Things to do & places to visit in Kyiv, Ukraine

Having survived the Mongol Empire, WWII, and Chernobyl, Kyiv is the proud capital of Ukraine. Filled with theaters, museums, religious sites, modern buildings and ancient ruins, the city of Kyiv is the center of Ukrainian culture. The Monastery of the Caves, founded in 1015, and Saint Sophia Cathedral, founded in 1037, are both World Heritage Sites. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War, topped by the massive Motherland Statue, provides gorgeous views of the city below.

Kyiv #1 destination in Ukraine 2023. The average rating score is 4.49 based on 25.1k traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Kiev, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 14:13.

Top things to do (16)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Insomnia Haunted House Kyiv (425 reviews)
- AMAZING. LOVED IT.
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

INSOMNIA is the place where your greatest fears turn into reality, and the instinct of self-preservation turns off common sense. Turning into the heroes of the horror film you need to go through all the rooms and save your life. Thrills, unforgettable emotions and adrenaline are provided to you. See more..
5.0 St. Cyril's Monastery (135 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Churches & Cathedrals

We were amazed by how few tourists we saw in Kiev (end of June) and no exceptions here. We took an Uber to the complex then struggled to find the way in - basically follow the (mud track) path around the outside of the gate - entrance on your left once you have gone around halfway? Kiosk in small white? hut on your right then walk over to the church. Good to see the incredible art work; I personally preferred the other amazing churches in town. See more..
5.0 Victoria Museum (75 reviews)
- Top-notch Museum in Kyiv!
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

"Victoria Museum" is a museum of fashion and style. It dwells with city fashion of 17-19th century from all over the world. Every visitor will be able to immerse in presented era and better understand how people dressed, hence - how they lived. See more..
5.0 Tsekh Art Gallery (54 reviews)
- Lovely contemporary gallery with charming employee
Saturday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries • Mysterious Sites

MORE THAN JUST A GALLERY TSEKH - it is nowadays means more than just independent institution or leading contemporary art gallery. After our second gallery TSEKH VILNIUS' opening in July in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, and after it is getting one of the biggest private galleries in a whole country, Ukrainian TSEKH became a European art project, supported by Baltic elites and in the same time being successful in proving of originality of our artists' formal decisions. For the last eleventh years we realized more than 400 projects, in Ukraine as far as abroad, personal and group, our artists' and our guests' ones, co-working with dozens of artists and got a full satisfaction by an the international art community and art lovers from all over the world. Oriented on non-printed art, that is painting, watercolor, and sculpture, we also are making experiments with new ways of art - objects, installations, space decisions, new media, etc. As exclusive agent, gallery largely takes care on our artists' careers, doing all necessary functions by its own. From now, as first gallery network of Ukrainian contemporary art and one of the biggest in Eastern, Central, and North Europe, we have a few challenges, among which the first one is to globally prove an originality of our artists' formal decisions. See more..
5.0 Insomnia Haunted House Kyiv (425 reviews)
- AMAZING. LOVED IT.
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

INSOMNIA is the place where your greatest fears turn into reality, and the instinct of self-preservation turns off common sense. Turning into the heroes of the horror film you need to go through all the rooms and save your life. Thrills, unforgettable emotions and adrenaline are provided to you. See more..
4.5 The Holy Dormition Kyiv Caves Lavra (3.749 reviews)
- Architectural marvel
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

Built by Kiev monks back in 1051, this striking building is the most holy place in the Ukraine. The caves on the property serve as burial grounds for monks. See more..
4.5 Andriivskyi Descent (2.398 reviews)
- Reminded us of Russia
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

We were so impressed with all the beautiful churches and cathedrals in Kiev, and this one was no exception. Sadly it was closed the day we were there, but the outside is just breathtakingly gorgeous! The architectural design reminded me a lot of churches and cathedrals in Russia. Perked up on the hill, the colors just stick out vibrantly, and its beauty just can't be matched! See more..
4.5 Saint Sophia Cathedral (2.293 reviews)
- Millennial masterpiece
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The cathedral was built over nine centuries and is a great example of Byzantine and Ukrainian Baroque architecture. The interior contains mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. See more..
4.5 The Motherland Monument (2.121 reviews)
- emotional visit.
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monuments & Statues

The motherland statue and museum delivers a very emotional journey through wars from old and very recent conflicts. there are real artefacts from the wars, with video stories as well as in depth descriptions of what happened during some very awful times. we spent hours there reading as much as we could. it was very emotional. I recommend you visit here, it's a grand place surrounded by hundreds of vehicles from ground to air. See more..
4.5 Khreshchatyk (1.923 reviews)
- get your steps in
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Khreshchatyk is massive, it's scale titanic. The Stalinsky skyscrapers some of the few beautiful structures left behind by the Soviets out of the mass of mass produced flats and industrial buildings. The street curves and contours in a natural, fluid way. On and off the street can be found anything you could ever want or imagine. On Sundays they even close off the street to automobiles, making it a pedestrian street. See more..
4.5 Maidan Nezalezhnosti (1.739 reviews)
- Sure...It Is Just A Monument...But, It Is Rich With History.
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

