Things To Do in Kiev

Glitzy malls have transformed Kiev's shopping scene, but old-school style and service live on at Ukraina department store, a Soviet monolith. A short walk away, Kreshchatyk is still the main shopping street with a warren of fashion and brand concessions under Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Souvenirs, antiques and art galleries can be found in the tiny boutiques lining Andriyivskiy Uzviz, and flowers and local delicacies at the Bessarabsky Market. Most shops open 10am-9pm daily.

Kiev's bars span the city, with smoky clubs and bars lining Kreshchatyk – giving way to leafy outdoor terraces in summer – and the young and beautiful flocking to Arena City at its end. Cool upmarket places like Bar on 8 cluster around the Old Town and increasingly hip Lypky, while summer sees live dance venues and casual beer tents in the parks of Pechersk. Bars stay open into the early hours, and most clubs until 6am.