Kiev Layover Tips For Flight Attendants | WOC
Kiev is a place of big statements – a city of glittering golden church spires and gargantuan Soviet-era tower blocks, set along the banks of the Dnipro River. It has a fair few must-sees, mostly related to the glorious Kyivan Rus past, as well as both charming and disturbingly eclectic architecture. But its main asset is its residents – a merry, tongue-in-cheek and perfectly bilingual lot, who act as one when their freedoms are threatened.
What to do in Kiev for 24h to 48h?
Places of Interest
Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra
Tourists and Orthodox pilgrims alike flock to the Lavra. Set on 28 hectares of grassy hills above the Dnipro River, the monastery’s cluster of gold-domed churches is a feast for the eyes, the hoard of Scythian gold rivals that of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, and the underground labyrinths lined with mummified monks are exotic and intriguing.
St Sophia’s Cathedral
The interior is the most astounding aspect of Kyiv’s oldest standing church. Many of the mosaics and frescoes are original, dating back to 1017–31. While equally attractive, the building’s gold domes and 76m-tall wedding-cake bell tower are 18th-century baroque additions.
Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Popularly known as Maidan, the square was the site of pro-independence protests in the 1990s and the Orange Revolution in 2004. But all of that was eclipsed by the Revolution of Dignity in the winter of 2013–14, when the square was transformed into an urban guerrilla camp besieged by government forces. Makeshift memorials to fallen revolutionaries on vul Instytutska serve as a sombre reminder.
St Michael’s Monastery
Looking from St Sophia’s past the Bohdan Khmelnytsky statue, it’s impossible to ignore the gold-domed blue church at the other end of proyizd Volodymyrsky. This is St Michael’s Gold-Domed Monastery, named after Kyiv’s patron saint. As the impossibly shiny cupolas imply, this is a fresh (2001) copy of the original St Michael’s (1108), which was torn down by the Soviets in 1937.
Pinchuk Art Centre
The rotating exhibits at this world-class gallery feature elite names in the world of European contemporary art and design, all financed by billionaire mogul Viktor Pinchuk.
Central Botanical Gardens
The gardens’ fastidiously manicured grounds are criss-crossed by a network of paths leading to hidden viewpoints and churches frozen in time.The botanical gardens are tricky to reach by public transport. Take trolleybus 14 or bus 62 from Pecherska metro to the final stop.
Where to Eat?
Olive
Cost is 150 – 200 UAH
What you should try: Grilled Meals, Osso Buco, Saltimbocca, Pizza with Peaches and Veal and Ravioli
Kafka
Cost is 100 – 150 UAH
What you should try: Coffee 🙂
Imbyr
Cost is 100 – 150 UAH
What you should try: Spinach Cream Soup, Deruny (traditional potato pancakes), Tomato Chutney
GoodMan
Cost is 300 – 600 UAH
What you should try: You should definitely try out there steak. Well, Ceasar Salad and local Borshch are also delicious.
L’entrecote
Cost is 100 – 150 UAH
What you should try: Smart Menu makes your choice easier! Take their beef, and fries
Where to Shop?
Globus
Globus, located at Independence Square, is one of the best places in the Ukrainian capital to go clothes shopping! There are 192 shops on three levels – two of which are underground. You will find all your favourite brands here; Adidas, MEXX, Esprit, Motor Jeans, Polo Garage, Cacharel, Colin’s and Tommy Hilfiger. There are also shoe shops, jewellery, lingerie, and perfumery outlets.
Mandarin Plaza
The seven-level Mandarin Plaza shopping centre is conveniently located close to the city centre, in the Bessarabs’kyi district. The Plaza features numerous stores, offering goods of every kind. Boutiques – those sanctuaries of high fashion – feature the latest creations by the world’s best known designers. A club for children makes it a great place to shop with kids.
Bilshovyk
Bilshovyk offers shoppers an abundance of stores and boutiques as well as numerous entertainment possibilities such as restaurants, cafes, bowling, ice skating, an arcade, and a children’s play land.
Go Clubbing in Kiev!
Closer
One of the most popular art clubs among metropolitan hipsters. Here you can be delighted with the sounds of good music without pop tunes. Always. More over foreign jazz bands well-known in some close circles are the frequent guests here.
Coyote Ugly
This location has a special atmosphere of rampant fun and the main attraction – its a fiery Coyote Girls, who pour drinks and dance on the bar counter from 20.00 till morning. You can enjoy not only the most spacious bar counter of the city, but also lounge area, and a gift shop where you can buy a souvenir for memories of reckless night.
Flight Attendants Discounts in Ukraine
World Of Crew gets you a few awesome deals only for cabin crews in Ukraine. Have a look into these and let us know if you manage to visit them during your layover!
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Any Cool Experience to share in Kiev ?
How was your layover in Kiev ? Did you discover any new places? If so, please do share these useful tips with your fellow cabin crew, by commenting below!
Have a great layover !