Kyiv is a great starting point for exploring Ukraine. Below, there is a list of 10 best one-day tours from Kyiv, loved by locals and international tourists. These tours offer visits to interesting and unique places, insights into traditions, history, culture, and art, opportunities to taste traditional Ukrainian food, and enjoy beautiful panoramic views. All tours are tailor-made and can be changed according to your interests and wishes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available. The price varies based on the number of tourists.

1. Flowers of artist Kateryna Bilokur

Kateryna Bilokur was a self-taught folk artist who had no education, but the renowned artist Pablo Picasso admired her works. When he saw her paintings at an exhibition in Paris, he enthusiastically exclaimed, “If we had an artist of such a high level, we would make the whole world talk about her!” However, Kateryna’s life was far from the artistic bohemia. She lived in the countryside, worked hard, and dedicated her spare moments to her passion while managing household duties. Kateryna created most of her paintings in a modest village hut. These were not just artistic canvases for her, but real creative children whom she loved sincerely. Despite natural talent, Kateryna Bilokur had to fight for her right to create and overcame numerous obstacles to her dream of becoming an artist. Moreover, she achieved her goal – her name became known not only in Ukraine but also in other countries. During the trip to Bohdanivka and Yahotyn, we will visit Kateryna Bilokur’s house museum, an art gallery in Yahotyn, and the Taras Shevchenko Museum. The tour lasts for 8 hours.

2. Mysteries of Ancient Trypillya Culture

Archaeologist Vikentii Khvoyka discovered the Trypillia archaeological culture in the 19th century. Since then, thousands of scientific papers have been written, and many artifacts have been found, which are represented in 30 museums in Ukraine. It would seem that we should know everything about how people lived between the 6th and 3rd millennia BC. However, it turns out that we do not. Scientists are still unable to answer many questions. What did the Trypillians call themselves? For what purposes are their peculiar structures and tools? How did people live and dress? What did they look like? These timeless secrets continue to intrigue us.
Not far from Kyiv, there is the village of Trypillia, which gave a modern name to this ancient archaeological culture. Two museums display interesting exhibits found during archaeological excavations. After the museum tours, we will climb Maiden Mountain, also called the Bald Mountain, which offers magnificent views of the Dnipro River. After that, we will go to the village of Vytachiv, known since the eleventh century and often called a place of power.

3. Museum of Home Icons and Ukrainian Village

When we observe icons, we typically see traditional and canonical images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. The familiar image of Jesus with long hair and a beard, dressed in a white tunic, has become iconic. But what did Jesus Christ really look like? Did all icon painters adhere to the canonical images established in Byzantine times? To explore these questions, we recommend visiting the Museum of Ukrainian Home Icons, situated in the town of Radomyshl. For many years, philanthropist and doctor Olha Bohomolets curated a collection of Ukrainian home icons crafted by folk artists without formal artistic training. These pieces represent genuine works of sacred and naive art, captivating visitors with their charming simplicity. Numerous home icons and household items are displayed across several halls. Additionally, the museum offers the opportunity to participate in a master class on traditional paper-making techniques from the 17th century. Following the museum visit, a trip to the “Ukrainian Village” ethnographic complex awaits, where visitors can explore traditional Ukrainian houses, workshops of a potter, a baker, and a blacksmith, along with a small zoo. The complex also features a restaurant offering delightful Ukrainian and European cuisine. The tour lasts for 8 hours.

4. Ostrich Farm and Ukrainian Village

The ostrich farm in Yasnohorodka is the first in Ukraine to raise ostriches. The world’s largest birds, originally from Africa, have adapted to the Ukrainian countryside, although their meat and eggs are still considered exotic delicacies. The ostrich farm has been a popular vacation spot for many years. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the farm suffered severe damage. There were battles nearby, and Russians who occupied the villages, entered the farm, demanding alcohol, slaughtering ostriches, and roasting the meat in the street while threatening the employees. After the Russian troops withdrew, the farm suffered extensive damage. However, the employees were able to quickly recover it and are now welcoming guests again. The farm offers opportunities for children’s recreation, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and tastings of local wines and tinctures.
Following a visit to the farm, visitors can head to the Ukrainian Village ethnographic complex, where they can explore traditional Ukrainian houses, workshops of a potter, baker, blacksmith, and a zoo. There is also a restaurant where you can taste delicious Ukrainian and European cuisine. The area also suffered at the beginning of the war but has been fully restored, leaving no traces of the damages. Employees quickly renovated everything so visitors could enjoy staying there. The tour lasts for 7 hours.

5. Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, Pereyaslav

Pereyaslav is a small town that may seem provincial, but it boasts the largest number of museums per capita in Ukraine, with 25 museums for 27 thousand people. It is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine and has been the site of many historical events. For instance, in 1187, the name “Ukraine” was first mentioned in connection with the Pereiaslav principality. In 1654, the Pereyaslav Council convened here to form a military alliance with the Moscow Kingdom. In 1992, after Ukraine gained its independence, the political and public leader Vyacheslav Chornovil announced the cancellation of the Pereyaslav Agreement. It is not possible to visit all the museums in just one day, so if you are short on time, consider visiting the largest ones: the Taras Shevchenko Testament Museum, the Hryhorii Skovoroda Museum, and the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life. Additionally, after your museum visits, you can shop for traditional clothing, including embroidered shirts and dresses, at a local weaving factory.

