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Kyiv

Kyiv (Ukrainian: Київ, also transliterated Kiev from Russian: Киев) is the capital of Ukraine, as well as the country's largest and most vibrant city. It is a city where the golden domes of Orthodox cathedrals sit amidst royal palaces and the grey concrete of Soviet Brutalist buildings.

Understand
The official name of the city has long been Kyiv, a transliteration from the Ukrainian Київ. A common alternative English name of the city, Kiev, is a transliteration of the Russian Киев. While the two names were formerly used interchangeably in English, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the choice of name has assumed political connotations; supporters of the Ukrainian government tend to use "Kyiv" as a sign of solidarity, while supporters of the Russian invasion tend to use "Kiev".

In 2020, it was home to 3 million people. It is in the north of central Ukraine on the Dnieper River (Ukrainian: Дніпро, Russian: Днепр).

History
The Ukrainians are understandably very proud of their capital's role in establishing European civilization in Eastern Europe. Kyiv is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe dating back to the 5th century although settlements at this location existed much earlier. By the late 9th century, Kyiv was at the center of an emerging Eastern Slavic state. Between the 10th and early 13th centuries, the city reached its golden age as the capital of the first Ukrainian state known today as Kievan Rus (Kyivan Ruthenia, or Rus-Ukraine). It was this state that shaped the religious and cultural foundations of the modern East Slavic states of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Russia also claims its origin in Kievan Rus, and this claim continues to be a major bone of contention between Ukrainians and Russians.

In the middle of the 13th century, Kievan Rus was overrun by the Mongols. Later that century, Kyiv became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1569 the city was absorbed into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1654 the Cossack, Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky "liberated" Kyiv from that Commonwealth, but then promptly folded it into the Russian Empire, an action that continues to be a sore point for Ukrainian nationalists.

Full Russian annexation came in 1775 and the city remained under Russian rule with brief independence between 1918 and 1920 during the chaos that followed the Russian Revolution. Over these two centuries, Kyiv experienced growing Russification and Russian immigration. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it became the capital of independent Ukraine and is now discovering its place as a large European capital.

Climate
Average temperatures are maximum 26°C (79°F), minimum 15°C (59°F) in summer and maximum -2°C (28°F), minimum -8°C (17°F) in winter. Spring and autumn (fall) can be very brief. Heat waves featuring temperatures as high as 38°C (100°F) are rare but not unheard of in the summer months, and brief but potent cold spells with temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) are not uncommon in winter. Wintery precipitation can begin as early as October, and snowfall is fully expected by late fall and the winter months, when it can become intense enough to affect travel. However, snow cover is not always constant and even in the winter there can be periods when the ground lies barren. Warm clothes are a necessity from November through March, but dressing in removable layers will help travelers stay comfortable in any situation.

Talk
In general, the people in Kyiv are hospitable and will be eager to help you. However, if you don't have a knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian you may find service in restaurants and shops difficult, though this is slowly changing among younger generations with more exposure to English. 51% of all Ukrainians can speak English, while the percentage in cities like Kyiv is being higher than that.

While 85% of residents claim Ukrainian ethnicity, most Kyivans also speak Russian (all Kyivans can understand and speak Ukrainian, nonetheless). Many Kyivans, and even the residents of nearby villages, often speak a dialect referred to as Surzhyk in which it is common to hear phonemes and words which do not exist in standard Russian such as Ukrainian "г" (IPA: /ɦ/) or the word "немае". Like many former Soviet cities, Kyiv is a multicultural place: you will certainly meet ethnic Russians - which form about 13% of the city's population - and also Armenians, Azeris, Belarusians, Georgians and Tatars. There are also people claiming Jewish, Polish, Romanian and Hungarian descent.

Officially, all signs are in Ukrainian only. Since 2011, signs with Latin transliteration are starting to make an appearance throughout Ukraine.

By plane
<!-- Kyiv has two airports. Most full-fare airlines use Boryspil, east of the city, while most budget airlines use Zhulyany just west of the centre.

Boryspil Airport

Getting to/from the city center:

 * By train — Kyiv Boryspil Express connects to Vokzalna station in the city center (where you may transfer to the city metro network), also makes a stop at Darnytsia railway station. Train runs a few times per hour. Travel time is predictable taking about 40 min and in comparison to the bus lets you avoid the traffic jams. Ticket price is 80 грн and can be purchased in the kiosk. Mastercard/Visa are accepted at the selling point. Kyiv city transport card doesn't work here.

 * By bus — The Sky Bus runs 24 hr between the airport and Kyiv's Central Railway station every 20-30 min, taking 50-70 minutes, fare 106 грн (66 грн to M3 "Kharkivska") if bought online, 100 (60) грн if paid with cash to the driver. It's run by a private company, not part of the city public transport network and the Kyiv transport card doesn't work here. Buses run from Georgiy Kirpy St on the south side of the railway station: use the station bridge to cross to north side (Symona Petlyury St) for M1 "Vokzalna" and to walk into the centre. These buses also stop at M3 "Kharkivska" in the eastern neighbourhoods of the city. Heading from airport to city, get off and change to the metro if your destination lies on the east bank or if it's rush hour. It's less convenient to do this, heading out to the airport since the bus might skip the stop if it's already full and even if it does stop, the seats will be taken and you'll be standing all the way. At Kharkivska, the bus stop for Sky Bus is clearly marked.

 * By taxi — For taxis, the minimum price to the city centre is about 550 грн (December 2021) when you book in advance. Alternatively, Uber and Bolt offer the best value for the last minute calls (about 350 грн to the centre or alternatively around 200 грн to the M3 "Boryspilska" in June 2019). As of 2018 March, the official taxi charges a fixed rate of 160 грн for the first 10 km and 11 грн for each kilometer after. If you don't go downtown but overnight in Boryspil instead (4-6 km), it's still 160 грн, however taxis outside are negotiable and take you to a hotel in Boryspil (not downtown) for 120-150 грн or possibly less during daytime. You can also call a taxi if you have a phone.

Zhulyany Airport

Getting to/from the city center:

 * By bus – Trolleybus 9 runs to the M1 "Vokzalna". Bus 78 runs to M2 "Vasylkivska". Trolleybus 22 runs to M3 "Dorohozhychi".

 * By train – Volynsky Train Station ("Київ - Волинський") is a suburban-line station 500 m west of the airport. "Elektrichka" local trains run to the Central Railway Station every 15 min or so, 06:00-20:30, taking 15 min. Occasional inter-city trains also call here.

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 * By taxi – To the city center it costs 200-250 грн on Uber, Uklon, Bolt and other taxi apps.

By train
There are international direct trains to Chisinau (15 hr), Vienna (24 h) and Warsaw (17 hr). Ukrainian Railways has Intercity trains from Poltava (3 hr), Lviv (5 hr), Kharkiv (4 hr 30), Dnipro (5 hr 15 min) and Odesa (7 hr 15 min) among many other smaller cities - usually with two daytime trains and one slower overnight train. Direct trains from Crimea (under Russian military occupation) remain suspended.

By bus
Tickets can be purchases on Omio, BlaBlaCar and other bus apps.

By boat
It's possible to organize trips down the River Dnipro to the Black Sea in summer. A travel agency in Ukraine can book these trips for you.

Get around
Kyiv can seem quite foreign to the western tourist, as most signposts are in Cyrillic script. It is still largely a city where few people know English, but their number among young people is growing quickly. Many may not be able to maintain a conversation, but are likely to understand spoken English. Many cafés and restaurants offer menus in English, and the Metro has all announcements in Ukrainian and English. For the non-Russian or Ukrainian speaker, it's quite possible to get around easily, and it is a very interesting city to explore.

It is advisable, however, to pick up a pocket Russian or Ukrainian phrasebook, and learn the Cyrillic alphabet, which can be fun and is easy to learn. Spend some time practicing key words and phrases (e.g. 'hello', 'thank you' and 'bill please'). Even what you regard as a feeble attempt at Ukrainian or Russian will amuse most people to the point where they become comfortable engaging in pantomime or trying out the little bit of English they know.

Among locals, it might be considered impolite to chat loudly (e.g. in the Metro), point or wave one's hands. According to a superstition, it's suggested to avoid whistling indoors.

On foot
For shorter distances, there is no better way of getting around Kyiv than hitting the sidewalk, especially in the areas of the city center like Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kontraktova Ploshcha, Arsenalna. The city center area consists of many hills, so be prepared and plan accordingly. The underground pedestrian crossings are ubiquitous and let you cross the busy streets without waiting for the traffic lights, many of them connect to the underground malls, being a specialty of Kyiv. Keep in mind they are often not equipped with elevators, just the stairs.

By municipal public transport

The base fare per trip is 8 грн with no difference for the length of the trip. Additional discounts apply for journeys paid in bulk. Each transfer means another trip (unless in the metro). E-Ticket guide can be found on the website. There are 4 ways to pay for public transport trips in Kyiv: All 4 are supported across the municipal transport network, including the funicular.
 * 1) Users of Google Pay, Apple Pay and contactless credit/debit cards can pay directly without the need for a separate ticket; just tap your card or device on the turnstile reader.
 * 2) Single-journey paper tickets called QR tickets (not to be confused with the digital payment method listed below) can be purchased at the ticket office or ticket machines and scanned at the turnstile. These have replaced the old token system on the Metro.
 * 3) Tap the prepaid Kyiv Digital (Київ Цифровий) multi-journey plastic card. The card can be purchased for 50 грн at all metro stations, and in T-Kiosks all around the city. You can top up the card at metro stations, via the Kyiv Digital app (iOS, Android), on EasyPay, and at EasyPay, PrivatBank, City24 terminals.
 * 4) A digital version of the single-journey QR ticket can be purchased through the Kyiv Digital (Київ Цифровий) mobile app (iOS, Android) and used by scanning your phone screen at the turnstile.

Tap / scan your preferred way of public transit payment only once when entering at the turnstile or at a ticket validator inside (depending on the mode of transport) and wait for a few seconds for confirmation. There is no need to scan again before exiting, since the price doesn't depend on the duration of the trip.

Buses and trams do not accept cash payment or sell tickets onboard, so remember to get a ticket or transit card ahead of time before boarding, if not using contactless payment. The modernised light-rail trams depart from dedicated platforms with turnstiles and ticket machines so there is no need to validate your ticket onboard; remember to choose the correct platform if catching a tram at the main railway station.

