Appart hotel in Kiev

What to do in Kiev

You have booked your hotel in Kiev, and you are organizing your visits in Kiev? You will find many things to do in Kiev, especially if you like visiting monasteries and churches, as well as walking around the city. Don't worry about the night owls, you will find many typical bars and taverns, where you can enjoy the Ukrainian nightlife.

Visit many Orthodox churches

The Ukrainian capital is full of architectural treasures, and its churches are no exception. The most famous is the St Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, a Unesco World Heritage Site with five naves, five apses (the semi-circular end of a church) and 13 domes spread over 29 hectares. Beyond the impressive size of the cathedral, its white, green and gold colours will delight you, and the interior of the building will leave you speechless in front of the various mosaics and frescos that cover it.

You can also visit the Kiev Caves Lavra, which is more of a gigantic monastery than a series of caves, and includes many churches and museums. This building is one of the most emblematic of the city, dating from the year 1000 (1051 to be exact) and classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Fans of religious architecture will be keen to visit the Church of St Cyril of Kiev, as well as the Church of St Andrew. The former dates back to the mid-12th century, and features some of the finest exterior wall paintings in Russian art of the period. St Andrew's Church dates from the 18th century, and its baroque style and gilded interior have earned it a place in the National Sophie of Kiev Reserve, Ukraine's national historic and architectural reserve.

Take St Andrew's Descent in Kiev

This street, which you may have just taken to get to the St Andrew's Church mentioned above, is one of the most famous in Kiev. Famous because it connects the upper and lower parts of the city, because many monuments or places to see are located there, such as the One Street Museum, the castle of Richard the Lionheart or monuments dedicated to Yaroslav the Wise, a great prince who reigned in the 11th century. The nickname of the street is the "Montmartre of Kiev", as there are so many monuments and attractions on the street. It is also known as the home of many designers, artists and craftsmen, giving it its unique character. You will also find many art galleries, salons and art cafes, where you can learn more about its unique history. It is impossible to visit Kiev without passing by St Andrew's descent!

The statue of the Motherland

As emblematic a figure for Ukrainians as the Statue of Liberty is for Americans, the Motherland statue was inaugurated in 1981 and is part of the museum of the history of Ukraine in the Second World War. You will reach it after passing through the Kiev Caves Lavra Monastery, and after a long walk marked by armed relics of the past, tanks and military aircraft. The 102-metre-high statue of the Motherland dominates part of the city, and provides a visible landmark for your visit to the Ukrainian capital.

Sightseeing in Kiev:

• Saint Sophia Cathedral
• The Kiev Caves Monastery
• The Chernobyl Museum
• Babi Yar Memorial
• The Botanical Garden
• Independence Square
• Saint Andrew Street