TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN KHARKIV

2018-11-30 16:40:46

Ukraine’s second largest city has not caught up with tourists until yet. Situated in the far east, and mostly famous for its Soviet past and industrial present, it manages to avoid the travel routes of most visitors to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s former capital hides plenty of treasures and sites.  Easy walking and cycling routes in national parks, peaceful rivers with great kayaking spots, gargantuan square, a decent share of odd monuments and beautiful greenery of parks – all of that in the largest city on 50th parallel. Largest w-w-w-here?! Read on to know that and many other interesting things to do in Kharkiv!

 

1. TAKE A RIDE ON CHILDREN’S RAILWAY

Image courtesy of Ruslandel

Hop on a comfortable train, and take a lengthy ride along the city at a railway station, managed only by … children! The Small Southern Railway Route is a part of Southern-Ukrainian Railway, and was set up with the idea of training the future generations in everything railway related.

Get the child in you jealous and watch how these young and competent “railway men” connect the wagons, sell the tickets, drive two of Railway Station’s trains, and even safely take them through the real-world road crossing! Oh my, where’s our long-gone childhood…

HOW AND WHAT

Get to the main Railway Station, located in Park Horkoho, from Sumska street. The Railway works from May 1 till June 1, and from September 1 till October 1, every Sunday. From June 1 till August 31 it functions daily, except Mondays and Tuesday.

2. STEP ON THE 50TH PARALLEL IN SHEVCHENKO PARK

50th Parallel

To relax from the bustling Kharkiv streets, catch your breath in city’s favorite green spot – Shevchenko Park.  Its beautiful alleys, botanical garden and local zoo offer plenty of attractions for couples and families alike.

And if you get tired from sitting on the benches and watching people, check out the unique Monument to 50th parallel. According to it, Kharkiv is the largest among all the cities situated on this parallel worldwide.  Those who have forgotten the geography lessons will be reminded that 50th parallel passes through 12 countries, among which are Czech Republic, Poland, Mongolia, Canada, Belgium, Great Britain, China and Russia.

Well, even you decide not to verify this ambitious statement, you can try to get more luck by stepping on the bronze globe – locals strongly believe doing so will bring one happiness! And who wouldn’t want that?

HOW AND WHAT

Take metro to the stations ‘University’ or ‘Gosprom’. From there walk along Svobody Avenue. The park will be on your left.

3.  ENJOY A ROMANTIC EVENING NEXT TO THE UNESCO-PROTECTED MIRROR STREAM

.Castello di aria e di acqua

The Mirror Stream fountain is one of the main city attractions . The water in the fountain flows in a nearly even, wide stream, and has a rainbow-like back light illumination at night, which rightfully makes it one of the most romantic spots in the city.

Stroll along the valley or simply sit on the wooden benches during warm summer evenings in Kharkiv. On weekends you are bound to see dozens of wedding processions, as taking a photo in front of the Stream is a proud local tradition for the newly weds.

HOW AND WHAT

Get to the crossing of Sumska street and Svobody avenue. The Fountain is located right in front of the Opera Theater.

 

4. VISIT KHARKIV’S SPIRITUAL PLACES

The Blagoveschensky (Annunciation) Orthodox Cathedral. Southern façade - Благовещенский кафедральный собор. Южный фасад

Image courtesy of Viktor_N_Dashkieff

Take some time out for quiet and prayer at one of Kharkiv’s religious sites. Enjoy the soothing peace of Pokrovsky Cathedral. Built in late 17th century this three-domed church is a classical example of Cossack’s baroque. For the impressive frescoes visit Annunciation Cathedral – the main Orthodox church in Kharkiv. Its peculiar Neo-Byzantine structure was one of the tallest and largest in Russian Empire. The 80 m tall bell tower is an impressive site and the delicate frescoes in the icon screen can easily match those in St. Vladimir’s Cathedral in Kyiv.

HOW AND WHAT

Ironically, Annunciation Cathedral is located at the crossing of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels streets. Pokrovsky Cathedral can be easily reached by foot from the city center, and is situated in the heart of city, in the quiet and cozy University Street.

