Sunbathing and swimming season opens in Kyiv
Hot summer came to Kyiv early this year – pretty much like spring did before it – and consequently gave an early start to beach season. Tanning on a beach as the waves splash quietly a few steps away and a light breeze tickles your bare skin – what could be a more pleasant way to spend your free time in such heat? Relaxing on the sand by the river Dnipro remains the most popular activity in the summer, and luckily there are plenty of beaches in the city to take in all of its citizens. Though of course, not every patch of sand by the river in Kyiv is pleasant and safe for swimming and sunbathing. So here’s an overview of places to go to escape the heat, strip off your clothes, put on your bikini and jump into the water!
Once again, Hydropark
What can I say, it’s hardly possible to avoid mentioning Hydropark when talking about the beaches in Kyiv. It’s the only organized area that encloses such a large number of different beaches – paid and free, and all sorts of entertainment options – bars, clubs, an amusement park and water activities. That’s why, when you feel an urge to simply go to the beach, Hydropark seems like a natural choice.
The park is located a short car ride away from the city center, but if you don’t mind taking the metro, just take the train that goes in the direction of Hydropark metro station, and you’re right there. When you exit the train, turn left, head down the steps and turn right at the station entrance, walk through a dark underpass and as you emerge from it you’ll find yourself in the turmoil of Hydropark.
Be prepared that if you decide to go there during midday, you may find yourself in a crowd of other eager beach-goers as you start your walk out of the metro train, but don’t despair – just a few minutes of walking amidst a great many half-naked people and you’ve reached your destination.
As you start your walk towards any of Hydropark’s beaches you’ll have to walk through its major entertainment area studded with many shashlik restaurants and stalls selling everything, from pastries to ice cream, water and of course lots of beer. As you continue your walk, you’ll reach a bridge. On your right you’ll see a whole line of beaches running along the bank of the river. Almost right below the bridge on the opposite side there are a number of wooden benches for lying down, and there are always plenty of people there, however the benches are the only benefit – swimming under the bridge and right by the dam is hardly a great pleasure.
Pool party at Sun City
Right next to the first beaches you see in Hydropark spreads Sun City Slavutych – Hydropark’s swankiest beach club – at least in terms of prices. In fact, you can get onto the big main beach for just Hr 5. However, the only benefit you’ll get there, in comparison with free beaches, is cleaner sand (not as stuffed with cigarette-butts, that is), but everything else, such as umbrellas or sun beds, has to be paid for additionally.
The VIP zone of Sun City will cost you Hr 50 (Hr 80 on weekends) and is basically worth the fee if you can get a spot by the pool, which is considered Sun City’s biggest advantage. There is also a shallower pool for children. Sitting by the pool you can also comfortably order food and drinks that will be brought to you by the attentive waitresses.
Relaxing on the beach at Sun City, you can observe a 40-meter high crane for bungee jumping on the opposite bank. And if you’re not scared of heights and would like a quick injection of adrenaline to keep you going, take your chances there. To jump you have to weigh between 44 to 115 kilograms and have no joint or heart diseases. And of course it’ll cost you – Hr 180.
Also at Sun City you can make use of various water recreation options, such as jet skis. A five-minute ride will cost you around Hr 75, while a monster jet ski that can accommodate up to four people is around Hr 75 for 10 minutes. You can also try water skiing for about Hr 60 for 10 minutes per person, or be pulled by a speed boat in an inflatable tube. A ride for one will also cost Hr 60 per 10 minutes, and an inflatable tube that can accommodate up to four people is Hr 90 for 10 minutes.
If you’re into more traditional water recreation, try row boats and peddle boats. Those can be found at a small marina in the south east corner of Hydropark, just south of Metro bridge. It operates daily 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. and offers a wide assortment of peddle boats and row boats. Keep in mind that you’ll have to leave some identification, such as a passport or cash deposit, to rent a row boat or peddle boat for Hr 19 per hour.
Further behind Sun City Slavutych spread two free beaches – Venetian and Molodizhniy (Youth). However, being free, those beaches are always stuffed with people, so that on the weekends it’s hardly even possible to move around in the water, and the sand is of course quite dirty. However, you can bring your own food and drinks with you – what you’re naturally not allowed to do at Sun City – and occasionally vendors will come over to you to offer their tasty merchandise, but I wouldn’t hurry to buy it unless it’s something harmless like ice cream, lemonade or beer.