Maidan Nezalezhnosti, also known as Independence Square, is famous because of the revolution in 2014. It is not only a beautiful place to visit with the monument to freedom, the fountains, and the energetic atmosphere, but it is also the main square in Kiev. It is worth seeing at different times of the day, especially at night when it is illuminated. Since it is the main square, there are a variety of restaurants offering all different kinds of cuisine within a short walk. Look for my restaurant reviews for suggestions. See more..
4.5 St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery (1.542 reviews)
- This is said to have been the first church in the eastern Orthodox lands to have gilded domes, hence the name.
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Churches & Cathedrals

It was extensively remodelled in the 18th century, but was demolished by the Soviets in 1934. It was restored in the 90’s after the fall of the Soviet Union. The blue walls and golden domes of the exterior are very picturesque. The interior is quite impressive as well, and it is interesting to compare the fresh paintings here with the much older paintings in the nearby St Sophia’s. See more..
4.5 National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War (951 reviews)
- The Greatest Museum
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Military Museums

It was the fırst time that I felt that much deep hard about second world war. People who doesnt want to payfor museum can also see the guns and materials that were used in those times in the garden part. EVERYBODY has to visit there to see real efficient side of second world war. I visited there 4 times and loved it.. See more..
4.5 Pyrohovo Open-Air Museum (805 reviews)
- An amazing ethnographic museum
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

I visited the museum with friends from Kiev. They hired an English speaking guide. The museum is set on undulating terrain, pleasant for long walks (bikes can be hired and there are also restaurants and shops). Buildings have been reconstructed that cover, over time and space, the ethnographic history of Ukraine: churches, villages, windmills and even schools. It takes a long time to be truly appreciated. Unfortunately I visited it on a beautiful but cold late winter day. I hope to visit it again soon. See more..
4.5 Park Landscape Alley (786 reviews)
- Sculpture Fun!
Parks

This place is so much fun. Joy for all the family. It’s a lovely time to walk along the path, and seeing this amazing sculptures all dotted around. I’d love to know the meaning behind it, but unfortunately I don’t. Alice In Wonderland brought me back to my childhood and seeing all this wacky drawings with cats which you can sit in the mouths, you get some perfect picture opportunities. Well worth the visit especially as it’s not far from all the main sights. See more..
4.5 St. Volodymyr's Cathedral (680 reviews)
- A beautiful cathedral, inside and out.
Churches & Cathedrals

The exterior walls are a striking yellow, surmounted by domes of deep blue set with stars and a central dome of gold. The interior is filled with icons and murals. There are disputes over which section of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church owns this cathedral, but as a tourist it is well worth visiting. It was built in 1852 to commemorate the Baptism of the Rus. See more..
4.5 The House with Chimeras (548 reviews)
- House with Chimeras
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

House in the Art Nouveau style, built by the architect V. Gorodetsky in 1903 (Bankova Street, 10). The building is used as a presidential residence for official ceremonies. It got its name from the sculptural decorations in the form of various animals. Many urban legends are associated with this house. See more..
4.5 Mykola Syadristy Microminiatures Museum (506 reviews)
- Once in a life time experience
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

I can promise you this: you will not see art this small made by any other artist/ philosopher. I have traveled to different countries and seen what artist can do with a grain of rice in china...etc. This Ukrainian philosopher and artist Mykola Syadristy goes waaaay smaller than that, the width of a human hair size or a grain of sand split in the middle. The cherry on the top was meeting the 83 years old philosopher himself, chatted with him and was happy to orthography one of his books for my little girl. See more..
4.5 Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine (465 reviews)
- One of a kind...
Spent 1-2 hours Theaters

We must have walked by the Opera house a dozen times on our trip, and couldn't get enough of how majestic it looked. We particularly loved the building lit up at night, as it gave it a different unique perspective. Definitely worth stopping by! See more..
4.5 Mikhail Bulgakov Museum (392 reviews)
- If you are in Kyev you have to go there
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Very nice experience. There was a magic aura all around. Museum itself is a house of Bulgakov family with original furniture and atmosphere of the last century. See more..
4.5 Mariinsky Park (382 reviews)
- Park in the center of the city
Parks

The park is about 130 years old and is named by the Mariyinsky Palace. It is located in Pechersk neighborhood in front of the Supreme Council of Ukraine. Stadium Dynamo is situated near the park. Also the Lovers bridge that connects Mariyinsky and Kreschatyi parks is situated there. The lovers attach small locks to the bridge believing their love will last forever. Another spectacular place in the park is its viewing point over the left bank of the city. See more..
4.5 Oleg Antonov State Aviation Museum (376 reviews)
- Amazeballs
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

