Fall is a wonderful time for outdoor walks, as parks transform with vibrant colors. This season, Kyiv offers plenty of spots for those who prefer to relax in nature. In this guide, KyivPage look at top places to visit this fall and highlight some of Kyiv’s parks that are perfect for scenic, atmospheric strolls.
Natalka Park
Natalka Park is one of Kyiv’s most up-to-date parks, located along the Dnipro River in the Obolon district on the territory of the Natalka area, spanning about 25 hectares.
The park was opened in 2017 in celebration of Kyiv Day. Initially, this area was slated for high-rise development, but community advocacy helped preserve it as a green space.
Natalka Park is very popular with locals, partly due to its views of the Dnipro River and a designated beach area with gazebos. In addition, the park is equipped with children’s playgrounds, sports zones, cycling paths with smooth, eco-friendly paving, a mini-football field, a basketball court, running tracks, and more than 10 restaurants and cafes.
The main feature of Natalka Park is its inclusivity. The entire area has been designed following accessibility principles, with ramps, gentle slopes, and even inclusive swings.
The park’s central alley features a variety of art installations and sculptures, while another side of the territory offers a golf and a yacht club for water activity enthusiasts.
Pushcha-Vodytsia
Looking for an escape from city noise? A visit to Pushcha-Vodytsia Park in the Obolon district might be just the thing. This peaceful oasis, surrounded by pine forests on Kyiv’s outskirts, spans 30,000 hectares and is bordered by the Koturka and Horenka rivers, which create a series of ponds, including Dvirets, Karachun, and Sapsaiv.
Pushcha-Vodytsia has long been a popular destination for relaxation and wellness. The area is home to numerous sanatoriums, kid’s camps, religious sites, and hospitals. Renowned figures such as Lesya Ukrainka, Taras Shevchenko, Fedir Konovaluk, and Ivan Yizhakevych were frequent visitors. Dating back to the 11th century, this area even served as hunting grounds for princes Volodymyr and Yaroslav the Wise.
Over time, these princely lands became a fashionable retreat featuring villas in Moorish and Greek styles. Having a country house here was a trend among Kyiv’s elite, including officials, bankers, and merchants.
Today, Pushcha-Vodytsia boasts beaches where visitors can rent a boat or paddle boat for a great pastime.
Feofania Park
Feofania Park, established as a protected landmark in 1972, is located in the Holosiiv district and forms part of Ukraine’s natural reserve network. The park covers over 1,200 hectares, with its first historical mention dating back to 1471, when it was known as Lazarivshchyna.
The park is home to over 80 species of plants, including ancient trees, shrubs, and vines, with some trees over 300 years old. In 2002, the Saint Panteleimon Women’s Monastery was founded here, adding to the park’s historical and spiritual significance.
Feofania also has several natural springs, including the Saint Panteleimon and Virgin Mary springs, believed by some to have healing properties and recognized as natural landmarks.
Visitors can enjoy various amenities such as lakeside relaxation zones, pavilions, kid’s play areas, and bicycle rentals. Food stalls appear occasionally, and the park hosts a range of events, including children’s art festivals, Ivan Kupala celebrations, spring festivities, and dance festivals, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the year.
Holosiivskyi Park
The National Nature Park “Holosiivskyi” spans 11,000 hectares of pristine forest. A hallmark of this park is its ancient oak trees, some of which are nearly 500 years old, scattered throughout the landscape.
Holosiivskyi Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including moose, deer, hares, foxes, and wild boars, as well as many rare bird species. Within the park, you’ll also find 24 plant species listed in Ukraine’s Red Book of endangered species, such as the Pasque flower, Dnipro feather grass, Siberian iris, and forest lily. Rare animals, like the smooth snake, otter, stoat, and beetles like the stag beetle and musk beetle, also inhabit this space.
The legend claims that witches and thieves once roamed these forests, hiding stolen treasures of gold and jewels in the park’s secluded areas.
In 1957, the park was designated as the Maksym Rylsky Park, and in 1968, a museum dedicated to the poet Maksym Rylsky, who spent nearly ten years here and authored over 35 books, was opened. A monument to Rylsky was built in 2003.
Today, Holosiivskyi Park is a beloved spot for nature relaxation in Kyiv, featuring kids’ play areas, amusement rides, and several dining options. The park’s recreational areas include figures of popular cartoon characters, bringing delight to its youngest visitors.
Mariinsky Park
Mariinsky Park is an outstanding example of European garden and park design from the late 18th century. It was projected in the style of grand residences found across Europe in countries like Austria, France, and Germany.
Founded in 1874, Mariinsky Park is one of Kyiv’s oldest parks. Initially, the area was occupied by provincial administrative offices, but after the construction of the Pechersk Fortress, the grounds were cleared in 1869 and became known as Palace Square.
The centerpiece of the park is the Mariinsky Palace, the ceremonial residence of Ukraine’s president. Together with City and Khreshchatyk parks, Mariinsky Park forms the central green area of Kyiv.
Landscaped in a scenic style, the park includes manicured relaxation zones and observation points, offering sweeping views of the Dnipro River and Kyiv’s Left Bank. The square in front of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) often hosts gatherings and activist events, while in summer, you can find people rollerblading or longboarding near the Mariinsky Palace.