Meet and Stay with Local Women in Ukraine

Kyiv, Solo travel

Did I feel safe? Mostly yes, but with caution. Air raid alerts happen, and you need to stay updated. People go on with life, but the war is still real. I felt safe during the day in central areas, especially with locals around. Things to do / skip: Do: – Walk around Podil, Andriyivskyy Descent, and Mariinsky Park – Visit St. Sophia’s Cathedral and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – Check out local bookshops and cozy cafés – Try a banya (Ukrainian sauna) for a unique experience Skip: – Expensive tourist traps (some souvenir shops and “photo spots” near Maidan) – Overpriced tours that don’t offer local insight Food / restaurants: – Milk Bar — perfect brunch and desserts – Puzata Hata — budget-friendly Ukrainian classics – Hum:Hum — great hummus spot in Podil – Veterano Pizza — owned by war vets, with a mission – Also: get syrnyky and varenyky at any good local cafe Budget: I spent around $25–35/day comfortably (including food, transport, and entrance tickets). Cafés were affordable. Street food & bakeries were cheap and tasty. Accommodation: I stayed in a cozy apartment in Podil (Airbnb). Safe, quiet, and well-located. You can also find nice hostels or hotels in the city center. Getting around: Very easy! The metro is fast, cheap, and clean (and it doubles as a bomb shelter). Uber/Bolt are cheap and safe. Locals were helpful when I needed directions. Itinerary (4 days): Day 1: City center walk – Maidan, Khreshchatyk, and Saint Sophia Day 2: Podil exploration + Dnipro river views + sunset from Volodymyrska Hill Day 3: Pechersk Lavra, WWII Museum, and Motherland Monument Day 4: Coffee, street art, shopping, and relaxing in a park