Beach fun at Opium
Another popular beach spot is located further down the road. After you’ve crossed the bridge continue walking, keeping to the left side and close to the river and in about 10 minutes you’ll reach it – Opium Beach club. Opium is much bigger than Sun City and cheaper – the entrance fee is just Hr 25.
They also have a pool that’ll cost you an additional Hr 40, however it’s quite shallow and not exactly worth it. Sun beds are included in the entrance fee, but they are scattered all over the beach and there often aren’t enough for everyone. However, people leave every now and then, so just sit on your towel for a while, observing the sun beds around you and before long you’ll manage to grab one for yourself – believe me, I did it.
When you’ve got your sun bed, place it close to the water to face a magnificent view of the Lavra and Rodina Mat monument, which gets especially beautiful during the sunset. On the territory of the beach, there is a small bar on the sand, but it’s not always operating, and a restaurant serving decent food and drinks. If you manage to catch the waitress while she’s fetching someone’s order on the beach, you can make you own order without having to get up, otherwise you’ll have to walk up to the restaurant yourself.
When bored from merely lying and tanning you can indulge in beach sports – Opium has volleyball courts with stands and lots of space for soccer and Frisbee. To create a proper beach mood, a house deejay always plays relaxing beach music.
However, what’s best about Opium Beach is that even with all the sun beds taken, it never feels crowded. Besides, the beach is obviously frequented by young people, and naked babies running around and screaming, or obese babushkas in their underwear, are rare sites at Opium, which also speaks in its favor.
From Dnipro to Desyonka
Another popular beach area is the territory spreading alongside Moskovskiy bridge, leading from the left bank to Petrivka metro. All the beaches here are free, therefore having all the typical disadvantages of free beaches, but some of them are more popular than others.
If you take a walk or a ride from Petrivka towards the left bank, you’ll soon see a beach running the length of the oblong lake on your left. There are apartment buildings on the opposite side of the lake, and clearly the beach is frequented by their residents. However, the water in the lake is considered rather clean, and the thin beach is supplied with changing rooms – basically several sheets of metal put together to hide you from strangers’ eyes as you slip out of your wet bikini.
Further along, close to the middle of the bridge, you’ll see a vast beach on your left, on the bank of the Dnipro. This big sandy beach is also supplied with changing rooms and a big tall shed with benches placed underneath that has remained there since the Soviet times. It is hardly an option if you want to get tan, however, if you want to hide from the sun – and in certain hours of the day when the sun is especially aggressive, it’s truly advisable – it may come handy. Lying on the beach or swimming in the Dnipro you can observe the fancy apartment buildings now being constructed in the luxury part of Obolon – not exactly a picturesque site, but interesting nonetheless.
To get to the beach you’ll have to get out of the cab or marshrutka at the bus station placed in the middle of the bridge (buy some cold water and ice cream in the stalls right there if you wish) and go to the left. So as not to get lost on the winding road leading up to the beach, just follow the people who look like their headed to the beach – in hats, carrying towels – there are always some of them there.
If you go right from the bus stop, you’ll find yourself on a “wild” beach – basically a number of sandy patches scattered along the bank of the Desyonka river, covered with trees. It’s a place for someone who likes to explore and take bike rides. After some roaming you may manage to find a spot with no people around at all – however, in the hot summer days, your chances are slim.
From Trukhaniv to Blue Lake
The most centrally located beach is the one on Trukhaniv island. You can get there by crossing a pedestrian bridge not far from Poshtova Ploshcha metro station. Sandy beach spreads out on both sides of the bridge, and sitting there you can observe the green hills in front the Druzhby Narodiv arc and boats running up and down the Dnipro, setting off from the river station at Poshtova Ploshcha.
There are a great many vendors and cafes to supply you with food and drinks on Trukhaniv island, and shady park paths pleasant for taking walks and reading on a bench. And in the evening, when it gets too cold and dark to sunbathe, you can go to the center and continue hanging out – after all, you’re just a few steps away.
Another rather centrally located beach is the one spreading along Dniprovska Naberezhna, nestled against the river and a short marshrutka ride from Livoberezhna metro station. In fact, it’s not exactly a beach, but a strip of sand right beneath the park that runs along the river up to the edge of the Patona bridge. Not so much a place to bath, this beach is still fine for sun tanning – especially if you live somewhere nearby, or are having a picnic.
