Information about Kiev
Kiev is Ukraine’s capital and largest city, with a population of more than 3,000,000. Situated at the banks of River Dnieper, Kiev is said to let you walk through it without losing sight of shadow – that is how many its trees and forests are!
Though its history has been turbulent and unstable, each era has left its mark at the city’s architecture, people and energy, making them unique.At Kiev’s main districts, a bunch of modern buildings now start to emerge among the grey old ones. Kiev is the centre of the Ukrainian culture with museums, theatres, religious and historic buildings. A city that develops with a tremendous speed, it’s no wonder it already has so many loyal fans!
Airport
Kiev is served by two airports:
- The Boryspil airport, located 29 kilometres east of Kiev and accessible by bus and
- The Zhuliany airport, located a 5-minute walk from the Boryspil airport.
Getting around Kiev
Kiev’s public transportation system consists of metro, buses, trolleys, tramway and railway. Fares start at 1.50 hryvnia and minimum taxi fare is 20 hryvnia.
Kiev Guide
Kiev boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both of which are perfect for your sightseeing in the city.
- The Orthodox monastery Kiev Pechersk Lavra is famous for its high bell tower, visible from every part of the city, its church that was destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt and an extensive underground tunnel network housing a series of mummified saints.
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra was named one of the “Seven Wonders of Ukraine”, in 2007.
- The Cathedral of Saint Sophia and the buildings complex that surrounds it, the bell tower and the Metropolitan Seat.
Saint Andrew’s Church is another impressive religious building that decorates Kiev’s skyline; a baroque church topped with an enormous dome and five smaller ones, it’s possibly Kiev’s most well-known landmark.
Continue to the city’s museums, the most interesting of which are the following:
- The Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War that commemorates the 4-year patriotic war between the Germans and the Soviets, through 300 informative exhibitions
You cannot miss the statue of Mother Motherland, depicting a female fighter holding a sword and a shield, reaching a height of 102 metres!
- The Museum of Russian art, that houses the greatest Russian art collection outside Russia
- The The National Art Museum of Ukraine, housing excellent collections of antiques, works of art and historical artefacts, dedicated to the great history of Ukraine
- The Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art, with interesting art collections from the early 20th century.
To end your day in Kiev, walk across the river’s banks and explore the two botanical gardens of the city or stroll around one Kiev’s parks.
Kiev’s official language is Ukrainian, while many locals also speak Russian. English is not that common in Kiev, so a phrasebook with some basic Ukrainian vocabulary would be very handy.
- FOOD
- DRINKS
- COFFE
- ARTS
- OUTDOORS
- SIGHTS
