Kiev has a decent scene for outdoor recreation and activities that are suitable for children. Horseback riding has a long tradition in Ukraine, while carting seems to be the most popular modern sport. For watery relaxation during the hot summer, head to Hydropark or the Kiev Zoo where you can cool off in the pools or enjoy water sports.

Carting
This new sport featuring tiny race cars and winding tracks is one of Kiev’s most popular outdoor activities. People of any age, gender and driving experience can hop in a cart and give it a go. Zhazhda Skorosti is the city’s best venue, featuring different tracks for speed demons or cruising beginners right in the centre of Kiev in the Podil district. 
Phone: +380 44 2660631.

Central Botanical Gardens
This amazing spot a few kilometres south of Kiev along the Dnipro River is one of the most beautiful public gardens in Central Europe. The perfectly manicured grounds have an extensive web of walking paths that lead to ancient churches lost in time and secret viewpoints that make you forget that Kiev is just minutes away. You’ll need to take a taxi to reach the gardens. 
Phone: +380 44 2854527.

Funicular
Kiev’s cable car was built in 1905 and still provides passengers with an inexpensive fun way to get from the ‘Lower City’ (Podil) to the ‘Upper City’ (Mykhailivska Ploscha). The ride may be short, but it provides some superb views and at the top you can wander around this historic part of Kiev and check out attractions like the gold dome of St Michael’s Monastery.

Horseback Riding
Horses have been a major part of Ukrainian culture for millennia, and Kiev offers several excellent venues to either ride or watch these magnificent Cossack horses in action. The Ukrainian Cossacks’ Centre is the best place for riding or learning to ride a genuine Cossack horse. The extensive grounds also have a racetrack, which is one of Kiev’s most popular activities with locals, who come to watch, bet and enjoy the exciting competition. 
Phone: +380 44 2662223.

Hydropark
One of Kiev’s highlights is this water park on a huge island in the middle of the Dnipro River. On summer days, locals flock to the clean little beaches that appear as water levels drop to play volleyball, swim or just work on their tan. Hydropark also offers roller coasters, pools, water slides, walking paths, restaurants and frequent entertainment. Rent a boat, water ski, or visit at night when the park turns into a giant open-air party. The park is connected to the city by a bridge and is located along the Metro line.

Kiev Zoo
Sitting on more than 40 hectares right in the heart of Kiev, the zoo is a great place to take the kids and immerse them in the natural world. More than 130 species of flora provide a pleasant environment for the 2,000 species of animals, reptiles, birds and insects that live here in comfortable habitats and enclosures. 
Phone: +380 44 2741180

Kiev is one of Europe’s oldest and most culturally vibrant cities. There are some real gems here to explore if you like the arts, architecture and atmospheric neighbourhoods. Its museums do a decent job of preserving and presenting its rich and lustrous history, while iconic venues like the Opera House let you experience the talent of Ukraine’s cultural performers. Start your explorations on foot in the charming district of Podil, and spread out from there.

Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko Museum of Arts
If you are an art fan, this is one museum you won’t want to miss. Many of Europe’s great masters are displayed here such as Rubens, Bosch and Velazquez. The building boasts frescoed ceilings, intricate woodwork, and breathtaking antiques everywhere you turn. The museum’s highlight, however, is arguably the four priceless religious icons from the sixth century. These Byzantine treasures are simply astonishing. There’s also an entire western wing filled with fantastic Asian and Islamic art. 
Phone: +380 44 2350206.

Historical Treasures Museum
This museum presents some real treasures representing the ancient past of Ukraine, such as an astounding collection of gold jewellery created by Greek Black Sea colonists for the Scythians centuries ago. The displays of precious gems and beautiful metal objects found from two fourth-century burial mounds are another special highlight. 
Phone: +380 44 2901387

National Opera House
The exquisite facade of this Kiev icon, located right in the heart of the city, is worth the visit alone just to admire that distinctly Ukrainian style of décor. The opera house’s interior is equally luxurious, but to really experience the majesty of this institution you need to watch one of the classical Ukrainian or Russian operas and ballets held most nights to really get a lasting memory. 
Phone: +380 44 2347165

Podil (Lower City)
This lively district of Kiev is where most of the action takes place. Ancient Podil’s proximity to the Dnipro River and its many attractions will consume hours, if not days, of your time. It’s no relic, however. Podil is a working example of locals, tourists, charming cafés and fun bars interacting. Podil particularly buzzes in the evenings as restaurants fill with hungry customers and the bars pulse with the vibe of liberated Kiev.

Pyrohovo Museum of Folk Architecture
This vast open-air museum contains several restored rural Ukrainian villages from each of the country’s main regions. Cottages, churches, windmills and other interesting structures create an authentic atmosphere. In summer, staffers portray the roles of village people by doing crafts, driving horse carts and other traditional activities. It’s a great place to take the kids. 
Phone: +380 44 5262416

St Vladimir’s Cathedral
In a city of many wonderful churches, St Vladimir’s is one of the standouts. Finished in 1896 under the reign of Tsar Nikolay II, the striking Byzantine style exterior is a real attention grabber. The interior is filled with grand paintings and an atmosphere that is undeniably Orthodox Ukrainian.

Eating out in Kiev is often an awakening experience for travellers who have never been to Eastern Europe or Russia. Traditional Ukrainian cuisine is based on simple but elegant ingredients that are pickled and smoked as often as fresh. Unusual dishes such as shuba, a salad of beets and pickled herring, may sound horrible but it’s one the most common menu items. Borsch is the national dish of Ukraine, and is ubiquitous in Kiev’s restaurants. This beet-based soup can contain up to two dozen ingredients depending on the cook, and comes in nearly as many variations. Be sure and try it at least once, as this is Ukrainian cooking epitomised.

Other local specialties worth trying are boiled or fried dumplings known as varenyky, stuffed cabbage rolls covered in tomato sauce called holubtsi, and Kievsky tort, a dangerously delicious desert made from flaky pasty and hazelnuts. The unique non-alcoholic malty beverage kvas is another must-try sold from coloured tanks on the street. Chicken Kiev, however, was invented by a Frenchman. Start you dining adventures in Podil, where many of Kiev’s best restaurants and bars are located.

Shopping is another story. Kiev certainly has plenty of sparkling malls and little shops scattered around the city but it still in recovery mode from the old Soviet days. The modern shopping mall has taken off with vigour in Kiev, with the impressive underground Globus being a standout. Here you can find all the latest Ukrainian fashion, much of which is imported from Europe and America.

For a more charismatic experience, check out the time-worn streets of Podil, where quirky little shops sell both sundries and speciality crafts. Kreshatyk is the city’s main street, containing plenty of shopping options. Andriyivsky Uzviz is another wonderfully old, steep street where many of the city’s top craftsmen, artists, and souvenir hawkers have set up shop. Kiev’s farmer’s markets are also interesting if you want to see how the locals shop for their daily food. The city’s most popular market is Bessarabsky Rynok, a wonderful mosaic of smells, sounds, and sights.