You can track public transport on the official website and EasyWay.

By metro
The Metro (Метро) is one of the pleasures of Kyiv. It is a clean and fast subway system, and it is easy to navigate once you realize that all three metro lines (red, blue and green) go through the city center. There are 52 stations operating, and ambitious plans for the lines' extensions. The official website can be found here.

All stations support contactless credit card/digital payment, but not necessarily at every turnstile - look for those marked with the corresponding logos, often indicated by bright yellow/orange color. A green arrow will appear, indicating that the payment has been successful. When passing through a turnstile, make sure you walk through the correct side of the turnstile i.e. scanning the ticket on your right, not to be hit with a metal gate that will slam shut.

The cost of using the contactless payment is the same as a single-ticket, and discounts are automatically applied if you travel frequently. You can also associate your contactless card with a monthly/half-monthly unlimited travel plan for further discounts. As of March 2020, a tourist pass is planned. It would provide with an unlimited number of trips in any municipal mode of transport for 24, 48, and 72 hours from the moment of activation. They will cost 100, 150, and 200 грн, respectively.

Most maps and signposts in the metro are translated into English. Every station has a unique three-digit number, with the first digit showing the number of the line (M1 for red, M2 for blue, and M3 for green). Once on board, every station is announced by loudspeakers and screens. These screens show a lot of weird ads between the stations, but flag an impending station before arrival. Upon departure, they then show the next station.

Metro stations where you can interchange have two different names - one for each line. If you are changing lines, the other station can be reached by an overpass in the center or near one of the ends of the platform.

Trains run every 30 to 150 seconds during business hours, every 5 min after 20:00, and every 10–15 min after 22:30. The last trains depart from the terminal stations around midnight, so your last chance to catch a train in the city center is between 00:15 and 00:25 (check the timetable of late departures, which is signposted on each station). Trains are often very crowded. Be prepared to push, as this may be the only way you get on the train during peak hours.

The Kyiv metro has some of the deepest stations in the world. The M1 "Arsenalna" is the deepest metro station in the world, at 107 m deep, and the M1 "Universytet" has one of the longest escalators (87 m long). Many stations have two long and intimidating escalators in a row.

Spend some time looking at the stations. The red line features impressive architecture, similar to that seen in the Moscow and Saint Petersburg metro systems. Elaborate mosaics in the "Zoloti Vorota" (Золоті ворота) station depict rulers and other historical characters of the medieval Kyivan Rus.

By bus / trolleybus

There are two types of city-run buses available – bus (автобус) and trolleybus (тролейбус) – as well as slow and moribund trams. Tap your phone (Google/Apple Pay compatible) at the orange ticket validator upon entering the vehicle. The message will signify the payment complete.

Unlike the buses in Western Europe, in Ukraine there is no need to neither wave for the bus to stop as it approaches, nor push a button to ask for a stop. They will always stop on every designated stop, which are marked by an inconspicuous sign on a telegraph pole.

The buses are often very crowded during peak hours, but the norm is to push your way in.

By tram
Travelling by tram mostly for on or to suburbs can be an option. In western Kyiv maybe a useful end station which is at the M2 "Kontraktova Ploscha". From here depart No.14 far to the westward and No.18 to the M1 "Vokzalna". Also, from M2 "Kontraktova Ploscha" depart to northbound No.11 to M2 "Obolon", No.19 to M2 "Minska", No.12 to northwest, a bit out of city limit to Horenka settlement. For more info, visit Kyivpastrans website.

By funicular

By marshrutka
You can also travel on so-called route taxis or minivans called marshrutky (маршрутки). These are privately run vehicles that travel assigned routes, which are listed on the front of the bus. They are easy to be confused with the public city buses, as both are shown on the apps like Google Maps. Marshrutka routes can be hard to figure out, but they have a list of stops on the window and a Metro logo for the metro stops. The best way to figure out where these go is to ask some of the locals. City maps usually picture all public transport, normal buses, trolleybuses, trams and marshrutky. The one downside to using marshrutky is that they tend to be a little overpacked (understatement) and very warm or cold, depending on season.

You can hail a marshrutka at the assigned bus stops. When you board, you pay the driver directly in cash or, if you're not near the driver, pass the money to the nearest passenger who will pass it to the driver. Your change will be returned in reverse order, but it is unwise to pass big bills. Kyiv Tsyfrovyi card / QR code can not be used in marshrutkas. The fare ranges for about 5 грн, and is usually stated on the front and sidewalk-side of the vehicle, so you will know how much you pay in advance. It is good to have some change, so you can pay exact amount.

When you are reaching your destination, simply yell out to the driver to stop "Na zupyntsi" with stress on "-pyn-"', which literally means "on the stop" in Ukrainian, or use Russian: "Na astanovkie", stressing on "-nov-" (some 100 m in advance to the bus stop you need). If you overshoot, you get a nice walk and a driver gets a little extra stress a day.

By taxi
Taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, with low fares by Western standards. Marked taxis that can be hailed on the street are relatively rare compared to ridesharing app drivers. An Uber trip within the inner city (i.e. between any two of the major downtown attractions) should normally cost between 100 and 200 грн, exceeding 300 грн only during rush hour (as of Jan 2024); prices may differ with other services.

By scooter
Kick scooter is a funny way to shorten your time while getting around the city.

By bike
There are more than 200 km of infrastructure for bicycles in Kyiv. While you can use your own bike, you can also rent one using one of the following companies:

By car (rental)
With the taxi app rides ubiquitous and cheap, there is generally little reason to rent a car unless exploring outside the city. Kyiv city traffic is known to be quite heavy unless on weekends.

Traditional car rental apps like Booking or Kayak let you compare the options across multiple locations for the car to rent for multiple days and has to be returned to the same location (unless paying extra fees).

Car-sharing apps like Getmancar may be a better choice for short trips and let you save money in comparison to the taxi apps, the cars can be picked-up and dropped off in minutes flexibly in the zones all over the city (including the airports). Make sure to sign up on the app a day before - as the validation is not instantaneous.

See

Museums

Motherland Statue and war memorials
Kyiv was pretty much destroyed during the invasion in World War II. The memorial near the motherland statue is pretty gripping. Lots of examples of classic Soviet-era memorial statuary, as well as some amazing exhibits of military hardware. The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War located in the base of the statue is a must-see for visitors interested in the impact the German invasion had on the Soviet Union. Well worth the visit even if you don't speak or read any Russian or Ukrainian (several English language tours are provided daily). It's well curated and full of artifacts (including weapons, battle maps, hundreds of original photographs, and a moving installation at the end of the exhibit symbolizing the great losses suffered). There is also a small museum of the Afghan conflict nearby. Try to enter coming from the top part of the Pecherska Lavra. This way you get submerged with old soviet music and dark statues. M1 "Arsenalna".

Obolon Raion
A part of the city on far north. These territories far beyond of its historical neighborhood with the same name. Its current population is 290,000 inhabitants.- The Obolon district encompasses the territories of the former Minsk district and is still sometimes referred to by that name. It also includes the former town of Pushcha-Vodytsia that used to be part of the Podil Raion. The name Obolon comes from the Old-Ukrainian word оболонь → болонь → болоньє (obolon' → bolon' → bolon'ye), which roughly translates as "flood plain" or an area that is being engulfed by water. The district was built up in the 1970s as a microdistrict in Kyiv on the Obolon sands to satisfy the growth of the city. Due to the composition of the soil at the time, the majority of the buildings were at most nine-stories tall, and few trees were planted when compared to other parts of the city. That and few other reasons originally made the district not prestigious. With the second construction period (2000–2005), the district has seen new, comfortable apartment buildings constructed closer to the Dnipro river and has become an attractive residential area. The new apartments are also more expensive, although still cheaper than in the center of Kyiv. The district was connected by M2 in the 1980s, with a station M2 "Obolon" opened on November 5, 1980. Now, here is M2 "Minska" and M2 "Heroiv Dnipra", too.

Podil Raion
This is a historic neighborhood and an administrative raion (district) in Kyiv. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kyiv, the birthplace of the city's trade, commerce and industry. It still contains many architectural and historical landmarks, and new archaeological sites are still being revealed. Numerous attractions of Podil particularly include: Frolivskyi and Pokrovskyi Convents, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, House of Ivan Mazepa, House of Peter the Great, Fountain of Samson, Zamkova Hora hill, Andriyivskyy Descent — the main link of Podil to the city's administrative Uppertown, Borychiv Descent, Kyiv River Port, Kyiv funicular, Poshtova Square, and the Kontraktova Square. Modern Podilskyi Raion, despite its tourism and culture importance, remains one of Kyiv's main business, transportation and industrial districts.

Do

 * Go to church, even if you'd never do so at home: Orthodox services are strangely moving even to unbelievers. They are also mighty long and there are few if any seats in church, but it's perfectly acceptable to come and go as you please, as locals do. Women must cover their heads before entering the church. Pick any church you please, but St Volodomyr's (on Tarasa Shevchenka Blvd, listed above) is a good choice.
 * Go to church, even if you'd never do so at home: Orthodox services are strangely moving even to unbelievers. They are also mighty long and there are few if any seats in church, but it's perfectly acceptable to come and go as you please, as locals do. Women must cover their heads before entering the church. Pick any church you please, but St Volodomyr's (on Tarasa Shevchenka Blvd, listed above) is a good choice.
 * Go to church, even if you'd never do so at home: Orthodox services are strangely moving even to unbelievers. They are also mighty long and there are few if any seats in church, but it's perfectly acceptable to come and go as you please, as locals do. Women must cover their heads before entering the church. Pick any church you please, but St Volodomyr's (on Tarasa Shevchenka Blvd, listed above) is a good choice.

Sports

 * Kyiv has many recreational running routes with different road surfaces. If you like plain terrain, opt for Mariiinskyi Park in the city center. You can even extend your route and run across the Lovers’ Bridge to the Puppet Theatre. If you fancy moderate hills, go for Spivoche Pole, with lots of open air and field tracks for those who do not like blacktop surface. For moderate mountainous lovers, there is Hryshko Botanical Garden with views to Paton Bridge and the Dnipro River.
 * Kyiv Shooting Club offers firearms shooting, providing different kinds of weapons available even for non-licensed travelers.
 * Ice skating is possible inside the city’s shopping centers. The largest indoor rink is at the Kosmopolit Shopping Center with an area of .  You can of course find outdoor and covered skating rinks, such as Katok. It is a spacious “ice rink bubble”, just 15-minute walk from the M2 "Pochaina".

