Kiev is a colorful city. The weather was pleasant and I enjoyed my stay in Kiev. Although most people heard of Ukraine for the wrong reasons (eg. Chernobyl disaster, Euromaidan, eastern Ukraine crisis, MH17 plane crash), its capital Kiev has a lot to offer tourism wise. Now is the best time to visit Ukraine since the local currency, Ukrainian Hryvnia, is at all time low since 2015.
I flied from Baku to Kiev by Ukraine International Airlines. It’s the flag carrier and largest airline of Ukraine. Malaysians and many other nationality can get a visa on arrival. But it’s advisable to fill in the form online and print it out to save time. Even then, it still took around 30 minutes for the visa for 4 passports to be ready. As a result, I had to collect my checked in luggage in a special area. For more info, visit the consular website: http://mfa.gov.ua/en/consular-affairs/entering-ukraine/visa-boryspil
There are two passengers airport in Kiev. My flight stopped at the Boryspil International Airport. The other airport is Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) which is smaller and mainly used by budget airlines. My tour guide, Iryna picked me up from the airport and started the tour. This is the most convenient way since I don’t need to worry about transport from the airport and I can leave my luggage inside the car and only check in to the hotel after my tour ended.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or bus to get to the city. The bus terminates at Kiev Train Station (next to Vokzalna Metro Station) and stops at Kharkivska Metro Station on the way. If you take a bus, you’ll most likely need to hop on the Metro and get to the nearest Metro station near your hotel since Kiev Train Station isn’t really near any of the major hotels.
Once you are in the city, the main mode of public transport is Kiev Metro system. There are currently 3 Metro lines – Red, Blue and Green. I have not taken the Metro in Kiev before since my tour covered most of the place of interest and St. Sophia Cathedral is within walking distance from my hotel. But I know the Metro connects to most of the attractions.
The hotel I chose to stay is Hotel Ukraine which is located on the top of a small hill overlooking Independence Square and Khreschatyk. Check latest hotel room rates at Agoda, Booking.com or Expedia. Hotel official website: http://www.ukraine-hotel.kiev.ua/en
The hotel room is comfortable and clean. Baby crib was also provided upon request. However, the lift is a bit dated. Instead of pushing the button once, you need to push the button of each lift.
The breakfast dining hall of the hotel has a stunning view of Independence Square but the seats are quickly filled.
Food wise, I wanted to try traditional Ukrainian food. My tour guide brought me to a restaurant nearby the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
Even the waitress wore traditional Ukrainian clothes.
The environment was great.
My tour guide recommended Borshch, vegetable soup made out of beet root. It may include meat, in this instance, pork was added. The white roll at the side were actually pork fat.
Another dish I tried was the meat wrapped with cabbage. Both were quite delicious but it’s a bit pricey.
This is another restaurant where I tried another famous dish, Chicken Kiev. It is aptly named “Chicken Kyiv”. It is located at the Khreshchatyk Street and easily recognizable with its green bell shape umbrella. Website of the restaurant: http://borysov.com.ua/en/chicken-kyiv
Interior of the restaurant is classy but the price of the food is quite reasonable.
It’s stuffed chicken breast, either fried or baked. I’ve tried both and I preferred the baked one. I really enjoyed the meal.
After we had our dinner, the staff was kind enough to give my eldest son a candy treat.
Kiev is an old city. The city’s age is more than 1,500 years. There are many interesting attractions to see in Kiev.
First place I visited was the Motherland Monument. The stainless steel statue is a sight to behold. The complex is open from Monday to Friday (10am – 6pm) and Saturday to Sunday (10am – 7pm). The nearest Metro station is Arsenalna station.
Next, I visited Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It is famous for its cave monastery. Recommended to climb to the top of the bell tower for superb panoramic view of the city and to visit the miniature museum. The nearest Metro station is also Arsenalna station and it’s within walking distance from the Motherland Monument.
In the city center, Andrew’s Descent is the perfect place for souvenir hunting. This steep and winding cobbled street links the Upper Town to Podil district. Recommended to walk down Andrew’s Descent and come back to the Upper Town by funicular. Nearest Metro station is Kontraktova Ploshcha or Poshtova Ploshcha station opposite the funicular station in Podil area.
The funicular stops near St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery. This is another famous monastery in Kiev. The church is new and reconstructed as the original church was demolished by the Soviet authorities in 1930s. Admission is free.
The most important monastery is St. Sophia’s Cathedral, located just opposite St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. The territory of the St. Sophia Cathedral is open from 9a.m. to 8p.m. with the last admission till 7p.m. Be sure to admire the mosaic of Virgin Mary inside the church. Nearest Metro station is Zoloti Vorota.
Also near the Zoloti Vorota Metro station is the Golden Gate. Built in 11th century by Yaroslav the Wise, it is a fortification that was part of the ancient city walls. If you have time, you can walk to visit the nearby Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum.
If you have the time, you can visit the many museums dotted around the city.
Kiev is a very green city with many beautiful parks. Park of Glory is a memorial complex dedicated to the soldiers that lost their lives during World War II defending Ukraine. It also has Memorial to Holodomor to commemorate the famine victims in Ukraine. The nearest Metro to the park is Arsenalna Metro station.
Children would be delighted by the many colorful mosaic sculptures at Children Landscape Park, hidden on Peizazhna alley. It’s a small park but well worth a visit if you’re at Andrew’s Descent area.
What to buy and bring home? There are many paintings to choose from at Andrew’s Descent. There are even a few real art galleries in the area.
Painted lacquered wood products.
Traditional Ukrainian clothes…
And wooden lacquered eggs.
If you are interested to book a tour with my tour guide, Iryna, visit her website at http://letstravelukraine.com or you can email her at letstravelukraine@gmail.com. She is friendly and she’s willing to go extra miles to make you feel welcomed. Since we forgot to bring our camera on this trip, she helped us looked for a camera shop in the city. I paid EURO 140 for a day tour including coach but excluding admission tickets. Pick up from the airport and transport to the airport can be negotiated.
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