Review of Kiev
Kiev
Flights to Kiev reveal Ukraine's energetic capital. The Old Town is home to chic bars and stone buildings, Pechersk and Lypky have historic sights, and central Kreshchatyk never sleeps.
Things to do
Several flights up, Kiev's Rodina Mat statue reveals great city views from the top. The tranquillity of the Kievo-Pechersk Monastery is a welcome respite from bustling Kreshchatyk street, while the leafy lanes of the Old Town are perfect for a walk during Kiev city breaks.
Shopping
Andriyivskiy Uzviz has antiques and galleries, while main shopping street Kreshchatyk offers everything from subway kiosks to international chains. End your Kiev holiday with a visit to Bessarabsky Market, at its southern end.
Restaurants
Kiev city breaks are an ideal introduction to Eastern European cuisine, from bargain buffets at Puzata Hata to traditional Georgian specialities at Mimino. The Old Town is the perfect location for snack stops, and the buzzing Kreshchatyk area feeds the hungry round the clock.
Nightlife
Neon-lit Kreshchatyk has everything from underground bars to full-on glitz at Arena City. A trip to Kiev Old Town offers upmarket bars, and summer dance venues cluster around Pechersk and Lypky. Tickets to Kiev's Taras Shevchenko National Opera House of Ukraine are a must.
When to go
KLM has frequent flights to Kiev. Time your Kiev holiday to celebrate Orthodox Christmas in January, the Kiev Days city-fest in May, or the Molodist International Film Festival in October.
Upcoming events
- Kiev International Tango FestivalOct 2012 (annual)
- Molodist Kiev International Film FestivalOct 2012 (annual)
- Show all events
Things to do
SpotlightKievo-Pechersk Monastery
South of the centre, in the parkland lining the River Dnieper, the Kievo-Pechersk Monastery ( Lavra ) dates from 1051. While its More about this item
More things to doShopping
SpotlightBessarabsky Market
While its 1912 Style Moderne building is somewhat worse for wear, the Bessarabsky Market at the southern end of Kreshchatyk More about this item
More shoppingNightlife
SpotlightBar on 8
On the eighth floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bar on 8 offers an unsurpassable view of St Sophia's Cathedral More about this item
More nightlifeReview of Kiev
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Kiev is a well-hidden jewel in Europe10 Apr 12
My husband had to do business in Kiev and he took me and our daughter with him. We flew UIA from Western Europe and it was great service. We stayed first at the SAS Radisson (Fantastic breakfast buffet, comfort, excellent service) and the Hotel Ukrainia on the main square where the Orange Revolution happened. We did not like the Hotel Ukrainia that much, unless you want a taste of retro-Soviet hospitality. The location is great, the breakfast was sick, and the service is inconsistent. We toured the city and enjoyed it: from St.Anne's basilica to the monuments of the heroes of the Soviet era we loved this beautiful tree-lined city. My daughter was envious of all the women wearing elegant gorgeous boots and we bought her some for $100 that would have cost at least double or triple that in the U.S. Back at home people kept asking her where she had bought her boots. From the market we bought the traditional Easter eggs. The food was delicious and we even went to McDonald's where the burger meat looked fresher than here. We also visited Piragova, the historic village. The only drawbacks: 95% people smoke and not many speak English, or if they do it's very broken. We used lots of gestures and it worked. Since I am French I also found quite a bit of people who spoke French. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.madameboden - U.S.A.
Business, Other, Ivory
General impression 5 Hotels 4 Restaurants 4 Activities 4 Shopping 5 Going Out 3 Events 4 Average grade 4.1 Report abuseReviewer's tip
Don't forget to change your money back in Ukraine before leaving. It is not exchangeable here. We were lucky that we had Ukrainian friends who bought back the money we brought back not knowing we could not change it back once we left the country. Another tip is to learn a few basic phrases in Ukrainian. People will really appreciate it. They will respond to Russian if you speak it, but since they hate the Russians they don't respond as well.
