Airport Details
Airport Full Name
Kiev Airport
IATA Code
KBP
Location:
The airport is situated 18 miles (30km) from
Kiev.
Airport Facilities
There are banks, currency exchange and ATMs throughout the airport. A variety of shops and duty free stores are available, and there are several cafes, restaurants and bars. Other facilities include luggage packing, left luggage, a travel agency, a business conference hall with fax and computer facilities, and special services for the handicapped.
Transfers
Atass buses provide a service from the airport to the centre of Kiev. Taxi desks are situated near the main entrance of Terminal B.
Contact
Tel: +380 (44) 490 4777.
Climate Details (C)
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Travel Guides: Kiev
General Information
The striking Ukrainian capital of Kiev (or Kyiv) is one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities and its fortunes have risen and fallen with the tides of history. The city, once capital of Old Rus, is believed to date back to the 5th century and was a key player in the expansion of the medieval East Slavic nation, as well as serving as a major centre for trade between the Mediterranean and the Baltic.
By the 1200s, Kiev was one of the world's largest cities, but fell foul to invading Mongols in 1240, really only recovering in the 19th century during the Russian Revolution. Much of the city and its treasures were again damaged during World War II, but Kiev still boasts a rich cultural heritage and a range of spectacular attractions.
A plethora of museums, theatres, opera houses, historical buildings and gardens are to be found, laid out on either side of the picturesque Dnieper River. The western bank is home to the older part of the city and was, pre-urbanisation, characterised by its forested hills, as well as steep ravines and winding rivers, which serve as ice-rinks in winter. Watched over by a statue of the historic protector of Kiev, Michael Archangel, the city also boasts a successful blend of the old and the new. Modern buildings nestle against historical gems and cultural wonders rub shoulders with trendy, buzzing nightclubs, bars and restaurants.
Any visit to the Ukraine is bound to start with an exploration of its capital, and visitors will need to ensure they give themselves ample time to explore all it has to offer. From the Golden Gate of Kiev, built in 1037, to a funicular ride up the steep western bank, Kiev has something for all tastes and certainly will not disappoint.
Getting Around
Kiev has an extensive public transport system, including buses, trams, trolleys and a metro (the fare is the same for all). Although the metro does not cover the entire city, it is still the fastest way to get around, particularly as the bus service can be unreliable and crowded at peak hours. Privately owned minibuses (known as marshrutkas) are also available; they can be flagged down anywhere along their routes and will usually have stops listed on their windows. Official taxis can be pre-booked by phone or hailed on the street. "Gypsy" cabs, or unmarked cars, may also stop; be sure to negotiate a price up front when choosing this option. Parking can be a problem in the city centre. Exploring the city on foot is perhaps the best way to explore its many cultural attractions, though keep in mind all signage is in Cyrillic. It is well worth taking the funicular on the steep western bank for fantastic views.
Activities
Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum, Kiev
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster is one of the most grisly and infamous events in the Ukraine's history. While few tourists make the trek to see the actual site of the former nuclear plant, visitors in Kieve can tour the Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum, which houses artefacts and memorabilia from the disaster, as well as scale models, visual media, and other educational exhibits. While all of the signs are in Ukrainian and Russian, English-language audio tours are available for a small fee.
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed
Sundays.
Admission:
UAN 10
Great Patriotic War Museum, Kiev
Dominated by the enormous, towering statue of the Motherland (looking like the sword-wielding sister of the Statue Of Liberty) above it, the Great Patriotic War Museum houses a fascinating collection of World War II artefacts in a Soviet-built building. Decommissioned tanks sit outside the museum, symbolically painted with flowers and nearby, another interesting statue entitled 'To the Fallen' serves as a memorial to all those who fought and died in the war. Although most of the museum notes are in either Russian or Ukrainian, they are well laid out and the displays are fascinating.
Opening Times:
Closed Mondays.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery), Kiev
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (the Caves Monastery) is a fascinating living piece of history dating back to 1051. The Venerable Anthony, a devout monk, settled in a cave on the western bank of the Dnieper River. He was soon joined by his followers and their numbers swiftly began to outgrow the caves. Prince Izyaslav and other Kievan aristocracy were frequent visitors to the Venerable Anthony and donated money to build a church and aboveground monastery. Since that period, the Monastery has continued to grow and is still active today, serving as an important centre of Orthodox Christianity and reflecting a fascinating way of life.
Admission:
Entrance to caves is free.
St Sophia Cathedral, Kiev
Dating back to the 11th century, the exquisite green and gold-domed St Sophia Cathedral was an important centre for the Soviet Union. It has been damaged and repaired over the years, and today is a blend of architectural styles from nine different centuries. Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of the Cathedral is its impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that date back to its inception. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral also serves as a living text; hundreds of pieces of graffiti relating political and historical events spanning the centuries can still be seen today.
Hydropark, Kiev
Summers in Kiev can be notoriously hot, and locals know that the best way to beat the heat is a trip to Hydropark Island. Less an amusement park than an entertainment development, Hydropark is located on the Dnieper River and offers attractions like sandy beaches, water rides, riverboat trips, paintball, bungy jumping, an ice rink, casino, and more. At night the island is a jungle of neon lights, with restaurants, bars and nightclubs playing music until early morning. Hydropark is connected to the mainland by the Metro, Rusanivka, and Venetian bridges.
Events
2012 UEFA European Football Championship
Poland and the Ukraine are jointly hosting the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, set to take place between June 6th and July 1st. The Ukrainian portion of the tournament will be hosted by four cities: Kiev, Lviv, Donetsk and Kharkiv. While Kharkiv's Metalist Stadium has been extensively renovated to host the event, other stadiums, like the Olympic National Sports Complex in Kiev and Arena Lviv, are practically brand-new. Kharkiv and Lviv will host Group B matches between June 9th and June 17th, while Kiev and Donetsk will host Group D between June 11th and June 19th. Donetsk will host a quarter final and semi-final, while Kiev will host a quarter final and the final match on July 1st.
Date:
6 June to 1 July 2012
Venue:
Stadiums in Kiev, Donetsk, Lviv and Kharkiv
Kiev Day
The national day of the capital city of this proud and fascinating nation is a carnival of parades, performances and an all-round good time, usually celebrated on the last weekend in May every year. The two-day festivities are concluded with a firework performance.
Date:
27 May 2012
