There are many places in Kyiv that you want to return to again: museums, historic buildings, quiet corners, and tried-and-true spots for coffee and snacks.
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We’ve put together a one-day route with a budget of up to 1000 UAH — to enjoy the capital without spending more than necessary.
St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral
Konstantin BrizhnichenkoOne of the most striking buildings in Kyiv and a unique example of urban Neo-Gothic architecture. The cathedral was built in 1899–1909 based on a design by Władysław Horodecki, often called the “Kyiv Gaudí,” while its sculptural decor was created by Italian master Emilio Sala. The building is recognizable by its pointed towers, sharp spires up to 55 meters tall, the rose window above the central entrance, and expressive stone details. Seeing the cathedral in person is an entirely different experience — no photo can convey its scale, rhythm of forms, and abundance of details.
Address: 75 Velyka Vasylkivska St.
Entry: free
The Khanenko Museum
One of Kyiv residents’ favorite museums, located in two historic buildings that are architectural landmarks. The museum houses impressive collections of art — from European and Asian works to artifacts of the Ancient world, as well as the private collection of Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko. A pleasant bonus: free admission on the first Wednesday of every month, making a visit even more accessible.
Address: 15 Tereshchenkivska St.
Entry: free on the first Wednesday of each month
Free museum days
If you’re planning a budget-friendly day in Kyiv, remember that this museum isn’t the only one you can visit for free at certain times. The National Art Museum of Ukraine also offers free entry every Wednesday, the Museum of Kyiv History is free on the first Wednesday of the month, and the “Kyiv Fortress” Museum is always free to visit. You can also explore the Aviation Museum without a ticket on Aviation Day. It’s a great way to connect with art while also…
“Sea Fairy Tale” Oceanarium
More than 3,000 marine creatures live here: fish, reptiles, amphibians, and various invertebrates. The exhibition covers about 800 m² and includes around 50 aquariums and pools containing over 200,000 liters of water. The central feature is an underwater tunnel where you can literally walk “under the ocean” and watch rays, sharks, and large tropical fish glide past. Equally impressive is the coral reef with soft and hard corals, sea stars, and other inhabitants of warm seas.
Address: 3 Malyshka St.
Entry: 349 UAH
Pochaina Market
Kyiv’s most famous flea market, where you can find books long gone from bookstores, vinyl records, vintage accessories, household appliances from past decades, and other unique items. Many people come here specifically for books — from old reference editions and fiction to rare copies that have disappeared from store shelves. Vendors also offer vintage clothing, photographs, porcelain, collectible postcards, and sometimes items that have become part of the city’s history.
Address: Verbova St. (Pochaina metro station)
Entry: free
Jellyfish Museum
In the heart of Kyiv, right under the walls of Maidan Nezalezhnosti, there is a unique location — the Jellyfish Museum. It’s the only place in Ukraine where you can see live jellyfish displayed with neon and ultraviolet lighting. The exhibition includes various species of jellyfish and marine invertebrates, and each aquarium is a living “screen” of mesmerizing forms, colors, and light.
Address: 7 Khreshchatyk St.
Entry: 259 UAH
V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
This is not just a library — it is one of the largest repositories of books in Ukraine and a true cultural monument. It holds millions of documents: rare books, limited editions, scientific works, maps, archives, and manuscripts. In addition, many music videos and photoshoots are filmed here — artists and creators choose this location for its atmosphere, spaciousness, and energy. This gives the library the status of not just a repository of books but a cultural space that lives and evolves along with the city.
Address: 3 Holosiivskyi Ave.
Entry: free
PinchukArtCentre
PinchukArtCentre is one of the largest contemporary art centers in Ukraine and a notable player on the European art scene. It is a space that presents provocative and relevant 21st-century projects: exhibitions of Ukrainian and international artists, installations, and multimedia works. The exhibitions change quite often, so each visit becomes a new encounter with art.
