Kiev’s blend of religious structures, patriotic monuments and emerging modern entertainment districts makes it one of the more diverse cities in Eastern Europe. Independence Square lies at its heart, the same site where the Orange Revolution went down just a few years ago. Connecting the Upper and Lower sections of Kiev is Andriyivsky Uzviz, a steep but incredibly engaging street with plenty of action to check out. Museums, art galleries and Kiev’s magnificent churches offer lots to see, but simply wandering the streets of Podil can be just as memorable and rewarding.

Andriyivsky Uzviz
Kiev’s steepest and oldest street connects the Lower (Podil) district to the Upper Town. This is arguably Kiev’s most colourful, lively and entertaining street and deserves plenty of your time. Many of the city’s artists and craftspeople have their shops here, and when an outdoor festival or arts fair comes to Kiev it often happens on this street. Cultural museums give some educational background to the scene, but its crooked cobblestone lanes are what really give Andriyivsky Uzviz its charm.

Caves Monastery (Kiev-Pechersk Lavra)
This living slice of history is one of Kiev’s main attractions that you should not miss. Dating back to 1051, this UNESCO heritage monastery has been continuously active since its founding by a single monk. It remains an essential focal point of Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine, and its caves are one of the city’s most popular tourist sites. The caves run hundreds of metres into the hill; many contain the embalmed bodies of monks from long ago. This is a sacred site so you’ll need to dress appropriately. 
Phone: +380 44 254 2257; www.lavra.kiev.ua

Great Patriotic War Museum
With the bigger-than-life, sword-wielding statue of the Motherland dominating the scene, this Soviet-era museum presents a fascinating collection of WWII memorabilia. The theme of war and patriotic sacrifice is pervasive as old tanks rest out front and the stark interior is filled with some of the best exhibits of European warfare on the continent. 
Phone: +380 44 2859452

Independence Square
Kiev’s main square is not only historically important, but it also serves as one of the city’s main meeting places for the locals. Traffic is blocked from Khreschatyk Street every weekend, allowing people to stroll leisurely and enjoy the many sidewalk cafés and shops that line the street. The square’s fountains, benches and constant flow of people make it an ideal spot to relax and watch life go by. This is also where Ukraine’s liberating Orange Revolution happened in 2004 so a tangible sense of history lingers as well.

St Sophia Cathedral
The unmistakable gold and green dome of this Byzantine-styled church is one of the architectural gems of Kiev. Built during the 1000s, St Sophia has survived centuries of strife and change, but it remains an enduring icon of Kiev’s spirituality. Its Byzantine frescoes and mosaics are among the finest in Europe, and nearly as interesting is the wealth of graffiti relating historic and political events over the past centuries that have been scribbled on its walls. Phone: +380 44 2286152