Looking for the best day trips from Kyiv, Ukraine? You have come to the right place. A Native Ukrainian, who lives in Kyiv, shares with us the most amazing day trips from Kyiv. Enjoy!
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is a great city with lots of things to do and places to see. But although much calmer and cozier than many other European capitals, even Kyiv can get overwhelming sometimes. Luckily, the city is conveniently located in the center of Ukraine, allowing to plan lots of day trips and escapes to the nearby castles, ethnic villages, open-air museums, and national parks.
Most of the trips listed in this publication are within a couple of hours’ drive away from the capital. There are also a few trickier destinations, for those feeling a bit more adventurous. The best way to get to the recommended locations is by car, although Ukraine does have a good network of trains and public intercity buses, which are very affordable, too.
The best Day Trips From Kyiv
1. Kachanovka, the Tarnovsky Residence
Why go to Kachanovka? Located on a hill next to the picturesque lake, the Tarnovsky residence is one of the best-preserved palaces in rural Ukraine. This white building with its green roof, as well as the lush park around, was once the center of life for the local nobility.
The Tarnovsky family bought the estate in the 1880s. They soon became known as the generous patrons of Ukrainian art and literature. It is hard to even count all the legendary writers, musicians, and painters who came to Kachanovka. We’ll only say this: there is an old oak tree in the park next to the palace where Gogol, a famous writer, read his manuscripts to the family and the guests of the estate.
Today, Kachanovka offers a museum inside the palace. It has great expositions and tours. There is also a beautiful park to take a stroll in.
How to get to Kachanovka for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it is a 3-hour drive one way. Take road H07, and as you get closer to the palace, make a small detour across Ichnya. The road is better there. By public transportation, take a bus to Kachanovka from the Darnytsya metro station.
Local’s advice: The palace stands on a scenic hill perfect for picnics. Take a blanket and some snacks to enjoy the view after a tour inside the palace.
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2. Baturin, the former Hetman Capital
Why go to Baturin? This is the cradle of Ukrainian democracy, the capital of cossack hetmans. 300 years ago, one of the Ukrainian hetmans, Ivan Mazepa, entered a secret pact with the king of Sweden Karl XII to free Ukraine from the rule of the Russian Empire. That collusion was exposed by tsar Pyotr I. Baturin was taken and burned to the ground. No lives were spared.
Centuries later, the hetman capital was rebuilt from scratch. Today, the site consists of the impressive wooden fortress with the church inside. There is also a terrace offering the breathtaking panorama of the river Seym. Next to the fortress, there is the palace of the last hetman, as well as the mansion of the judge. Also, be sure to check out the museum. It has truly impressive expositions of the story of Baturin siege.
How to get to Baturin for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it is a 3-hour drive one way. The E101 road is good, but mostly runs a single lane in each direction. By public transportation, take an express train to either Konotop or Bakhmach stations. From there, its another 23 km, so hop on a bus that heads to Baturin.
Local’s advice: Next to Baturin, there is a cafe “The Sales of Maklay”, which has a lovely summer terrace. Opt-in for local Ukrainian cuisine. It is very good here.
3. Uman and the lush park Sofyivka
Why go to Uman? This is a beautiful big territory with lakes, landscape design, and a lovely story behind it. Back in the 1800s, a Polish magnate founded the park in honor of his wife Sofia, whom he loved dearly. This is how the site got its name – Sofyivka.
Get ready to explore all of its hidden gems – the lakes, fountains, waterfalls, and grottos. The park is home to over 2,500 types of plants and exotic trees. The perfect seasons to visit Sofyivka are in late spring (when there is still no heat and everything blossoms) or in early fall (to enjoy all the shades of yellow, red, and orange).
How to get to Sofyivka for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it takes slightly less than three hours to get to the park. Use the route E95 to Uman. By public transportation, head to metro Vokzalnaya to catch a bus from the bus station. Buses leave every hour.
Local’s advice: There are no decent cafes in the area. All you will get is street food (and not the best one), so it might be a good idea to take some favorite snacks with you.
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4. Mezhyhirya residence by the Kyiv sea
Why go to Mezhyhirya? Once it was a public park by the artificial reservoir the Kyiv sea. In the 2010s, it became the residence of the now exiled Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich. During the times of his presidency, this was a highly secured compound. The press was never allowed inside.
When the people overthrew the corrupt government of Yanukovich in the winter of 2014, they then headed to this residence. And were startled to discover acres of land, zoos, and in-compound farms. The corrupt president lived in a luxurious Honka. The compound even had a private restaurant in a ship anchored by the shore.
Today, Mezhyhirya is once again a park with lots of things to do around. It has golf courts, great lanes to bicycle around, lovely spots for the picnic by the sea. You can also opt-in for a private tour of the Honka. This one will cost you around 8 USD.
