Shopping has never been this easy
Not too long ago, shopping in Kyiv was a “fun” and “entertaining” experience, especially if you had any good taste. Usually, you’d end up running around the whole town in search of something suitable, because all the places of interest – Soviet-style department stores, small specialized shops and markets – would be scattered all over Kyiv. However, it ceased being necessary with the appearance of shopping centers, which not only collect a plethora of diverse stores under one roof, but also offer various entertainments in the form of movie theaters, skating rinks and restaurants, turning them into wholesome rest areas. Presently, there are over 10 such centers in town, however, some deserve more attention than others.
Metrograd was the first of the modern-type underground shopping centers to appear in the center. Spreading from Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho all the way to Besarabska Ploshcha, it gives you the chance to embark on a long shopping spree, complete with a variety of shops, selling everything to suit your basic needs. There are clothes, jewelry, drugstores, a barber shop, CDs, DVDs and even furniture. However, there aren’t many entertainments at Metgograd except for game machines. As for clothing, Metrograd counts very few mono-brand boutiques, offering instead lots of small shops selling ill-assorted items and therefore reminding of an outdoor market.
The assortment at Aladdin, situated right near Poznyaky metro, is limited mainly to clothes, shoes and accessories. There are also two cosmetics markets, a book shop and two kid’s stores that sell toys and clothes. Aladdin houses just a few fast food chains and Yapona Khata sushi restaurant. In terms of entertainments, it has a skating rink and a wall for rock-climbing, as well as a movie theater, which shows a fine selection of the newest films.
Promenada center is located not far from Lukyanivska metro – you can either take a free marshrutka from the metro, or a 15-minute walk to get there. If you go by car, there is plenty of parking space in their lot for you. The inside of the mall does indeed feel like a promenade as you stroll among its many shops, which include a Broccard, jewelry stores, many boutiques of various popular brands, as well as an Intertop. You can end your promenade with a snack in the fast food section, or just get all the food supplies you need at the big supermarket located there.
The location of Karavan – in an industrial region of the city on Luhova street – may be its only major drawback, somewhat compensated by a free marshrutka ride, which you can take from Petrivka metro to the mall and back. Karavan’s giant building, surrounded by a huge parking lot, always makes me feel as if I wasn’t in Kyiv, but somewhere in Western Europe. Inside, it’s a whole world of shopping, offering most of the clothing brands available on Ukrainian market, as well as those that can be found only in Karavan – a Calvin Klein jeans boutique, Kookai and Morgan, to name a few. Apart from clothes there are also shops selling electronics, mobile phones, books, DVDs, CDs, gifts, as well as a giant supermarket. For entertainment, there’s a movie theater, bowling alley, machine game center, and skating rink – one of the best in Kyiv. On the weekends live bands play at Karavan, providing a nice soundtrack for your shopping. Still, Karavan is best suited to those who prefer to have a whole day of shopping and fun in one place, and then drive back in a car full of shopping bags.
I tried to avoid being predictable, however I have no choice but to name Globus the best shopping center in Kyiv. Having become something of a tourist site in itself, Globus seems to have become a must for anyone who wants to shop or simply hang out in the city center. Occupying both sides of Kyiv’s main square, it is a vast shopping area, as well as simply a fashionable hangout. Offering clothing stores of various price ranges, Globus has something for everyone. There are jewelry, gifts, toys, sunglasses, shoes, cosmetics, sports gear and more. Tired of shopping, you stop for a meal at one of its many fast food chains and cafes. Unfortunately, there are no extra entertainments such as skating rinks or movie theaters there, but such a waist of space could hardly be expected right at Maidan. However, you can simply visit the neighboring Kinopalace or Ukraina if you want to see a movie. One way or the other, it’s hard to imagine Kyiv without Globus.
Globus (Maidan Nezalezhnosti)
