About Kiev 2
This text was written by Katerina Barabanova for her friend.
So, about Kiev’s sights.
I drew a couple of routes on which you could walk in Kiev.
You can do visit it in 2-3 days.
DAY 1.
Look Kiev, day 1 on a map
1. The first route you can start at the central square - Maydan Nezalezhnosty = Independence Square.
2. Then go up on Sofievskaya str. to the Sofievskaya Square where you can visit the St. Sofia Cathedral.
3. Go to Mikhaylovskaya Square and to the St. Michael Cathedral.
4. Then go to the Desyatinnaya str., -> Andreevsky spusk there you can buy a lot of souvenirs. This street has retained a lot of olds. If it’s interesting to you I advise you to visit the museum of the famous Russian classic writer, Mikhail Bulgakov (may be you know “The Master and Margarita”, “The White Guard” etc.). You must take the tour because it theatrical. Ask if they may be able to hold it in English.
5. At the end of Andreevsky spusk you will come to Podol. There on Kontraktovaya square you can have a lunch (or dinner) in a cafe network “Puzata Hata” or in some other. There a enough cafes and restaurants on Sagaydachnogo str.
This walk can take nearly 3-5 hours, depends of how long you will stay at each sights.
After that you can take a metro and go home.
6. Or go to the Pochovaya square and ride up on the funicular again to the Mikhaylovskaya square - > go down at Mikhaylovskaya str. to the Maydan Nezalezhnosty.
DAY 2.
Look Kiev, day 2 on a map
1. Next day you should visit Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra. It’s a monastery. You can visit the holy caves. I think there are guided tours for foreign guests. I think it can take you all day, 3-4 hours.
2. But after that you can go (or better take a bus for 3-4 stops) to go to Mariinsky park where is the President’s Residence. Last year, the residence was closed for restoration, but I hope this year it will already be opened. And there you can visit the observation deck and see the left bank of Kiev.
3. On the bridge of love you can hang a lock, that would be an admission of love for your loved ones.
4. Then go to the Maydan Nezalezhnosty.
DAY 3.
What else?... I think just walk around the centre of the city.
DAY 4.
I advice to visit a museum of Pirogovo.
This museum recreates the atmosphere of 18-19 centuries. Old Russian houses, called “izba”, wooden churches, mills. There you can buy old souvenirs, or even make it by yourselves. There some cafes with the Ukrainian national food.
If you want to make some shopping you can go to the Globus, on the Maydan Nezalezhnosty and some shops on and under Khreshatik str. (underground shopping mall). It’s in the center. There are some other malls but not in the center. And I don’t think you interested in IKEA or smth like this ))
May be you would like to go to Lvov? It’s a very beautiful city on the west of Ukraine. There is Ukrainian National Ultimate Championship :) You can go there by train, it takes 7-8 hours. Better take a night train. In Lvov very hospitable guys live, they can provide you with a free (or inexpensive but high quality) accommodation and walks. If you interested in it I’ll give you all contacts.
I think 2 days will be enough for a visit Lvov.
