See the capital in all its beauty
Everyone knows that if you really want to see the entire city, the best view is from the top. As a city standing atop hills, Kyiv has plenty of spots offering panoramic views. These spots are popular among tourists and Kyivans alike, who go there to relax and remind themselves of the beautiful place they live in. So, where is it that you can get the best view of Kyiv? Let’s find out.
The best way to get to the first point on our list is to take the funicular from Poshtova Ploshcha. From there you can reach Desyatynna street and the viewing ground right next to the Historical museum, where Desyatynna church once stood (it was destroyed during the invasion of Khan Batiy in 1240). It is located in the most picturesque part of Kyiv, on the high mountain of Detynka. Behind the museum there is a viewing alley, where an inspiring panorama opens onto Kyiv’s lower neighborhood of Podil.
If you go down Andriyivsky Uzviz and reach building No. 22, you’ll see a cast-iron staircase leading to the top of the mountain. Once on the top, you’ll see a path on your left leading to a trampled field with a high metallic cross standing in the middle – it’s a hippie’s Mecca. It’s customary to tie laces and ribbons to the cross to “make your dreams come true.” It’s a great place to have a small picnic while observing a beautiful panorama of Podil and the Left Bank of the Dnipro. However, note that climbing the stairs is tricky – not only because there are so many of them, but also because parts of the metal stairs are missing, making the climb a bit scary too.
Another popular viewing ground is the one near Druzhby Narodiv Arch. You can get there by walking from Yevropeyska Ploshcha past Philharmonics building. The arch itself is an ugly representation of socialist realism – one of the major architectural trends during Soviet times. However, next to the arch you can get a beautiful view of Podil and the Left Bank. Unfortunately, the place is usually crowded and you’ll have to stand and wait to get yourself a spot by the concrete railing.
As you walk through the park that is located beneath the arch, you’ll arrive at the Bridge of Love, connecting the terraces of Kreshchatiy and Miskiy parks. Miskiy park is a favorite among break dancers with its open-air stage. Along a steep path you can go to the next viewing point, which is located on the edge of Mariyinskiy park.
Walking down Sichnevoho Povstannya street you’ll get to Park Vichnoyi Slavy (Eternal Glory), a popular place for family outings. The central point of this park is a 27-metre high obelisk located next to the eternal flame. Downhill from the Monument to the Unknown Soldier there is a wonderful children’s playground with a fantastic panorama of the Left Bank. There is an excellent view of the Metro bridge, Hydropark and Dovbychka beach.
If you proceed through the park and reach the Lavra, you can get a beautiful view from its 96-meter-tall bell tower. However, if you want to climb even higher, you should keep walking until you reach the World War II museum, namely the famous Rodina Mat (Motherland) monument, and get a ticket to climb to the top.
However, since our aim isn’t climbing as many stairs as possible, but simply finding a place to enjoy a panoramic view of Kyiv at its best, the ultimate place to go is the terrace in front of Belvedere restaurant, standing on the hill next to Park Slavy. Just walk past Salute hotel and Ice Club Pioneer and you’re there. The terrace, standing right next to the restaurant, is supplied with benches and is never crowded, providing a great place to relax and watch Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Dnipro and the Left Bank. It’s a perfect spot for smitten couples, as well as anybody who’d like to take a break from the city noise and enjoy the beauty of Ukraine’s capital. Once while sitting there, I realized that I had almost forgotten what a beautiful city I live in.
Belvedere (1 Dniprovskiy Uzviv, Arsenalna Ploshcha metro station)
