It’s been a long hot summer in Kyiv, and it’s not over yet: High temperatures are forecast for the first week of September, too.
If the yellow tinged waters of the Dnipro are not appealing, there are a variety of outdoor pools in Kyiv with fresh, clear water that make for a great option for a one-day getaway to beat the summer heat.
Pier 39 (VDNH)
This outdoor pool recently opened as part of the massive renovation of the VDNH exhibition center. It’s already a firm favorite with Kyivans, due to its moderate prices and good quality service. Pier 39 is also a perfect family choice – there’s a kids’ pool next to the 25-meter adult one. For the whole summer already, this place has operated in a city-beach format – with outdoor swimming pools, a volleyball court, and a bar and cafeteria where visitors can find healthy fast food options.
Cost: Hr 150 per day
VDNH KyivExpoCenter, 1 Glushkova Ave., 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Mon – Sun, tel: +38068-352-6455
A baby sleeps in a pram by the pool at VDNH exhibition center on June 27. (Anastasia Vlasova)
Yunist
The best known outdoor pool in Kyiv, Yunist is in the city’s Pechersk district. It is open all year long for both professional athletes and the general public. It offers various water-based fitness activities, together with a gym and sauna. During the summer visitors can also rent a sun lounger to relax in the sun after a swim. The pool water is kept clean by an ionization system, without the use of chlorine. However, the pool closes from 2:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily for cleaning.
Cost: Hr 65 per 45 minutes Mon – Fri, Hr 75 per 45 minutes Sat – Sun.
7 Bastionna St., 6 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. – 10 p.m. Mon – Sat, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun, tel. +38044-285-2122
Otradniy Sport Complex
This is the oldest outdoor pool in the city, and has been serving Kyivans since 1964. But don’t be put off by its age – the pool has been renovated to modern standards, and has six 25-meter lanes. The pool is a particular favorite with athletes, as it is never crowded, works all year round, and has alongside a gym, tennis courts, sports massage service and a sauna. Nevertheless, this isn’t the best choice for just spending a lazy day by the poolside, as the recreation zone at Otradniy is rather meager, with no sun loungers and no bar. It’s also rather remote from the center, being located in the south-west of the city near Kyiv Zhulyany Airport.
Cost: Hr 80 per hour, season tickets available for Hr 1,000.
1 Bakunina St., 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon – Sun, tel. +38044-332-1771
Sky Family Park
For a little more than just the chance to swim, try the Sky Family Park, next to Sky Mall at the eastern end of the Moscow Bridge. This place is equipped with an open pool, trampolines, 9D cinema, boat rental and water sport activities. There’s also a food court, bar and recreation zones for all-day relaxation. For this reason, expect to find it packed during leisure hours on warm days. And beware: additional fees are charged for the use of sun loungers and padded stools – Hr 100 and Hr 50 respectively.
Cost: Hr 150-170
2T Henerala Vatutina Ave., 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Mon-Sun, tel.: +38095-283-6555
More Family Club
This place advertises itself as having a seawater swimming pool. In fact, the water hasn’t been piped in from the sea – its spring water with sea salt added to it, although this does make it chemically very close to real sea water. Another bonus is that the water in the pool is in constant circulation to keep it clean. The poolside area has sun loungers, private alcoves, a children’s pool and a kids’ play area. A good range of food and beverages is available from the club’s restaurant and summer bar. The pool administration encourages visitors to buy tickets in advance due to limited capacity. A ticket includes access to the pool, sun loungers, towels, a parking place and a kids’ entertainment service.
Cost: Hr 150 Mon – Fri, Hr 250 Sat – Sun
5 Druzhbi Narodiv Park, beside Vita Park Borysfen Hotel, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., tel. +38067-324-4352
Hydropark
For those more tempted by a pool-party experience, the best place to go is to a club in Hydropark, or on Trukhaniv Island or Dolobetsky Island, where there are a variety of beach and pool clubs with bars and DJ entertainment. One of the best of these is Olmeca Plage, which is on the sandy west beach of Dolobetsky Island, (north of Hydropark, across the Venetian Bridge.) Apart from its swimming pools, kids’ zone, volleyball courts and massage rooms, the club boasts a picturesque view of the right bank of the Dnipro River.
Cost: Hr 300 (price includes access to pool, towel and a sun lounger)
Hydropark, across Venetian Bridge, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon – Sun, tel.: +38044-232-2244
Next to Olmeca you can find another beach club – Bora Bora, which offers visitors shady alcoves in which to relax, surrounded by genuine palm trees and a sandy beach. Apart from its pool, this place is also known for its vibrant nightlife.
Cost: Hr 100
Hydropark, across Venetian Bridge, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon – Sun, tel.: +38067-353-3454
