Kiev, Ukraine is one of those European cities brimming with things to do and beautiful places to explore! Plus, it has some incredible museums. Here's a handful of our favorites.
What brings you to Kiev? Just visiting for a few days? Or better yet, do you get to spend a semester here as an English-teaching volunteer with International Language Programs? If so, buckle up cause you're about to have an amazing few months living in one of our top favorite cities.
Quick ILP Update — This post was written prior to the war and information is likely out of date. We’re keeping this post live in hopes to update it once travel and peace returns to Ukraine.
If you are volunteering in Kiev with ILP, then you'll have plenty of free hours to spend around the city, and make sure some of those are spent in Kiev's museums. There are actually dozens, but we've narrowed this list down to just our favorites. Whether you have a couple days to visit Kiev, or an entire semester, we've also put together a complete guide with all the info you'll need to really get the most of your time in Kiev! Check that out here.
Ever seen a chessboard on the head of a pin? Well, you can see that here, plus the tiniest book in the world, a camel caravan in the eye of a needle, and a rose painted inside a single strand of human hair, all handmade by one man, Mykola Syadristy, using very unique technology. His creations are best appreciated through the lens of a microscope, but viewers are even more amazed by Sydristy's intricate talents when they take a step back. This is a place you don't want to miss, and the artist himself still visits the museum regularly. Get a sneak peek by visiting the official website, here. Also, plan on exploring the entire Lavra during your visit!
Address: корпус 5 9, Lavrska St, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02000
Hours: Open Wednesday-Monday from 9 am to 6 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
Tickets: 50 UAH (about $2).
Ever heard of the tragic, nuclear end of Chernobyl? It's been almost 40 years since the night the nuclear plant exploded, and with each decade the deserted city becomes more eerie. We think Chernobyl itself is one of the most interesting places you can visit in Ukraine (here's our guide), but if you can't get all the way out there then at least stop by this museum. Here you can learn about all the details surrounding the event, and how it affected thousands of people. Learn more on their official website.
Address: Provulok Khoryva, 1, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02000
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday from 10 am-6 pm. Last admission is at 5 pm and closed on the last Monday of every month.
Tickets: About $1.
This museum has been open for over 100 years and was established as a place to collect and share Ukraine's contributions to the world of art. Here you can see pieces created by not only those who lived in Ukraine, but also by artists who lived elsewhere but wanted to preserve Ukrainian history and traditions. There are about 40,000 items in total, which includes masterpieces from the medieval era through the 20th century. Although you may not recognize many of the artists' names, the pieces are memorable, especially those from the avante garde collection. Check out the official website here!
Address: 6, Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01001
Hours: Open Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 6 pm; Fridays from 12 pm to 8 pm; Saturdays from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tickets: 40 UAH (about $1.60).
This unique museum has top ratings and is dedicated to the history of costume and fashion, specifically from the Victorian Era. The 200+ exhibits are home to many outfits, jewelry, and other trinkets that have survived both World Wars, and give a detailed idea of what life would have been like for individuals living during the 17th-19th centuries. If you're a lover of Masterpiece and BBC dramas (where the Downton Abbey fans at?), then this is the museum for you. To get a sneak peek, visit the official website here.
Address: Butyshiv Ln, 23, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02000
Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Tickets: 130 UAH (about $5.20)
Have you seen the powerful, inspiring statue known as the Motherland Monument? Scroll down a bit to the picture of the woman overlooking the city with her arms outstretched if not. That well known statue is actually part of this museum, which has more than 17,000 exhibits in total. Yes, you read that right! In addition to thousands of beautiful, significant artifacts owned by Ukrainian individuals who were affected by the war, you can also see tanks, airplanes, and other large weapons used during WW II. Plus, you can get great views of the city from the different observation decks on the Motherland Monument. This is a museum you'll want to explore for at least a couple of hours. Plan your visit by checking out the official website.
Address: Lavrska St, 24, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01015
Hours: Open Tuesday-Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Tickets: 40 UAH (about $1.50). Guided tour in English 200 UAH (about $8). Other experiences are extra, such as tickets for the observation decks on the Motherland Monument: 100 UAH (about $4) or 300 UAH (about $12) depending on the level.
For those who are kids at heart, this museum is for you. A tour guide is included in the cost of the ticket, and a lot of the exhibits are interactive. It's the perfect place to learn all about water while having fun. You can even stand inside a giant bubble! While the building and tower themselves do not look very big from the outside, there is also a large underground section where you can actually see the roots of trees and plants. Plan on spending about an hour here.
Address: Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, 1В, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02000
Hours: Open Wednesday-Friday from 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tickets: 60 UAH (about $2.50).
Technically called the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, this outdoor museum consists of 300+ structures commemorating traditional buildings from the 16th-20th centuries. Inside the homes and barns are exhibits where visitors can see thousands of items such as tools, clothing, furniture, toys, paintings, and so much more. You can even participate in workshops and learn how to make traditional crafts. There is also a section of the park where you can explore houses from all over Ukraine form the 1970's, so don't leave without exploring that area.
For all of the info you need, visit the official website. You can also get more about visiting Pyrohiv, here.
Address: Krasnozemnaya St. Pirohiv, Kiev 02000 Ukraine
Hours: Open Monday-Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.
Tickets: 50 UAH (about 2 USD).
One of the first things you'll notice about the city of Kiev is all of the stunning and colorful architecture. This cutie museum is home to a collection of miniature copies of these same buildings, with descriptions in English so you can read all about them! It's the perfect place to put together a list of Kiev's must-see sights for yourself. Plus, they have miniature copies of famous buildings from all over Ukraine and Indonesia as well (random?). Since the entire exhibit is outside, you'll want to plan your visit for a sunny day and plan on spending no more than 30 minutes here.
Address: ст. Метро ГИДРОПАРК,Броварський проспект, 9-В біля Ресторану "Млин, біля, Kyiv city, Ukraine, 02000
Hours: Open Monday-Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
Tickets: 80 UAH (about $3.50). Cash only.
Want to see more about what volunteering for a semester in Ukraine is like?
Thankfully Kiev isn't a huge tourist destination yet, which means you'll get to have an authentic European experience living in this city. Plus, it's a great starting point for visiting so many other incredible countries!