If you have a car at your disposable your options of spending a nice day by the water in a clean and picturesque place increase significantly. Those who like to drive out of the city to spend a day on the beach know their own secret places. One of the most famous secluded places is Blue Lake, located about 25 kilometers south of the city on the Novo-Obukhivska highway. The lake’s fresh, clean water earned the place its reputation, and its location away from the city also provides cleaner air.
The place is surrounded by fancy dachas and cafes, and a parking lot is available for Hr 5. Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented for an additional fee. However, as the popularity of the place grew it brought more and more people there, and you can leave behind your hopes to suntan in peace and quiet – even at this hideout. Still, the water remains just as clean, so if you’ve got a car or anyone to drive you there – do so without delay. I would too.
From Dnipro to Desenka
Another popular beach area is the territory spreading alongside Moskovskiy bridge, leading from the left bank to Petrivka metro. All the beaches here are free, therefore having all the typical disadvantages of free beaches, but some of them are more popular than others.
If you take a walk or a ride from Petrivka towards the left bank, you’ll soon see a beach running the length of the oblong lake on your left. There are apartment buildings on the opposite side of the lake, and clearly the beach is frequented by their residents. However, the water in the lake is considered rather clean, and the thin beach is supplied with changing rooms – basically several sheets of metal put together to hide you from strangers’ eyes as you slip out of your wet bikini.
Further along, close to the middle of the bridge, you’ll see a vast beach on your left, on the bank of the Dnipro. This big sandy beach is also supplied with changing rooms and a big tall shed with benches placed underneath that has remained there since the Soviet times. It is hardly an option if you want to get tan, however, if you want to hide from the sun – and in certain hours of the day when the sun is especially aggressive, it’s truly advisable – it may come handy. Lying on the beach or swimming in the Dnipro you can observe the fancy apartment buildings now being constructed in the luxury part of Obolon – not exactly a picturesque site, but interesting nonetheless.
To get to the beach you’ll have to get out of the cab or marshrutka at the bus station placed in the middle of the bridge (buy some cold water and ice cream in the stalls right there if you wish) and go to the left. So as not to get lost on the winding road leading up to the beach, just follow the people who look like their headed to the beach – in hats, carrying towels – there are always some of them there.
If you go right from the bus stop, you’ll find yourself on a “wild” beach – basically a number of sandy patches scattered along the bank of the Desenka river, covered with trees. It’s a place for someone who likes to explore and take bike rides. After some roaming you may manage to find a spot with no people around at all – however, in the hot summer days, your chances are slim.
From Trukhaniv to Blue Lake
The most centrally located beach is the one on Trukhaniv Island. You can get there by crossing a pedestrian bridge not far from Poshtova Ploshcha metro station. Sandy beach spreads out on both sides of the bridge, and sitting there you can observe the green hills in front the Druzhby Narodiv arc and boats running up and down the Dnipro, setting off from the river station at Poshtova Ploshcha.
There are a great many vendors and cafes to supply you with food and drinks on Trukhaniv Island, and shady park paths pleasant for taking walks and reading on a bench. And in the evening, when it gets too cold and dark to sunbathe, you can go to the center and continue hanging out – after all, you’re just a few steps away.
Another rather centrally located beach is the one spreading along Dniprovska Naberezhna, nestled against the river and a short marshrutka ride from Livoberezhna metro station. In fact, it’s not exactly a beach, but a strip of sand right beneath the park that runs along the river almost up to the edge of the Patona bridge. Not so much a place to bath, this beach is still fine for sun tanning – especially if you live somewhere nearby, or are having a picnic.
If you have a car at your disposable your options of spending a nice day by the water in a clean and picturesque place increase significantly. Those who like to drive out of the city to spend a day on the beach know their own secret places. One of the most famous secluded places is Blue Lake, located about 25 kilometers south of the city on the Novo-Obukhivska highway. The lake’s fresh, clean water earned the place its reputation, and its location away from the city also provides cleaner air.
The place is surrounded by fancy dachas and cafes, and a parking lot is available for Hr 5. Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented for an additional fee. However, as the popularity of the place grew it brought more and more people there, and you can leave behind your hopes to suntan in peace and quiet – even at this hideout. Still, the water remains just as clean, so if you’ve got a car or anyone to drive you there – do so without delay. I would too.
