Kyiv and Lviv: one week


Trip description

From the capital of Ukraine to the ancient historical center of Galicia, this week between Kiev and Lviv will give you an overview of the country's historical and cultural wealth. Not to mention the many religious monuments you will encounter.

Day 1: Arrival in Kiev and visit of the city

Day 2: Historical Kiev

Day 3: Religious Kiev

Day 4: Lviv

Day 5: On the hill

Day 6: Visit of the castles

Day 7: Return to Kiev

Day 1 : Arrival in Kiev and visit of the city

Day1 : Arrival in Kiev and visit of the city ©Stéphan SZEREMETA


A stroll through the old town: visit the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, home to superb frescoes, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful religious building in the capital. Opposite, another place of worship, St. Michael's Cathedral, one of the oldest monasteries in Kiev. After the cathedral, head for Khreshchatyk, the city's main street, full of trendy shops, bars and restaurants. The avenue leads to the Independence Square (Madan Nezalezhnosti), the main stage of the country's political and social life in recent years, but also one of the most lively places in the city. Many concerts are offered throughout the year. Ukrainian ice cream and specialty shops offer you their best delicacies. On the same avenue, turn right at the ZUM department store - Galeries Lafayette made in Kiev -, walk down Volodymyrska Street. You will discover superb buildings dedicated to culture and art.




Day 2 : Historical Kiev

Day2 : Historical Kiev ©Patrice ALCARAS


A few metres away are the Golden Gates (Zoloti vorota), the city's ancient ramparts dating back to the 11th century. Continue up to the Saint-André descent (Andriyvsky Ouzviz), the most artistic descent in the capital. At the very top of the alley, we arrive at Saint-André church and the medieval Richard the Lionheart castle. Further on, the Musée de la rue, dedicated to the history of the Saint-André descent and its inhabitants. Down the street, you can visit one of the most original museums in Ukraine - the house of the writer Bulgakov, where a talented scenographer has recreated the moods of the writer's various novels, as well as the different "atmospheres" of his life... Nicknamed the Ukrainian Montmartre, because of the many artists who exhibit watercolours and sculptures there every weekend, this street is full of sympathetic art galleries. Going down the street, you arrive in the Podil district, in Kontraktova Ploshchad, one of the oldest squares in the city where the oldest faculty in the country, the Mohyla Academy of Kiev, founded in 1632, is located.




Day 3 : Religious Kiev

Day3 : Religious Kiev ©Stéphan SZEREMETA


Discover the capital's main boulevards (Shevchenko Boulevard and Khmelnytsky Boulevard) via St. Volodymyr Cathedral, the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Kiev. Before leaving Kiev, spend a day visiting the Pechersk Lavra, the Orthodox monastery built in 1051 by the monks Antoni and Feodosi. It is made up of many churches, one of which has a passage leading to the catacombs where the mummies of clergymen are buried. The descent into the caves is made by a very narrow staircase, in a solemn and spiritual atmosphere where everyone, equipped with a small candle, comes to lay his most dear prayer with the monks. After visiting the Laure, continue until you reach monument à la Mère Patrie (Rodina Mat'). Built in memory of the 1941-1945 war, this statue dominates the Dnieper River and reaches 102 metres.




Day 4 : Lviv

Day4 : Lviv ©Patrice ALCARAS


Beautiful, romantic, sparkling, Austro-Hungarian, Polish and Ukrainian, Lviv is a real jewel to discover. The city centre, magnificently restored and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers endless walking opportunities. The market square, pedestrian and flowered, lined with superb 18th and 19th century houses, with eclectic decorations, with the town hall and its tower on which you can climb to have a 360 degree panoramic view over the rooftops of the old town. Its many churches, including the Armenian Cathedral, Boyim Chapel, Dormition Church and the Dominican Church.




Day 5 : On the hill

Day5 : On the hill ©Patrice ALCARAS


A walk on the old castle hill and in the monumental Lychakiv cemetery. The atmosphere in this city is very pleasant with small coffees with original decorations and its coffee aroma that spreads through the charming alleys of the centre. You will be touched by the love that its inhabitants have for this city, whose history has been, throughout the 20th century, that of the relentless defence of the Ukrainian language and identity




Day 6 : Visit of the castles



Also take a trip outside the city to the Olesko and Pidhoritsky castles, built during the Renaissance.




Day 7 : Return to Kiev



Back in the Ukrainian capital. Departure.




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