6. Stories and legends of Chernihiv

Chernihiv is a city that blends ancient history, modern life, and mystical legends. Just two and a half hours from Kyiv, you find yourself in a beautiful world of medieval Old Rus and Baroque architecture, ancient churches, wooden townhouses, and cozy parks. There are 12 cannons on the former defensive rampart, and there is a legend about the 13th one. On the way to Chernihiv, we will visit the small town of Kozelets, where the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, one of the best in Ukraine, is located. In the center of Chernihiv, we will first walk along the Val (rampart), visit the Borys and Hlib and Transfiguration Cathedral, then walk to the Friday and Catherine Churches, the Yelets Monastery, and the Black Grave. Another historical part of the city is Boldiny Hills, known for the St. Anthony’s catacombs. This is one of the largest sacred complexes in Europe that has survived to this day. By the way, there is a ghost in the catacombs. We will learn about it and other secrets during the tour.

In memory of Taras Shevchenko

All Ukrainians should visit the grave of Taras Shevchenko in Kaniv at least once in their lives. The Ukrainian poet and artist, the founder of the Ukrainian literary language, was a person of extraordinary talent and progressive views. His works remain relevant today. He was not just a painter and poet, the founder of the Ukrainian literary language, but a person of pan-European significance. The largest number of monuments in the world is dedicated to Shevchenko – 1384 in total. Chernecha Mountain in Kaniv, where the poet was buried, is a place of pilgrimage for Ukrainians who come from all over the world. Visitors can explore the Taras Shevchenko Museum and the Assumption Cathedral in Kaniv. After that, we will go to the town of Pereyaslav, where the Shevchenko Testament Museum is located. It was in this house that he wrote his famous poem “When I die, bury me on a grave in the middle of the wide steppe in my sweet Ukraine.”

8. Ukrainian Cossack’s Capital in Baturyn

Baturyn is a small village in the Chernihiv region, but few people remember that for many years Baturyn was the capital of the Cossack state, the Hetmanate. Five hetmans resided in this impregnable fortress, where many pivotal decisions in the history of Ukraine were made. The fate of this town was tragic after Hetman Ivan Mazepa’s unsuccessful attempt to gain independence from the Russian Empire. In 1708, Tsar Peter the Great ordered Baturyn to be destroyed and razed. For centuries, the Russian imperial authorities tried to erase the name of Ivan Mazepa from historical memory. Only after Ukraine gained its independence, Baturyn was Baturyn and now it is one of the best tourist destinations. During the tour, we will visit the citadel, Kochubey’s house, the palace of Hetman Kirill Razumovsky, a Cossack house, and learn about the fascinating and glorious history of the Hetmanate.

9. The beauty of rural Ukraine in Kachanivka

Kachanivka is a small picturesque village located 200 km from Kyiv. This is a trip for those who are seeking an immersive experience in the atmosphere of the Ukrainian village and culture. In the village, there was a magnificent palace of the Tarnowski family of patrons of the arts who lived in the 19th century and whose mansion was visited by famous artists, poets, and writers. Charming nature, Ukrainian hospitality, delicious home-cooked meals, and intellectual excursions about history, culture, and art are what Kachanivka and Sokolyny Khutir are all about. In addition, we will visit the contemporary exhibition “The Road of Impressions/Destructions”, which opened after the liberation of the Chernihiv region from the Russian occupiers. The region was heavily damaged during the fighting at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in March 2022, but the locals are doing everything they can to restore and develop their region.

10. The Museum of Trypillia Culture and Uman

Did you know that many thousands of years ago there were developed settlements of ancient people from the Eneolithic period in Ukraine? People built large settlements and were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. The Trypillian culture began to form earlier than the Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations. Scientists have found huge protomist settlements on the territory of Ukraine. The village of Lehedzyne has the largest museum dedicated to Trypillian culture. Scientists have also created a historical reconstruction of a Trypillian hut, where, by the way, you can spend the night and feel like a real Trypillian.
After that, we will go to Uman, one of the most popular small tourist cities. It is famous for the Sofiyivka Park, which was created in the Greek style by Polish property owner Stanisław Potocki for his beloved wife Sofia. The love story of this couple is similar to an adventurous novel, which we will learn about during the tour.
Every year in September, Uman becomes a place of pilgrimage for the Hasidim of Bratslav, who come to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. According to tradition, if the Hasidim visits the burial place of Tzadik Nachman, the whole year will be successful.

If you are interested in one-day tours from Kyiv, contact me for detailed information on e-mail: guide.kiev.ukraine@gmail.com

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