Other

 * Watch football at FC Dynamo Kyiv, who play soccer in the Premier League, the Ukrainian top tier. Their home ground is Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, capacity 70,000, one km south of city center.
 * Shaktar Donetsk, who also play in the Premier League, have been displaced from their home city by the fighting. They've had a spell based in Lviv, but since 2020 have shared Olimpiyskiy stadium with Dynamo.
 * Urbex for urbex enthusiasts, Kyiv is a goldmine. A quick Google search will turn up myriad abandoned spots and several groups willing to take visitors on tours of unusual spots around the city.
 * Urbex for urbex enthusiasts, Kyiv is a goldmine. A quick Google search will turn up myriad abandoned spots and several groups willing to take visitors on tours of unusual spots around the city.

Festivals

 * Visit different eco-cultural, ecological, ethnic, rock and other festivals both inside the city and near its suburbs.

Learn
There are a number of private schools where you can learn Ukrainian or Russian, either part-time or full-time. There are also experienced teachers in the city - check out resources such as Kyiv In Your Pocket, The Kyiv Post, and What's On Weekly for details of schools and teachers.

Universities
Many of Ukraine's universities are situated in the capital city.

 * National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy ― one of the smallest and oldest universities in Ukraine. Offers courses in English.

Work
Foreigners can sometimes find work teaching their native language. Pay is usually decent enough to live on in Kyiv if you get enough pupils and live by local standards.

As is the nature in a global economy, professionals with skills in demand, e.g. accountants and IT professionals, can be employed with global firms in Kyiv, without knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian languages.

Getting a work permit (visa) is a necessity for foreigners if they are going to be employed by any legal entity (exceptions apply only for international institutions and representative offices of foreign companies). The work permit is more of a hiring permit. The potential employer has to apply with the labor administration for hiring a non-resident employee. With the application a complete CV, as well as documents showing an accredited education, have to be submitted.

Buy
For more information on currency, see Ukraine

Banks and exchanges booths are very easy to find, with most of them displaying their rates outside the shop. Simply go around at least 2 blocks and compare rates. While a few of them are open 24 hours, those that do remain open at night may display bad buying rates.

Rates at the airport are not as good as in the city center. Not all hotels will change money and if you arrive in the evening or on a Sunday you could find yourself with no money for dinner if you don't change at least some at the airport. Most banks operate on Saturdays as well as Mondays to Fridays.

ATMs are everywhere and generally work with international credit and debit cards.

Like in most places in Ukraine, having plenty of small change will prevent hassle from shop staff who perpetually lack small money.

Groceries
Ukrainian supermarkets are known for their convenience and long working hours, always open during the weekend, many operating 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.

Most supermarkets conveniently have the coffee/tea machines inside. Some bigger ones have the food courts with a variety of cuisines so that you can enjoy a full meal in-between buying groceries.

Most bottled waters are sparkling. To purchase regular bottled water, ask for literally "water without gas" (VoDA bez gaza). A 500 mL bottle should cost 3-6 грн, occasionally they will inflate the price to 10 грн if you look like a rich tourist.

Do not forget to buy a few big jugs of bottled water, such as Staryi Myrhorod (Старий Миргород) or Truskavetska (Трускавецька). Kyivskij tort (київський торт) is another thing you should eat in Kyiv if you love cakes. Dark rye bread, Ryazhenka (Ряженка, Ukrainian style yogurt), Kvas (Квас, fermented drink made of bread) could also be interesting things to taste.

Chocolates, cakes, lollies, chips and biscuits/cookies are widely available at low cost and very popular with Ukrainians - after years of being deprived western brands, snack foods are becoming big business.

Plastic bags are available but are not free, and some stores do not take credit cards. Bag your own groceries. If you're paying in cash, make sure the cashier gives you correct change back, as some are careless or dishonest.

Eat
In general, it is very cheap to dine in Kyiv by Western European or US standards. So long as you stay away from the places that totally pander to tourists or to the Porsche Cayenne-driving "elite", the food is great and cheap. Try the Borscht and the Mlyntzi and then try absolutely everything else. Baked goods are cheap and great too. Even the ice-cream on the street is great. Try, for example, the one to the right from M1 "Khreschatyk" - blue kiosk with varying length of queues.

When you see vendors selling some liquid from big yellow/blue tanks on the street, you can be sure that it is "Kvas," which is a brewed bread drink. Some people like it and others hate it. It tastes a bit like malt, and the alcohol content is so low (0.05-1.44%) that it is considered acceptable for consumption by children. Try "Odyn Malenkyi" (one small) drink.

You should not drink the tap water (for reasons both chemical and microbial). It is advisable to buy bottles in the supermarkets. You can always order "Bonaqua" (a brand of sparkling mineral water), but beer is just about as cheap.

Mid-range

It's also worth checking out pubs and restaurants that offer business lunches during weekday lunch. These are set menus that usually cost around 40 грн, and include soup, salad, meat dish and a drink.

National

 * Ukrainian: There are many restaurants that claim to serve authentic Ukrainian food.
 * Italian: Momento on Zolotoustivska Street (near the Circus), Napule on Mechnikova (near M3 "Klovska")
 * Georgian: Mimino on Spaska Street (Podil)
 * Vietnamese: there are several restaurants, owned by a person from Vietnam (the cuisine is a comprise of "hits", rather than complete luncheon sets; considered above-average within local Vietnamese community; extremely expensive)
 * Chinese: There is a good one near M1 "Universytet". It's called "Jiu Long", which means "Nine Dragons" (there is a fast food store upfront, but if you go through the arch, you will see an entire Chinese-style building, that's where the real restaurant is; quality is good and prices are lower than some other similarly fancy restaurants). If you don't care about price, go to "Lun Van" near M1 "Teatralna". Other above-average venues (but no one who's experienced anything like the real thing will find satisfactory Chinese food in Kyiv are Mandarin on a floating entertainment complex near the river port in Podil, and Vostok which is across the road from Mandarin.
 * Japanese: There's one called Hanoi which serves Japanese and Vietnamese food. It is near M1 "Arsenalna". The quality is quite high, although the prices are too. Further, you will find various sushi-bar-chains in Kyiv (namely Sushi-Ya, Murakami and Yakitoria)
 * Chinese: There is a good one near M1 "Universytet". It's called "Jiu Long", which means "Nine Dragons" (there is a fast food store upfront, but if you go through the arch, you will see an entire Chinese-style building, that's where the real restaurant is; quality is good and prices are lower than some other similarly fancy restaurants). If you don't care about price, go to "Lun Van" near M1 "Teatralna". Other above-average venues (but no one who's experienced anything like the real thing will find satisfactory Chinese food in Kyiv are Mandarin on a floating entertainment complex near the river port in Podil, and Vostok which is across the road from Mandarin.
 * Japanese: There's one called Hanoi which serves Japanese and Vietnamese food. It is near M1 "Arsenalna". The quality is quite high, although the prices are too. Further, you will find various sushi-bar-chains in Kyiv (namely Sushi-Ya, Murakami and Yakitoria)

Drink
There are several nice places in Kyiv to get a drink. From small cafés that are only frequented by locals (they look dirty at first sight) to expensive places. Locals often buy drinks (beer) at a stall in the street and drink it in a park, leaving their bottles for the homeless to collect and cash in. However, since 2011, drinking beer in the street is prohibited and whilst you will see locals drinking in the street, you will make yourself an easy target for the police to stop and try for a bribe if you do. Locals often buy some chips or other salted things to go with their drinks.

The prices are quite reasonable by European standards. You will easily find decent Ukrainian beer for 20–30 грн and get 5cL of vodka or similar alcohol for about 20 грн.

Coffee houses

If you are not keen about alcohol, try one of the abundant coffee houses. No matter whether their names are well-known and international (Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Russian-based Coffee House and Shokoladnitsa) or weird and local (Coffee Land, Coffee Life, and other similar variations), they are always neat places with similar menu featuring all imaginable versions of coffee, a good choice of tea, fancy milk shakes and smoothies, and a selection of cakes. Their main advantage is free Wi-Fi, while on the downside are the prices that are rather high on Kyiv standards. Coffee and piece of cake start from 20 грн each.

When you urgently need a shot of espresso, you can also try coffee sold on the street. Basically, every second kiosk will offer some kava (Ukrainian word for coffee), but its quality is at best iffy. A safe choice would be special cars equipped with coffee machines. These cars can be found in most public places and next to entrances to the metro stations. They offer decent take-away coffee for 8-10 грн.

If you prefer places that do not look the same in each town and are not owned by big companies, you should try the café "Living-Room" in the vul. Spas'ka, 6, near M2 "Kontraktova Ploscha". The small but cozy place is organized by some enthusiasts and musicians. Two pianos and some other instruments can be used by the staff or guests! While most cafés would close at 22:00 this one is open as long as the staff wants to work. Besides excellent coffee they offer a wide range of very tasty teas, original cakes (e.g. beetroot-chocolate cake!), Beer and so on (no vodka). The kitchen will help you out for the small hunger.

Irish
There are several Irish pubs, none authentic, but OK if you're in need of a Guinness and expat company. One is located near Golden Gate (Zoloti Vorota) on Volodymyrska Street (called, eponymously, The Golden Gate Pub). Another (and the first in Kyiv) is O'Briens on Mykhailivska Street (one of the streets running west off Maidan sq., the one to the right, with a branch of OTP Bank on the corner). Both are expensive by Kyiv standards. A new one has opened in Podil, on the corner of Gostyny Dvor, near the Dutch embassy (can't miss it as it's close to the bottom of Andriivskyi Descent) called the Belfast Pub. Other than these centrally located ones, others lie scattered around Kyiv, they do not cater to the ex-pat crowd and have better prices than you expect to find in any 'western' country. Keep your eyes open. Also try Dockers Pub.

Belgian
There are two Belgian beer cafés.

