This post is part of my series about Kyiv, Ukraine. I was born and raised in Kyiv and brought my Canadian partner for the fist time in the June 2019. I decided to put together a comprehensive guide on this lesser known destination that has so much to offer and can be enjoyed on a low budget.
The best way to explore Kyiv is on foot. The right bank of the city with its historic core is hilly and green with a lot of parks, squares, and broad sidewalks. The numerous hills feature many picturesque lookouts over the river Dnieper and golden domes of the churches. This walking tour will take you around neighbourhoods of Khreshchatyk Street, Independence Square, then up to St. Sophia’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery.
You can access my notes and directions for this self-guided walking tour via my Google maps.
Khreshchatyk Street
Walk down the broad sidewalks of Khreshchatyk Street towards the Independence Monument. Turn right on the Akhitektora Horodestoho Street (Street of the Architect Gorodetsky) and take this picturesque street up towards the Ivan Franko Drama Theater.
Gorodetsky House
Behind the square to the right of the theater, you will find a set of stairs that will take you up to the Gorodetsky House or so called House with Chimaeras. The building was constructed as his own private residence by a Polish architect Władysław Horodecki in the early 1900s. The name refers to the architectural style called chimaera decoration where animal figures are used as decorative features of the building. Due to its art nouveau style and the use of concrete in decoration, the building is often referred to as the Gaudi of Kyiv.
Bankova Street in front of Gorodetsky House is now closed to traffic. Across from Gorodetsky House are the central administrative offices of the President of Ukraine. Walk on the street towards Institutska Street to admire the building of the National Bank of Ukraine.
Nebesna Sotnya Street
Turn left on the Institutska Street to walk back down towards the Independence Square. The street will turn into a narrowed Nebesna Sotnya Street — the street of the Heavenly Hundred. You will see portraits of the soldiers who have lost their lives during the protests and demonstrations in Euromaidan.
Independence Square
Up on the hill to the right is the building of the International Centre of Culture and Arts. It is worth coming up to the building to enjoy the view over the Independence Square. Come down to enjoy the Independence square on both sides of Khreshchatyk Street with its numerous fountains and monuments.
St. Sophia’s Cathedral
When you’re done, walk up Sofiivs’ka street to the Sofiyivska Square in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral. Founded in 1037, St. Sophia Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is an important architectural and religious landmark that dates back to Kievan Rus.
In the centre of the square, you find the famous Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument representing one of the important Ukrainian hetmans (the highest military rank of Ukrainian cossacks) on horseback.
St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery
A short walk away is another square — in front of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. You will find a monument to Princess Olga, a regent of Kievan Rus who now holds a status of saint because of her efforts to bring Christianity to her people. It was her grandson, Volodymyr, who baptized Kievan Rus into the Orthodox faith.
St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery is a functioning monastery today. The monastery was built in the 18th century but was demolished by Soviet authorities in the 1930s. The buildings were reconstructed and reopened to the public in 1999.
