... Where a soul can rest. Parks

Volodymyrska Hirka (St. Volodymyr Hill)

It’s one of the oldest sacred places in Kyiv. First, a park called Mykhailivskyi was laid out on this hill, and then, when a Monument to Prince Volodymyr the Great was erected in the park, the park and the hill were renamed. This place fills visitors with energy, gives a positive mood. From the sightseeing platform of the Volodymyr Hill, a wonderful view opens up. In the 1900s, an innovation appeared on the Volodymyr Hill, the Mikhailivskyi electric train, which is now called a funicular.

How to get there: go up by funicular from Poshtova Ploshcha (Postal Square) metro station.

Mariinskyi Park and City Garden (Khreshchatyi Park)

Mariinskyi Park is one of the oldest parks in Kyiv with cosy, quiet alleys and stunning views. It was often renamed. It was called the Tsar’s Garden and the Alexandrovsky Park, as well as the Soviet Garden, the Proletarian Garden, the Palace Garden, the Regular Garden, and the Park of the Victims of the Revolution. At the entrances to the park, there are two elegant Termen fountains; the alleys, where many trees are more than 150 years old, are decorated with monuments and sculptural compositions made in different styles. Mariinskyi Park gives an opportunity to take a leisurely walk in any weather, sit on comfortable benches and drink coffee. On the ledge of the hilly part of the park, a spectacular platform was built, from which you can admire the views of the left bank of Kyiv, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the luxurious Mariinskyi Palace. The Bridge of Lovers, which is ideal for meetings, romantic dates and walks is one of the favourite places of tourists and young people. In fact, it connects Khreshchatyi and Mariinskyi parks.

Location: Mariinskyi and Khreshchatyi parks are located along Hrushevskoho Street, bounded on one side by houses Nos. 9 and 9-A, and on the other by a steep cliff above Parkova Road, and on the third by Dynamo Stadium, and are separated by the Mariinskyi Palace complex.

Park of Trypillian culture 

This small park was opened in 2003. It is a little-known place in Kyiv. Few people have heard of the park, despite the fact that it can be considered a kind of an open-air museum dedicated to one of the oldest civilisations in Europe, the Trypillians. Here, household objects of this culture’s representatives are reproduced from ceramics and stone on an enlarged scale. In the centre of the park, there is a statue of the Great Mother, the main goddess worshipped by the matriarchal society of Trypilians. Other objects include a monument to a bull on wheels, dishes, household items, models of residential premises, and a temple. An equally interesting exhibition, 7 Wonders of the World, is located nearby. It consists of reduced copies of famous monuments.

How to get there: It’s within 10 minutes of walking distance from Demiivska metro station.

Heydar Aliyev Square

The square strikes with its beauty. An unusual architectural solution, a water feature, many various plants — all that differs it from the rest of Kyiv parks.

The square is built in the form of several tiers going down the slope. Its contours resemble a wall of a real eastern castle. The highlight of the park is, of course, the water feature. It cascades in a smooth vertical mosaic and then descends into a small pool. You will not find such a carpet fountain anywhere else.

The mosaic in Heydar Aliyev Square is the world’s only exact copy of the life-size Sheikh Safi carpet. It is made of ceramics, Murano Glass and Italian tiles. The Sheikh Safi carpet is one of the oldest Tabriz carpets that have survived to this day. It was created by order of Shah Tahmasp in 1539. Such carpets are considered a miracle of the East, because they impress with the finest handiwork, small unique patterns, perfectly selected colour scheme, and are bordered with an original rich canvas.

Several species of plants characteristic of Azerbaijan were planted in the territory of the park, and a map of the country was made of the flowers on the flower bed.

At night, a very unusual illumination is turned on in the fountain, which makes the square even more mysterious and fabulous.

Address: 24 Hlybochytska Street (near the Embassy of Azerbaijan).

Syrets Arboretum

The Syrets Arboretum covers an area of ​​7.5 hectares. The park’s collection includes 325 species of trees, including yew and pine trees, 16 species of vines, and 119 deciduous trees. Coniferous trees occupy 50% of the park’s territory, which makes the air clean and healing. A wide variety of plants and shrubs delight the eye, from oak and linden, which are more than 100 years old, to exotic ginkgo and tulip tree. There are also such ‘exotics’ as the Japanese yew, Engelmann spruce, Colorado spruce, Crimean linden, Magnolia kobus. In the spring, lilacs, magnolias, jasmines, crocuses delight with their splendour; and sakuras and apple trees, peonies and irises fill the park with divine aromas.

Karl Meyer, who in 1875 laid the foundations of the park, or rather, planted a small array of deciduous and coniferous tree species, was the creator and author of all this magnificence. Later, in 1949, the arboretum received a second life in the framework of the project, and under the leadership, of dendrologist Mykola Ptitsyn. Walking along the mysterious paths of the park, you will definitely feel harmony and peace. 

Address: 43 Tyraspolska Street.