Clubs
Kyiv has a nice club scene. Ranging from very cheap to overly-expensive, you can find what you want.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.
 * A few popular venues are at the Mandarin Plaza shopping mall (Arena Entertainment complex), rumored to be owned by the Klitschko brothers. The clubs include Arena, Sky Bar, Barsky and Grotesque. They're right next to Bessarabsky market; most of the clubs are accessible from the court.

Stay safe
Air raid sirens will be activated in case of airstrikes or missile strikes. Prepare a bag with necessities. If you hear air raid sirens, follow the red arrows to your nearest civil defense shelter. If you can't find the shelter or the shelter is nonoperational, go to your nearest metro station. All Kyiv metro stations are being used as civil defense shelters. Intercity transportation has been significantly disrupted due to an outflow of evacuees.

Kyiv is a generally open and friendly city and stays lively until at least 23:00 in most districts.

Avoid drinking the water from the tap — bottled water is cheap and available everywhere (Morshinska/Моршинська, Mirgorodska/Міргородська is good).

Robberies and scams on tourists are fairly common in Kyiv. The best approach is to be extremely selfish and ignore anyone who approaches you. Avoid eye contact with suspicious looking people. If you do get caught up in a scam (such as the infamous wallet scam or the "Look, I've just found money" scam or even if you are stopped by someone claiming to be a policeman), simply ignore the person and walk away, indicate that you want to call your embassy or go to the next police station to get the problem sorted. That will usually shake the person off.

If you are leaving your baggage in the station, it is better to leave it with the guys in person rather than use a locker. Stories have been heard of people 'assisting' with the locker and overseeing the code, then walking off with the bag afterward.

On the metro, always keep your belongings securely zipped as close to your skin as possible. Pickpockets are highly organized and often in gangs that know what they are doing.

There are occasional (rare) reports of visitors being shaken down by corrupt officials, often customs officials. Naturally, the best protection is to make sure that you stay on the correct side of the law and, if there is any question, to keep your cool and not become argumentative. It seems that the cost of an error is surrendering the object in question and paying a "fine." The officials are skilled at ensuring that people who argue miss their flights. Making, or giving the impression of making, a phone call to your country's embassy has been known to clear up "problems" quicker than actually paying the "fine" --- or pretend to have a very late flight.

Walking around in the tourist areas (e.g. Maydan) at night there have been instances of groups of police stopping tourists and going through an overly theatrical display of asking to see passport and other documents, and sometimes even search for drugs or other prohibited items. To deal with this, firstly always carry your passport, not doing so will give them an easy excuse to extract a bribe. Secondly, making it clear that you speak absolutely no Russian may help. Lastly, don't give them any excuses whatsoever to threaten you with arrest—just because the locals drink in the street doesn't mean you should. Don't cross the road except at authorized points. Try and follow the rules.

Some thieves like to abuse new tourists, for example, by playing plainclothes cop. They are rarely aggressive. They will go to you only if you're walking alone and don't look too familiar with the town. A bit of resisting usually shakes them off (but not too much, since you never know).

There is still some corruption in Ukraine; some services might openly ask you to bribe them to process your request, and denying it might make them refuse to help you. If encountering such situations, make sure to report such cases to the police online.

The people are very tolerant, and it is only reasonable to assume that they expect the same in return.

Telephone
Mobile (cell) phones: GSM (900/1800), 3G (CDMA, UMTS) and 4G (LTE) is used in Ukraine. This system is compatible with mobile phone networks used everywhere, apart from parts of the Americas and US dominated parts of Asia.

If you have an unlocked phone, you can get a Kyivstar (in Ukrainian), lifecell, or Vodafone SIM card for a few dollars at the airport or street vendors which will give you a local number and free incoming calls. Note that some of those cards don't have money on their account, so you may want to buy a payment card when you buy a sim card. If you don't have an unlocked phone already, new ones can be had for 1,200-1,600 грн and a touch cheaper if you buy a pay-as-you-go sim card at the same time. Incoming calls are free in Ukraine, so in extremis you can just SMS/text a request for a return call for a small charge.

If you are roaming in Kyiv, SMS messages do work well. They are confirmed to work for most foreign networks. Do note that the size of the country and the relative low population densities of rural areas means that sometimes there might be 'black-spots' where mobiles will not work. But of course these are away from the main cities/urban areas (and most of the main arterial road and rail routes also have reasonably consistent call signals).

If you are trying to call the US from your GSM phone, you may find that the access numbers for your calling card are blocked. Plan ahead and sign up with a callback service before you start your travels, or you can provoke them to call you (at much better rates) when you need to make a call.

Internet
The easiest way to maintain Internet connectivity if you use your own laptop is to buy a 7-day unlimited Lucky Internet callback card. They are about 36 грн at the street kiosks. When you dial in, you will be initially firewalled off from everything until you activate by visiting their website.

You may also buy wireless internet access for your laptop for about 10 грн per day.

Internet cafés have a good service. They usually have different types of computers with varying prices.

Near the metro station on ul Khmelnytskoho (on the left side at a corner) there is one that is very good, open 24 hr non-stop. The cheapest computers cover your basic needs, the most expensive ones are usually for hardcore gamers.

Also, most foreigner-friendly cafés (see "Drink" section above) and a lot of fast food restaurants (including McDonald's) offer free Wi-Fi. Some require password to use their access point, ask waiter to get it.

Cope
Kyiv was part of the USSR. Some things work well, and other things may be broken. There is no point in stressing about this. Arrive with that realization and be prepared to roll with a few surprises.

Go next

 * Cherkasy - 190 km SW
 * Chernihiv - 155 km N. Possible visit like a day tour
 * Chernobyl - 130 km N. There are day tours to the exclusion zone.
 * Kropyvnytskyi - 305 km S
 * Lviv - direct flights.
 * Odesa- direct flights.
 * Poltava - 350 km SE
 * Sumy - 330 km E
 * Uman - 230 km S
 * Vinnytsia - 260 km SW
 * Zhytomyr - 140 km W. Possible visit like a day tour

title: Kyiv


text:
Kigali

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The centre of political and commercial life, Kigali dominates Rwanda and few visit the country without passing through. The city is developing fast, and is very much a showpiece capital designed to impress visitors from tourists to foreign investors and visiting dignitaries.

Understand

With a population topping 1 million, the city spreads over several hills and valleys, with many of the better restaurants and hotels away from the traditional downtown area. The Kigali City Masterplan outlines the future for this burgeoning metropolis, with plans for a new city to be built south of the current city centre.

As a clean, comfortable and ordered city, Kigali is very popular with long term expats, and the city is teeming with westerners, from young church or NGO volunteers having their first African ‘experience’ to career development workers enjoying a relaxed lifestyle where it is safe to bring up young children. This in turn means the city supports numerous restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets that cater to this demographic. The downside of Kigali’s popularity with foreigners is that it is easy to forget you are in Africa.

 * Visitor information from the Kigali city government.

Talk
Learn a bit of French and maybe even a bit of Swahili and Kinyarwanda; all three are extremely useful here. English is also widely spoken, at least in Kigali. A useful Kinyarwanda vocabulary cheat sheet is available, or you can buy a conversational booklet from sellers at bus stations.

By plane

If you fly from Kigali Airport, you may need a Yellow Fever Certificate at your destination (e.g. South Africa). Also be careful of waiting in the cafe for your flight: some flights (e.g. Kenya Airways to Nairobi) are often overbooked, and you won't hear any announcement when they decide to start boarding early and might miss your flight.

Ground transportation from the airport
Airport taxis are always waiting for fares, but discuss the price in relation to the distance you have to travel before getting into a cab.

There are also buses passing in the front of the airport leading to Remera, Kigali City, and Nyabugogo.

Some people use also moto bikes for the transportation, but they are not as safe as a car.

If you need any help obtaining these services or hiring a car, airport guides are available to help you.

Airport amenities
There are a few 24-hour bar and restaurants in the airport, plus duty-free shops and supermarkets. The airport also provides free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage, medical services and police are on site.

A new airport called Bugesera Airport is under construction, but as of 2023 is not expected to be operational until 2032.

By bus

 * There are a couple of daily buses that run directly between Kigali and Kampala in Uganda with some services continuing to Nairobi. The buses are sometimes cramped and uncomfortable, but are the cheapest choice.
 * There are a couple of daily buses that run directly between Kigali and Bujumbura in Burundi. Yahoo Car, New Yahoo, East African Car Express (big bus) and Belvedere have buses in the morning.

Get around

 * Motorcyle taxis (motos) are the most popular and fastest way to get around town. The fare for the motorcycle ranges from FRw400-1500, depending on distance, but most of the motocyclists will ask for FRw500-1000. A trip to or from the airport should be FRw1500-2000 (Feb 2024). On the main road out to the airport they really put their foot down. It is however a good well sealed road, nice views over Kigali City and a thrilling ride.
 * Matatus/city buses (minibuses) provide major routes throughout the city and are the cheapest way to get around. The minibus in Rwanda is one of the best forms of transport in East Africa. Most of the buses are still new and are maintained well. There are several minibus companies which connect Kigali and the other cities in Rwanda. All of them give the same price depending on the distance. For short distance, such as to Ntarama, it costs only FRw600. The distance to Ruhungeri cost FRw2500 and to Gisenyi FRw3000.
 * City buses inside the city of Kigali there is an organized and secure scheme of public transport that involves with transportation of people and some of their goods inside the Kigali city, prices vary between FRw110 and FRw517. As there are different buses that are going in different destinations every bus has a route Identifier number, for more details regarding the route identifiers and the price of fare that was set by Rwanda Utilities Regulation Authority, you can check here.
 * There are several car rental agencies in Kigali that operates under the license from the authorities, some of those include Ndoli Safaris, Tom transfers Inc, Kigali car rentals, Self Drive Rwanda,
 * There are many taxis in Kigali, and in comparison with motos are expensive. A short 1km trip will cost FRw2,000 after haggling, going up to FRw10,000 for an airport run. Taxis are mainly of two types in Kigali: those operated by individuals (usually with some form of yellow stripe on the vehicle) and more professorially run services operated by a single large operator. The Kigali Airport Taxis and Kigali Taxi Service are the two major groups, there are others companies also running taxis, but these are the largest and both operate a number you can call to summon a taxis. 3122 for Kigali Taxis service and 476586 for Kigali Airport Taxi service.  A reliable individual is Alex, who is on 0788741559 (French & some English spoken).

