We will tell you about the most interesting places in Kyiv, where you can walk. We have also selected for you the best tourist routes for walking around the city.
People who go on business trips or transit through Kyiv often find it almost a crime not to explore the largest city in the country and not take the time to visit its main sights. Kyiv offers a wealth of amazingly beautiful and interesting places to explore, with enough to keep you busy for several weeks. This article provides a summary of what you can do in Kyiv if you have limited time.
Interesting Places in Kyiv for a Stroll
Even if you have just a few hours before your train or plane, there are walking tourist routes in Kyiv that are well worth your time. You can spend anywhere from an hour to an entire day at each of these attractions. Conveniently, most of the interesting places for a stroll in Kyiv are located in the city center, making walking routes a relaxing way to see many fascinating sights.
List of the best places for walking in Kyiv:
Kievo-Pechersk Lavra;
Kreshchatyk;
Golden Gate;
Arc of Friendship;
Andreevsky Descent;
Ancient Podil;
Theaters (Opera, Puppet Theater, and others);
Museums (Gold Museum, Water Museum, Folk Art Museum, Miniatures Museum, Holograms Museum, Weapons Museum, and many other fascinating museums and exhibitions).
Wondering what to do in Kyiv if you have an entire day free? In one day, you can explore this tourist route in Kyiv on foot: visit the city of Volodymyr, enjoy a panoramic view from a dizzying platform, tour St. Sophia Cathedral and St. Andrew's Church, see the Golden Gate, the University building, the Opera House, Khreshchatyk, the Arch of Friendship, and the monument to the city's founders. A Kyiv travel guide can assist you in finding all the walking routes for a self-guided tour, complete with locations on the map.
Kievo-Pechersk Lavra: The most famous monastery in Eastern Europe, a sacred place for Christians, the first monastery of the Caves in Russia, and a UNESCO-protected monument. The beauty of its temples can move even the most ardent atheist. Walking along the ancient walls, entering each building to pray for the health of loved ones and peace for the country, and then descending into the mysterious caves to contemplate their ancientness and the history they've witnessed—this is a brief self-guided walking tour route of this holy place in Kyiv.
Within the Lavra's grounds, there's a vast museum complex. Wondering what to do and where to explore? The Kyiv excursion map can guide you. You can visit the Museum of Gold and Jewelry, showcasing unique examples of Scythian gold. The Museum of Folk Art amazes with its diverse exhibits. The Museum of Holograms displays jewelry, icons, church utensils, and more—all presented as holograms.
Andreevsky Uzvoz: St. Andrew's Church, a charming market-exhibition of folk art, and a one-street museum are the main attractions in this area for a leisurely stroll.
One Street Museum: This eclectic antique shop is a treasure trove of antiques dating back to the 1970s. It's known as the first private museum of its kind, known for its originality. Here, you'll discover items you never knew existed. You can also explore the modern high-rise buildings peering into tiny courtyards and the intriguing Pharmacy Museum located near the Floriva Monastery.
Water Museum: An interesting morning walk destination in Kyiv housed within an ancient tower. The facts and exhibits will make you lose track of time, but please note it opens at 10:00. Also, consider visiting the artificial tree, where people like to make wishes, or the monument to the toad where children toss coins. These pedestrian routes can be explored for free, and you can easily locate all these sites using the Kyiv excursion map.
On the left bank of Kyiv, you can explore a rather unconventional walking route, which includes the ruins of grandiose buildings, abandoned asphalt, a chemical plant, radio equipment facilities, and a meat processing plant. If this improvised scenario doesn't suit your taste, there are plenty of other places to visit in Kyiv, such as classic walking routes through parks, churches, and monuments.
When selecting a walking route in Kyiv, consider the terrain, aiming to end your self-guided tour on a downhill path rather than an uphill one. It's also best if the route you choose has fewer forks, follows a flat path, or forms a circular loop.
Routes for a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Kyiv
Exploring the capital city of Kyiv offers various options: walking or biking tours, bus tours, river tram rides, or a trip on the funicular. Whether you prefer to visit the Botanical Park, Hydropark, museums, exhibitions, theaters, or historically rich locations, there are tourist routes for exploring Kyiv on your own that cater to all tastes. The key is to have a guidebook to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience during your city exploration.
