Welcome to Kiev

Kiev, now officially spelt Kyiv, has a rich history dating back over 1500 years. With a population nearing 3 million and founded in 482 AD, Kiev is situated on hills overlooking the mighty Dnipro River.

Ukraine’s capital abounds in amazing attractions and lively nightspots. Famed for its golden domed churches, colourful political life, vibrant culture, fresh food, numerous parks, unique architecture representing all era’s of its history and fashion conscious locals Kiev is a cosmopolitan, socially vibrant city, catering for all ages and tastes.

Kiev is home to monasteries and cathedrals dating back to the 11th century, attracting pilgrims from across the Christian Orthodox world. The Pecherska Lavra, or Caves Monastery, is the focal point of the early Orthodox Church and is a must see for all visitors to the Ukrainian Capital.

The St Sofia Cathedral, built in 1037, contains splendid icons, mosaics and frescoes and is situated in beautiful grounds. The Cathedral built by the Kievan Royalty is an outstanding monument to the first Ukrainian state and was the first Ukrainian landmark to be listed on the World Heritage List. A short stroll away the impressive Golden Gate of Kiev is the last remnant of the tenth-century walls built to defend the city and now operates as a museum.

Other attractions include the Cathedral of St Volodymyr - the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the ornate Opera House, the imposing Motherland Statue which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Ukrainian Art and the History Museum of Ukraine. A trip to Kiev is not complete without a stroll down Andriyivsky Uzviz, a picturesque cobbled street in central Kiev now used by the many artists who call the city home to sell their works.

Independence Square, or Maidan Nezalezhnosti, was the stage for the amazing scenes of the Orange Revolution which saw a peaceful mass protest overturn a fraudulent Presidential election result and install Victor Yushchenko as Ukraine’s third president since independence in 1991. Khreshchatik Street which runs off Independence Square is world famous for its blossoming chestnut trees, sidewalk café’s and boutique shopping.