How to get to Mezhyhirya for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, this is a 30-minute drive to the village Novy Petrovtsy. By public transportation, take bus 729 from Heroyiv Dnipro metro station.
Local’s advice: It gets pretty crowded here on weekends. Be sure to arrive early if you want to park a car closer to the entrance, or to rent a bicycle.
5. The ethnic open-air museum Pirogovo
Why go to Pirogovo? If you want to get a sense of true Ukraine and its authenticity and historic villages, this is the place to go to. Located just outside Kyiv, Pirogovo is a truly unique territory. It is a big park and an open-air museum. It is divided into segments that display traditional living in different parts of Ukraine back in the days.
In order to show this authentic life, the creators of the museum brought old huts, houses, and even churches and windmills from every corner of Ukraine. You will see the local architecture of the western, eastern, central, northern, and southern parts of the country. You will even be able to walk inside some of these old thatched-roof huts to see how people lived.
On summer weekends, Pirogovo has fairs, music events, and other great gatherings.
How to get to Pirogovo for a day trip from Kyiv? This location is just a short 10-minute car drive away from Kyiv. By public transportation: take trolleybus 11 from the Lybidska metro station.
Local’s advice: Since this is an open-air, better avoid visiting the museum during the daytime to escape the heat. Early morning is the best time to go. It takes about one and a half – two hours to make a circle around the park.
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6. Chornobyl / Chernobyl
Why go to Chornobyl? It took the Ukrainians years to be associated not only with this site of the horrifying nuclear catastrophe but also with lovely cities and villages, as well as other activities around the country. Still, it is hard to deny the necessity of visiting the Chornobyl area. This tour is not exactly a walk in the park, but it is a highly educational experience.
The guides take tourists only to safe zones. There is an option to join the group or to buy an individual tour. Either of these will include, among others, the abandoned city of Pripyat (was once home to almost 50,000 people all evacuated within a few hours), the decontaminated Red Forest, the Sarcophagus, Zalissya village with remaining self-settlers, the secret radar object, and the NPP.
How to get to Chornobyl for a day trip from Kyiv? It will take about two and a half hours to get to Chornobyl from Kyiv. This will probably be the only destination on the list that we would strongly advise against going to without an organized tour.
Local’s advice: After the HBO’s TV series, this destination became extremely popular. Although there are many tour operators, try to book a trip in advance.
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7. The Radomyselsky castle
Why go to Radomyselsky castle? Unlike many suburban castles in Ukraine, which are slowly turning into ruins, this one has a happy ending (also, the Olesko Castle near Lviv got a second chance in life after being almost completely ruined). One famous local doctor and a businesswoman bought the estate. It took her almost five years to restore the castle and the park around it.
Now, it is a lovely weekend getaway that even has several authentically styled castle-hotel rooms. But even more than that, it is famous for its museum of icons and an artisan workshop that uses old technologies to create paper. Here, you can buy craft paper or even try making some yourself.
How to get to Radomyselsky castle for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Take the rote E40. There is a parking lot right in front of the castle. By public transportation, take a bus to Radomysel from Zhytomyrska metro station.
Local’s advice: If possible, try to attend the castle on summer weekends. Very often, you will get the chance to not only tour the area but also to attend a live music concert.
8. Moryntsy village
Why go to Moryntsy? Explore Ukrainian life like a true local. The route to Moryntsy lies through lots of cozy villages. You will be able to see how many locals live, and hopefully, will enjoy quite an authentic trip. Wells, rooster, old windmills, and wheat fields will be the scenery for this destination.
Moryntsy is an open-air museum in a calm and peaceful village. It is the homeland of the greatest and most prominent Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. Here, he was born and lived until he was two years old. The museum has, among other things to see, two huts. One of them was restored, the other one is authentic, and is older than 100 years.
Take a tour to learn more about life back in the days when Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire, and the locals were serf. Try to iron clothes with old and heavy iron, take a pot out of the stove using an old and massive rake, or learn the art of being a blacksmith.
How to get to Moryntsy for a day trip from Kyiv? To reach this destination, it is better to rent a car. Take H01 road to Moryntsy through Boguslav.
Local’s advice: This is rural Ukraine with not many fancy cafes around. Those that are opened, will unlikely have a menu in English. If you feel uncertain about dining in these local canteens, grab a snack with you.
9. Korostyshev canyon
Why go to the Korostyshev canyon? This is a perfect location to unwind after the hustle and bustle of the city. Yes, Kyiv is not as big, loud, and overwhelming as many other European capitals, but even here, a need to get closer to nature may emerge once in a while.
The canyon is a very small and cozy spot in the pine forest. It has a lake that is surrounded by granite cliffs. So, if you’re going in summer, take a swimsuit and some sunscreen with you.