You can organize a self-guided walking tour for free or take advantage of pre-designed offerings from guides who approach tourists at squares, train stations, and famous landmarks. Professionally prepared route excursions to Kyiv's attractions typically include a maximum number of interesting places to visit within a minimal amount of time. The tour guide will provide captivating insights into everything you encounter along the way. Alternatively, you can plan your own tour of Kyiv by purchasing a tourist map that includes descriptions and locations of all the attractions. We'll introduce you to some guided excursion routes to Kyiv's attractions, and you can choose your preferred walking route and decide what to do and where to go in Kyiv.
Excellent Guided Excursion Options
One highly recommended option is a free overview tour. A Kyiv guide will typically include attractions like the Golden Gate, St. Andrew's Church, the Sofiivsky Reserve, the National Opera of Ukraine, the House of Teachers, St. Vladimir's Cathedral, the circus, various museums, monuments, parks, and palaces. A walking tour of Kyiv like this promises unforgettable experiences!
Another splendid choice is the "Panorama of Kyiv from the Dnieper" tour, which offers breathtaking views of monasteries (Vydubitsky), Hidropark, major monuments (Motherland), several bridges (Patona, Metro, pedestrian), and other Kyiv landmarks along the route.
For those interested in temples and monasteries, the ready-made pedestrian excursion route "Temples and Monasteries" is a must. It includes 12 of the most renowned Kyiv temples, mosques, and monasteries. Where to start your walk? Consider visiting the Desyatinna Church, considered the oldest monument of Kievan Rus.
What to Do Early in the Morning in Kyiv
Oftentimes, visitors to the capital arrive in Kyiv early in the morning and have about 5 hours to spare before checking in. If you're wondering what to do in Kyiv during this time to make the most of it, you'll find numerous amazing and interesting places to explore. However, keep in mind that most establishments open around 9-10 am. The city starts coming to life from 6 am (on average, 5:45 am) when the subway begins operating. You can grab breakfast at places like McDonald's or Puzata Hata (located in the Passage near the metro or near the Bessarabian Market).
One of the options for an independent excursion route to Kyiv's attractions, suitable for an early morning visit, is described below. For this walk, you'll need a guidebook, which is best obtained in advance if you want to explore the city without the assistance of a paid guide.
Hiking Route #1
You'll need to leave your luggage at the hotel or a luggage storage facility at the train station, then take the metro to Khreshchatyk (it would take considerably longer by shuttle bus). If you disembark at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, be sure to admire the Independence Monument of Ukraine, stroll through European Square, and proceed to Hrushevskoho Street. For both children and adults, a visit to the Puppet Theater is recommended to immerse yourself in the world of fairy tales.
Walking Route #2
What else can you explore after Khreshchatyk? Ascend Volodymyrska Hill, visit St. Sophia of Kyiv and St. Michael's Cathedral. Continue your self-guided tour of Kyiv at Andriyivsky Uzvoz, where you can find trinkets to suit your taste. On Landscape Alley, you can commission a portrait or purchase a masterpiece from a local artist. Don't forget to visit the Bulgakov Museum and St. Andrew's Church. Exploring the historic streets of Podol is a must for those who appreciate old architecture or the ambiance of days gone by. You can also grab a bite to eat there. Afterward, you'll have just enough energy left to relax at your hotel.
Walking Route #3
Another option for a morning walk in Kyiv: start with a stroll in Mariinsky Park, then proceed to Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and finish your exploration at the Motherland Monument. Depending on your available time, you can explore the entire museum complex at Lavra or take a leisurely walk around the premises, enjoying the view from the observation deck.
Tourist Route #4
If you have ample time, consider this self-guided Kyiv sightseeing route on foot: visit the city of Vladimir, take in the panoramic view from an impressive platform, explore St. Sophia Cathedral and St. Andrew's Church, admire the Golden Gate, visit the University building, the Opera House, Khreshchatyk, the Arch of Friendship, and the monument to the city's founders.
