20 Most Interesting Places around Kyiv that are Worth Seeing
Kyiv is full of life and energy, it has vibrant cultural and business life, but sometimes one needs to relax and recharge with positive emotions. This is perfect for trips out of town. You can go on interesting excursion either with the help of a travel agency, or on your own (by car or public transport). We offer an overview of places in Kiev and neighboring regions where you will definitely have a great time.
Buky Park
A 2-hour drive from Kiev is the village of Buky, where there is a real landscape park with interesting architecture. However, it he has no ancient and mysterious history. It was built in the 1990s. In the park, there is a beautiful fountain, a bell tower, and the church of St. Eugene. These places can be visited free of charge and without a guided tour.
For a nominal fee, you will also see the Suslov estate, and interesting zoo. Children will find it exciting to walk on the Alley of Tales. The complex has very picturesque paths and alleys; there are lakes. Everyone can perform a kind of ritual — put your hand in the jaws of toads (which majestically bask in the sun) — these sculptures symbolize wealth and prosperity.
You won’t stay hungry here — there is a cafe and a restaurant where you can have a tasty meal and drink tea and coffee.
Park hours: 9am — 5pm. The park is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Address: Kiev region, Skvirsky district, Buky.
Alexandria Park
Alexandria Arboretum is located in the city of Bila Tserkva. This is one of the most beautiful and large parks in the Kiev region. It was founded in the 18th century. You can walk along the beautiful alleys of the park and enjoy its interesting sculptures. The arboretum contains unique plant samples: there is a rose garden, a magnolia garden, and a vine garden. In addition, there is also the Alexandria Museum of Wildlife Flora and Fauna, where the menagerie is located. Visitors can see about 100 species of animals and birds, including wild boars, wolves, foxes and roe deer. On the territory of the arboretum, there are two cafes where you can eat.
Address: 13 Bila Tserkva
Mezhyhirya
Over the past 7 years, Mezhyhirya has become one of the most popular sightseeing places! Residents of all Ukrainian regions come here to look at the suburban residence of former President Yanukovych. You can walk along Mezhyhirya all day long. Its territory is truly huge. There are even bicycles for rent to make it easier to see all the interesting places. It is also worth noting that many excursion objects have separate entrance tickets.
Here you can visit the Club House — Honka, built from environmentally friendly natural wood, and striking with its chic inside. There is also a zoo with peasantry, and a cynological center. There was a fitness center as well.
Park hours: every day from 8 am to 7 pm
Address: New Petrovtsy, Ivan Franko Street
Private Tour to Mezhyhirya — HERE
Kyiv Sea
Unique natural Kiev object. If you are tired of the bustle of the city, and want to relax in nature, you should definitely go to the Kiev Sea. This is an artificial sea. Here is a hydroelectric station built in the 1970s. People come here to enjoy nature and swim. It is interesting that one of the stages of the Formula 1 world championship in water racing was held on the territory of the Kiev Sea. You can lock through the Kiev Sea on a boat.
Shevchenkivsky National Reserve
The Shevchenko Museum and House is located in Kanev. These places are in must-visit list for all fans of T.G. Shevchenko, great Ukrainian writer and poet. It was here that he spent the last years of his life. The territory of the Reserve, which is located on the banks of the Dnieper, is striking in its natural beauty. The power of the waves of the river washes away all negativity and gives special vitality. Tourists can visit the homestead of T. G. Shevchenko, the Tarasova Svitlitsya Museum, and the Literary Museum. The National Reserve offers interesting exhibitions available all year round.
Address: Kanev, Cherkasy region
Sophievsky Park
Sophievsky Park is geographically located in Uman in the Cherkasy region. However, it will take 3 hours only to get there. This place seemed to freeze in time. Thousands of tourists from all over Ukraine come here. This is a truly unique park. It is also called the Park of Love, because it was created to honor Sophia (wife of Count Potocki). The territory of the Park is truly huge — there are many paths and alleys you can walk all day. The Park is decorated with ancient Greek sculptures. Here you will find Gods, Heroes of Olympus, famous Greek philosophers, and other figures of science and art. According to the idea of architects and builders of this park, sculptures tell the guests the myths and legends of ancient Greece.
The park has modern infrastructure. The central avenue hosts live music concerts. You can eat in three cafes or buy a snack at the point of sale of food. There are children’s attractions, souvenir stalls, and even the “win-win lottery” known in these places. In addition, for adults there is one more special and interesting entertainment (for an additional cost) — boat trip along the underground river Acheron.
It is better to buy entrance tickets to this park with a guided tour; about 200 qualified specialists work in Sophievsky Park. On average, the tour lasts 2.5–3 hours. There are three different entrances to the park. Guides can meet you at any of them.
Park opening hours: the park is open from April 15 to November 15
Address: Uman, 12 Kyivska Street
Buky Canyon
Just an hour’s drive from Sofievsky Park there is the Miracle of the Nature — Buky Canyon. From Kiev, you can reach it by car along the highway Kiev-Odessa towards Zhashkov. Buky Canyon is located on the Gorny Tikich River. You can start walking along the canyon from the place where the hydroelectric station was earlier located.