How to get there: from Nyvky metro station by minibuses Nos. 26, 410, 455, 465, 531 or by buses Nos. 32, 226, 14 or by trolleybuses Nos. 5, 26 to the stop Stetsenka Street.

From Syrets metro station, by minibuses Nos. 23, 47, 223, 439, or by trolleybuses Nos. 23, 35 to the stop on demand Tyraspilska Street, or walk through the territory of Syretsky Hai.

Maksym Rylskyi Holosiivskyi Park

It is a beautiful place where one can see untouched nature, because it is here that there are remnants of the primeval forest that once surrounded the capital. The main highlight of the park is a cascade of four lakes that stretch along the Orikhuvatka River. In 1964, the park was named after the famous Ukrainian poet, translator, author of the poem Language, Maksym Rylskyi. 

Every year in the spring and summer, ducks with small fluffy ducklings swim in Holosiiv lakes. There are many squirrels in the park, seagulls hover over the Orikhuvatka ponds.

Holosiivska Pustyn hermitage monastery is located near the Holosiivskyi Park. Here you can not only enjoy the amazing nature, walk through the fragrant forest and visit the shrine, but also get a tremendous charge of positive and sublime energy.

How to get there: Maksym Rylskyi Holosiivskyi Park is located near Holosiivskyi Avenue. You can get there by trolleybuses Nos. 11, 12, 43 from Holosiivska metro station. You can also get there by buses Nos. 416, 444, 507. 

O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden

Amidst the noise and commotion of the metropolis, a green island has been preserved in the heart of Kyiv, the Kyiv University’s Botanical Garden named after Academician Oleksandr Fomin. This is one of the oldest botanical gardens of Ukraine. In 2019, it turned 180 years old.

The botanical garden is divided into two parts: the park for walks, and the research part closed for visitors. One can see the plant collections in the research part only when accompanied by a research associate.

The botanical garden is beautiful at all seasons: squills and crocuses bloom in February, magnolias in April, rhododendrons in May... And in winter, when Kyiv is grey and snowy, one can have a tour to a part of the garden where it is summer all year round — to the greenhouse complex. Here, among the jungle, you can admire collections of tropical and subtropical plants, visit the famous 32-metre-high Climatron where the oldest in Ukraine 200-year-old palm tree grows, as well as a Chilean wine palm, laurel and fig trees, feijoa, medlar and many other exotic plants.

How to get there: the garden is located behind Universitet (University) metro station concourse. It is also within 15–20 minute walk from Vasylia Stusa metro station (formerly Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho (Leo Tolstoy Square)) and from Vokzalna (Central Railway Station) metro station.

Feofaniia Park

This is the most valuable historical monument of Ukraine with incredibly beautiful nature, offering many places for family and secluded recreation. Since time immemorial, the park has been considered an important centre of spiritual development of Ukrainians and one of the most unique natural areas suitable for restoring mental and physical strength.

The park is located in a hilly area that used to be called Lazarevshchyna. It was named in honour of the bishop of Chigyryn, Theophanes Shyianov, the abbot of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. 

Now Feofaniia is a beautiful place with wonderful areas for recreation near picturesque ponds. Many cosy gazebos, benches wrapped in leaves, exquisite fountains, small bridges and streams and flower beds with decorative shrubs and flowers have been built here. One can feel peace and tranquillity near the wonderful lake cascade with alpine slides and colourful meadows. In the evening, there are many lanterns in the alleys of the park, which add romanticism to the walks.

St. Panteleimon’s Nunnery known for its unique architectural ensemble and amazing interior decoration is one of the most popular modern attractions of the park.

Hryshko National Botanical Garden 

You can come here at any time of the year: in late autumn you will be delighted by the golden leaves and blossoming chrysanthemums. Hryshko National Botanical Garden covers 130 ha. You will definitely enjoy your personal space there. While in the botanic garden, you will be able to visit Asia and Siberia, the Carpathians and the steppes of Ukraine during one day: it is divided into thematic areas presenting plants from different regions. The Holy Trinity Monastery is located in the territory of the garden, so it is also a spiritual place. You can go to the greenhouse and admire the amazing plants of the world, among which there is a large collection of orchids. Capture wonderful moments, enjoy the beauty!

How to get there: from Pecherska metro station to Botanical Garden (terminal stop) by bus No. 62 or trolleybus No. 14.

Kyiv Dytynets/Stronghold (Old Kyiv Hill)

Starokyivska Hora (Old Kyiv Hill) is Kyiv’s historical cradle. Legends testify that it was here that Kyi founded the city, and Kyivan Rus began its existence from this particular place. During the reign of Yaroslav the Wise, Kyiv expanded to St. Michael’s Hill and to the place where St. Sophia’s Cathedral now stands. 

