A city of stunning sights and resplendent architecture

Kiev is radiant. Gold domes pepper the skyline beside lush green parks along the Dnieper River. Illustrious churches and grand monuments scatter the city and opera houses and museums provide cultured diversions. You may not receive many smiles and conversation in Kiev, but this is made up for in its magnificent architecture and art. The vast array of museums, historic buildings, gardens and sights will keep you on your feet from morning until night. And when you need to rest, you can relax and take in the atmosphere at the city park overlooking the picturesque river or on the city beaches at Hydropark. Those looking for shopping won’t be disappointed either; Kiev’s upmarket Khreshchatyk Street with shops, cafes and restaurants is a fine spot for some retail therapy.

Why Go?
Go for Kiev’s numerous historic buildings and monuments, beautiful gardens, excellent museums and striking appearance. The city’s architecture and museum collections are superb and not to be missed. Ukraine’s capital truly is brimming with interesting things to see and do.

When to Go?
By far the best time to visit Kiev is in the summer when the average temperature is 24°C. June, July and August are the warmest months. This is Kiev’s busiest time for visitors but you have to have to be hardy to face the bone-chilling winter temperatures which regularly drop to -15°C. Kiev tends to be covered in snow from November to March.

How to get there?
There are direct flights from London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Kiev’s Borispol Airport (KBP) . Flight time is around 3.5 hours. The airport is 21 miles from Kiev’s centre and the best way in is by taxi. Not many taxi drivers speak English so have your destination written down and agree the fare before you set off. Shuttle buses are also available and take about an hour.

Must See
Visit the Chernobyl Museum for a fascinating and extremely moving experience. Explore the Pecherska Lavra, an incredible cave monastery and see the mummified monks. Discover the Motherland Statue and memorials, which give an insight into Kiev’s war-torn past and its devastation during WW2. The museum below the memorial is very interesting for visitors. Take a stroll to Hreschatik Street and watch the entertainers and the locals at leisure. The Hydropark is great for swimming or beach volleyball in the summer.