Best photo spots in Kyiv

1. Andriivskyi Descent

Winding and gently sloped, Andriivskyi Descent naturally creates a strong perspective — all you need for a perfect shot is to stand in the right spot. Historic facades in different styles add color and texture, making even casual walking shots feel atmospheric.

At the top of the street rises the emerald-green St. Andrew’s Church. Its rich color and baroque shapes make a beautiful backdrop on their own. Even more striking photos can be taken from the church’s viewpoint, which opens up panoramic views of the Dnipro River and Podil.

Address: Andriivskyi Descent

Entrance to St. Andrew’s Church viewpoint: 100 UAH

2. Glass Bridge

The Glass Bridge blends modern architecture with city views in a way that works effortlessly on camera. Transparent floor panels add a sense of height and a touch of adrenaline, making photos feel dynamic. From here, you get wide views of the Dnipro, Podil, Trukhaniv Island, and the Left Bank — perfect for both portraits and landscapes.

The most beautiful shots are taken at sunset, when the glass reflects the colors of the sky and the river turns golden.

Address: Glass Bridge

3. Landscape Alley

Landscape Alley is a playful, creative space right in the city center. Whimsical mosaic sculptures, fairy-tale characters, and unusual benches create a fun and expressive backdrop. Finding a great shot is easy — whether next to the fantastical Cat-Centipede or the quirky zebras. Photos here are bright, cheerful, and slightly magical.

Address: Landscape Alley

4. Kyiv Academic Puppet Theater

This theater looks like a small fairy-tale castle in the middle of the city. Red brick, sharp towers, and decorative details create the perfect setting for gothic or romantic shots. It’s easy to feel like a character from a fantasy story here. The most striking photos are taken in the evening, when warm golden lighting turns the building into a truly magical scene.

Address: 1A Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street

5. Main building of KPI

This location is made for dramatic photos. Massive columns, symmetrical staircases, and a neoclassical facade create an atmosphere reminiscent of Hogwarts or scenes from historical films. You can easily vary the mood: near the building, portraits look grand and graphic, while in the nearby park, they feel softer and more intimate.

Address: Building No. 1, 37 Beresteiskyi Avenue

6. VDNH greenhouse

Inside the VDNH greenhouse, it feels like stepping into the tropics. Large leaves, exotic flowers, and dense greenery create a natural, highly photogenic backdrop. Almost any angle works well — soft light and rich textures make photos look deep and vibrant. You can take phone photos for free or rent the entire greenhouse for a private photoshoot.

Address: 1P28 Akademika Hlushkova Avenue

Ticket price: 140 UAH

7. “Black Sea” mural

This mural, inspired by the power of water, depicts a restless sea in blue and white tones. Its realism and scale create a striking background that adds depth and mood to photos.

Address: 35 Bulvarno-Kudriavska Street

8. Milk Bar

Milk Bar is one of Kyiv’s most popular Instagram-friendly cafés. The restaurant on Shota Rustaveli Street is known for its impressive seasonal decorations during Christmas, Easter, and other major holidays. Meanwhile, the Milk Bar on the 7th floor of TSUM may have more minimal photo zones, but it offers a spacious rooftop terrace with views over Khreshchatyk — a great spot for photos with the city’s main street as a backdrop.

Address: 38 Khreshchatyk Street
16 Shota Rustaveli Street

9. “Morska Kazka” oceanarium

Imagine standing in a glass underwater tunnel as stingrays, turtles, and tropical fish slowly swim above you, while soft blue light creates a dreamlike atmosphere. There’s no need to search for the perfect pose here — the setting does all the work. Water, exotic sea life, and you at the center of this underwater story create effortless, magical shots.

Address: 3 Andriia Malyshka Street

Ticket price: 350 UAH

10. Hryshko National Botanical Garden

This is an ideal spot for aesthetic landscapes and portraits. Every season tells a different visual story, but spring is the true highlight. That’s when the garden blooms with fragrant purple lilacs and delicate pink magnolias. It’s one of the most picturesque locations in Kyiv, where nature itself feels like a master artist, creating postcard-perfect backgrounds.

Address: 1 Sadovo-Botanichna Street

Ticket price: 150 UAH

11. “Siaivo Knyhy” bookstore

This two-story bookstore feels made for “dark academia”–style photos. Tall bookshelves, muted lighting, and the aroma of coffee you can buy right inside create a cozy, cinematic mood. The staircase is especially photogenic, offering an interesting perspective and natural movement in the frame.

Address: 6 Velyka Vasylkivska Street

12. Museum of photo illusions

This is the place for fun, slightly crazy photos. You can walk on the ceiling, escape from a shark, or balance over an abyss. The shots are bold, playful, and guaranteed to stand out in your feed.

Address: 41 Petra Sahaidachnoho Street

Ticket price: 220 UAH

13. Pyrohiv

Pyrohiv is one of the best locations for a photoshoot inspired by traditional Ukrainian village life. Wooden churches, windmills, and houses from different regions of Ukraine are set among open fields and dirt paths. Thanks to the variety of scenery, you can capture minimalist shots in open nature or colorful, character-filled photos near historic homes.

Address: 1 Akademika Tronko Street

Ticket price: 200 UAH