Do you want to see the highlights of Kyiv and have little time? Well, its sights are well-connected through this path. Based on two walks I took through Kyiv when I was there in 2019 for a brief training conference, this walking tour will show you the city. These routes are well-marked by signs in English and Ukrainian.
Start at Poshtova Ploscha and walk up Volodymyrska Hirka
Gogol writes in A Terrible Vengeance, “Wondrous is the Dnieper, too, on a warm summer night, when everything falls asleep-man, beast, and bird-and God alone grandly surveys heaven and earthand grandly shakes his robes.” The Dnieper River carves through Kyiv. The best way to see the river is to stroll through a pedestrian bridge. Starting at Poshtova Ploscha metro station, one must walk up the hill to the pedestrian bridge. A newly created Pedestrian/ Bicycle Bridge connects Volodymyrska Hirka (Saint Vladimir’s Hill) to the center of Kyiv. The hill is named for Vladimir the Great, who brought Christianity to Ukraine. The bridge offers specular views of the city, beaches along the river and the river. The stroll ends at the memorial to the Great Patriotic War.
Turn right and walk to Independence Square
Many famous protests have occurred at this square, including the 2014 Euromaidan revolution. Independence Square is gigantic. On a warm summer night, large crowds sit and chat. A white pillar sits in the middle, honoring Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Throughout Ukraine’s young history, many protests have occurred there because of its size and location. It is a perfect place to stroll, recovering from the Volodymyrska Hirka.
Turn right and walk up the hill to St. Sophia’s Cathedral
When Vladimir the Great decided to convert Kievan Rus to Christianity, he decided to build his cathedral. St. Sophia’s Cathedral was the first Orthodox church in the Slavic world. I learned about it in Russia during my Russian civilization class and always wanted to see it. I loved walking its ancient walls and looking at the icons. I prayed in front of the main icon because that is my tradition when I go to famous, historic churches. A simple design, the church is a monument to the importance of Christianity in the Slavic world. Outside of the church, there is a statue of the founder of Ukraine, Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
Turn left and walk to Andriyivskyy Descent
Kyiv is very hilly. No site illustrates it better than the Andriyivskyy Descent. Named from for the church nearby, the Andriyivskyy Descent is a gigantic hill where merchants sell alcohol, food, and souvenirs. Merchants have worked on this hill for centuries. Along the descent, there are several historical sites. I remember the blue-green architectural marvel, St. Andrew’s Church. From St. Sophia’s Cathedral, it is a pleasant stroll down. There is incredible street art. I recommend interacting with vendors. The descent starts at a cathedral, St. Andrew’s Church.
Eat at Puzata Hata
With chains scattered across the city, Puzata Hata serves traditional Ukrainian food and drinks cafeteria-style. After walking down the Andriyivskyy Descent, it is the perfect place to recover. Traveling throughout Central Asia and Russia, I have been to my share of cafeteria-style restaurants. Puzata Hata is the best one. My friend recommended the vareniki, Ukrainian dumplings. The vareniki were delicious and created a lifelong of vareniki. There are also desert vareniki, which are dumplings with jam.
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