People from every corner of Ukraine are drawn to this vibrant European city. If it is time for you to visit Kyiv, read on to find out where to go for a walk and how to plan your weekend to get the most out of your stay. To reach the capital quickly and affordably, you can buy train tickets on our website.
Things to do and places to relax in Kyiv
Kyiv is a city with a rich history, charming architecture and plenty of places to relax and have fun. If you are wondering where to go for a walk in the Ukrainian capital, you will not have to think for long. From picturesque streets and green parks to fascinating museums and entertainment centres, Kyiv has everything for a memorable day out.
The best free places in Kyiv
Streets and landmarks
- Podil is a beautiful district and a great place to start your walk. Here you will find Kontraktova and Poshtova Squares, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the Samson Fountain.
- The riverside embankment is a lovely place for a summer stroll. Highlights include Poshtova Square, the River Station and the Pedestrian Bridge.
- Trukhaniv Island is a favourite spot among locals, with beaches, lakes and woodland.
Notable landmarks include:
- The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, St Andrew's Church, the Golden Gate and Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square).
- The Central Synagogue, built in 1898 and returned to the Jewish community in 1997. Nearby stands a monument to Sholem Aleichem.
- The Pyrohiv Museum of Folk Architecture, 20 km from Kyiv, with examples of traditional historic buildings.
- The Chocolate House, an intriguing building mixing Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau styles.
Rooftops and viewpoints
- The Motherland Monument, with viewing platforms at 37 m and 91 m.
- Kyiv Botanical Garden, with the Red Courtyard viewpoint.
- The Oleksandrivskyi residential complex, with a view from the roof of a 25-storey building.
- The People's Friendship Arch, overlooking the Dnipro, Obolon and Podil.
Kyiv parks
- Volodymyrska Hill, home to the famous monument to Prince Volodymyr.
- Shevchenko Park, next to the main building of Kyiv National University and the monument to Taras Shevchenko.
- Mariinskyi and Khreshchatyi Parks, the most romantic parks in Kyiv, with the Lovers' Bridge and the Mariinskyi Palace.
- VDNH, with a swing park and SkyPark VDNH.
- Hidropark, for active fun: bungee jumping, trampolines and shooting galleries.
Shopping and entertainment centres
- Dream Town: shops, cafés, an ice rink, bowling and a roller rink.
- Lavina Mall: a virtual reality cinema and the Galaxy amusement park.
Active leisure
- Water skiing, wakeboarding and hot-air balloon flights.
Water fun and spa breaks
- Olmeca Plage: a beach, swimming pool, restaurant, café and nightclub.
- Terminal water park: a spa centre and a dolphinarium.
Kyiv beaches
- Dytiachyi (Children's) Beach: a sandy strip with good facilities.
- Zolotyi (Golden) Beach: for those who like peace and quiet.
- Venetsiia (Venice) Beach: a clean beach, with Molodizhnyi Beach and its cafés next door.
Culture
- Theatres: the National Opera, the Kyiv Academic Operetta Theatre and the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre.
- Museums: the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the Museum of Medicine and the war museum in the Park of Eternal Glory.
Free museums in Kyiv
Visiting museums is a great way to spend time in Kyiv while enjoying art, history and culture. The Ukrainian capital has many interesting places where you can discover something new and exciting, and museums you can visit for free are especially appealing. Below are seven of them that are well worth seeing.
- PinchukArtCentre: a contemporary art centre near Bessarabskyi Market. Free admission.
- Apple Museum: a collection of Apple devices. Free admission with advance registration.
- National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War: exhibitions about the war. Free admission on the last Tuesday of the month.
- Khanenko Museum: art from Europe, Asia and the ancient world. Free admission on the first Wednesday of the month.
- Ivan Honchar Museum: an ethnographic collection. Free admission on the last Friday of the month.
- Hetmanate Museum: the Cossack Hetmanate era. Free admission on the last Saturday of the month.
- National Museum of the History of Ukraine: archaeology, ethnography and art. Free admission on the last Monday of the month.
Where to spend time with children in Kyiv
Outdoor fun
In summer Kyiv offers plenty of opportunities for children to have fun outdoors. One of the most popular options is the Landscape Alley. It is located near Andriivskyi Descent and delights visitors with colourful sculptures, slides and playgrounds that children and adults alike will enjoy.
VDNH is another great place for a family day out. You can join a variety of workshops, ride bikes and visit the parks and cafés.
The Children's Railway near Dorohozhychi metro station is a favourite with kids. Restored in 2019, it offers rides through the scenic Syrets Park and is especially interesting for children aged 7 and over.
Kyiv's parks have plenty more to offer: Syrets Park has rope courses, Holosiivskyi Park is great for rollerblading, and Feofaniia is the place to enjoy nature. Flower shows are held at Pechersk Field.
Cultural and educational activities
To combine fun with learning, visit Kyiv's museums. A joint project between "Kyiv Friendly to Parents and Toddlers" and local museums offers lectures, workshops and concerts for children aged 0 to 3 at the Shevchenko Museum, the Khanenko Museum and Saint Sophia of Kyiv.
The oceanarium and the jellyfish museum on Kyiv's Left Bank are ideal places to visit in winter. In the oceanarium's glass tunnel you can watch sea creatures, and at the museum on Khreshchatyk you can admire jellyfish.
The Steam Locomotive Museum at the railway station is a fascinating exhibition where children can explore carriages and trains.
The aviation museum near Kyiv (Zhuliany) Airport displays around 80 aircraft and helicopters. It is suitable for the whole family, even the youngest children.
The Kidswill and Kidlandia cities of professions let children try out different jobs and earn their first "money". They are located in the ArtMall shopping centre and on Stepana Bandery Avenue.
After its renovation, Kyiv Zoo offers not only a chance to see the animals but also rides and opportunities to interact with the animals.
For more tips and news, take a look at our travel blog from AnyTrain.
The most popular trains to Kyiv:
- Train No. 45 Kharkiv — Uzhhorod
- Train No. 142 Chernihiv — Ivano-Frankivsk
- Train No. 193 Ivano-Frankivsk — Kryvyi Rih
- Train No. 21 Kharkiv — Lviv
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