The coronavirus quarantine has stopped people from traveling abroad and made it hard to visit distant relatives and friends.
But it can’t stop summer or the enjoyment we can take from it.
Since Ukrainian authorities have started lifting the quarantine measures, people are now allowed to visit parks, public gardens and squares.
After a two-month quarantine, even a small walk in a park is a true pleasure. And in the Ukrainian capital, one can find plenty of green
parks and botanic gardens.
For those, looking forward to enjoying the upcoming sunny weather in Kyiv, the Kyiv Post has made a list of parks and botanical gardens with lots and greenery and entertainment in Kyiv and outside the capital.
Keep physical distance, wash your hands often, sanitize, and enjoy the walk.
Syrets Arboretum
Most tourists and many Kyivans have probably never heard of Syrets Arboretum or Syrets Dendropark.
Syrets Arboretum is one of the capital’s hidden gems. It was established in 1875, but it still hasn’t become highly popular because of
its location. One needs to walk from Syrets metro station along the Syrets forest towards Tyraspolska Street.
The arboretum is hidden behind a brick fence with an unremarkable gate. Here, one can find a perfect place for an after-quarantine getaway.
There is no need to keep the social distance at this park: it is a quiet place with no crowds at all. Instead, Syrets Arboretum is home to nearly
900 types of plants and trees, far from the capital’s noise. Visitors of Syrets Arboretum can rest on benches, have a picnic, or simply walk
along the park’s narrow paths and enjoy its picturesque landscapes on warm summer days.
1 Tyraspolska St. Mon-Sun — 9 a.m.— 7 p.m. Hr 20 for adults, Hr 10 for children and retirees
Gryshko Botanic Garden
Gryshko Botanic Garden is the biggest botanic gardens in Kyiv — around 117 hectares. Although it is located not far from Kyiv downtown, near Pechersk and Druzhby Narodiv metro stations, this botanic garden is a true paradise for nature fans.
Here, one can find beautiful lilacs, roses, peonies, tulips, lots of trees, bushes and more, depending on the season. However, mind that this
botanic garden is highly popular among tourists and locals and it might be tough to find a quiet place here, even on weekdays.
Those willing to see some exotic plants, not typical for Ukraine, can visit hothouses located at the garden’s territory.
1 Tymiriazievska St. Mon-Sun — 8:30 a.m.— 9 p.m. Hr 50 for adults, Hr 20 for children. Free for war veterans, children under 7 and people with disabilities
Fomin Botanic Garden
Fomin Botanic Garden is located right at Kyiv’s heart, close to Universitet metro station. The garden is often referred to as the Central Park of Kyiv.
It’s highly recommended to visit in spring when the magnolias are blooming. During the summer, Fomin Botanic Garden is a perfect place to escape the heat or have lunch outdoors.
Those, missing tropical climate but have to stay in Ukraine this summer due to the quarantine measures, can visit the hothouses located in the garden’s territory.
Here, visitors can find such exotic for Ukraine plants as palms, date trees, avocado, coffee, laurel, olive trees, and more.
The entrance to the botanic garden is free, but to enter the hothouses one will have to pay Hr 40 for adults, Hr 20 for children, and retirees for an hour-long excursion.
1 Symona Petlyury St. Free
Syrets Park
Not far from Dorohozhychi metro station one can find a nice weekend getaway — Syrets Park.
The park had a recent reconstruction and was reopened in summer 2018. Now, it is a modern place with lots of entertainment for children and adults: a railway, rope climbing attractions and lots of playgrounds, which make it a great place to spend a family weekend.
There are also fountains, flower beds with blooming tulips and roses, lawns perfect for picnics, and lots of greenery on every corner. One can
also enjoy the bike ride along the park, do yoga or exercise, and enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery.
1 Parkovo-Syretska St. Free
Nyvky Park
Right next to Syrets Park, one can find another beautiful park — Nyvky Park. Located close to Nyvky metro station, the park is a great place for those who enjoy walking in the woods.
Nyvky Park has lots of greenery, lawns perfect for family picnics, football or volleyball fields and playgrounds. It is also a perfect place to
ride a bicycle, take a pet for a walk, or do some sports outside in the fresh air.
However, the park is full of squirrels, so don’t forget to take some nuts to feed them. There are three ponds in the park’s territories. In the evenings or early mornings, one can visit many local fishermen sitting next to the ponds.
65 Peremohy Ave. Free
KPI Park
This park surrounds the campus of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. It’s a calm and quiet place located not far from the capital’s downtown.
The park is usually full of students, especially during the spring and fall seasons. Now, however, since schools and universities are closed
due to the quarantine, the park is not crowded at all.
There are no playgrounds or sports grounds at the park territory, but it’s still a nice place to escape the summer heat and walk along the tall green trees not leaving the city center.