See

Do
Take a trip to a craft centre, like the Dancing Pots Craft Centre or the Cards for Africa workshop and sales room in Kigali.

Work
Your best bet would be with an aid organization or NGO. If you are a resident of the US or EU, you can avoid paying for an expensive residency permit by declaring yourself a tourist upon arrival and then traveling outside of Rwanda once every 90 days for the length of your day. Your 90-day tourist visa (automatically granted upon entry) will be renewed each time you leave and reenter the country (and it's a convenient excuse to go on vacation!)

Buy
First thing to be aware is that Kigali can be expensive. As a cash strapped landlocked country costs of imported goods are high and import duties and VAT considerable. Foreigners often complain that wine, olive oil, breakfast cereals, kettle chips and other mundane foodstuffs cost a fortune, so beware. Costs can be lowered considerably by buying Rwandan or East African Community goods - Kenya in particular produces a wide range of produce that often cost half the imported European equivalent.

Outside of supermarkets and restaurants most vendors are used to a bit of haggling (even over fruit and veg) although as always keep things in perspective - but don't let storekeepers charge you double what you think you should be paying.

Cash machines/ATMs – most banks ATMs now accept Master Card, Visa card, American card, Diners Club, Union Pay, and JCB, including Equity Bank, Ecobank, Bank of Kigali, Kenya Commercial Bank, GT Bank, I&M Bank; Ecobank HQ is in the center of town next to CNLS and near UTC. There are many ATMs accepting international cards at the airport also. Don't count on any particular ATM to have money or be working at any particular time - even at the airport.

There are banks in Kigali with counter service for withdrawals (and Ecobank can do MasterCard withdrawals).

What to buy Rwandan coffee is generally very good (although stay away from the cheapest stuff, which will be the sweepings from the grinding factory floor). Expect to pay around FRw4,000 per 500 g. Rwandan honey is great, especially the Nyungwe Highlands type. Around FRw1,750 per 500 g. Rwandan tea (both black and green) is also pretty good.

Local markets
These are stocked with Rwandan handicrafts, produce, clothing, fabulous colorful fabric from West Africa and just about anything else.

Eat
By all standards Kigali is an excellent city in which to dine. A combination of Belgian culinary influence, plenty of cows, plenty of freshwater fish, and plenty of fresh vegetables equates to some of the best eating in the region. And it's all pretty affordable.

Kigali restaurants and bars go in and out of fashion, not to mention close down, quite frequently. Check for the latest once you are in town; some places mentioned in some print guidebooks no longer exist. (The oft-mentioned Turtle Cafe has been closed since 2003!)

The region restaurants take their time – with a usual 45 minutes to 1 hour wait between ordering and your food arriving, especially for dinner. If you are after a quick meal at lunchtime, there are several African buffets around, where you pile your plate high and are out the door in 30 minutes.

As Kigali is quite a sprawling city eateries are organised by suburb.

Kimihurura

Other
The Camellia tea house has an amazing selection of teas, and has good food. Their lunch buffet is very popular.

Drink
Bottled water is recommended for foreign visitors. It can be bought at almost every supermarket or pump station. About FRw2,500 without deposit.

 * For alcohol try the night club and the . Both are superb.  Watch out for pickpockets outside the New Cadillac.

Sleep
Accommodation in downtown Kigali is noticeably more expensive than neighboring capitals like Kampala and Nairobi. Most of the budget options (for example the Hotel Gloria mentioned in older LPs) are gone. Outside the city center however, it is possible to find good budget options.

Splurge
Kigali now has three international class hotels, built as part of the country's bid to increase tourism and better support business travellers.

Connect
English language broadcasts are available from BBC World Service in Kigali on 93.9MHz, Royal FM in Kigali on 94.3MHz, Voice of America on 104.3MHz and there is French language broadcast on Radio France Internationale RFI 91.9MHz.

There are different cellular networks which are MTN, Airtel-Tigo. And there are several different Internet Service Providers Canal Box, Mango Telecom.

Stay safe
Kigali is relatively safe and friendly as far as African capitals go. Keep your eyes open and your wallet out of the reach of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. Avoid walking after dark if possible, especially alone. Take extra precaution in the area between New Cadilac Nightclub and Carwash bar.

Police officers are generally helpful if you're in a bind, but don't expect speedy results.

Resources

Embassies

 * 🇿🇦 South Africa
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan
 * Democratic Republic of the Congo
 * 🇧🇮 Burundi
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇰🇪 Kenya
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇱 Mali
 * 🇳🇬 Nigeria
 * 🇺🇬 Uganda

Go next

 * Volcanoes National Park, home of the mountain gorillas, and the setting for Gorillas in the Mist author Dian Fossey's research. If you can afford it it's an excellent experience... even possible as a daytrip from Kigali. Enquire at the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), Boulevard de la Révolution n° 1, Kigali, +250 576514 or 573396, [mailto:reservation@rwandatourism.com/ reservation@rwandatourism.com]. US$600 cash, or it is possible to use your Mastercard.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Kigali


text:
Kigoma

Kigoma is a city in Tanzania. Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Capital of the Western Region. Main railway terminus on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Important harbour. Population of 232,000 (2022).

The city has little infrastructure. Its roads are still mostly unpaved, and the electricity and water supply are erratic.

By plane
The small Kigoma Airport is in the eastern suburbs and has services from Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura, organization at the airport is very simple.

By train

National operator TRC runs a 3x-weekly overnight sleeper service from Dar es Salaam via Dodoma and Tabora, the journey takes two nights from Dar es Salaam and one night from cities further inland. A ticket for second class sleepers costs TSh 39,700, while first class tickets start at TSh 54,900.

Road bus
Kigoma is at the end of road B381, leaving the national road B8 at Kasulu. Roads are passable and steadily being improved. Traversing the country takes 3-4 days. the bus from Kigoma to Mpanda takes 6 hours a long a good road.

A daily International bus (Luba express) goes to/from Kigoma to Bujumbura Burundi.

By ferry

There are a few ferries that ply up and down Lake Tanganyika. Most famous is the MV Liemba, first built as a German warship in 1913. This ferry still operates between Kigoma and Mpulungu on the southern shores of the lake in Zambia, stopping at several places along the coast. Nowadays the modern MV Amani Kigoma also runs between Kalemie, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kigoma and Bujumbura in Burundi. Additionally, there are small ships that operate to and from minor towns.

While much improved, safety standards are still not up to international standards. Departures generally happen a few times per month, but schedules are erratic. It's usually best to inquire at the port directly.

Get around
By foot, taxi, or little motorcycle taxis (TSh 1500-3000 in 2023) for an inner city ride.

See

 * Ujiji, 5 km from Kigoma (motorbike taxi USD1), a former Arab slave trading settlement, was the famous meeting place of Stanley and Livingstone.
 * (Dr Livingstone Museum) is a total waste of USD10 Entrance fee. unless you are a East African citizen is which case you only pay one USD

Go next
The MV Liemba sails in direction Mpulungu (Zambia) and has a very erratic schedule.

Buses go as far as Bukoba (about 20 hours) Mpanda (six hours) and Sumbawanga (ten hours).

title: Kigoma


text:
Kihei

Kihei is a town on Maui's South Shore. Overrun by developers in the 1970s and 80s, it's now a jumble of hotels, condos, shops and houses. While lacking charm, Kihei makes amends in its functionality and location. The central location makes it easy to get to other parts of the island and Kihei is known to be one of the hottest places to stay on Maui (temperature-wise) because it doesn't get the breezes that other parts of the island get (perfect for that winter getaway).

Understand
Kihei does get breezes in the summer that can blow as hard as every afternoon. This is usually during the months of April till September and early October. October is known as the season change and the temperatures will go to and slightly over during the day. Don't let anyone tell you it doesn't get windy in Kihei. Without it, it would be in the 100's during the summer.

Get in
Maui's main airport, Kahului Airport, will be the primary access to the island. From Kahului, follow the signs to Kihei, and it should lead you to Highway 311 (Mokulele Highway). Once you reach Kihei, it becomes Highway 31 (Pi'ilani Highway). It is about 10 miles (16 km) from the airport to Kihei and it will take 20-30 minutes to drive.

By bus

 * Maui bus 15 from Ma'alaea takes ~25min

Get around
Kihei is a sprawly place, strung out along the coast for several miles but never more than a mile wide. The main road north-south along the ocean is South Kihei Road and it contains almost all the hotels, condos, restaurants, shops and beaches. If you are staying in the area and don't mind a bit of walking, you can probably get to most things you need without needing a car. If you do drive, the strip malls have their usual adequate free parking although individual restaurants and beaches may not.

The Pi'ilani Highway (Highway 31), about half a mile inland, runs parallel to South Kihei Road and connects with the Mokulele Highway coming down from Kahului. There are quite a few streets that connect the highway with South Kihei Road, so if you're looking to go anywhere other than Kihei, this is the road to take. When asking for directions, no locals will know what "Highway 31" is, they will know it as Pi'ilani Highway. The numbers of highways are seldom posted, and are not known by anyone on island.

Both South Kihei Road and the Pi'ilani Highway have bike lanes, so cyclists should have a bit of space on the roads.

See

 * During the winter months, whales can be spotted from the shore.

Scuba shops

 * Mike Severns Diving in Kihei, +1 808-879-6596.
 * Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures in Kihei, +1 808-879-3584.
 * Pride of Maui in Maalaea, +1 808-242-0955.

Eat
Most of Kihei's restaurants and grocery stores are strung out along South Kihei Road.

Groceries
There are supermarkets and smaller food shops along South Kihei Road. Some of the supermarkets can also serve as a restaurant as they sell warm cooked food that is cheaper (and sometimes tastier) than what you find in restaurants.

Go next
Maui isn't a large island, so you can go anywhere from Kihei as a day trip.

Nearby, heading south on the Pi'ilani Highway, is the resort community of Wailea and the beautiful beaches of Makena. Further south, with snorkeling and hiking opportunities, is Ahihi Reserve and La Perouse Bay.

Heading out of town on North Kihei Road will provide access to the old whaling town of Lahaina and the resort areas of West Maui.

