Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, built on the hills of the Dnipro River's right bank. Its skyline of gold-domed churches, the UNESCO-listed St Sophia Cathedral and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the cobbled Andriyivskyy Descent and the riverside Podil district make it one of Eastern Europe's most historic capitals. Kyiv is a city at war: air-raid alerts, damage and security restrictions shape every visit, and all travel must be planned around current official advice.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Greet in Ukrainian: 'Dobryi den' (good day) or 'Dobryi ranok' (good morning); since 2022 many Kyivans, including native Russian speakers, have switched to Ukrainian, and visitors who try a few words are warmly received
Do not assume Russian is welcome: ask 'Do you speak English?' first, and use English or Ukrainian rather than Russian where possible
Remove outdoor shoes when invited into a home; hosts usually offer slippers (tapky)
Bring a small gift (chocolates, wine or flowers in odd numbers) when invited to a home; even-numbered bouquets are for funerals
Memorials and war-related sites, including Maidan, St Michael's Square and the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen, call for quiet and respect; do not take selfies or smile for photos at memorials
Air-raid alerts are part of daily life: follow staff and locals to the nearest shelter or metro station, and do not film air defence or damage
Do not photograph military personnel, checkpoints or critical infrastructure; carry your passport
Kyiv is a modern, secular-leaning city; show respect in active churches and monasteries by covering shoulders and knees
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Learn 'Dyakuyu' (thank you) and 'Bud laska' (please / you're welcome)
- Offer your seat to older people, pregnant women and anyone with children on the metro
- Stand still for the daily national Minute of Silence at 9AM for fallen defenders if you are in public
- Accept tea, coffee or a snack if offered; refusing repeatedly can seem impolite
- Wear modest clothing in churches; women may be asked to cover their hair in Orthodox monasteries (a scarf is lent at the Lavra if needed)
- Donate to army and humanitarian funds through official channels if you wish; collection boxes are common
- Keep your Air Alert app active and your phone charged
- Try Ukrainian dishes such as borscht, varenyky and deruny and say 'Smachnoho' (bon appetit)
Don't
- Do not call Ukraine 'the Ukraine' or Kyiv 'Kiev' in conversation; use 'Ukraine' and 'Kyiv'
- Do not describe the war as a 'conflict' or 'crisis'; locals refer to it as the Russian full-scale invasion or the war
- Do not praise or joke about Russia, Russian culture or the Russian language, and do not play Russian music in public
- Do not place your feet on seats or wear shoes inside homes
- Do not shake hands across a doorway or threshold: it is considered bad luck
- Do not photograph funerals, air-defence activity, military convoys or damaged sites without permission
- Do not give even numbers of flowers except for funerals
- Do not treat shelter or alert procedures lightly; staff may refuse service until the alert ends
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake for men, a nod or a smile for women; close friends hug or kiss on the cheek. Use first name and patronymic for older people in formal settings. Say 'Dobryi den' when entering shops and offices.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to start; toasts are common with horilka and wine ('Na zdorovia' for cheers; 'Za peremohu' for victory). Bread and salt (khlib i sil) is the traditional welcome. Finish what is on your plate if offered more.
- Dress
- Smart casual in the city; dress modestly in churches. Bring layers: winters are cold and interiors are well heated.
- Gifts
- Chocolates, wine, flowers in odd numbers or small souvenirs from your home country. Avoid yellow flowers.
- Business
- Punctuality is valued; exchange business cards; Ukrainian-language greetings are appreciated. Do not make assumptions about political topics.
- Tipping
- 10% is standard in restaurants if service is not included; round up for taxis and cafes; small cash tips to hotel staff are welcome.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Добрий день
Hello / Good day
DOH-bryy den (Dobryi den)
Доброго ранку
Good morning
DOH-broh-ho RAHN-koo (Dobroho ranku)
Добрий вечір
Good evening
DOH-bryy VEH-cheer (Dobryi vechir)
До побачення
Goodbye
doh poh-BAH-chen-nya (Do pobachennia)
Будь ласка
Please / You're welcome
bood LAHS-kah (Bud laska)
Дякую
Thank you
DYAH-koo-yoo (Diakuiu)
Вибачте
Excuse me / Sorry
VY-bach-teh (Vybachte)
Так / Ні
Yes / No
tahk / nee (Tak / Ni)
Ви розмовляєте англійською?
Do you speak English?
vy roz-mov-LYAH-yeh-teh ahn-HLEEY-s'-koyu (Vy rozmovliaiete anhliiskoiu?)
Скільки це коштує?
How much does it cost?
SKEEL-ky tseh KOHSH-too-yeh (Skilky tse koshtuie?)
На здоров'я!
Cheers!
nah zdoh-ROH-vya (Na zdorovia)
Слава Україні! (Героям слава!)
Glory to Ukraine! (reply: Glory to the heroes!)
SLAH-vah oo-krah-YEE-nee (Slava Ukraini) / heh-ROY-am SLAH-vah (Heroiam slava)
Допоможіть!
Help!
doh-poh-moh-ZHEET (Dopomozhit)
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Kiev City.
Main: Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian. Since 2018 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has been the main national church; the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is also strong in the west and in Kyiv, and there are small Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities.
Sites: St Sophia's Cathedral (UNESCO), Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (UNESCO), St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, St Andrew's Church, Volodymyr's Cathedral, Brodsky Synagogue, Kyiv Cathedral Mosque (Ar-Rahma).
Holy Days: Orthodox Easter is a movable feast (12 April 2026); Christmas is 25 December (since 2023) with some also keeping 7 January; Trinity (Pentecost) is a public holiday; the Feast of the Intercession falls on 14 October.
Conversations: Religion is respected but not always a daily topic. Avoid debating the Russian Orthodox Church or the Moscow Patriarchate, which is a politically charged issue linked to the war.