Here are 10 ideas on what to do in Kyiv:
1. Visit St. Sophia and St. Michael Cathedral
There are about 200 Orthodox churches in Kyiv and, of course, there is no point of visiting them all. I personally would recommend visiting St. Sophia Cathedral and St. Michael Cathedral, which are both located in the city centre. St. Sophia Cathedral used to be a church, but it became a museum in 1934, and St. Michael Cathedral is an acting church. The interior is different in both cathedrals, as St. Sophia Cathedral was built in the 11th century and has never been ruined since then, while St. Michael Cathedral was totally destroyed in 1937 and the new building arised in 1998.
2. Find Out About the Revolution of Dignity 2014
If you learn about our last revolution, it will be easier to understand the modern history of Ukraine. By modern history, I mean the beginning of Ukrainian independence in 1991. Unlike some developed countries, Ukraine is a new democracy and it is quite a unique thing to learn about. The easiest way to find out about it is to visit an exhibition centre of Revolution of Dignity, have a look at the artifacts of the revolution and ask for a tour. The admission to this centre is free of charge and guides there will be more than happy to make a tour for you.
3. Rent a Bike in Mezhyhirya
Locals in Kyiv never really heard much about Mezhyhirya residence before 2014, which was literally hidden out of people's eyes guarded with a high fence. After Viktor Yanukovich left Ukraine, our community received a huge luxurious park outside of Kyiv and a Museum of Corruption. It indeed has a historical meaning of being the first abandoned residence in Ukraine. It also serves as a visual representation of the severe results of corruption. Nevertheless, it is a great park with a lakeshore, where you can rent a bike, have a picnic in the field and enjoy the weather. So, I would strongly recommend travelling there, especially during the warm season. Keep in mind that it is better to have half of the day reserved for this trip because the park is situated outside of Kyiv.
4. Drink Coffee Next to St. Nicholas Cathedral
Apart from Orthodox Churches, Kyiv also has Orthodox Cathedrals, and St. Nicholas Cathedral is the most beautiful of them. This cathedral was built by famous Ukrainian architect Wladyslaw Horodecki. Although it is not possible to go inside the cathedral, unless you are attending an organ music concert, you can still enjoy sitting in the coffee house called "One Love Coffee", located on the other side of the street. Do not forget to take a picture with the cathedral in the background and enjoy the coffee!
5. Buy a Souvenir on Andrew's Descent
Andrew's Descent is a street in a historic part of Kyiv, which is known to be home for local artists and merchants. You will find lots of things there, starting from paintings, old cameras, sunglasses and many other things. So, if you collect antiques or want to buy souvenirs, you should definitely go there. Even if you do not plan to purchase anything, it is still an interesting place to check. A little tip for you - usually the price is negotiable!
6. Explore Ukrainian Visual Art at the National Art Gallery
The National Art Gallery is the main art gallery in Kyiv. The first floor consists of a permanent exhibition of Ukrainian art from 11th to 18th century. Exhibition at the second floor changes over time. Most of the last temporary exhibitions were about Ukrainian art of the 20th century. The reason behind it is that during the Soviet era, most of the artists were banned, so the museum is reviving their works. Hence, take an hour of your time and wander around this gallery. You will not regret it!
7. Make a Tour Through Kyiv's 1€ Bars
The name of these bars speaks for themselves - the main drinks there cost around 1€. These bars are in the city centre and they serve mostly tinctures and ciders. The best way to start the tour is to have a cherry tincture at Drunk Cherry near Independence Square and continue with visiting Mushlya, Bilyy Nalyv and Rozkovbas on Khreshchatyk street. It is a great way to explore the city centre and also experience the vibe of the city.
8. Eat Traditional Food at One of the Ukrainian Restaurants
Maybe if you hear the word "restaurant", it might imply that it is expensive. But most of the Ukrainian restaurants are not expensive. For instance, a proper lunch with a three-course meal will cost you around $15. So, do go to a traditional restaurant and try Ukrainian food. I strongly recommend trying such dishes as Varenyky, Borshch, Potato pancakes, Salo, Stuffed cabbage rolls and Chicken Kyiv. Top restaurants in the city centre are The Last Barricade, Kanapa, Pervak, and Spotykach.
9. Try to Understand Modern Art in PinchukArtCenter
PinchukArt Center is a modern art centre, which exhibits works of Ukrainian and foreign artists. There is no entrance fee and once you have seen the exhibition, go up to the 6th floor and have a coffee with a nice view of Bessarabian Market.
10. Book a Local Guide!
Kyiv is not as open for tourists as some other European capitals, which has its pros and cons. The good thing is that it is not so touristy and guests admit that. The bad thing is that we do not always have signs in English or people at the shops might not speak good English, so sometimes it might get complicated for guests. For this reason, I recommend booking a Kyiv tour guide. It will make your life easier and you will most probably gain a new friend.
So, come to Kyiv and explore it!