City: Kiev
Top Things to do in Kiev
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Kiev, Ukraine
Having survived the Mongol Empire, WWII, Chernobyl, and Soviet rule, Kiev is the proud capital of the Ukraine. Filled with theaters, museums, religious sites, modern buildings and ancient ruins, the city of Kiev is the center of Ukrainian culture. The Monastery of the Caves, founded in 1015, and Saint Sophia Cathedral, founded in 1037, are both World Heritage Sites. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War, topped by the massive Motherland Statue, provides gorgeous views of the city below.
Restaurants in Kiev
1. St. Cyril's Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By jamesgN5262FD
It's a bit far from central Kiev, but can be reached through a walk through Babi Yar. Babi Yar is a beautiful park with a dark history. It's about a 30min walk through the park from metro to St Cyril's. Make sure you find the correct entrance - just walk around the wall until you find it, it's there. The frescos are absolutely amazing and vividly colored. You cab even go to the choir balcony and look down. There is a particularly moving fresco up there of the transmission of the holy ghost. The cashier lady was kind and spoke English. The attendant inside did not speak English, but was very helpful and turned all these lights on to help better see the frescos.
2. Panikovski Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By P_i_a_B_zov - Seattle, United States
It would mean nothing to you unless you read Golden Calf book, or at least watch a movie. There are good subtitles available in English (including subtle humour translation) and you would learn a lot about former USSR early years
3. Vydubychi Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By brienanni - Kita, Mali
As written in other reviews, this is a great place for a quiet spiritual experience. Unlike I read in many reviews, the monastery is easily reached from the Druzhby Narodiy metro station. No need to walk along the high way, the botanical garden is 10 minutes from the metro station and leads you right into the monastery. There is a 50 hryvnia entrance fee for the botanical garden, which is worth, it's really nice and has a small church itself that you can visit before arriving at the monastery.
4. St. Pantheleimon Nunnery – Feofania
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Kyle_from_Colorado - Denver, United States
I visited Saint Pantheleimon’s after missing out on previous trips to Kyiv. It was beautiful and I’m glad I made the trip. The church is unique and beautiful, great for photos especially if you have the contrast of a blue sky. No photos inside though! The convent borders Feofaniya Park and you can make a nice outing by visiting both but it would involve a fair amount of walking. When I visited a footpath was open between the two. You can easily reach the convent by transit and a short walk if you use google maps. If you’re coming from the center, take the blue line to Ipodrom station and then make your bus transfer about 50-100m down the road. Google will tell you which bus line to look for.
5. Saint Sophia Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,278 reviews
The cathedral was built over nine centuries and is a great example of Byzantine and Ukrainian Baroque architecture. The interior contains mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century.
6. The Holy Dormition Kyiv Caves Lavra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,739 reviews
Built by Kiev monks back in 1051, this striking building is the most holy place in the Ukraine. The caves on the property serve as burial grounds for monks.
Reviewed By timfH8872SN - Alpharetta, United States
This is not just a nice old cathedral. This is a HUGE complex of several cathedrals, chapels, dormitories for monks, and CAVES !! It's actually called the Monastery above the caves. It's about 1,000 years old, started by a couple of monks who lived in the caves along the Dnipro river, and it grew into this HUGE monastery complex that will take you ALL DAY to walk around and still only see half of it ! You can even go through tours of the many caves that are under it, where the monks used to live and do whatever monks do. The Cathedrals are ornate beyond belief....the carvings, the gold leaf, the size.....is incredible and breathtaking. I wasn't really excited about going to it, but my friend insisted, and I am very happy I went. It is called the Vatican of Eastern Europe, but I think it is bigger ! You won't believe this place. It is not boring. We saw a wedding being performed, monks walking around, etc. Also, the cafe is nice and a good place to try some authentic Borscht.
7. Babi Yar Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By macsterling - Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine
Absolutely worth a visit. Unbelievable to imagine the horrors that took place at this park in Kyiv during WWII. Parking was relatively easy and there is a metro stop nearby.
8. Rodina Mat (Motherland)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,107 reviews
Reviewed By UKRob - Lingfield, United Kingdom
Take a walk passed all the Soviet era military vehicles to this huge impressive statue. The second World Monuments next to the statue are impressive.
9. Andreyevskiy Spusk
10. Khreshchatyk
TAGS
