Kiev Travel Guide

Kiev is the capital city of the Ukraine and is also one of Ukraine’s main tourist destinations for international visitors.

The tourism in Kiev is an all year affair. Many people travel to Kiev for short city breaks rather than longer holidays of a week or more. It is common for many travelers to visit Kiev for long weekends to enjoy the shopping or use the holiday as a romantic getaway.

Kiev is one of the most important cities in Eastern Europe because of its scientific and cultural understanding and also its location.

History

Kiev was founded in the 5th century when Slavic tribes arrived in the area from the east. These tribes lived in settlements until fortifications were built in the eight century by either the Slavs or the Khazars (history debates which it may be).

By the late ninth to early tenth century Kiev fell under the rule of the Varangians and the settlement grew into a huge population. This population thrived until 1240 when the Mongols invaded and completely destroyed Kiev causing a lot of the population to disperse.

By 1321 the city was taken by the Duchy of Lithuania and started to grow once again, although this was not the end of the city falling under the rule of foreign invaders. By the sixteenth century rule was taken over by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In the seventeenth century Kiev fell under the rule of the Russian Empire. After a while the importance of the city was realized by the Russians and Kiev started to grow into the large metropolis it is today.

Sights to visit

Museum of the Great Patriotic War: The museum is a huge complex created in memory of World War Two. Covering over ten hectares this huge museum boasts over three hundred thousand exhibits and the famous Motherland statue that stands sixty two metres tall.

Kiev Fortress: Kiev Fortress is an amazing nineteenth century fortification built by the Russian army that is not only an amazing sight to behold; it has also been transformed into a museum.

St Michaels Cathedral: St Michaels Cathedral (Ukrainian Михайлівський золотоверхий монастир) is a wonderful gold domed monastery that was started in the early twelfth century. Unfortunately much damage occurred to the monastery in the 1930’s when it was torn down and blown up by the government of the time. The monastery has been rebuilt and is a beautiful place to visit.

Saint Sophia Cathedral: This cathedral is a World Heritage listed building that was built in the eleventh century and took two decades to build. If you admire the beauty of history, religion and architecture then a visit to this monument is important.

Vydubychi Monastery: Another monastery built in olden times that is a wonder to visit, Vydubychi (Ukranian Видубицький монастир) is a wonderful and amazing structure that is situated in great green and lush parkland you can walk round. The monastery was built in the late eleventh century.

Restaurants and Shops

Kiev has an amazing array of shops from small boutiques in the old town to the Besarabsky Market, an amazing indoor market where everything is on offer. In the busy parts of modern Kiev there are also great designer outlets and department stores so there is something for all.

There are a huge number of restaurants in Kiev so there are high class foods of all times for all that visit. Some of the most notable and well loved restaurants of Kiev include:

Panikovsky’s
Avalon
Capuchin
Chico
Corsair
Dixieland
Egoist
Fruktopia

Night Life

Kiev is alive in the day but opens its eyes at night with the whole city coming alight with excitement. There are many nightclubs, bars and casinos in the city for visitors to enjoy.

Nightclubs:

Androgyne
Bumerang
Caribbean Club
Ganesha
Magma
Maximym
Opium Dance
Safe
Vatra

Casinos:

Avalon
Gabriela
Grand Plaza
Salut International
Split
Zaporozhye

Interested in visiting Kiev? Why not try to find a deal today at Expedia | Travelocity | Lastminute