Vibrating and underestimated, the urban scene of Kyiv has enough options to keep you busy in two days easily, and if you wonder how long to spend, I actually recommend at least four or five days to explore the Ukrainian capital according to your taste, including some local museums. On this post, we go from the attractions suggested on Kyiv in 1 day and add activities to do and places to see if you have more time in Kyiv.

Day 1

Maidan Nezalezhnosti

Locally known as Maidan, or Independence Square is a meeting point where locals hang out and concentrate for public events including political demonstrations. Located next to the metro stations Kreschatyk/Хрещатик (red line) and Maidan Nezalezhnosti/Майдан Незалежності (blue line).

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Eat Ukrainian food

Next to Maidan, there’s a branch of Puzata Khata/Пузата Хата (Kreschatyk St. 15/4) and of Dva Gucya/Два Гуся (Kreshatyk St.). Both places serve Ukrainian food for inexpensive prices, open from the morning until night. For more details on Ukrainian food, go to Dishes to try in Ukraine.

Vareniki, a dumpling popular in Ukrainian culinary

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Also near the Maidan, you find the Saint Sophia Cathedral, at Volodimyrska Street. This cathedral draws attention from its green and white contrast, its dependencies include a monastic complex built in the 11^th century. If you’re in Kyiv for two days or longer, take some hours to visit its building.

River Port

At the end of the afternoon, a nice place to spend the time in Kyiv is around the Dnipro River, at the River Port. Next to Poshtova Plosha/Поштова Плоша metro station. In the summer, it’s a place where locals go to walk, get together, chill out. You can also take a boat ride around the river.

Day 2

Visit Museums

The museums are the best places to get in touch with Ukrainian history and art. Suggested museums that you can visit in two days are the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, Pinchuk Art Centre, and Kyiv Water Museum. More details on Museums and Art in Kyiv. To visit Pyrohiv, an open-air museum that recreates a medieval Ukrainian village, I recommend to take half a day.

Pyrohiv, the open-air museum in the outskirts of Kyiv.

Mural paintings and street art

Street art is another interesting aspect of Kyiv’s urban space. Around the city, there are interesting paintings and art creations, which makes the city interesting to explore in a spontaneous walking.

Mural painting in Kiev. — Mural painting in Kyiv.

Ziferblat

Ziferblat was founded in Moscow as a pioneer of anti-café. There’s also one in Kyiv, where you pay for the time you stay. Excellent place if you’re in Kyiv as a nomad digital looking for co-working, tea, and biscuits. Located at Volodymyrska Street, 49A – next to metro station Zoloti Vorota/Золоті Ворота (green line).

Parks

Kyiv is a green city, despite being the biggest Ukrainian city. Some parks to spend the time are Taras Shevchenko Park/Парк Тараса Шевченка, the MM Hryshko National Botanical Garden/Національний Ботанічний Сад Імені мм Гришка, the Kyiv Fashion Park and Volodymyrska Hill/Володимирська Гірка.