31 Peremohy Ave. Free
People walk near the Friendship of Nations Arch in Mariinsky Park on Aug. 14, 2019, in Kyiv. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
Mariinsky Park
One of the most popular parks in Kyiv, Mariinsky Park, is located close to the government quarter where the buildings of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, Health Ministry, and Ukraine’s parliament.
Mariinsky Park is an 8.9-hectare park that stretches along the hills of the right bank of the Dnipro River. It is situated near the Mariinsky Palace, which is now the official ceremonial residence of Ukraine’s president.
Mariinsky Park offers an incredible view of Trukhaniv Island and the capital’s left bank. The park is also known for a narrow bridge called the Bridge of Lovers, where couples leave locks as a token of their love.
Apart from that, the park has several fountains and playgrounds for children and is a perfect place for a family weekend or a romantic date.
1 Mykhailo Hrushevskoho St. Free
Holosiivskyi Park
In the southern part of Kyiv, one can find an actual paradise of greenery — Holosiivskyi Park.
This huge park is a part of the much bigger, 740-hectare Holosiivskyi Forest. It has several large ponds, a forest-clad hill, and a small amusement park for kids.
There is also a botanic garden located in the park’s territory. Although the garden is closed for visitors now and will resume its work only after the quarantine, it is still worth paying attention to.
87 Henerala Rodymtseva St. Free
Park Natalka
Park Natalka is another recently-reconstructed park in Kyiv. Located near the Obolon embankment, the park offers a great view of the Dnipro River.
Apart from the view, the park offers a playground for kids, football fields and tables for table tennis, as well as an outdoor dance floor and
deck chairs for rent to enjoy the hot summer days.
Park Natalka, with its smooth roads and no hills, is also perfect for roller skating or riding a bicycle. There are also many cafes and restaurants nearby, providing takeaway services.
However, mind that this park is usually crowded even on weekdays.
Address: 9 Obolonska Naberezhna St. Free
Kyoto Park
Fans of Japanese culture should definitely visit Kyoto Park, located on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Even though the park is not far from the noisy Lisova metro station, it’s a nice and quiet place to rest at.
Everything in this park reminds of Japan. Kyoto Park is famous for its long alley with Japanese sakura trees, pond with iris flowers. It has a minimalistic design similar to a Japanese rock garden, also known as Zen garden.
Add to this bright Japanese lanterns, which light up in the evenings, and enjoy the walk.
1 Kyoto St. Free
Outside Kyiv
Oleksandria Arboretum
Just like the capital itself, Kyiv Oblast is also full of picturesque parks and arboretums. And Oleksandria Arboretum is one of them.
Founded over 200 years ago, this 400-hectares park is one of the biggest in Ukraine. It’s a perfect place to escape the summer heat and
city fuss.
Oleksandria Arboretum has everything needed for a perfect rest — ponds, lawns, woods, historic monuments, cafes and restaurants,
and over 2,500 types of different plants, many of which are exotic and rare for Ukraine.
The park is located an hour drive south from Kyiv. To get there take E95 and head to Bila Tserkva.
Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast. MonSun — 8 a.m.— 8 p.m. Hr 25 for adults, Hr 10 for children, Hr 2 for retirees. Free for war veterans, people with disabilities
Dobropark is a recently-opened park some 40-minute drive north from Kyiv. At the beginning of May, about a million tulips were blooming in the park, creating a magical atmosphere for its visitors. (Courtesy of Dobropark)
Dobropark
Just a 40-minute drive north from Kyiv sprawls a huge park called Dobropark (the good park in English). This recently-opened park has already become a highly popular place among tourists and locals alike. And the reason for its popularity is simple — tulips.
At the beginning of May, about a million tulips were blooming in the park, creating a magical atmosphere for its visitors. There are also ponds, lots of greenery, bright sculptures, mazes made of bushes, and lawns perfect for picnics or yoga.
However, Dobropark is closed for visitors now and will open only on June 18, featuring a new exhibition of blooming petunias.
Motyzhyn Village, Kyiv Oblast. Mon-Sun — 10 a.m.— 7 p.m. Hr 50 for adults, Hr 40 for children aged 7–16. Free for children under 6, war veterans, people with disabilities
Pushcha-Voditsa Park
Pushcha-Voditsa Park is located at the Obolon neighborhood, in Pushcha-Voditsa village. It stretches along the river Koturka and amazes
its visitors with beautiful scenery, tall oak and pine trees.
The park was opened after reconstruction in August 2019. Now, it has everything needed for a perfect weekend: pathways, benches, playgrounds for children, football fields, sports ground, green meadows and, of course, the bank of the river which is perfect for summer picnics.
21 Fedora Maksymenka St. Free