Heading north on the Mokulele Highway will bring you into the central part of the island, where you can hike or catch the sunrise (or sunset) in Haleakala National Park, drive the Road to Hana, hit the beaches on Maui's north shore or head upcountry and visit Maui's only winery.

title: Kihei


text:
Kihnu

Kihnu is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga and one of the smallest municipalities in Estonia.

Understand
Kihnu is located south east from Saaremaa Island and west from the mainland.

For many years, the men of Kihnu have frequently gone to sea while the women ran the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes handicrafts, dances, games and music. Unlike men, they also wear their national costumes in everyday life. So it's quite normal to see an old woman dressed in traditional clothing driving a motorbike or even a tractor.

UNESCO proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.

Climate
Because of the surrounding sea, the climate on the island is gentle and warmer than the Estonian average.

By ferry
Kihnu Island is connected by a frequent ferry service to Munalaid and Pärnu on the mainland. The ferries also carry cars. Bookings can be made via phone or internet.

Do
Try to visit Kihnu during traditional celebrations of popular calendar or church holidays like Christmas, Midsummer's day and St. Catherine's Day, where you can witness genuine old traditions.

It's a good location for walking, fishing and bicycling (bikes can be rented on the island).

Eat
The island doesn't have an all year round open dining place. From September to May, catering is on request. There is no ATM on the island, but in most of the stores and catering establishments are able to pay by bank card.

Go next

 * Saaremaa – The largest Estonian and wild seaside character island with castles and fortresses, one perfectly preserved, a beach, a spa and famous mills. Saaremaa is even sometimes called Sparemaa. Furthermore, the island itself is surrounded by a myriad of tiny islands including Abruka with its nudist camps.
 * Hiiumaa – The second largest Estonian island. Popular for its lighthouses, ancient churches, historical values and the sense of humour of its inhabitants, but scarcely populated. In winter, it can sometimes be reached by car via an ice bridge on the Baltic Sea.
 * Vormsi – The fourth largest Estonian island, very close to the mainland. Vormsi is a small island covered with forests and a Swedish community. A unique blend of Soviet and Swedish history mixed with unspoilt nature.
 * Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.
 * Ruhnu – The communal territory corresponds to that of the homonymous island, formerly known as Runö.

title: Kihnu


text:
Kijang

Kijang is a small but expanding town in the south-east coast of Bintan island, less than 30 km east of Tanjung Pinang, the capital of the Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) province. It was home to about 26,000 people in 2010.

Understand
The town is famous for its bauxite mining, dating back to the Dutch colonial era when the mine was established and undertaken by the Nederland Indonesia Bauxite Exploitatie Maskapai (NIBEM). It was taken over by a state-owned mining company Aneka Tambang (Antam) after Indonesia became independent.

Antam remained as the sole operator until the end of Suharto's Orde Baru era in late 1990s after which private companies were allowed to mine in line with the autonomous decentralisation campaign in the Reform Era. Antam abandoned its operation in late 2010 but is held responsible for replanting of the open areas left treeless. A monument to remember its presence in Kijang was built by Antam and was inaugurated by the Governor, whilst the private operators stay put.

Get in
Driving a hired car at Rp250,000 per day from Tanjung Pinang is far more convenient than travelling by shared taxi. Shared taxis are the public transport in the form of old sedans shared with up to five other passengers and the driver at a very cheap fare Rp20,000. The two-way road is fairly smooth with just a few motorcycles and cars even in daytime. Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport (formerly known as Kijang Airport) is 12 km from Tanjung Pinang where more comfortable metered taxis are available but may charge you up to Rp150,000 per trip.

Get around
There is no public transport or taxi. The distance across the town is less than 5 km. The most common means of transportation is motorcycles (ojek). But safety is the main concern with this type of transport as other motorcyclists drive at breakneck speed especially teenage riders. Fatal accidents among young cyclists are regarded as everyday news.

See
There are no tourist attractions in this deserted mining town. An expensive resort island is located off the coast eastwards but the trip has to be arranged through a package tour from Singapore in group instead of individual. From Tanjung Pinang, once the visitors arrive in Barek Motor (fisherman landing jetty), they will need to board on a wooden boat that takes them to the island. See www.pangkil.com for more details.

Eat

 * Seafood lovers may want to visit Sungai Nam to enjoy their favorite cuisine on wooden platforms above sea water in a windy atmosphere so relaxed especially in the afternoon. This fishing village is famous for its affordable guests from Singapore as an alternative to the similar seafood eateries around Tanjung Pinang. This place is quiet far from Kijang downtown though, so ojek are not suitable for the journey.
 * There are a number of alfresco restaurants, known as "akau". Akau, only open from late afternoon until midnight, are equipped with a stage for live music or mostly by CD player complete with jumbo size loud speakers and a large screen TV. The most popular is the one at the town lake. Even if you can enjoy local food and drink, the music is so noisy that you are hardly able to hear conversation with friends at the table. At times the TV screen shows a programme of a certain political party holding a mass gathering or rally with its supporters.

title: Kijang


text:
Kikai

Kikai Island, or Kikaijima (喜界島), is a small island located in the Amami Islands, just to the east of Amami Oshima. While it is a part of Kagoshima, due to a long and varied history of being conquered, culturally Kikai is a blend of Okinawan, Amami, and Kagoshima traditions.

Understand
The whole island forms a municipality, Kikai Town (喜界町).

Tourist information sites

 * The town government's official site has a section on tourism and relocation.

 * Kikai Island Navi is an information site by the local sightseeing association.

Both are Japanese-only, but with many nice photos.

Get in
Kikai only has two direct connections to the outside world, Kagoshima and Amami Oshima. Going to Kikai from anywhere will require you to go through one of those two places.

By plane

A one-way ticket from Kagoshima will cost you approximately ¥24300. A round-trip ticket is approximately ¥44200 total, or about ¥22100 each way, making it slightly cheaper, but still pretty expensive. Purchases made far in advance on the Japanese JAL website may allow you to obtain a ticket for as little as ¥16400 each way. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Bouncing out of Amami is possible, though no cheaper. A normal flight from Amami Oshima will cost ¥9500 for a one-way ticket and as little as ¥6400 if purchased far enough in advance. It's still fairly expensive if you consider that flight is only 10 minutes.

By ship
Kikai only has one ferry route which is operated by A"LINE Ferry. This ferry runs from Kagoshima to Kikai, Amami Oshima (Naze and Koniya), Tokunoshima (Hetono), and sometimes Okinoerabujima (China) and does not continue to Okinawa unlike the other ferries from Kagoshima. The journey from Kagoshima takes about 12 hours and runs overnight. A one-way ticket from Kagoshima costs ¥9800. There is no ferry service on Sundays and Mondays.

Get around
Make no mistakes, Kikai is small. The coastal road surrounding the island can be walked in 6 to 8 hours depending on your pace, meaning that getting to any specific point on the island will probably take no more than 2 or 3 hours on foot. This of course assumes that you have a specific point that you are trying to get to. Most of Kikai outside of the main town is endless sugar cane fields.

By bus
If you need to get somewhere specific and don't feel like walking for hours (especially in the summer heat), there is a bus service (air-conditioned) operated by Amami Air.

The fare is ¥300 to anywhere on the island.

There are 2 bus routes on the island: 北中央線 (north line) and 南中央線 (south line) follow the coast road clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively. It takes 90 to 120 minutes for a round.

The bus is populated mostly by 70- to 90-year-old women in varying states of decay either going to, or returning from, the hospital. If you're looking for a place to hear some of the island's endangered language, the bus is a great place to do it.

Do

 * Scuba dive with Yonemori Diving Service, the only dive shop on the island. Kikai is an island made of coral and the water is exceptionally clear.
 * Snorkel
 * Bicycle around the island, takes between 3 and 5 hours depending on your speed

Buy

 * Shochu
 * Black sugar
 * Sesame products
 * Andagi
 * Refined agricultural products
 * Crafts made from yakougai (夜光貝, noctilucent shells)

Eat

 * Goat sashimi
 * Yagijiru - Goat stew
 * Sakuna - vegetable which is said to extend your life by one day per one plant consumed
 * Abura sōmen - very fine wheat noodles, stir-fried with pork and vegetables

title: Kikai


text:
Kikinda

Kikinda is in Banat region, Vojvodina autonomous province, Serbia. Kikinda is administrative center of Vojvodina's North Banat District situated near Romanian border (9 km). The town has 37,676 inhabitants, while the municipality has 59,329 inhabitants.

In Serbian, the town is known as Kikinda (Кикинда), in Hungarian as Nagykikinda, in German as Gross Kikinda or Großkikinda, in Latin as Magna Kikinda, in Romanian as Chichinda Mare, in Slovak as Kikinda, in Rusyn as Кикинда, and in Croatian as Kikinda.

Understand
The modern town was founded in 18th century. From 1774 to 1874 Kikinda was the seat of the District of Velika Kikinda, the autonomous administrative unit of Habsburg Monarchy. In 1893 Kikinda was granted the status of a town. The town became part of the Kingdom of Serbia (and Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes) in 1918. Kikinda used to be a very strong economic and industrial centre of Serbia and Yugoslavia up until the 1990s. The industry of Kikinda is in the middle of the transitional economic process.

Kikinda is multicultural town counting more than 25 nationalities with majority of Serbians (76%) and Hungarians (13%), peaceful, safe and open community.

By car or bus
Regional roads connects Kikinda with all the neighbouring cities and villages. Buses operate regularly to the surrounding villages and major domestic and some European cities.

The road to the north is connected with highway E75 to Hungary (80 km) and Subotica (100 km). On the west side road leads to capital of Vojvodina Novi Sad (100 km), while on south Belgrade is 2 hours' drive away (115 km). On the east side 9 km away is the border crossing with Romania which is closed. The closest way to get into Romania is through the Srpska Crnja border crossing.

By train
Rail line Banatsko Aranđelovo – Kikinda – Romanian border at Jimbolia, part of the former Szeged – Timişoara railway is the second oldest railway in present-day Serbia. The town is also connected by rail to Subotica and to Belgrade through Zrenjanin. Although most economical way, trains are also the slowest way to travel with average speed below 30 km/h. This station used to be a part of the famous Orient Express line. For one time experience take the train - you cannot find such anywhere else in the world (slow, unreliable, late, you never know when you will arrive at destination if ever due to often train failures).

