Since cold weather has arrived in Ukraine, with temperature set to often fall below freezing, people will naturally spend less time outdoors. Many will prefer to curl up by the fireplace with a warm blanket instead of walking along the charming, but chilly streets of Kyiv.
But there is no need to be stuck inside all day long if the weather gets cold or rainy — Kyiv is full of fun indoor activities for all tastes and budgets.
Check out the Kyiv Post’s guide to some of the most entertaining indoor activities in the Ukrainian capital.
Roller skating rinks
A roller skating rink is a place that can bring back some of one’s best childhood memories. It’s also fun entertainment for kids and adults alike.
Located inside Kyiv’s Blockbuster shopping mall, one of the city’s top rinks has an area of almost 1,000 square meters and gives skaters the opportunity to roller skate throughout the week.
Adults pay Hr 85 (about $3) on weekdays and Hr 90 on weekends for a whole day of roller-skating. Moreover, skate rental is included in the entrance fee. For those who bring their own skates, the organizers promise a discount of Hr 10. Apart from that, one can ask for a trainer to teach them how to roller skate safely for an additional price of Hr 80 for 30 minutes.
Another indoor roller skating rink in Kyiv is located at the Art Mall shopping center. It is a perfect place for pros and beginners alike, offering a variety of services like skate rentals, personal instructors and even a shop where one can purchase the wheeled footwear and other sporting equipment. Entrance costs Hr 100 ($4) for children and Hr 130 (about $5) for adults, for the whole day.
Blockbuster Rollerdrome. 34 Stepana Bandery Ave. Mon-Thurs — 12–9:45 p. m., Fri — 12–10:30 p. m., Sat. — 10 a. m. — 10:30 p. m., Sun. 10 a. m. — 9:45 p. m. +38044 499 8373
Art Mall Rollerdrome. 37 Zabolotnogo St. Mon-Fri — 10 a. m. — 9 p. m., Sat-Sun — 10 a. m. — 10 p. m. +38097 773 4087
Climbing
For those seeking an adrenaline boost, Kyiv has many indoor climbing walls perfect for a weekend workout.
Jiwa is a rock climbing school that has climbing walls for children and adults. It also arranges workshops and teaches people about rock climbing. Apart from that, Jiwa also arranges competitions for experienced climbers. One hour of rock climbing with an instructor costs Hr 350 (about $12) for adults and Hr 300 (over $10) for children. Equipment is included and English-speaking trainers are available as well.
Kyiv’s Hyperion entertainment center also offers several climbing opportunities and promises to teach its visitors to become accomplished rock climbers. People with no experience are not allowed to climb without an instructor at Hyperion. For this reason, beginners will pay Hr 420 ($15) for an hour of climbing with an instructor and experienced climbers will pay Hr 150–180 ($5–6) for one hour of climbing.
Equipment at Hyperion costs extra: Hr 100 (over $3) for dynamic rope and Hr 50 ($1.80) for other safety devices.
Jiwa. 54B Borshchahivska St. Mon-Fri — 10 a. m. — 10 p. m. Sat-Sun — 10 a. m. — 8 p. m. +38063 815 8061
Hyperion. 46 Kyryllovska St. Mon-Fri — 11 a. m. — 9:45 p. m. Sat-Sun — 11 a. m. — 7 p. m. +38067 340 0022
Indoor amusement park
Summer might be over in Kyiv, but some amusement parks are still operating and feature numerous attractions, including Ferris wheels, rides and other games. Kyiv’s Galaxy Amusement Park seems to have it all.
Located at the Lavina Mall shopping center, this amusement park claims to be one of the largest indoor parks in Ukraine. It occupies an area of nearly 20,000 square meters. And as the venue’s name hints, it is decorated with space-themed elements and divided into several parts.
Galaxy park features 12 extreme attractions and carousels for adults; a roller-coaster, a “room of fear” and a rope park for everyone; and trampolines, mazes and slides for kids.
Attractions cost approximately Hr 70–120 ($2–4) for adults and Hr 60–90 ($2–3) for children. Check out all the prices at https://galaxypark.com.ua. Apart from the entertainment, Galaxy also has several cafes and welcomes all to have fun all day long.
Galaxy Amusement Park. 6D Berkovetska St. Mon-Sun — 10 a. m. — 10 p. m. +38044 290 5775
Bowling
This iconic game isn’t just a staple of North American life. It can be found in Kyiv, too. The Gulliver shopping center, right in the heart of Kyiv, features a bowling alley with lanes for adults and kids. It is located on the fifth floor of the shopping center and can fit up to 200 people in its modern halls.
Apart from regular bowling games, this club is a great spot for birthday celebrations — it gives a 70% discount for those who have birthdays and offers foods like burgers, salads and drinks. One hour of bowling costs Hr 180–385 ($6–13) depending on time and day of the week.
Another hot spot for bowling in Kyiv is the Brooklyn Bowling alley. Although it is located a bit far from the city center, near the Obolon metro station, it is worth a visit. Brooklyn offers 10 bowling lanes, as well as billiards tables, a cafe, karaoke and more. For one hour of bowling, expect to pay Hr 198–348 ($7–12), depending on the day. Bowling lanes should be booked in advance here.
Gulliver Bowling. 1A Sportyvna Sq. Sun-Thurs. — 10–2 a. m., Fri-Sat — 10–6 a. m. +38067 220 5222
Brooklyn Bowling. 12 Marshala Malynovskoho St. Sun-Thurs — 12 p. m. — 2 a. m., Fri — 12 p. m. — 4 a. m., Sat — 10–4 a. m. +38044 585 8505
Kart racing
Residents of Kyiv can also satisfy their need for speed — the city is full of race tracks for karting. Although most of them are located outdoors and closed for the winter season, indoor tracks can be found in several Kyiv shopping malls.
One of the indoor kart tracks can be found at Blockbuster shopping mall. During the race, one will “feel the adrenaline rush from speed and feel like a professional racer,” the track promise.
Races at Blockbuster last 10 minutes and cost Hr 250–280 ($9–10) for adults and Hr 190–220 ($6–7) for children. Karts that seat two people are also available for Hr 330–390 (almost $12–14). The racing equipment is also included in the price.
Blockbuster Karting. 34 Stepana Bandery Ave. Mon-Fri — 1–11 p. m. Sat-Sun — 11 a. m. — 11 p. m. +38044 237 2058
