Kiev isn’t one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. The Ukraine and Kiev have had some tumultuous political times, and as a result the tourist industry has naturally suffered – but Kiev is a calm and safe city, and a fascinating and exciting one to discover.
Fly to Kiev, and get off the typical beaten tourist path in Europe. Discover a city that many have not yet reached.
When to book flights to Kiev
Summer in Kiev is beautiful, but it can be very hot, which can make long days walking the city’s streets quite exhausting for some. If that’s a concern for you, you might prefer to book your cheap flights to Kiev in the shoulder seasons on either side of those hotter summer months.
In April/May and September, the temperature is more comfortable and conducive to exploring a city as large as Kiev, and it will be a little quieter too. Winter in Kiev is cold, with temperatures hitting below freezing in December, January and February – if that’s when you choose to book your cheap Kiev flights, make sure you bring lots of warm layers!
What to see in Kiev
There’s a huge amount to see and do in Kiev, but first you’ll need to find your accommodation. Kiev is a big city with lots of neighbourhoods to stay in, but some of the more popular ones for tourists include Pechersk, Podil and Shevchenko. Choose your accommodation at the same time as you book your Kiev cheap flights by using Ryanair rooms.
Room sorted, it’s time to explore Kiev! There are countless beautiful pieces of architecture throughout the city, mostly churches and cathedrals with stunning gold gilding and brightly painted towers. If you pick only one of these to discover more thoroughly, make it the Pechersk Lavra Monastery, which is actually a complex of over 28 hectares and is host to cathedrals, catacombs and caves which you can explore.
Many people who visit Kiev decide to make the day trip to Chernobyl, the site of a disastrous nuclear event in 1986. It’s a slightly morbid tour, with creepy and abandoned buildings making up the exhibits in an uninhabitable museum, but it’s fascinating to many who want to learn more about the history of the event, what went wrong, and how it can be avoided in future.
Andrew’s Descent is a busy street in Kiev, and its oldest street too. It’s a long cobbled street lined with galleries, cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s a touristy area, but should absolutely be part of your itinerary when you book your Kiev flights. Don’t miss a trip to Independence Square either, the central meeting place of Kiev.
Getting around
Kiev has a decent public transport system that includes trams, trolley buses and buses. It’s a busy network but it’s a very cheap way to get around Kiev. There lots of taxis and they are fairly cheap, but the city also has Uber which is popular, efficient and really cost effective.
Driving in Kiev is not too much of a challenge, the roads are wide and the traffic is not too manic. However road markings can be faded, so if you decide to hire a car from Kiev airport, drive carefully and take your time!
What to eat in Kiev
Make sure you try borscht in Kiev. The Ukrainian version of borscht is served rich, hot, meat heavy and delicious. Golubsty – cabbage leave stuffed with rice and meat – is another popular dish here. Khinkali is actually a dish from nearby Georgia, but these big fluffy dumplings are pretty good in Kiev too and worth seeking out.
Kiev has a lot of excellent restaurants serving modern European cuisine too, and dining in the city is a great experience where you get a lot of bang for your buck. Book your Kiev flights today, and see for yourself!