Best Time to Visit Kyiv

Late spring to early autumn: the easy months

From May to September, Kyiv is at its best. May is fresh and green, and the chestnut trees along Khreshchatyk, the main boulevard, are in flower. June and July are warm, with long days. They're also the wettest months, so expect a few short downpours rather than grey weeks.

August is the warmest month and one of the driest, which is why it tops our comfort score. September ties it for the best rating, with softer heat and golden light in Mariinskyi Park and along the Dnipro. Want to swim or lie on the sand? Hydropark and the river beaches are at their best from June to August.

Travelling with kids? Summer works well. Parks, riverside walks and boat trips are all easy at that time of year. Check the current security situation before you plan any trip to Ukraine, since it affects what's open and how you get there.

April and October: quieter shoulder months

April is cool and changeable. Mornings can be chilly, but the city is waking up and the parks start to green. October is crisp and drier than spring, and the leaves turn yellow in the Botanical Garden and around Pechersk Lavra, the hilltop monastery complex.

If you hate crowds, these are good picks. You'll trade warmth for space, and you'll want a coat. Daylight is short by late October, so plan your outdoor sights for the middle of the day.

November to March: dark and cold

Winter is long, grey and damp. From December to February, highs sit around or below freezing, and the sun barely shows for an hour or two a day. March is still raw, with slush and mud as the snow melts. November is cold and gloomy, with few outdoor pleasures.

There's a trade-off, though. Winter is the cosy season for museums, coffee shops and long dinners of borscht and varenyky (filled dumplings). Christmas in Ukraine is traditionally marked on 25 December and also on 7 January by many families, and the city has festive lights and markets around Sofiivska Square. If snow and a quiet city appeal to you, go in January. Just don't expect a bright day.

Summer is the busiest and most lively time, with people out late on terraces. Winter is the low season, with the quietest sights and the easiest tables at restaurants.