Great Things To See And Do For Free In Kiev

Being the capital of Ukraine, Kiev is a wellspring of ancient attractions and interesting venues. These are not only the most touristy spots, but also routes for unexpected adventures. Luckily for locals and tourists alike, many of these inspiring and fun adventures are free of charge. Here are our favourite activities.

Get imbued with the contemporary art spirit

Kiev is a modern city with an abundance of museums and galleries. You can start with any art walk or singular location, but take note that Pinchuk Art Centre is the most popular contemporary art hub in Ukraine and it’s free. Here you can immerse yourself in six floors of twenty-first century paintings, installations and performances. Moreover, at Pinchuk Art Centre, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with the exhibition moderators, who will gladly answer your questions.

Velyka Vasyl’k’ikvs’ka/Basseyna 1/3-2, Kiev, Ukraine, +38044590085

Marvel at the city’s panorama

Explore the best murals of Kiev

Kiev’s murals are the hidden gems of the city – there are more than 150 throughout the city. These murals constitute a large part of the local street art scene, and for many locals, it would be impossible to imagine Kiev without them. Each painting has its own history and a special reason for occupying its wall. For example, Revival is a painting with a girl dressed in traditional Ukrainian clothing. She stands above the city holding a small child in one hand, which depicts the city’s new generation and a second phase of the homeland’s development.

Somersaulting Woman mural in central Kiev

Go to Kiev’s open-air museums

The Ukrainian capital is indeed an art lover’s destination. Whether you’re a fan of folk art, handicrafts, landscape design or quirky modern pieces, you’ll find a venue to your taste. To discover Ukrainian traditions and culture, head to the Pirohiv Open-Air Museum of Architecture and the Life of Ukraine exhibit, which features windmills, huts and wheat fields. If you prefer to wander among sculptures, mosaics and other works of art, add Landscape Alley to your list. If you’d like to escape from the ever-bustling city, Feofaniya is an enchanting natural park that was created by professional architects.

Museum of Folk Architecture and Folkways of Ukraine

Enjoy the majesty of the eleventh century monastery complex

Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a must-see. The glimmering monastery was established in the eleventh century and has always played a spiritual, social, cultural and educational role in the city’s development. Therefore, Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a historical and cultural reserve protected by UNESCO. It is also Ukraine’s largest museum, consisting of more than 140 buildings. You’ll find yourself spending hours exploring this site’s ancient history, valuable artifacts, incredible architecture, historic icons and frescoes and unique caves with underground passages.

Lavrska Street, 15, Kiev, Ukraine, +380442551105

Ride in the lift for one

If you’re tired of visiting touristy sights, do something different: ride in Kiev’s single-person lift. There’s a story behind the construction of this narrow contraption, which was added to the building where Nikolai Sanov, the head of the Ministry of Food Industry, lived. According to legend, the single-person elevator was ordered by Sanov, who worked for the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was hard for Sanov to walk up all the stairs that were in the building, so he came up with a good solution. This 0.5 meter (1.6 ft) wide lift perfectly operates nowadays and has become a popular attraction.

Prorizna Steet, 11B, Kiev, Ukraine

Visit the Main Astronomical Observatory

Surprisingly, the Main Astronomical Observatory is among the free venues to visit in Kiev. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to participate in amateur astronomical observations and attend lectures on popular scientific topics. While you don’t have to pay to get in, you will be required to book a tour beforehand for a group of at least 10 people if you want a full tour. The observatory is located in the centre of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park.

Akademika Zabolotnoho Street, 27, Kiev, Ukraine, +38097236288

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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