The architecture and interiors of the center are restrained and minimalist: light-filled halls, open spaces, and spacious galleries help visitors focus on the artworks. The concept of PinchukArtCentre is built on the idea of dialogue — art is not meant to be viewed silently; it provokes thought and emotion. That’s why this art center feels not like a classical museum but a living contemporary cultural platform that responds to the times and shapes discussion.
Address: Velyka Vasylkivska / Baseina St., 1/3–2
Entry: mostly free
Ukrainian House
Ukrainian House is a monumental building in the very heart of Kyiv that has gone from being the Kyiv branch of the Lenin Museum to the national cultural center. The structure was built in 1978–1982 based on a design by a team of architects led by Vadym Hopkalo. Its concise modernist volume of more than 17,000 m² includes three above-ground and two underground floors, decorated with marble, granite, and other materials brought from various regions of the former state.
In the 1990s, the museum institution was transformed into the cultural and educational center “Ukrainian House,” and later — into the National Center for Business and Cultural Cooperation. Over the years, the building has become not only an exhibition and business venue but also an important place in modern history: it hosted the headquarters of the Orange Revolution, the Language Maidan, and during the Revolution of Dignity, Ukrainian House became one of the centers of resistance.
Today it is a multidisciplinary space for dialogue and interaction, hosting exhibitions, forums, discussions, and educational programs. The collection, which has been forming since the 1930s, consists of tens of thousands of items: paintings, graphics, sculpture, decorative arts, books, documents, posters, philately, and other artifacts from the 18th–21st centuries.
Address: 2 Khreshchatyk St.
Entry: depends on the event or exhibition — often open or for a symbolic fee
Places for a snack and tasty coffee: Kyivska Perepichka, “Yaroslava,” “Titka Klara,” and Vagabond
Kyivska Perepichka
XsandrielThe first Kyiv street food spot, operating since 1981. The classic deep-fried sausage in dough has long become a culinary legend and remains a must-try item on the city’s gastronomic map for locals and visitors alike.
Address: 3 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St.
Prices: Kyivska perepichka — 50 UAH
“Yaroslava” Café
“Yaroslava” is a legendary establishment on Yaroslaviv Val that has been operating continuously in the same location since 1947. It is essentially a bakery-café-restaurant where for nearly 80 years they have been preparing pastries and traditional dishes of Ukrainian and European cuisine. The café stands in the historical heart of Kyiv — near Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Golden Gate — and feels like a “time capsule”: no matter how the city changes, here you will always find hot pies, broth, coffee, and cocoa at affordable prices.
Address: 13 Yaroslaviv Val St.
Prices: plum pie — 35 UAH, apple pie — 35 UAH, mushroom pie — 37 UAH
“Titka Klara” Pie Shop
Pies are a whole chapter of Kyiv street cuisine. At “Titka Klara” they make pies with cabbage, meat, potatoes, fish, spinach, egg, and rice. All of them are fresh, straight from the oven. Add kefir, baked milk, or hot broth — and it turns into a full, budget-friendly meal.
Address: various locations throughout the city
Prices: meat cutlet in dough — 52 UAH, broth — 50 UAH, sweet cheese bun — 49 UAH, cabbage pie — 48 UAH
Vagabond
An authentic coffee shop in Podil, where coffee, alcoholic drinks, and cocktails are served in vintage cups from familiar Soviet-era sets. The space is decorated with works by young artists and photographers, which you can buy. In the evenings, the venue hosts stand-up shows, poetry readings, concerts, and sometimes flea markets in the courtyard.
Address: 7 Hryhoriya Skovorody St.
Prices: espresso — 55 UAH, cappuccino — 80 UAH, classic mulled wine — 120 UAH
Such a day in Kyiv proves that you don’t need to spend large sums to truly experience the city — all you need is curiosity, comfortable shoes, and a few tried-and-true locations. And if afterward you’d like to continue your gastronomic journey beyond the capital, check out our article “Restaurants of Ukraine with Unique Cuisine: from Carpathian to Odesa Traditions” — it features places where you can experience the flavors of different regions of the country just as vividly as in Kyiv.