Get around
Most of the places of interest are in walking distance. There is no public transport within town, but there are plenty of cheap taxis around (€1-3).

See

 * Also, according to a popular belief, the treasure of Attila the Hun is buried somewhere on the territory of the municipality of Kikinda.
 * Also, according to a popular belief, the treasure of Attila the Hun is buried somewhere on the territory of the municipality of Kikinda.
 * Also, according to a popular belief, the treasure of Attila the Hun is buried somewhere on the territory of the municipality of Kikinda.

Do

 * Since the town area can be crossed within 2 hours of walking, explore the town by foot to see both center and classic Banat streets without rushing.
 * Wake up at early morning and go to a cafe at center square. Ask for "domestic coffee" (often called also "Turkish coffee" or "Serbian coffee").
 * Go to public market and buy (and try) some domestic agricultural products: watermelon, melon, apples, pears, tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.
 * For recreation you can go to sport center "Jezero" (lake) where you can find several pools, tennis court, park suitable for jogging, or you can play football or basketball.
 * The Pumpkin Days (Дани лудаје/Dani ludaje in Serbian) - an annual festival in mid-October. People from all over the region gather in Kikinda to take part in a competition of who has the largest pumpkin and longest gourd. The term ludaja is specific to the Kikinda region, while the common Serbian word for pumpkin is bundeva. Kikinda has a special relationship with this plant because throughout its history, the locals used to say that one can stand on a pumpkin while working in the fields and get a clear view of the whole town. This exaggeration was supposed to depict the flatness of the town's territory. A local standing on a pumpkin, dressed in traditional attire, and with his hand blocking the sun so that he can see into the distance, thus became the symbol for the region. A group of local enthusiasts started the Pumpkin Days manifestation in 1986 and it quickly attracted pumpkin and gourd lovers from all over the country. The three-day event also includes lectures and seminars on the advancement of pumpkin and gourd cultivation, a culinary competition in preparing meals from pumpkins and gourds, children's competitions in creating masks and sculptures, and various concerts and exhibitions. This event has gained prominence and has drawn visitors from Hungary, Romania and the former Yugoslav republics. The largest pumpkin measured at the event to date weighed 247 kg, while the longest gourd was 213 cm in length. A tamburitza festival was included in the event, contributing to the authentic Banat experience.
 * Terra International Symposium of Sculpture: every year, since 1982, 6 to 8 world renowned sculptors are invited to Kikinda at the premises of an old production plant of the Toza Marković brick factory for this symposium which lasts through July. Over the years, Terra has hosted sculptors from all over the world who are drawn by the unique and peaceful ambience of the studio. All sculptures are done in terracotta and some have appeared at the Venice Biennale. Over 300 sculptors have so far participated in the symposium and have together produced more than 500 sculptures. Plans for the construction of a Terra museum are underway in which all the sculptures will be exhibited in a modern setting adjacent to the old studio. Sculptures made at "Terra" can be seen at town square also during whole year.
 * The Kikinda Airport is a sports plane airstrip close to the town. The local flying club organizes lessons in parachuting, aviation and space-modeling. Planes are also flown from this airstrip to spray agricultural fields.

Eat

 * You must try Kikinda's fast food. Start with "burek" for breakfast (€1). Try first with cheese (that is a must), then try other types. For late afternoon or evening go for "pljeskavica" (burger, meat mixed with onion). Ask for the one filled with cheese - "punjena pljeskavica" (filled burger, less than €2) or just try classic one (€1.5). Don't get surprised about size if you get used to eat burgers at world wide well known burger shops.
 * For full lunch or dinner experience go to one of local restaurants where you can ask for many local dishes. Banat is well known for rich and sometimes "heavy" meals, some of them are authentic, some came from neighboring countries. Domestic cabbage rolls ("sarma") are excellent. Baked beans ("kuvani pasulj") with sausages ("kobasica") and with briskets ("rebarca") are also recommended. Goulash ("gulaš") is Hungarian dish, but it is also well prepared here. There is also a really wide variety of other dishes.
 * But none of these does not give a full experience until you spend a day at a farmer's house to taste really basic domestic food, wine and schnaps.

Drink
As a rule, at stores and restaurants it is hard to find quality drink. Only selected home made wine and schnaps are worth - and that is what really worth. Ask locals or host for recommendation.

You can get excellent coffee almost everywhere, but be prepared - it is cooked at traditional way which is not in use in most of the European countries.

Sleep
At very center is located hotel "Narvik" (four stars) under in renovation, but you can also find smaller accommodation usually at bigger restaurants. Also there and there you can find private accommodation for low cost.

Connect
You can find internet cafe near town square and telephone shops all around town, mostly in center. Many bars, restaurants and cafes offer free wi-fi for their guests.

The mobile network (3G/GPRS/GSM) covers the whole town. If you are coming from a non-GSM standard country (e.g. the United States) check your mobile phone for GSM compatibility.

A free wireless network covers town center.

title: Kikinda


text:
Kikugawa

Kikugawa (菊川市 kikugawa-shi) is a city located in Shizuoka prefecture. The city is known for production of green tea.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated machine translation.

By plane
There are three conveniently located airports near Kikugawa, in Nagoya (Central Air), Shizuoka, and Narita (Tokyo). By car or bus, it takes 2 hours from Nagoya, 6 hours from Narita, and 40 minutes from Shizuoka to arrive in Kikugawa.

By train
Kikugawa is on the Tokai JR train line. From Shizuoka, the train is ¥720 and takes 40 minutes. From Kakegawa, the nearest Shinkansen and major bus stop, it is ¥190 and takes 5 minutes.

The Kakegawa Shinkansen stop is on the Tokaido line. Only Kodama trains stop at this station; they run about once an hour. It is 1½ hours from Tokyo (¥7650), an hour from Nagoya (¥5130), and 2 hours from Shin-Osaka station (¥9950). The Shinkansen is the fastest way to get to Kikugawa from many major cities.

By bus
There is a bus from Nagoya's international airport to Kakegawa, called the Entetsu E-Wing, which costs ¥3400 and takes about 2 hours. They leave about every half-hour except around lunch, when there is a bus every hour.

By car

 * Aoi Rental Car, Shimouchida 1571-1, 0537-36-3255.
 * Kikugawa taxi limited company, 053-736-2321.
 * Ota Rental Car, Takahashi 2402-4, 0120-73-5661.

By bus
There are two kinds of buses. One is
 * The community bus, 0537-35-0925, costs ¥200 for all journeys. This bus does not run on Saturday, Sunday, Festivals, the New Year’s period.
 * The Shizutetsu bus, 0537-86-2385, runs from Kikugawa station to the Hamaoka bus office. The last bus stop is Sakuriya Kaiyou international school entrance in Kikugawa.

Eat
In addition to the usual set of chain restaurants such as Coco's, Gusto, MOS burger and Sukiya, the city has many notable locations.

Go next

 * Kakegawa has a fine castle and a number of other attractions.
 * Oigawa Steam Locomotive, (from JR Kanaya Station, one stop east), . This old-fashioned steam locomotive travels up the scenic Oi River Valley to Lake Ikawa. There are two legs of the line; the stretch between Kanaya and Senzu costs ¥1810 each way, and the stretch between Senzu and Ikawa costs ¥1280 each way. From Senzu Station, another ¥860 will also get you a bus which runs to the famous Sumata Gorge Onsen, about 40 minutes away. The gorge has a unique and beautiful 90-m-long suspension footbridge, and offers some excellent hiking opportunities.
 * Omaezaki, to the south, is a great place to hit the beach.
 * Makinohara
 * Iwata
 * Fukuroi
 * Shimada
 * Yoshida
 * Fujieda

title: Kikugawa


text:
Kilcreggan

Kilcreggan is a village in Argyll and Bute, on the tip of the Rosneath peninsula. To the east of the peninsula is Gare Loch, west is Loch Long (both narrow but deep fjords), and south is the Firth of Clyde. So it's somewhat isolated by land, but grew up in the 19th century when Clyde steamers linked it to Glasgow, and city merchants began to establish their summer homes and residences here. In 2021 the population of the Rosneath peninsula was 1320.

Get in
By road Kilcreggan is 16 miles from Helensburgh and 40 miles from Glasgow. From A82 take A814 through Helensburgh to Garelochhead then down the Rosneath peninsula.

Garelochhead Bus 316 runs M-Sa every two hours from Helensburgh via Rhu, Faslane, Garelochhead, Clynder, Rosneath, Kilcreggan (40 min) and Cove to Coulport navy base.

By boat is the quickest method by public transport. See Gourock for the foot-passenger ferry across the Clyde, which takes 15 min and sails M-Sa hourly 7AM-6PM. Gourock has trains every 15 minutes from Glasgow Central, taking 40-50 min.

is village centre. The ferry between Kilcreggan and Helensburgh was axed in 2012. The paddle steamer Waverley occasionally sails to Kilcreggan in summer.

The nearest railway station you can reach overland is Garelochhead, which only has 3-4 trains a day on the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Crianlarich, where they divide for Oban or Fort William. Helensburgh Central has trains from Glasgow Queen Street every 30 minutes.

Get around
You need your own wheels.

See

 * Painted rocks: there's a tradition of painting the large glacial boulders along the beach, one example being "Tut-Tut" as it spoofed a pharaoh's head. This tradition is over a century old, as "Para Handy" in Neil Munro's tales of the Clyde Puffers once claimed to have painted several. These artworks come and go as wind and waves scour away the paint and other artists see opportunities. So just look out for examples.
 * , reached from Kilcreggan on Fort Road, was an artillery position defending the sea approaches to Clydeside - given its construction 1900-04 it was the French they thought likeliest to attack. The remains are scrappy and are gradually being cleared away for housing.

Do

 * Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering is held in mid-July, but the 2023 event was cancelled.
 * Cove & Kilcreggan Book Festival is held in Cove Burgh Hall two miles west of Kilcreggan. The next is 25-26 Nov 2023.

Buy

 * Costcutter convenience store is in Argyle Buildings facing the ferry pier. It's open M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 8AM-5PM.
 * Boots pharmacy in the same building is open M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM.
 * Kilcreggan Antiques is open Th-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 11:00-16:00.
 * Bank of Scotland opposite the pier is only open Tu Th 10AM-2PM but has an external ATM.
 * Rosneath: Co-op Food is open daily 7AM-10PM.

