Top Things to do in Mykolayiv
The 10 Best Things to Do in Mykolayiv, Ukraine
Discover the best top things to do in Mykolayiv, Ukraine including Nikolaev Zoo, Skazka Children Park City, The Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet, Mykolayiv Oblast Local History Museum, Monument to Shipbuilders, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vereshchagin Art Museum, Nikolaev Observatory, Flotskiy Boulevard, Monument to St. Nicholas.
Restaurants in Mykolayiv
1. Nikolaev Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Orwe
The perfect zoo - one of the oldest at Ukraine and very well organized.
I've been there several times and every time enjoyed the visit. There are so much animals that was hard to plan the walk not to miss something interesting.
There is a special aviary for orangutans - and I've seen by myself that they are able to make tools - just like a pre-history man did.
Also there is a giant crocodile - very impressive as you see it from a couple of meters.
Highly recommend to visit.
2. Skazka Children Park City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Orwe
This place seems to be smaller outside but contains lots of entertainments.
It's very quiet and not easy to find if you don't know where to go.
It's mostly suitable for little children but teens and adults also may find something interesting for them - shooting stand, Soviet arcades (all of them working - find the Amphitheater and go to the door in the deep), comic mirrors etc.
Perfect place just to seat and relax.
The Ship in the center is the exact copy of the ship first built on Mykolaiv shipyard (18 century).
No alcohol. No smoking.
3. The Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Cora_v - Kyiv
This is nearly the best museum in Mykolaiv and the only of this kind in Ukraine. So it is definitely worth visiting if you happen to be in Mykolaiv.
If you travel with kids, they are going to love it, too. Various models of ships and arms collection would be particularly fascinating for them, I believe. There’s also an open air arms exhibition in front of the right wing of the museum, in a small garden.
The museum is large, and the exhibition is huge, versatile and consistent. It represents the entire history of ship-building in the area, from the early navigation attempts in ancient Rus through Tsarism and Soviet era up to the independent Ukraine (which seems to sadly be marked with the decline of the industry).
I could wander around it for hours, especially that there weren’t (alas!) too many other visitors, so the access to all exhibits was easy.
The museum attendants left very positive impressions: pleasant, caring, not indifferent to what they do. Many of them invited my attention to the best exhibits in their halls as I entered.
In July 2012 the entrance was UAH 15 (ca US$ 1.85) only. Photography was allowed inside. There’s no café or restaurant or souvenir shop, and the only available information about the museum is limited to small leaflets in colour.
4. Mykolayiv Oblast Local History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By RomkaN - Ghent, Belgium
Just a 10 minute walk from the Sovetskaya street, the "Old Fleet Barracks" (as Mykolayiv Regional Museum of Local History is also called) is the place to be to get acquainted with the history of the city and the area around it. The museum has recently moved to this spacious, newly restored building, where local history is presented in several thematic rooms. The presentation of the South-Ukrainian geology, flora and fauna is followed by successive historical periods, such as the Ancient Greek colonization, early Slavic settlements, the Middle Ages and the Cossack era, the founding of the city of Mykolayiv as a shipbuilding wharf in the late 18th century and its further development in the 19th century, as well as the turbulent events of the 20th century (WWI, early Soviet era and collectivization, WWII, late Soviet era and young independence). Each period is illustrated by historical objects and archeological artifacts, as well as by art objects of the period and by reconstructions and recreations of daily life scenes on several stands. My personal favourite was the room dedicated to the multi-ethnic background of the city, with costumes and daily life objects of the main ethnic groups in the region (Ukrainians, Russians, Germans, Jews, Ploles,...) on display.
Try to take along someone who speaks Russian (if you don't yourself) to translate the basic info for you, as there are no signs or explanations in English, but even without this extra info the actual historical objects are fascinating to see in real life and the Exhibitions are pretty colourful and visually attractive (one feels that the museum staff has put a lot of effort to bring history to life and to make their museum appealing). A definite recommendation to everyone ;)
5. Monument to Shipbuilders
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Quest42n8 - Owings Mills, Maryland
A small park with this massive statue. It is the meeting point for many people visiting. It is located right next to the McDonalds and at the head of the main pedestrian street in Nikolaev! Hotels, restaurants and shops with street sellers and performers.
An impressive statue.
6. St. Joseph Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Eva J - Kiev, Ukraine
The Wikipedia link tripadvisor has is not for this church.
This is a Polish Catholic Church, or at least I'm guessing that since I saw signage in polish in the church.
The interior is relatively simple, with simple stained glass windows. The windows are made of color blocks, through which sunlight comes, making the interior of the church really cozy and beautiful.
7. Vereshchagin Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By RomkaN - Ghent, Belgium
I've visited the place a couple of times and always during quiet days, when it seemed as if I was the only visitor there - a bit awkward at first, but once I got over that, I was able to fully enjoy the art without being disturbed.
The collection consists mostly out of local (Russian and Ukranian) art, with a rather strong emphasis on the XIX century painting, but there is also a Western art and a religius art section. The painting of Vasily Vereshchagin, in whose honour the museum is named, is also well presented and several fascinating pictures depict exotic locations and military scenes. Also, there seem to be regular Exhibitions by more contemporary local (Mykolayiv and Ukranian) artists and photographers, or thematical Exhibitions of historical artifacts.
In short, if you're visiting Mykolayiv and you're up for some culture, do pay a visit to this place - you might see something interesting, and for just a euro or two you'd be supporting a local art centre ;)
8. Nikolaev Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
9. Flotskiy Boulevard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By VerunSha - Kiev, Ukraine
Флотский бульвар - излюбленное место отдыха горожан. Он состоит из аллей, засаженных липами и акациями, здесь открывается красивый вид на реку Ингул и лиман. От бульвара ведет лестница, которая спускается к Ингулу, где некогда прошел броненосец "Потемкин". Кстати, знаменитый корабль был построен именно здесь, в Николаеве.
10. Monument to St. Nicholas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Sergio T - Milan, Italy
the monument itself is not impressiv but the park surrounding it gives you a good idea of how people spend part of their free time. On weekends you see older people pleying chess which is an unusual sight in Europe or USA. During workdays you can see schoolkids with their teachers sitting on the benches.
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