Podil Walk (Self Guided), Kiev, Ukraine

Podil Walk (Self Guided), Kiev

Kiev is a city rich in history, much of which started in Podil. This is its oldest neighborhood, a place where the city's trade, commerce and industry were born and where the narrow streets are filled with old buildings, temples and courtyards.

Tour Andriyivskyy Descent, one of the oldest streets in Eastern Europe, described as the "Montmartre of Kiev". A visit here is like strolling through the most fascinating open-air museum, where every footstep leads you to another intriguing building or piece of history. Over the years, prominent writers, sculptors, painters and scientists have called this place home. Along the way, you will come across several galleries, craft shops, theaters, museums and caf茅s. Here you will find the early home of Kiev-born Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov, which is now the Bulgakov Museum, dedicated to his life and work.

Spend some time in Kontraktova Square, the oldest square in the city and where nearly every building is of historic or architectural significance, or both. Among them are the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the Church of Bogoroditsa Pirogoscha, the oldest church in Kiev. Other architectural highlights include the Baroque wonder that is St. Andrew's Church and Saint Nicholas Church on the banks of the Dnieper River.

On the weekends, walk along Sagaidachnogo Street. During this time it is closed to traffic, and many locals come here to promenade. For a fun thing to do while you are in the area, take the Kiev Funicular. This railway links Podil with the Upper Town (City Center).

How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Kiev

Guide Name: Podil Walk
Guide Location: Ukraine » Kiev
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: Dee

1) Andriyivskyy Descent, St Andrew's Church

2) Andriyivskyy Descent, St Andrew's Church

3) Andriyivskyy Descent

4) Andriyivskyy Descent

5) Andriyivskyy Descent

6) Andriyivskyy Descent

7) Church of Bogoroditsa Pirogoscha

8) National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

9) Kontraktova Square

10) Kontraktova Square

11) Andriivska Street

12) Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska Street, Saint Nicholas Church

13) Ihorivska street corner with Sagaydachnogo Street

14) Sagaydachnogo Street, Nativity of Christ Church

15) Volodymyrsky Descent, Kiev Funicular

Walking Tours in Kiev, Ukraine

Create Your Own Walk in Kiev

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kiev is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Andriyivskyy Descent Walk

Andriyivskyy (Andrew's) Descent is a historic cobblestone street, running 720 meters (2,360 ft) downhill from the Upper (Old) Town of Kiev to the once commercial neighborhood of Podil (Lower Town), ending at Kontraktova Square.

According to a legend, there was once a sea where the Dnieper River now flows. When Saint Andrew, the Apostle came to Kiev and erected a cross on the spot where St... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles

Monastery of Kiev Caves Tour

Some sources say that Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra (Monastery of Kiev Caves Tour) was initiated in 1051, when Reverend Anthony arrived there. He, together with some of his followers, built an entire complex composed of caves and monasteries. When the monks moved to a monastery which is on Lavra's territory, the caves were utilized as burial sites. Nowadays it is included in the UNESCO World... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Kiev Introduction Walking Tour

Kiev is a very old city. It was initiated approximately 1500 years ago. Since 1934, it was Soviet Ukraine's capital and remained the main city of the country with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Being one of the biggest cities in Europe, it has a very specific history, architecture and cultural life. One can never be bored in Kiev, as it has endless interesting and captivating places to... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Kiev's Architectural Jewels

Kiev is a city with such a wide diversity of architectural styles from various periods of time. The best European, Russian and Ukrainian architects and artists worked on the buildings of the capital of Ukraine. Some of the elements are absolutely unique and can be seen exclusively in Kiev. Some of the most famed architects who contributed to the city's beauty and originality are Vikentiy... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Kiev Souvenirs: 12 Distinctively Ukrainian Products to Bring Home

In recent years, Ukraine has made the news rather distant from welcoming tourism. Still, despite some controversial publicity, the country - for the most part - continues normal life and retains its traditional hospitality. There are quite a few things in Kiev, distinctively Ukrainian, that a...