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 up Volodymyrksa Hill, then over to the Friendship of Nations Arch, and Mariinsky Park.
You can access my notes and directions for this tour via my Google Maps.
Volodymyrska Hill
Start walking up the hill to the right of the Congress Centre “Ukrainian House.” A shaded park road will take you to a beautiful square, with a lookout over the river and the monument of Volodymyr the Great who brought Eastern Orthodox faith to the pagan people of Kievan Rus in 988. You can continue upward and explore the rest of this hill.
The Friendship of Nations Arch
If you trace back on the park road that led you to the monument, you will find the recently built Glass Bridge that will walk you over the busy cobblestoned road Volodymyrs’kyi Decsent that curves around the bottom of the hill. Admire the view over Podil, the bridges, and the port along Dnieper.
The bridge will take you over the Friendship of Nations Arch. The arch was built in 1982 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the USSR and the 1,500th Anniversary of the Kiev city. Notice the crack graffiti that was added to the arch in light of recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Enjoy more sweeping views over Podil and Dnieper or find a spot in the wooden amphitheatre and watch couples and skaters.
Mariinsky Park
Continue along the river behind the arch to the Mariinsky Park. You will pass by the monument to the frog. The bronze frog was created by Oleg Pinchuk. The frog has a tongue that moves inwards as it receives coins from the passerby. Once the receptacle inside reaches capacity it pushes the coins back out as a pleasant surprise to the next park visitor.
The park road will take you on the Park Bridge over the Petrivs’ka Alley. The footbridge was first built in 1909 and after decades of decay was newly restored in 1983. You will then pass the Dynamo Stadium. Built in 1934, Dynamo Stadium is still considered the home stadium of FC Dynamo Kyiv, the soccer team of the city.
Mariyinsky Palace
You will then pass a small summer stage Mushlya. Concerts and performances are frequent during the warmer months. The park road will eventually take you to a beautiful square in front of the Mariyinsky Palace.The Baroque style palace was built in 1752 under the orders of the Russian Empress Elizabeth.
The palace was built by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who was working in the Russian Empire at the time and is known, most notably, for the Winter Palace in St. Peresburgh. Russian aristocrats stayed in Mariyinksy palace when they visited Kiev. The palace burnt down in the 19th century but was reconstructed in 1870.
Finish up your walking tour in the other stretch of Mariyinksy Park. The old park features several monuments, a playground, a fountain, and many benches to enjoy under the shade of trees.
