neo Byzantine style. It is the Seat of the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchy and it houses rare & valuable paintings as well as the superb cathedral choir. Without a doubt, it is important on Kiev holidays, to visit St Vladimir's, as it is one of the best 19th century Orthodox churches to have been built. The St Vladimir's Cathedral is dramatically beautiful, with a splendid interior, full of paintings and mosaics created by masters from Russia and Venice. This Cathedral is a must see tourist attraction and most visitors believe it is on par with St Isaac’s in St. Petersburg and the Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

One of the main places to visit in Kiev is Vladimirskaya Gorka (hill), where from the top onecan have exquisite views over the Podol district and enjoy scenic views of the Dnieper River. On the hills summit, you’ll find the famous monument to Prince Vladimir, which was erected there in 1853. This bronze statue of Prince Vladimir, can be seen from miles around and is one of the major symbols of the Ukrainian capital. We suggest to anybody taking a city break in Kiev, to come to Vladimirskaya Gorka and enjoy the attractive landscapes. Many people believe that this area has a unique energy source, which can rejuvenate the soul. We suggest you find out for yourselves and visit this sacred place in Kyiv and make it part of one of the most memorable city break holidays you’ll ever experience in Eastern Europe.

Another major Kyiv holidays attraction is the main promenade, called the Vulitsya Khreshchatyk. This promenade is full of life and atmosphere, aligned with boutiques, local shops and cafes. As you walk down this wonderful through fare, you can admire the impressive architecture, the lovely fountains and enjoy being surrounded by the famous Kiev chestnut trees.