Kiev is modern, busy, hectic, loud and full - if you look for a calm, romantic or even cheap city, you are absolutely wrong here. Prices for accomodation and food in a restaurant are often as high as in Western European cities - Kiev concentrates on business travels and there isn't anything like a tourist information.
Nevertheless Ukraine's capital city is worth a visit: There is a bunch of old, orthodox churches, some historical buildings and a lot of parks and green areas, where you can forget about your worries and just relax.
Good and cheap: Kiev's public transportation
If you are good in walking and living near Kiev's city center, you will not necessary need public transportation, but as fares are very low you should go for the fun! A single journey on metro, bus, trolley or tram is 50 copecs, that's less than 10 eurocent - but I preferred to get a one month pass for just 25 hrywna (around 2.50 euros) just to avoid having to buy new tickets and finding the right loose cash in my purse each time I wanted to go for a ride. Tickets are available at street kiosks, at subway stations and directly from the bus or tram driver.
In case you want to use the private mini buses (marshrutki) you always pay the driver directly - as there are no bus passes available for this type of transport.
The easiest way to get around in Kiev is by using the subway as the network is comprehensive. "There are over one hundred bus, trolley and tram lines. The network is changing twenty times a year. They don't have route maps!", my friend Kostya smiles as he is answering my question, "You just have to know where they are going."As we are walking home from the subway station after a marvellous downtown firework, he points to a small street, where some mini buses are waiting for passengers. "That's the place where the marshrutki to Odessa are waiting for you." I ask him, how I should know that as a tourist. "That's not written down anywhere. Everybody knows it. Rumours, you know."
ATTENTION: Only pass the barriers in subway and funicular stations when the light is green. If you don't do that, you will be stuck as the machine automatically captures you and the police will be called to rescue you and make you pay a penalty fee.
St Sophia's Cathedral
Probably constructed according to a byzantine example in 1037 by Jaroslav the Wise, Prince of Kiev, the St Sophia's cathedral is one of the most beautiful and important buildings in the city.
Subway: Zoloti vorota
"Golden Gate" (Zoloti vorota)
The old gateway built in the 11th century by Jaroslav the Wise, Prince of Kiev, is the only gate that was reconstructed at all in 1989. A museum provides you with information about the former fortification and it's history.
Subway: Zoloti vorota
Khrechtchatyk boulevard
This boulevard is the most popular promenade in Kiev. You will find several boutiques, restaurants and cafés here. At the weekend the boulevard's four lanes are open for pedestrians only - jugglers, magicans, musicians and other street artists invite you to take a little rest and enjoy what they have to offer.
Subway: Khrechtchatyk / Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Post square and Andriyivsky uzviz
Andriyivsky uzviz is one of the oldest cobble-stoned streets in town - a walking tour between the traditional houses is a must for your Kiev stay. After you came out of the subway station and enjoyed the view over the Dnjepr river, you climb up the hill on your own or just enjoy a ride on the funicular railway.
Subway: Poshtova ploshcha
