Kyiv

Kyiv, Ukraine

Golden domes and shimmering spires peek out from the wooded hills rising above the wide Dnipro River. Leafy-green Kyiv, with its traffic-packed boulevards, shopping malls, countless churches, brilliant music and lively nightlife, has embraced capitalism, yet held firmly to its heritage. The Caves Monastery is the spiritual heart of Ukraine, and nearby, a gigantic Brezhnev-era Motherland statue bearing sword and shield casts her all-encompassing eye over the city, the river, and its island beaches.

Population:

2.9 million

Currency:

1 Hryvnia = 100 kopiyka

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 102
Ambulance: 103
Fire Brigade: 101
European Emergency Number: 112

Opening Hours:

The general opening hours for shops are 10am-9pm every day, and often even longer for malls, although some shops close for lunch. Banking hours are usually 9am-5pm from Monday to Friday, and currency exchange kiosks (Obmin Valut) are open 9am-9pm daily. ATMs (Bankomats) can be found plentiful throughout the whole city.

Newspapers:

Kyiv Post
The Day
Mirror Weekly
The Ukrainian Weekly
What's On Kyiv

The City

Kyiv’s 1,500-year-old mix of fortunes rings out loudly from caves left by scholarly monks, the dazzling blue St Michael’s, distinctive buildings by Rastrelli – the darling architect of St Petersburg –, the art collected by pre-revolutionary sugar magnates and the Babi Yar massacre memorial. The Stalin Empire architecture, Chernobyl Museum and the proud Independence Square are all part of Kyiv's unique charm.

The changing eras left their clear marks on the city. The stately mansions of the Lypki district are now government buildings, and the Caves Monastery, parks and Soviet statues define ancient Pechersk. The Upper City has landmark churches, and Saint Sophia's Cathedral, the greatest one of all, was modeled on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Bohemian Andrew’s Descent delights as it winds down into 19th-century Podil, while a glance across the river offers a starkly contrasting view over the concrete forest of Soviet apartment blocks.

Kyiv’s music is unmissable, particularly the superb opera (and ballet!) at the Viennese-style Opera House. There is now an alternative music scene as well, which can be enjoyed in underground bars known to insiders only. Summertime is when street musicians create their art right at the city streets, filling the air with uplifting tunes and lovely melodies.

Do & See

Walking along Kyiv streets, one can witness many eras collide: Soviet architecture alongside orthodox cathedrals, and imperial palaces define the Ukrainian capital that has recently been shaken by quite a bit of political turmoil. Kyiv has now embraced modernity and has a lot to offer – its eclectic art and cultural scene can keep busy for days on end, so make sure to plan your route ahead.

Dining

Bread is central to Ukrainian food culture, and so is borshch, a hearty and red coloured soup with beetroot. However, other local specialties are varenyky (large stuffed dumplings that can be both savoury and sweet), holubtsi (meat and rice rolled in cabbage leaves and topped with tomato sauce) and pelmeny (meat filled ravioli). Kyiv’s cosmopolitan restaurants span multiple national borders, and the Japanese kitchen and fusion menus are the current big thing.

Cafes

Kyiv's cafe scene now boasts quite a few trendy places just like those you'd expect to find in hip neighborhoods of big European capitals. A finer, classical cafe experience awaits those who prefer a cup of coffee and slice of cake in a more sophisticated setting. From upscale to low-key, Kyiv has something to offer everyone.