Traveling to Kyiv

Text: BURSA / 26.06 09:22

Young people rule the culture of Kyiv

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Traveling to Kyiv can become an impressive trip as the diversity of the city increases on daily basis. People are open-minded and accustomed to foreigners with many European events being held in the capital of Ukraine – Eurovision, the Finale of Champions League and various music festivals.

Visa applications are accepted online or at the airport. The fee is 2550 UAH (around $100).

Check the weather in Kiev in advance and pack accordingly as the weather is just as diverse as the city itself. Summer weather is hot, but a light windbreaker will definitely serve you well.

It’s fair to say that young people rule the culture of Kyiv. They are proactive, unbiased and tend to bring their traveling experience in Kiev in the shape of business ideas, especially towards entertainment. That is why Ukrainian traditional cuisine is a bit hard to find. Yet, there are plenty of Asian and Mediterranean restaurants in the city center.

If you persistent at finding the traditional Ukrainian cuisine try Petrus-ь restaurant (28, Esplanadna St.) and Public Café (1/2, Kreschatik St.) for borsch and banosh. The restaurants also serve traditional drinks of Ukraine, apart from vodka, there are home-made liquors. The average check for a very sufficient meal and drinks amount to $40 per one person.

Public transport is well-developed, but Uber is also an option as the transport is available till 11pm and the underground is closed from 1am till 6am. Public transport costs 4 to 7 UAH. Uber costs 150-250 UAH ($6-10) at daytime and double the price at night. Public transport accepts local currency only.

Nightlife transforms Kyiv utterly to unleash the spirit of freedom.

Back in 2016, Great Britain’s I-D and Vice documentary film on rave revolution in Ukraine, basically, summed up the nightlife in Kyiv.

And Kyiv’s Podil district is a place to seek for the unique experience.

The territory of the old factory on the 31, Nyzhneyurkivska Street holds a complex of stages with the unreal atmosphere — Closer, Mezzanine and Lesnoi Prichal — where the party goes on 24/7.

Walking around Podil in the daytime can include visiting the oldest market of Kyiv — Zhytniy Rynok, and art gallery Izolyatsia.

If entertainment is your purpose of the trip than staying at Podil would fit perfectly. BURSA Hotel (11, Kostiantynivska, St.) combines comfortable and conceptual suits with great bar and pleasant public.

To dive into the modern and underground culture of Kyiv visit such events as Brave! Factory, Strichka, Ostrov, CXEMA and Hedonism. Prices vary around $30.

Kyiv is not an expensive city for European and American visitors. It all depends on the duration of your visit, types and quantity of daily activities and meals. Daily budget can be as low as $30 to as much as you can afford.

Just remember to exchange the currency in the city and not the airport. You don’t have to carry large sums of cash as most of the bars, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards. Just make sure you have some spare cash in local currency.