Old Kyiv Hill is famous for its Landscape Alley with fabulous sculptures and one of the oldest trees in the capital, an ancient linden, which is believed to grant wishes. According to legends, it was planted by Metropolitan Petro Mohyla, so the tree is about 400 years old! The Hill hides considerable treasures: 16 buried treasures from the times of Kyivan Rus were unearthed around the ruins of the Church of the Tithes. This is an extremely beautiful and unusual place, because this is where the history of our country began.

How to get there: Old Kyiv Hill is located in the Upper City. 

Castle Hill 

Castle Hill is one of the five Bald Mountains in Kyiv, the most charming and the most important of them. It has many historical names: Khorevytsia, Kyselivka, as well as Florivska or Frolivska Hill — in honour of the monastery located at its foot. The mountain got its current name thanks to the castle of the Lithuanian voivode Volodymyr Olherdovych, which was built in the 70s–80s of the 14th century and was destroyed in 1482 by the invasion of the Crimean Khan Meñli Giray. Later, a cemetery emerged on the hill. Now it is half-ruined, which only adds a mystical flavour to the hill, because the Castle Hill is considered a place of power for city witches, and the nuns from the Ascension Convent (Florivskyi Nunnery) generally call it satanic, telling many scary stories. You can climb the mountain in two ways: by old, almost destroyed, but still solid paths from the dead end on Frolivska Street or from Andriivskyi Descent by patterned stairs, which have 120 steps. By the way, if you are going to the Castle Hill for the first time, make a wish when you step on its land. They say wishes come true there.

The nearest metro station is Poshtova Ploshcha (Postal Square).

Shchekavytsia Hill

One of the most mystical hills of the capital is located on the outskirts of Podil and was named after one of the founding brothers of Kyiv. According to historians, Shchek’s residence was located here, and during the construction of factories near Shchekavytsia Hill, early man sites and settlements from Paleolithic times, and an early Slavic hoard of Roman coins were found. A secret moonshiners’ cave found in the slope during the construction of a residential building was among the latest discoveries. Shchekavytsia Hill is one of the Bald Hills of Kyiv. It was also called Olehivka because according to legend, Oleg the Prophet is buried there. Nowadays, the mountain is known as one of the best sightseeing platforms in the city offering a 270 degree view: from it one can admire the views of Podil, Petrivka, Vynohradar, Obolon, Troieshchyna and Berezniaky. And watch the starry sky: it’s not without reason that there once was an observatory here! It is also believed that Shchekavytsia Hill can restore health, give positive energy and certainly put a smile on one’s face thanks to the beautiful panorama and almost untouched nature.

Lysa Gora (Bald Hill) in Vydubychi 

Lysa Gora in Vydubychi is one of the most sinister and mysterious sites of the Ukrainian capital, the so-called ‘forehead’ place, a place of power, which is ideal for mystical rites and making wishes. This is the ‘official’ Bald Hill, which has many unpleasant stories. Lyska, as the people call this place, is famous not only for numerous legends about witches who liked to gather here for their covens, but also for things no less creepy. The hill was once a military object: the Lysohirskyi Fort was built on it. According to some sources, the builders (more than three thousand serfs) were drowned in wells after the construction of the fort. Rumour has it that later the soldiers repeatedly heard strange noises in its vicinity, saw hallucinations, and some even went mad. At the beginning of the 20th century, the hill was the place of execution of political criminals who were buried there.

Nowadays, the hill has long since turned into a semi-wild park. Esotericists consider the hill a place of power and an entrance to the underworld, and geophysicists believe that the most powerful geopathogenic zone of Kyiv lay in its vicinity. And it’s also a place where you will have to make a wish that will definitely come true.

Address: Lysohirsky Descent (Vydubychi metro station, between Prospekt Nauky Avenue, Naddniprianske Highway and Telychka).

Andriivska Hora (St. Andrew’s Hill) 

St. Andrew’s Hill borders on Mykhailivska Hora (St. Michael’s Hill) in the Southeast, and on Starokyivska Hora (Old Kyiv Hill) and Castle Hill (Zamkova or Frolivska Hora) in the Northeast. The famous St. Andrew’s Church crowns its summit. Its name is associated with Andrew the First-Called, who, according to legend, in the 1st century AD prophesied the emergence of a great city by erecting a cross on the hill.

In pre-Christian times, there was one of the city pagan temples of Perun with a pagan sanctuary and a stone altar. With the arrival of a new faith in the city, the hill retained its sacred significance: from the 11th century, a monastery, then churches, and the Apothecary Garden were located on it. In 1749–1753, St. Andrew’s Church, which one can admire today, was constructed here. Now, on the summit of the hill near the church, a wonderful sightseeing platform has been made. 

How to get there: walk from Kontraktova Ploshcha (Square of Contracts) or Poshtova Ploshcha (Postal Square) metro stations, or take the funicular up to Mykhailivska Ploshcha (St. Michael’s Square), then walk along Desiatynna Street. From the Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate) metro station, walk along Volodymyrska Street to Andriivskyi Descent itself.