The Top 5 Things You NEED To Do In Kiev Are…

I was born in Kiev and I love my city very much. It’s so different. Kiev is peaceful during the day and it turns dynamic by night. It’s old and new.

My name is Katerina. I’m 29 years old, and I live in Kiev with my husband and our one-year-old daughter. My husband and I are co-owners of Kruk Garage, a small workshop that makes quality, handcrafted bags using 100% upcycled materials. I love traveling, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit quite a few countries. Exploring new places, cultures, nature, and enjoying great food is a passion of mine! I have a list of must-visit countries, and I hope to visit them with my husband and daughter.

I was born in Kiev and I love my city very much. It’s so different. Kiev is peaceful during the day and it turns dynamic by night. It’s old and new. When you explore the city you’ll discover a wonderful mix of buildings that may be hundreds of years old, as well as a variety of modern shopping malls and tall skyscrapers. There are so many wonderful places to visit in Kiev, so here are my top five favorite must-do’s in Kiev!

1. Explore Kiev’s historic district, Podol.

Podol is the historic (and oldest) district in Kiev and an absolute must-see! My favorite street is the renowned St. Andrew’s Descent (Andryivsky Uzviz); it connects upper Kiev with lower Kiev, and is well worth the stroll. If there’s one place to do all your shopping, then Podol is the best place to pick up some lovely souvenirs. There are so many art galleries, museums, and cafés on this street, and I love to walk here with my family. If you want to try delicious Ukrainian cuisine, I highly recommend that you visit Kanapa, where you can indulge in traditional dishes from a variety of different regions in Ukraine, but with a modernist twist.

2. Venture through the Park of Eternal Glory for amazing scenery.

The Park of Eternal Glory (Park Skavi) is a very nice place to embrace some quietude and rest, where you can take in marvelous views of nearby Dniepro River and beautiful surrounding Kiev hills. I love this park because it offers the best views of Kiev! It’s a wonderful park and my favorite place to take a stroll alone with a cup of coffee.

3. Enjoy a lovely stroll by Obolonska Quay.

Obolonska Quay is located far from many of Kiev’s central attractions and can be crowded most of the time, but it has its own special atmosphere with the Dniepro River, many restaurants, and sandy beaches situated nearby. It’s a great place for a lovely walk along the river, which is why I love this place because I always feel as if I’m on vacation every time I walk by there.

4. Visit one of Europe’s oldest universities, Kiev Polytechnic Institute.

Founded in 1898, Kiev Polytechnic Institute is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. Situated near the center of Kiev, it’s certainly worth a visit to see the spectacular architecture of its old university buildings, feel the vibrant energy of international student life or just to have a great time in a nice park located near the university. I personally love this place, especially for the park; here, I can walk around and feed squirrels, and they’re not afraid to take food right from my hands.

5. Check Out Kiev’s Hottest New Attraction, Art-Zavod Platforma.

The new must-see spot to hit up in Kiev is Art-Zavod Platforma. Covering an area of more than 120,000 square meters, there’s always something interesting happening here every weekend, from festivals and concert performances to events and art exhibitions. I love this place for its famous street food festivals, and it’s a great place to share some good times with friends. So be sure to check it out the next time you’re in Kiev!