5.  MEASURE EUROPE’S LARGEST SQUARE

Freedom Square

Freedom Square

Despite the arguments whether the square is indeed the largest – as Kharkiv locals like to point out, or actually the 6th largest – as Wikipedia states, Freedom Square in Kharkiv city center is still an impressive site. Built during the beginning of Soviet times in 1925, it’s a true statement of its era! It’s huge – over 11,000 square meters in size, with its own Lenin Statue and a mind blowing giant structure of DerzhProm as its centerpiece. DerzhProm was initially the so-called Building of State Industry, and at the time of its construction in 1925 became the first high-rise building in the USSR. The use of concrete in its construction and the system of overhead walkways and individual interlinked towers made it rank among the major architectural achievements worldwide in 1920s. This gargantuan building survived the ordeals of World War II, and 7 of its original 12 elevators still function without being replaced since 1928 (Source: Wikipedia)

HOW AND WHAT

Take a metro to the station ‘University’ and walk along Svobody Ave., until you reach the central square.

6. CONFESS YOUR LOVE AT THE MONUMENT TO LOVERS

This bizarre monument is either loved or hated, so you have to make up your own mind and visit it yourself. Constructed in the XXI century the two ‘flying’ statues intended to symbolize the  eternity and the beauty of love. They say that if you kiss under the monument, your love will last forever.

HOW AND WHAT

Take a metro to the station ‘Beketov Architect’ and cross the Pushkinska street towards the Park of Architects.

7. TAKE A RIDE IN KHARKIV’S CABLE RAILWAY

Cableway in the park

Kharkiv’s cable railway has been actively transporting passengers since 1971.  According to the local legends, the cableway was the favorite transport option for university students, who used it to get from university buildings to their dorms on the other side of the city. The cable way passes picturesque views of Horky Park (also known as Lesopark) and lush greenery of city’s Botanical Garden. Total ride is approximately 1.4 km, and your cabins hang from 8 to 26 m up in the air. Not for the fainthearted!

HOW AND WHAT:

Walk along Sumska street, and enter Horky Park, that starts right after the cinema ‘Park’. Tickets cost 1 euro and the ride takes approximately 18 min. Ticket offices are opened daily from 1 0 am till 8 pm.

8. GO KAYAKING ON RIVER VORSKLA OR IN SAMAR WETLANDS

Kayaking on Vorskla

If you are a fan of active adventures and get tired of the crazy whirlwind of city’s life, wait no more, and go boating in one of the calm and winding rivers of Kharkiv region. Steer your boat along the scenic banks of Vorsla, Orel or Samara rivers. Enjoy the relaxing rural scenery, stop by a local village for a sip of delicious fresh milk and home-made bread. Explore Ukraine that few tourists get to see: Ukraine full of horse carts, wandering chicken, sleeping fishermen and noisy babushkas wrapped in their colorful shawls.

Email us if you would like to join a day tour. If you aren’t afraid of overnight camping, tasty fish soup, and midnight chats around the fire, let us know and we’d be happy to arrange an overnight two-days tour into the wildlife of Kharkiv region!

9. GO CYCLING OR WALKING IN THE NATIONAL PARK GOMILSHANSKI FORESTS

gomolshanskiy forest

Even though Kharkiv region is traditionally considered an industrial area, it still has plenty of green getaways that are only few bus stops away from the bustling metropolis. For a day of adventure and culture, join a walking or cycling tour along the National Park ‘Homilshanski Forests’. The Park is located right in the middle of Kharkiv region, on the picturesque banks of Siversky Donets River. Some of the older villages remained hidden in the midst of the forests, and, cut away from the modern civilization, still keep their centuries-old traditions. There you can still come across tiny houses with reedy roofs and wooden wells, sit down with the local villagers for a mouth-watering borshch. Email us to book your next trip back in time!

10. SET YOUR MEET UP AT THE STATUE TO THERMOMETER

PICT0052

If any of your Ukrainian friends will tell you ‘to meet at the Thermometer’, don’t think they went crazy. This odd statue is among the most known to all Kharkov locals, and was made by Kharkiv Institute of Metrology. Its height is 16 m, and it even gets lit at night. And yes, it does serve its original purpose – telling the temperature!

 HOW AND WHAT

Take a metro to the station ‘History Museum’, and it will right outside of the exit. Walk along Sumska street, and you will also pass by a small but charming Park of Poetry.

Additional great suggestions on getting in and around Kharkiv, in the post of one of our readers: http://football.kharkov.ua/2012/5/8/euro-2012-kharkiv-crash-course-part-1-arrival#announce-breaker

Enjoy it and send us more of suggestions! Will be glad to add them to the list.

 Which of the places would you like to visit the most? Have you already been to Kharkiv? Share your stories in the comments below!

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