Eat

 * Kilcreggan Café next to the ferry pier is open W-Su 9AM-4PM.
 * Lotus Takeaway is your only sustenance in Rosneath, open daily 4:30-10PM.
 * Harvest Moon Deli is a reliable dine-in cafe at Clynder a mile north of Rosneath. It's open F Sa 5-10:30PM.

Drink

 * Creggans Bar by the ferry pier is open daily noon-midnight.
 * Castle Isle within Castle Park Caravan Site serves non-residents daily noon-11:30PM.

Connect
As of June 2023, Kilcreggan and the main road down Rosneath Peninsula have patchy 4G from EE, Three and Vodafone, but no signal from O2. You might even get 5G from Three.

Go next

 * From Gourock turn east into Glasgow, or south towards Ayr, or take another ferry from Gourock to Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula.
 * With your own transport, drive north through Garelochhead then south to Helensburgh or north to Loch Lomond and the head of Loch Long.

title: Kilcreggan


text:
Kildare

Kildare is a town in County Kildare 50 km southwest of Dublin, and part of the city's commuter belt. It's best known for its cathedral, and for its thoroughbred stud farm. Although it shares its name with the county, it's not the county town, which is Naas. In 2016 Kildare had a population of 8600.

Newbridge is another commuter town, 5 km east across the plain of The Curragh. The bridge in question is over the Liffey, which halts its westward course to make a broad U-turn and head east into Dublin. Newbridge grew rapidly in the 19th century as a garrison and industrial town, and in 2016 had a population of 23,000. Officially known by its Irish name of An Droichead Nua, it's the largest town in the county and its visitor facilities are also described here.

Kilcullen is the third of the towns grouped around The Curragh. It has motorway links but no railway so it hasn't burgeoned like the others, and in 2016 had a population of 3500.

Understand
Brigid was a Celtic goddess cloaked in glittering legends. Her many powers, attributes and miracles particularly centred on fire, and on fertility of plants, farm beasts and humankind. St Brigid (451-525; in Irish Naomh Bríd) is said to have founded an abbey at Kildare in 480, and in hagiographies she strongly resembled the pagan Brigid: clearly the old folk tales were Christianised and grafted onto her. And somebody established an early religious centre here, so we may as well credit St Brigid. She's said to have founded it by an oak tree, hence Cill Dara or "Church of the Oak." She wouldn't need to look very far, as in her days the western lowlands of Europe were carpeted in oak forests, and daire or -derry is a common placename element.

By plane
Dublin Airport has a wide range of flights and good onward transport. Bus N7 runs hourly round the clock from the airport to Kildare and Portlaoise, see below.

By train
Commuter trains run hourly from Dublin Heuston via Dublin Park West & Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, Adamstown, Hazelhatch, Sallins (for Naas) and Newbridge, taking 50 min to Kildare. They continue to Monasterevin, Portarlington and Portlaoise. A walk-up single might be €11; see Irish Rail for timetables, fares and online tickets.

Intercity trains run non-stop from Heuston to Kildare in 30 min, then fan out towards Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Westport. Trains from Belfast, Sligo, Wexford and Rosslare ferry port, and Dublin suburban lines, use Dublin Connolly station so you have to factor in a 5 km cross-town transfer.

is 500 m north of town centre.

By bus
Dublin Coach 300 / M7 runs every 30 min from Dublin Burgh Quay via Red Cow Luas (it doesn't use Busáras) and takes just under an hour to Kildare retail village (it doesn't come into town centre). It continues to Limerick then either north of the Shannon to Bunratty and Ennis or south to Adare, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Killarney and Tralee.

Dublin Coach 726 / N7, aka "The Green Bus", runs hourly round the clock from Dublin Airport via Red Cow Luas (for Dublin city trams), Naas and Newbridge to Kildare (90 min), and continues to Monasterevin (for Portarlington) and Portlaoise. A single is €10.

GoAhead Commuter Bus 126 runs every hour or two from Dublin Docklands and Heuston station via Rathcoole, Kill, Naas and Newbridge, taking 1 hr 45 min to Kildare. The service is every 30 min as far as Newbridge.

Kyanitedale Bus 826 runs M-F every hour or two from Naas to Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin.

Local Link Bus 883 runs from Athy to Kildare (40 min) and Newbridge. There are four M-W and six Th-Sa.

in town centre is the bus stop for everything except the M7.

By car
From Dublin follow N7 / M7 and leave at jcn 13 for Kildare. The first section to Naas hasn't been upgraded to motorway but an hour should do it.

Get around
Kildare is small enough to walk around. This includes the National Stud 2 km south, as the road has a sidewalk.

Buses and trains link Kildare and Newbridge.

See

 * 500 m south of town centre is just a few tumbledown walls in an old cemetery. It was founded in 1260 for the Franciscans.
 * Black Abbey, just to ensure you collect the full set, is on Tully Road by the National Stud. Set in an old graveyard, it's a sturdy tower built 13th / 14th century for the Knights Hospitaller of St John, who wore black robes. There's no interior access but you see enough over the low hedge.
 * 500 m south of town centre is just a few tumbledown walls in an old cemetery. It was founded in 1260 for the Franciscans.
 * Black Abbey, just to ensure you collect the full set, is on Tully Road by the National Stud. Set in an old graveyard, it's a sturdy tower built 13th / 14th century for the Knights Hospitaller of St John, who wore black robes. There's no interior access but you see enough over the low hedge.
 * Black Abbey, just to ensure you collect the full set, is on Tully Road by the National Stud. Set in an old graveyard, it's a sturdy tower built 13th / 14th century for the Knights Hospitaller of St John, who wore black robes. There's no interior access but you see enough over the low hedge.
 * The Curragh is the flat grassy plain east of Kildare. Sand deposited by glacial meltwater has given it good drainage, so it's long been common grazing land for livestock (though pigs have been forbidden since 1299), for horse racing, and for parading and exercising troops. The first permanent military camp was built in 1856 for the Crimea Wars - until then the barracks were in Newbridge, with just tents out on the plain. Nearby were the camp followers or "Wrens", first recorded from 1840, a group of some 60 women in makeshift shelters. Some were in irregular partnerships with soldiers and therefore not allowed to live in married quarters in camp, others were sex workers. Curragh Camp is now Ireland's largest defence establishment, with some 2000 personnel. The M7 bisects Curragh plain with the camp south and the racecourse north.
 * on R413 east of the plain is an obelisk celebrating the prizefighter Dan Donnelly (1788-1820), who had notable victories at this spot. This was bare-knuckle fighting, before boxing was codified. Post-mortem, his formidable right arm embarked on a remarkable solo career. An urban myth grew up that his arms stretched to his knees, but they were in proportion to his 6 foot / 183 cm stature.
 * is a wetland nature reserve and Ramsar site. Ireland is notoriously boggy but this place is unusual is being fed by calcareous springs from the aquifer beneath the plain. It's been compromised and whittled down by drainage over the centuries, including in 2003 by construction of the M7, but you can stroll along a boardwalk over what remains.
 * has a Heritage Park and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.
 * has a Heritage Park and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

Do

 * Gaelic games: Kildare GAA play football and hurling at St Conleth's Park, capacity 6200, in Newbridge town centre.
 * Greyhound racing is at Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, on R416 one km northwest of Newbridge railway station and 2 km from town.
 * Golf: the terrain is good for golf so there are several nearby courses. These include Cill Dara north side of Kildare town, Royal Curragh by the military base, and Newbridge north of that town.
 * Punchestown Racecourse: see Naas.
 * Cinema: the Odeon is in Newbridge at Whitewater Shopping Centre.
 * Riverbank Arts Centre is a theatre in Newbridge, north end of Main St. Box office is +353 45 448 327.
 * K Leisure is a gym and swimming pool on Station Rd Newbridge. It's open M-F 6AM-9:30PM, Sa Su 9AM-4:30PM.
 * Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally, open to vehicles of 30 years or older, circles through Portlaoise, Kildare, Stradbally, Athy and Carlow. It's held in June over the Bank Holiday weekend.
 * Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally, open to vehicles of 30 years or older, circles through Portlaoise, Kildare, Stradbally, Athy and Carlow. It's held in June over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Buy

 * Newbridge is a better bet for day-to-day shopping, with Whitewater Centre and supermarkets.
 * Newbridge is a better bet for day-to-day shopping, with Whitewater Centre and supermarkets.

Eat

 * Silken Thomas is a pub bistro with rooms, see Sleep.
 * Others around the Square in Kildare are Sitaaray Indian, Victoria House (Chinese), Agape Food Bar, Strong's Cafe, Kingsland (Chinese) and Hons (Chinese).
 * L'Officina is part of the Dunne & Crescenzi chain of Italian restaurants. It's in the Village retail mall and is open M-Th 8:30AM-8PM, F-Su 7:30AM-9PM.
 * Others around the Square in Kildare are Sitaaray Indian, Victoria House (Chinese), Agape Food Bar, Strong's Cafe, Kingsland (Chinese) and Hons (Chinese).
 * L'Officina is part of the Dunne & Crescenzi chain of Italian restaurants. It's in the Village retail mall and is open M-Th 8:30AM-8PM, F-Su 7:30AM-9PM.

Drink

 * Boyle's Bar is a trad place on Market Square open W-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 12:30-11PM.
 * James Nolan's is a cosy pub on Dublin St with TV sport, open M-Sa 10:30AM-midnight, Su 12:30-11PM.
 * James Nolan's is a cosy pub on Dublin St with TV sport, open M-Sa 10:30AM-midnight, Su 12:30-11PM.

Sleep

 * Firecastle Deli on Market Square has rooms, see Eat.
 * Firecastle Deli on Market Square has rooms, see Eat.
 * Firecastle Deli on Market Square has rooms, see Eat.

Connect
As of July 2021, Kildare has 5G from Eir and 4G from Three and Vodafone.

Go next

 * Naas nearby has Punchestown racecourse.
 * Portlaoise is a workaday town, but it's near Rock of Dunamase and Timahoe Round Tower.
 * Blessington just over the county boundary has the grand Russborough House, with the Wicklow Mountains rising to the east.
 * Dublin is an hour away. If you head there in the morning, most of Kildare and Newbridge will be travelling with you.

title: Kildare