Kiev hotels & apartments in Kiev
WHY TO VISIT UKRAINE: Scythians, Kievan Rus, Orthodox Church & Ukrainian Catholics, Civil War, Soviet Power, Famine, WW II, Chernobyl, Independence, Crimea, Shevchenko the Poet, Salo (the World's #1 pig fat), Maydan, Khreschatik Avenue...
These are few words, which describe some episodes of Ukrainian history. It is really fascinating. It seems too far but it is near you. It is in the heart of Europe. One needs only 1 or 2 hours to fly to Kiev from Europe.
WHY TO STAY IN KIEV. Kiev (Kyiv in Ukrainian) is not only the capital of Ukraine but also the cradle for all Eastern Slavic peoples. Kiev is ancient, but it is not as cramped as some medieval cities. It is modern yet it is not overcrowded. The churches linger in the air above the Dnipro River and over the hills.
Two or three days are enough for a hurried traveler to see the main highlights. St. Sophia Cathedral & Monastery complex, the city’s oldest standing church, and the Caves Monastery (Pechersk Lavra) as well as many other old churches and monasteries are among them. Those who prefer a profound insight in the city’s history and nowadays life will be delighted at the huge choice of museums and theatres.
Kiev definitely lacks inexpensive accommodation. Apartments might be a reasonable substitution to some expensive hotels. Anyway, low season discounts in some hotels are practiced. Certainly, high rates, say, for top floor apartments at Dnipro Hotel or Ukraina Hotel could be justified by their views. Besides, construction of new hotels is under way, and Radisson’s entry into the market is likely to change the situation dramatically.
Kyiv is good for both to start and to finish your travels and tours all over UKRAINE.
All international flights arrive at and depart from Boryspil International Airport, about 35 km east of Kiev. Some domestic flights use the smaller Zhulyany Airport, about 12 km from the centre.
There are daily trains to/from main Ukrainian cities. Rocking overnight on the train is not as pleasant as a smooth flight, but one can spare time traveling in Ukraine. The main trains are quite decent. It takes 9-10 hours to get to Lviv, or 15 hours to go to the Crimean peninsula.