The list of activities in the area includes diving into the lake from the steep cliff (although, sometimes it is better to simply watch the locals do it), rock climbing, and hiking. If you are fond of camping, bring your equipment. Many locals stay here for the night.
How to get to the canyon for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it takes around 70 minutes to get to the location vie route E40. By public transportation, take any bus to Korostyshev from Zhytomyrska metro station.
Local’s advice: There are actually two canyons in the area. The first one is bigger, closer to the town, but it is also more crowded. So, look for the Korostyshevsky quarry on the map. It is on the other side of the road.
10. The fortress of Kamyanets-Podilsky
Why go to Kamyanets-Podilsky? This is one of the most postcard-perfect fortresses in Ukraine. Located in the historic part of the town, with its cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings, the fortress is a work of art and something out of the fairytale.
You can also look for this lovely combination of the cobbled streets and old buildings in the historic and old part of Kyiv, but should you get any chance to visit Kamyanets, don’t hesitate for a moment.
The castle dates back to the 14th century. Traverse one of the oldest bridges in Ukraine, the Castle Bridge, to get to the fortress. Much of its territory is opened for visitation. Once done exploring the rooms and the courtyards, head into the old town. From there, continue your journey to the gorgeous Smotrichsky Canyon. Then, stop for coffee at the Policmeystr Coffee shop. Western Ukraine is famous for its artistic coffee culture.
How to get to Kamyanets-Podilsky for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, follow the road E40, then H03. It should be a four and a half-hour drive. By public transportation, take a train Kamyanets-Podilsky, or hop on the bus from the Central Bus station near Demiivska metro.
Local’s advice: If possible, schedule the visit for the first half of May to catch the incredible hot air balloons festival.
11. The island of Khortytsa and the Cossack Fortress
Why go to Khortytsa? The island is listed among the seven wonders of Ukraine. It is a unique national park, and also the biggest island on the Dnipro river. Besides beautiful nature, thousands of tourists flock here to see the Zaporizhya Sich – an old cossack fortress with huts, a church, and wooden fortifications.
The best way to schedule the trip is on weekends during the warm season. This way, you will get to see impressive performances. Artists dressed in authentic cossack clothes, stage battles, training, and even invite visitors to participate in this action. It will cost you less than 5 USD to see the show.
How to get to Khortytsa for a day trip from Kyiv? The best way to get to Khortytsa is by express train, or by the overnight train. Better reconsider taking a car. Dut to the poor quality of the road, you can easily spend the entire day behind the wheel.
Local’s advice: Another great option to get to Khortitsya is to fly. Zaporizhzhya is a big city with an airport, which accepts local low-cost airlines. Book in advance to get cheap tickets.
12. Feofania park
Why go to Feofania park? If you are into meditative strolls, picnics under trees, or bicycling, this is a lovely location to consider. This is one of the youngest and most recently renovated parks in suburban Kyiv. The church with its golden domes creates a perfect backdrop for the lush greens of the area.
Feofania is a good family destination because it offers lots of activities for children. The most curious visitors can also join the guided tour of the area.
How to get to Feofania for a day trip from Kyiv? It will take you less than twenty minutes to get to the park by car. By public transportation, take bus 548 from the Vystavkovy Center metro station.
Local’s advice: If possible, try to schedule a visit during weekdays. On weekends, this park gets quite crowded.
13. Chernihiv
Why go to Chernihiv? Chernihiv is a cozy and very green town with a rich history. Some of its buildings date back to as far as the 10th century! The town is home to the first college in eastern Ukraine. This school supported diversity meaning that not only the students from the wealthy families were accepted.
All throughout the town, you will be able to spot the majestic domes of multiple cathedrals. One of them, the St. Trinity Cathedral has a bell tower with a panorama of the city. Located near it are the Antonyev caves.
Head to the historic part of the town, the ramparts, to see the famous dozen cannons. Take a stroll here, in the shadows of the old trees. Feed the squirrels. Make your way to the pedestrian bridge with the breathtaking panorama of the river. Have a cup of coffee at the Fotel cafe, a cozy place on a small street just across from the college.
How to get to Chernihiv for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, it will take you two hours to get to the town. Route M01 is good, running two lanes in both directions. By public transportation, take a bus to Chernihiv from Chernyhivska metro station or hop on a train at the central railway station.
14. The Tunnel of Love
Why go to the Tunnel of Love? This is the most romantic spot in Ukraine. Located by the village of Klevan in the Rivno region, it is a unique botanical phenomenon. A small part of the railroad got caught in the natural arch of wild greens. With time, the trees and bushes formed a tunnel, which is 4 kilometers long. It even inspired the Japanese filmmaker Akiyoshi Imazaky to create a romantic drama “Klevan: The Tunnel of Love.”
