What Are The Must-See Attractions In Kiev?

Kiev is one of the most interesting and diverse cities in Eastern Europe. With a mix of old and new and packed with iconic sites and beautiful landscapes, it’s a must-visit for all visitors. From century-old UNESCO World Heritage Sites to modern buildings and monuments, Kiev has a lot to offer. Here’s our pick of the 9 best attractions and must-see sights in this wonderful city.

1. St. Sophia Cathedral

One of the major landmarks in Kiev is Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the city center. The majestic building was completed in 1037 and combines Byzantine, Baroque and Gothic styles. The walls of the Cathedral are decorated with sculptures and frescoes of biblical scenes, while the bell tower offers stunning views of the city.

2. Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square)

Maidan Nezalezhnosti or simply Maidan is the central square in Kiev and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ukraine. This is where people gather to mark important occasions and protest against government decisions. Visitors can observe a variety of monuments and buildings, such as the Independence Monument, the Kiev City State Administration and St. Michael’s Cathedral.

3. Kiev Funicular

The funicular is a unique way to get from lower to higher ground in Kiev. The cable car has been running since 1905, offering incredible views over the city from its starting point near the St. Volodymyr’s Hill Park and its destination –Andriivs’kyi Descent. It’s also a great spot for pictures!

4. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a historical site and one of the oldest monasteries in Europe. Founded in 1051, it is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a variety of artifacts, such as caves with titles Saint Varlaam and Saint Anthony, museums with Christian artifacts and relics, catacombs and a bell tower. It’s definitely one of the most iconic attractions of the city!

5. Pirogovo Open Air Museum

If you want to get away from the city hustle and bustle, then take a trip to the Pirogovo open air museum. Located 16 miles outside of Kiev, this is a great place to explore traditional Ukrainian culture and customs with collections of over 300 historical monuments. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as horse riding and folk concerts while admiring beautiful residential buildings and old mills.

6. St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery

Placed at the top of Kreshchatyk Street, Saint Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery is one of the oldest Orthodox landmarks in Ukraine. Founded in 1108, the gold domed church is modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and boasts amazing icons and mosaics inside the main temple. It’s definitely an amazing place to explore Ukraine’s religious heritage!

7. Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is an ancient stone-built portal that once was a part of Kiev’s fortress walls back in 1017-1036. The striking ruin marks the entrance to the city’s historical center, prompting visitors to spend time admiring its beauty. The Golden Gate Komplex is open all days of the week and has become a popular attraction for foreign tourists due to its iconic structure and religious symbols carved on the walls around it.

8. Chernobyl Museum

The Chernobyl Museum commemorates one of the worst technological disasters in history and is located near Maidan Nezalezhnosti station in downtown Kiev. It houses items recovered from the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 such as photographs and documents that bring great sadness to all its visitors. People curious to learn more about this tragedy can explore personal stories from survivors and visit a replica of a nuclear reactor control room here too.

9. National Taras Shevchenko University

Founded back in 1834, Taras Shevchenko National University is the best university in Ukraine according to global rankings such as QS World University Ranking 2021 for humanities and World Rank University 2021 for engineering programs respectively. Located close to St Sophia Cathedral, touring its beautiful campus promises lots of interesting activities and photo opportunities. To sum up, Kiev has many unmissable attractions that need to be experienced first-hand in order to fully appreciate them – St Sophia Cathedral, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev Funicular, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Pirogovo Open Air Museum, St Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery, Golden Gate, Chernobyl Museum and national Taras Shevchenko University among others. Getting to experience Kiev thoroughly promises to be rewarding as there so many attractions to explore! Inviting article from Irishtimes can list more exciting spots from where you can get more knowledge regarding Kiev city attractions .