Just 10 years ago, this place was unknown — until travel agencies began to bring their tourists there. Today, many people know about Buky Canyon. The canyon in the village of Buky continues to be “wild” and poorly equipped. There are no normal toilets, cafes and food outlets. Nevertheless, getting here, you will plunge into unreal natural beauty!
Wildlife fans and tourists with tents come here, mini-festivals are held. Climbers are training their skills here too. It is better to take excursion from local residents who know these places well and can guide you along the full route. The access to the canyon in some sections goes through the village and through rather dangerous sections.
The Buky Canyon has some really huge boulders where it is convenient to sit and watch the waterfalls. It is especially nice to watch the sunset — it is truly a complete immersion into the beauty of nature and inner harmony.
Address: Buky, Cherkasy region
Pirogovo village
The National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine Pirogovo is one of the most frequently visited attractions among the people of Kiev. Tourists from all over Ukraine also come here for the excursion. This is an open-air museum-estate in the form of a Ukrainian village. On a large area of 150 hectares, there is a huge number of exhibits collected throughout Ukraine, starting in the 1970s.
You can spend a lot of time enjoying beautiful scenic spots. You can walk around the mini-village, go to interesting museums, and see how Ukrainians lived in past centuries. You will get to know household items and kitchen utensils that our ancestors used. It will also be interesting to look at the clothes and jewelry of Ukrainians. In Pirogovo, various festivals and celebrations of Ukrainian folk holidays are held. Horseback riding is organized here for entertainment. A feature of the Pirogovo Museum is the wedding ritual, which can be held in the church on the territory of the complex for all couples in love.
It is located on the outskirts of Kiev. Pirogovo Ethnographic Museum can be reached from Lybidska metro station and Friendship of Peoples metro station on minibuses or trolleybuses.
Opening hours: from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Wednesday)
Address: Kiev, Academician Tronko Street (Pirogovo).
Private Tour to Pirogovo — HERE
Pereyaslav Reserve
The old city of Pereyaslav is located in the Kiev region. Great Ukrainian writers lived in this city: Shevchenko, Skovoroda, Zabolotny. It is here that among many other interesting museums the Pereyaslav Nature Reserve is located. Interesting Ukrainian holidays and festivals are held on the territory of the Reserve: Maslenitsa and Ivana Kupala are celebrated.
There are over 300 historical and architectural monuments on the territory of Pereyaslav. The historical and ethnographic reserve is famous for a large number of interesting museums that are worth visiting. Among them: the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, the Museum of Architecture, the Museum of Jewish Literature, the Museum of Memory of the Polish District, the Museum of the History of Forestry.
Address: Pereyalav-Khmelnitsky, 8 Shevchenko Street, Kiev region
Museums of Boguslav
The city of Boguslav is located 120 km from Kiev and was founded in the time of Yaroslav the Wise. You can learn more about the interesting history of this city in the local Museum of History. It was built in a rural school building. In Boguslav, you can also go to the museum-estate where the famous Ukrainian writer Marko Vovchok lived. This is the only museum in Ukraine in her honor, her personal items and personal items have been preserved there. A museum of folk thoughts (Kamenitsa) was built as a religious school in the 18th century.
Singing fountains in Vinnitsa
If you have the time and desire, you can take an interesting one-day tour to Vinnitsa from Kiev. Vinnytsia is known for its Roshen singing fountains. Every day there is an interesting water show here: streams of fountains whirl to the music in an exciting dance, and light music adds bright colors to this extravaganza. Interestingly, projectors also operate on fountains, where a video presentation is shown. One of the most popular shows is The Little Prince. All this is absolutely free.
In addition to the fountains, you can visit a coffee shop where they will make your photo portrait on coffee foam. Another interesting coffee house-museum is the cafeteria, which has exhibits of various old cameras. Museum fans can go to local History Museum and see the skeleton of a mammoth. In addition, another interesting place to visit is the museum-exhibition, which contains interesting exhibits (cars, music players, equipment, disks) from the time of the USSR.
One of the most popular places in Vinnitsa is the Museum-Estate of Pirogov, a well-known Ukrainian surgeon who made a huge contribution to the development of the world medicine.
Maryanovka
This is a village in the Kiev region, which is believed to be the birthplace of the famous Ukrainian composer I.S. Kozlovsky. You can visit the museum — the estate where he lived. The exposition of the museum presents personal belongings of the composer, stage costumes and records. You can stroll through the beautiful apple orchard. On the territory of the Museum-Estate, festivities and holidays are held, including those on Ivana Kupala. You can book an excursion here at one of the travel agencies or come on your own.
Medvyn
An interesting village, which is located near Bohuslav. It is known primarily for the events of the times of the Ukrainian Cossacks. It is interesting to see the mystical place — Mount Totoha, one of the most powerful places of energy in Ukraine. In ancient times, there were Tripoli and Scythian settlements. And today, in addition to tourists, a lot of extrasensory perception adepts also come there.
Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv
On weekend, you can go from Kiev to the old city of Chernihiv, which is already over 1300 years old. This city is first known for its temples and monasteries. Secondly, in Chernigov, there is a huge number of memorials of pre-Mongolian culture that have been preserved.
In Chernihiv, you should definitely visit the Spassky and Borisoglebsky Cathedrals, the Eletska and Pyatnitska Churches, take a tour of the Anthony Caves, look at the ramparts, and visit the Trinity-Ilyinsky Monastery, the main shrine of Chernigov. On the way to Chernihiv, tourists usually stop be in the city of Kozelets to see Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. If you plan your route correctly, you will enjoy a very rich and interesting trip.
Kievan Rus Park
It will take you an hour to get from Kiev to Kievan Rus Park. Once here, you will find yourself in the Middle Ages and will see a mini-reconstruction of Kievan Rus. This is the only Medieval City in the world that exists in modern times, but at the same time perfectly reflects the life of Kievans in the 5–13 centuries. Being far from the city, there is an atmosphere of tranquility and peace. In Kievan Rus, you can see not only the architectural buildings that display the dwellings in the Middle Ages, but also interesting representations of knightly tournaments, the process of fighting for fortresses and many more. There is a stable where you can take riding lessons.
It will be interesting for both adults and children: guests can try archery, fencing and sword training. There is a kids camp for children. Adults also have a wide choice of classes offered.
Opening hours: from 10 am to 7pm
Address: Kopachovo, Obukhiv district, Kiev region
Kachanivka Reserve
Kachanivka Reserve is located in the Chernihiv region. On the way from Kiev, you will enjoy the beauty of surrounding nature. In Kachanivka, you can visit the magnificent palace, take a walk in a beautiful park with exotic plants and interesting sculptures. Everyone can also go to church. The palace has an interesting collection of paintings, dishes and furniture. Ukrainian intelligentsia came here: Shevchenko, Gogol, Repin, Glinka. This place seemed to freeze in those days of beauty and luxury.
Opening hours: from 10 am to 7pm
Korostyshevsky Canyon
Another interesting natural place. It is worth coming here to relax from the city and the bustle, enjoying the amazing nature and power of the canyon. The Korostyshevsky Canyon was artificially created. It is surrounded by beautiful forests. Scuba divers also come here to dive. There are only three open cuts in these places that are definitely worth a visit.
Bogdanivka and Yagotin
Bogdanovka is considered the birthplace of the famous Ukrainian artist Kateryna Belokur. Her talent has been recognized around the world. The estate where Belokur lived now is now a museum. You can go into the house itself, walk around the courtyard, where the artist loved to create her masterpieces. The museum presents personal belongings of the artist, furniture, and of course canvases, brushes and paints. The artist’s works themselves are in the art gallery in the city of Yagotin (it is 20 km from the estate).
Radomyshl
For all those in love with medieval castles, it is worth visiting Radomyshl! The castle is located in the Zhytomyr region. It is located among beautiful scenic spots on the Teterev River. Here is a whole complex in the shape of a heart. You can stroll through the beautiful landscape park, and of course go into the castle itself. Here in the 17th century there was a paper factory. Now the reconstruction of this factory has been carried out.
The castle houses a beautiful refectory, a concert hall, and exhibition halls where you can see interesting specimens of folk life, dishes, and decorations. Some rooms of the castle are now rebuilt into hotel where you can stay for the night. Another interesting place is the Museum of the icon.
Opening hours: Thursday — Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Address: Radomyshl, 15 Pletenetsky Street
Sophia Cathedral and St.Michael Cathedral in Zhytomyr
A trip to Zhytomyr is ideal for a one-day weekend tour. This city is one of the oldest in Ukraine. The nature here is very beautiful: centuries-old forests and the Teterev River. The city is famous for its temples: the Cathedrals of Sofia and Michael, the Transfiguration Cathedral. You can also take a walk in the town park and walk along the beautiful Mikhailivska Street. One may also enjoy visiting some of the city’s museums: Space Museum, Museum of Literature and Art Gallery.
Tours in Kyiv:
- Kiev General Tour — the best start to get to know the city, for those who is here for the first time.
- Kiev Pechersk Lavra — the must-see sight of Kiev, the first monastery of Kyiv, full of legends.
- World War II Tour — the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War with 102 meters high Motherland Monument.
- Gastro Tour — for foodies who are interested in Ukrainian cuisine.
- Full day Tour — a mix of Old Town, Kiev Pechersk Lavra and Podil area.
- Mezhyhirya Tour — tour out of the city. New outstanding attraction and the symbol of corruption.
- Podil Tour — mysterious and cozy tour for those who like cute paths and old buildings.
- Street Art Tour — if you want to look at Kiev from a different angle.
- Kiev Bar Crawl — the best option for partygoers, because our beautiful lady guide will bring you to the hot spots of Kiev nightlife.
- Chernobyl Tour — Tour of our partner, full day tour.
Contact Kyiv Tour Guide:
- +380660679089 (whatsapp)
- info@guideme.com.ua
- https://guideme.com.ua