How to get to the tunnel for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, take route E40, a good new road that should take you around 3 and a half hours to get to the destination. By public transportation, take the train to Kovel, and exit on the Klevan train station.
Local’s advice: You can easily combine this trip with the visit to the Radomyselsky castle. For both of these destinations, you’ll need route E40.
15. Buky park
Why go to Buky? This scenic location reminds of the Disney decorations. It is hard to believe that this was once a dump. A recently renovated park is situated by the bank of the river and offers plenty to see and to do. The centerpieces of the area are the church and the chapel. Next to them, there is a big fountain that was once a highlight of Maydan Nezalezhnosti square in Kyiv.
Buky is a great idea for a family trip destination. The park recently added an alley of fairy tale characters to its list of things to do. For lunch, stop by the local cafe. Then, try to hop the small pieces of construction across the lake to reach the stone brought here from Israel. Touching the stone is a sign of good luck.
How to get to Buky for a day trip from Kyiv? By car, take the route E95, and it should be less than a two-hour drive. By public transportation, first, take a bus to Uman from Vokzalna metro station, then take a local bus to Buky.
Local’s advice: You can easily combine this location with the Uman park Sofyivka for a day full of adventures.
16. The Dakhovsky castle
Why go to the Dakhovsky castle? Hidden in the lush greens of Cherkassky region is a true architectural gem, the Dakhovsky palace. Completely ruined inside, it still boasts with the impressive exterior. It is a red-brick and beautiful building with small towers, balconies, and terraces. Peek through the windows to see old wallpaper and the remains of the stairs.
Back in the days, this was a prosperous estate with lakes, a garden, and stables. Four generations of the Dakhovsky family contributed to building the castle. To finish it, the family even had to launch its own bricks factory. The castle had three stories, more than twenty rooms, and even an indoor bathroom, a luxury that only a few could afford back in those days.
How to get to the Dakhovsky castle for a day trip from Kyiv? The only way to reach it is by car. Take route E95 and head south, to Leskovo village. The road is good, except for the last few miles. Overall, it takes around three hours one way.
Local’s advice: Currently, the castle is within the military compound closed for visitors. Or at least that’s what an unprepared traveler may think when bumping into the locked gates. However, all it takes is to ask a guard by the gates to let you in. There are no entrance fees. Explore as much as you want.
17. Odesa and the Black sea
Why go to Odessa? This may be a bit of a stretch because out of all the mentioned locations, this one has the longest mileage. But then again, the road is good. If you are feeling adventurous, why not leave early in the morning, take a five-hour drive, and reach the coast by noon?
Head directly to Arkadia beaches to soak your feet in the salty waters of the Black sea. From there, go to Deribasivska, the downtown of Odessa, for a walk under the old trees. Odessa is one of those few cities where the central streets are very cozy and inviting. Have mussels for lunch at the Kotelok mussels bar.
Then, walk down the Potyomkinsky stairs to the marine station and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Black sea. Before driving back to Kyiv, have dinner in the Dacha – a cozy stylized restaurant that was once a private home.
How to get to Odesa for a day trip from Kyiv? In order to make a round trip in one day, a car is the best option. Take route E95/M05. If you decide to stay in Odessa for longer, skip the car rental and take the night train.
Local’s tip: Hopefully, after an active day in Odessa, followed by dinner in the Dacha, you will choose to book a room at any of the local hotels and stay for one more day in this beautiful city by the sea.
Summary for the best day trips from Kyiv:
- For everyone after some of the oldest castles and fortresses not far from the capital, the best destinations are the Tarnovsky Residence, Baturin, the fortress of Kamyanets-Podilsky, and Radomyselsky castle.
- For Ukrainian authenticity, the recommendation is to check out Pirogovo, Moryntsy, or Khortytsa.
- Some of the most relaxing walks are possible in the parks of Uman, Buky, Feofania, and Mezhyhirya.
- For hiking, Korostyshev or the Tunnel of Love are the places to head to.
- For a day trip of adventures, Chernihiv, Dakhovsky residence, Chornobyl, or Odesa are at the top of the list.
We hope that you enjoyed this curated list including the best day trips from Kyiv. Tell us in the comments: Have you ever been to any of the places mentioned above? If not, which one would you like to visit?
This is a post by guest contributors, Inessa and Natalie from the blog Through a Travel Lens.
Author’s Bio: Inessa and Natalie are sisters and storytellers based in Kyiv, Ukraine. With one being a screenwriter, and the other one a photographer, they believe that it is the emotional journey that matters the most. This is why together they started a Through a Travel Lens blog to encourage everyone to travel and to do so with a heart and mind opened to adventures.
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