Kyiv Districts: Map and Guide to the City’s 10 Districts

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Kyiv is divided into administrative districts spread across the right and left banks of the Dnipro River. This guide explains where each district is located, how Kyiv is divided between the two banks, and what distinguishes different parts of the city.

Kyiv’s 10 administrative districts are Darnytskyi, Desnianskyi, Dniprovskyi, Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, Pecherskyi, Podilskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Solomianskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi.

For visitors, however, Kyiv’s administrative districts are only part of the picture. The city is also made up of many well-known neighbourhoods and historic areas, such as Podil, Pechersk, Obolon, Lukianivka, and the historic centre around the Golden Gate.

Understanding the difference between districts and neighbourhoods makes it easier to understand the city and decide which areas to explore or stay in.

Kyiv Left Bank Districts

Darnytskyi District is one of the main residential districts on Kyiv’s Left Bank. It includes well-known neighborhoods such as Pozniaky, Osokorky, and Kharkivskyi, with modern apartment complexes, shopping centers, restaurants, and convenient Metro connections to central Kyiv.

Desnianskyi District covers the northeastern part of Kyiv and includes Troieshchyna, one of the city’s largest residential areas. The district is known for its large residential neighborhoods and green spaces, although getting to central Kyiv can take longer from areas without direct Metro access.

Dniprovskyi District stretches along the Dnipro River and includes some of Kyiv’s best-known Left Bank neighborhoods, such as Rusanivka and Berezniaky. Much of this area was developed on former floodplain land, with extensive land reclamation during the Soviet-era construction boom.

Rusanivka is particularly distinctive: surrounded by an artificial canal, it has an almost island-like setting and is one of the most recognizable residential neighborhoods on Kyiv’s Left Bank. The district also includes Hydropark, one of Kyiv’s largest recreational areas, with beaches and green spaces along the Dnipro.

Living on Kyiv’s Left Bank: Pros and Cons

Pros of living on the left bank of Kyiv:

1. More affordable housing — Housing on the Left Bank has traditionally been more affordable than in central Right Bank neighborhoods, although prices vary considerably between areas such as Rusanivka, Pozniaky, Osokorky, and Troieshchyna.
2. Plenty of green and recreational areas — The Left Bank offers easy access to the Dnipro, beaches, parks, lakes, and recreational areas such as Hydropark.
3. Modern residential neighborhoods — Areas such as Pozniaky and Osokorky have extensive residential development, shopping centers, supermarkets, cafés, and everyday services within walking distance.
4. Good Metro access in some neighborhoods — Pozniaky, Osokorky, Livoberezhna, and Darnytsia have convenient Metro connections to central Kyiv.

Cons of Living on Kyiv’s Left Bank:

1. Crossing the Dnipro can take time — If you work or spend most of your time in central Kyiv, commuting from the Left Bank can be slow during busy hours, particularly when road traffic builds up around the bridges.
2. Not every neighborhood has Metro access — While areas such as Pozniaky, Osokorky, Darnytsia, and Livoberezhna are well connected by Metro, large residential areas such as Troieshchyna rely mainly on buses, trolleybuses, trams, and other surface transport.
3. Most major historic sights are on the Right Bank — Kyiv’s historic center and many of its best-known landmarks are located on the Right Bank, including the areas around Podil, Pechersk, and Old Kyiv.
4. Some areas feel far from the city center — The Left Bank is huge, and the experience varies considerably from one neighborhood to another. Rusanivka and Livoberezhna are relatively close to central Kyiv, while living farther east or northeast can mean a much longer journey.

So, is Kyiv’s Left Bank a good place to stay or live? It depends very much on the neighborhood. Rusanivka and Berezniaky offer riverside living relatively close to the center, while Pozniaky and Osokorky are convenient for modern apartments, shopping, and metro access. Troieshchyna offers a very different experience, with large residential areas but more challenging connections to central Kyiv.

Kyiv Right Bank Districts

Kyiv’s Right Bank is the historic heart of the city and home to seven administrative districts: Pecherskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, Solomianskyi, Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi.

Many of Kyiv’s best-known neighbourhoods and historic areas are also found here, including Podil, Pechersk, the Old Town, Lukianivka, Obolon, and Holosiiv.

Obolonskyi District is best known for Obolon, a modern residential area along the Dnipro. Its long riverside embankment, parks, restaurants, and newer residential developments give it a very different feel from historic central Kyiv.

Podilskyi District includes Podil, one of Kyiv’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods. Its historic streets, cafés, churches, and proximity to the Dnipro make it one of the most interesting parts of the city to explore.

Shevchenkivskyi District combines historic Kyiv with lively residential and cultural neighborhoods. It includes much of the Old Town, the area around the Golden Gate and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, as well as Lukianivka and other central neighborhoods.

Pecherskyi District covers much of central Kyiv and includes some of the capital’s most important landmarks and government quarters. Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Mariinskyi Palace, Khreshchatyk, and part of the area around Maidan are located here. It is one of the most central and prestigious parts of Kyiv.

Best Places to Visit on Kyiv’s Right Bank

Most of Kyiv’s famous historical landmarks are located on the Right Bank of the Dnipro, particularly in and around the Old Town, Pechersk, and Podil. If you are visiting Kyiv for the first time, these are some of the highlights to explore:

1. St. Sophia’s Cathedral: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture and features impressive mosaics and frescoes.
2. Independence Square: Known locally as Maidan Nezalezhnosti, this central square is a popular gathering place and was the site of the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution.
3. Kyiv Pechersk Lavra: This historic Orthodox Christian monastery is a must-see attraction with its stunning churches, underground catacombs, and rich history. And the iconic Motherland Monument is located nearby.
4. Golden Gate: This ancient gate is a historic monument of Kyiv and a popular tourist attraction.
5. Andriyivsky Uzviz: This picturesque cobblestone street is known as the “Montmartre of Kyiv” and is lined with quaint art galleries, souvenir shops, and cafes. Here is a marvellous St.Andrew’s Church, a gem of 18th-century Baroque architecture.
6. Mariinsky Palace: Mariinsky Palace is a part of the official residence of the President of Ukraine.
7. National Museum of Ukrainian History: This museum features a vast collection of Ukrainian art, artefacts, and historical exhibits.

Kyiv Districts at a Glance 

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About the author:

Hi, I’m Victoria, the creator of Best Kyiv Guide. I’m a Kyiv local and spent years working as a private tour guide, sharing the city’s history, hidden corners, and everyday life with visitors from around the world.