Khreschatyk is the high street of Kyiv. It was rebuilt in 1950-s and attracts by monumental Stalin-era buildings which you will see out of the car windows. It feels like taking a ride back in time when you notice the Building with the Star and many other Soviet emblems along the way.

Bessarabska Square was once the city border, having been transformed into the very heart of Kyiv in just over 100 years. Its biggest attractions today are Bessarabsky food market and Arena City complex, both quite old and grand in architecture. Today the neighbourhood offers a nice array of restaurants, pubs, bars, and nightclubs.

Taras Shevchenko Boulevard was one of the first in Kyiv. It is lined up with poplar trees which were planted to please Nicolas I, according to a city legend. In the Soviet period the boulevard was marked by a Lenin statue opposite to the Bessarabka market. It was demolished during mass protests in 2014, and the head of Lenin was taken as a trophy to be transformed into a spider later.

St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral was built in honour of Volodymyr the Great, ruler of the Rus Empire who baptized his people in 988. The church was opened to the public in the late 19th century and was instantly called an art gallery. Having been decorated by nearly 100 artists, it is a great example of artistic trends of that period to be appreciated during a stop.

Taras Shevchenko Boulevard runs through the Latin block of Kyiv, which was formed after the construction of Taras Shevchenko National University and a number of gymnasiums next to it. Out of the car window you will also notice a botanical garden, which was once part of the campus. It has been a lively students’ neighbourhood for nearly 200 years now.

This short street was named in honour of the Tereschenko family, who were known as sugar kings of Europe in the 19th century. They earned a lot and spent just as much for the public benefit, eventually losing everything due to the Bolsheviks revolution. Their former mansions along the street became art museums featuring artwork from Europe, Middle and Far East. You will not regret paying them a visit later.

This stop offers an impressive view of the red-and-black building of the Taras Shevchenko National University which is one of the oldest in the city. The beauty of it can be appreciated out of the car window or during a quick stop. You will also see the Teacher’s House and Kyiv Opera.

The Golden Gate was built 1,000 years ago as a ceremonial entrance to the city. The name, most likely, comes from the Golden Gate of Jerusalem or Constantinople. The remains of the original gate are hidden under the reconstruction, next to which you will notice a bronze monument to Yaroslav the Wise. He was known as the father-in-law of Europe and is believed to have added a church on top of the initial structure. You will feel the special atmosphere of the Old City feasting your eyes on surrounding buildings, no matter if you choose to stop for a few minutes or drive past.

Out of a car window you will catch a glimpse of the oldest Ukrainian cathedral – St. Sophia of Kyiv, which is on the UNESCO world heritage list. It operates as a museum today, displaying the biggest ensemble of frescoes and mosaics of the early 11th century Europe. In the middle of the square you will see the remarkable statue of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, a talented military leader who aimed at creating independent Ukraine nearly 400 years ago.

Michael’s Square is located in front of the famous St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, which set the tradition of plating domes with gold in Ukraine. St. Michael’s Cathedral was destroyed before WWII and rebuilt in the late 1990-s. You will enjoy its Ukrainian baroque architecture from the outside and are welcome to appreciate this Orthodox Christian beauty’s interior. Outside of the monastic walls you will see Kyiv Pentagon and the former headquarters of the Communist Party of Soviet Ukraine.

St. Andrew’s Church was constructed for the Russian Empress Elizabeth in the mid 1700-s and is known as one of the Seven Wonders of Kyiv. According to legends, St. Andrew the First Called came to the hill where the church stands and proclaimed the rising of another Christian city. The area is known as Kyiv Montmartre and is connected to the Lower City by Andrew’s Descent. The street attracts a lot of locals as well as tourists, being lined up with souvenir stalls, art galleries and paintings. You will definitely want to spend some time there!

European Square marks the beginning of the high street of Kyiv known as Khreschatyk. With a new pedestrian bridge added to the site, it became a popular viewing platform to absorb the beauty of the Friendship of Nations Arch, ancient Podil area, green islands on the mighty Dnipro River and the Park Bridge below.

The name of Poshtova Square comes from a post office which used to operate there before World War II. Archaeological finds suggest that the area is one of the oldest inhabited in the city. It is a popular rest site, with locals coming for walks along the Dnipro River embankment or taking motor ship rides offered at the river port from April till October.

Have you heard about the legendary founders of Kyiv? Well, you have a chance to encounter them in a boat ready to set their feet on the ground. The monument is an enlarged copy of a silver figurine presented to Richard Nixon on his visit to Kyiv in 1972. Situated on the Dnipro River embankment, it can be viewed out of a car window, just like the famous Metro Bridge and Paton Bridge.

You certainly don’t want to miss the opportunity to see one of the biggest monuments on our planet – the famous Motherland Statue. It looks grand in the day time and even more impressive at night! You can enjoy the sight of it during your ride and have a special moment walking around the WWII Memorial.

This stop is ideal for viewing the Dnipro River with half of the City of Kyiv in the background. You will also see the golden domes of the famous Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, Obelisk and Holodomor Memorial “candle”.

You will drive across Arsenalna Square, which is noted for the complex of Kyiv Fortress buildings of the 19th century and deepest metro station on Earth – Arsenalna, lying 105 metre below the ground. It was opened in 1960 as one of the first five stations of the Kyiv underground.

You will be driven past the former royal Mariyinsky Palace, parliamentary and governmental buildings. The Parliament of Ukraine known as the Verkhovna Rada is located in a grey building with a dome, while the Cabinet of Ministers occupies the largest administrative building in Kyiv. It is semicircular at the front and was originally designed for the secret service headquarters. Both buildings were constructed in the late 1930s and are interconnected by underground tunnels. The surrounding area is called Lypky (Lindens) and has a lot of old mansions to admire.