It was cold, freezing cold when we visited but well worth making the effort!! The easiest way to get here is to use an Uber taxi, very, very cheap and quick. Public transport here wouldn't be very easy! There's so much to see here and several aeroplanes, helicopters that you can go inside and sit in the cockpits of etc adds to the fun!! Everything on display has a description in both Ukrainian and English which is also very informative. Sadly the cafe wasn't open when we visited but then it was the middle of the winter so there was nowhere to get any food or hot drinks. I'm glad we made the effort in the bad weather to visit and I'd highly recommend this to everyone. See more..
4.5 Grishko Central Botanical Garden (352 reviews)
- Awesome park for a walk
Gardens

I visited the park in December not knowing what to expect of a botanical garden in winter. However, Grishko did not disappoint! The height of the park next to the Dnipro River makes for good views of the left bank. Kilometers of trails take you through curated gardens in various styles, churches, and a really cool piece of architecture in the orangerie/greenhouse. You can also access the Vydubychi Monastery from the grounds but keep a hold of your ticket if you want to re-enter. I’m really glad I made it here and I would recommend it to anyone with more than a few days in Kyiv. PS) Google walking directions from Druzhby Narodiv metro make this walk much longer than necessary. You can use the main roads on the map without twisting and curling through apartment blocks. PPS) Boo to the 1-star review that called the park “abandoned”. There are dozens of friendly staff that work in this park (I know because I talked with them). How ignorant and rude to write a review like that. See more..
4.5 Hedgehog Monument (328 reviews)
- Cute and fun.
Monuments & Statues

Kiev is an eclectic city and there's lots of great statues and monuments, on our eight days holiday to this fantastic city we saw monuments to dogs,cats,horses ,a frog and this cool looking monument to a hedgehog which looks fabulous. Hedgehog Monument does have some relevance to countries once occupied by Soviet forces as this great monument pays homage to the animated short cartoon " Hedgehog In The Fog " a Russian produced cartoon made in 1975 and widely regarded as one of the best pieces of animation produced,cant comment myself as I've never viewed the cartoon but I thought the monument looked fun and cool ,definitely a great selfie opportunity, it's easy to locate on Reitarska Street adjacent to the very impressive Monument For Border Guards Of All Generations. Well worth checking out if your in the area. See more..
4.5 St. Nicolas Cathedral (229 reviews)
- Neo-gothic concert hall
Churches & Cathedrals

Yes... it operates as the catholic church for a short time. Officially it is still National Ukrainian Organ and Cameral Music Center. Every Sunday morning there is a catholic mass being celebrated here. Building itself is monumental. Inside - a little severe, outside needs urgent restoration. See more..
4.5 National Reserve Sophia Kievskaya (228 reviews)
- Favorite Place is Kiev!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

National Conservation Area "St.Sophia of Kyiv" - a museum complex, which includes 77 monuments. Reserve attractions are the main objects of tourist routes Kiev and Crimea. In 1990, the Saint Sophia Cathedral with a complex of monastic buildings of XVIII century in its territory is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. See more..
4.5 Babi Yar Memorial (228 reviews)
- historycal place
Bridges • Monuments & Statues

The park is gorgeous! It is dedicated to Babi Yar victims. They also have the information in English! If they didn’t, I wouldn’t feel enough emotions to realize what really happened there and it was terrible… The same feeling I had next to the Motherland monument, I don’t know why… It was strongly recommended to come here by my tour guide from Kyiv military tours. I found him really knowledgeable and I do trust him! He was right, it’s a worth place to visit, if you know the history! The military tour with shooting range visit was much more exciting though. See more..
4.5 Feofania Park (157 reviews)
- Beautiful park for all ages
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks

This is a very nice and peaceful park with children playground, small open air cafe, and there is a cathedral there. The park is good for some hours get-away inside 4 million city. See more..
4.5 Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts (93 reviews)
- Beautiful collection of Oriental art - a must visit if you're in Kyiv!
Art Museums

The largest museum of world arts in Ukraine was founded in 1919 on the basis of private art collection of Bohdan and Varvara Khanenkos, the outstanding Ukrainian patrons of art. Gorgeous interiors of the museum halls provide an exquisite setting for the unique collections of painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, and decorative art of Western Europe (Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Poland and etc.), and Asia (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, lands of Central Asia and Caucasus, China, Japan, India, Tibet, Mongolia, Buriatia, Kalmykia, and etc.), as well as the arts from the Ancient World (Egypt, Greece, Rome and Etruria). The key highlights of the museum include four Byzantine encaustic icons from 6th-7th centuries.The museum offers guided tours in Ukrainian, Russian, English, German and Chinese. Individual visitors can enjoy audio guide in Ukrainian, Russian, and English.The museum exposition is open daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from 10:30 till 17:30. Each first Wednesday of the month from 10:30 till 14:00– free access. See more..
4.5 The Holy Dormition Kyiv Caves Lavra (3.749 reviews)
- Architectural marvel
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

Built by Kiev monks back in 1051, this striking building is the most holy place in the Ukraine. The caves on the property serve as burial grounds for monks. See more..