Reasons to come: The second big city, first capital of Ukraine, huge trade and art center - that is Kharkov. It's not pompous as Kiev, but we've got something to see.
The biggest square of Europe, center of city - Liberty Square. Power place. In the center of this vast area feels as if in outer space, as on the palm. Sand or ice towns (according to season), exhibitions, fairs - all these are often happens here. There was the concert of "Queen"photos from concert which gathered a record number of people - 350,000.
At evening, wears in highlight worth to look Mirror stream which is considered to be the symbol of Kharkov. This fountain shows future for people who fallen in love. If you will see the jet in fountain reflected, then you certainly are suitable to each other! Make a wish and rub sculpture's toe in Shevchenko Monument placed in the cities garden. Local people believe it may make your wish come true. To touch to christianity religion is possible in temples and church. The most beautiful is Pokrovsky or Blagovishensky Cathedral. Both of them are historical values and Pokrovsky Cathedral is a part of an operating monastery. Academic and drama theater, opera and ballet theater, theater of a musical comedy, theater for children and youths, a puppet theater - all those variety for admirers of art. Museum of nature has totally over 200 000 exhibits, with greater or smaller completeness fauna displaying structure various zoo-geographical areas and department of classical Darwinism and department of an origin of the person. The Kharkov planetarium is the theater and astronomical center where you may see stars both of northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth on a dome of a star hall. In planetarium you could also visit exposition devoted to UFO-researches. Art museum is also one of the biggest in Ukraine which funds total about 17 thousand products of domestic and foreign authors. History of Kharkov zoo is started from XIX century. Founded as "aguariay" nowadays is occupied the area of 22 hectares, and in a collection of a zoo it is totaled about 400 kinds animal, including rare and disappearing. Theatrical representation with dolphins and healthy swimming with them is waiting for you in Kharkov delphinium. For people who love plants waiting for their visitors botanic garden. Kharkov Circus is the biggest in Ukraine. It has 2045 places for spectators. The Kharkov circus is known for new greater circus performance, masterpieces of a circus art. Excursion to national park Golitsin woods will give huge amount of interesting information about nature of Kharkov region. Cozy apartments in pine forest near beautiful river Seversky Donets let you forget about anything except pleasure. It is possible to spend time riding on horses, fishing and even to jump with a parachute. Don't forget to try Ukrainian cuisine in restaurants and cafes decorated in national style. For those who love night life we've got entertainment centers with disco club, bowling, and billiards-clubs. And of course, the best way to get ride from the negative thins is visit our stadium "Metalits". It's meets all modern standards. Watch the match can be more than 41000 people. Enjoy the soccer possible at any weather - the stadium roof covers 100% of seats.Climate: due to geographical location Ukraine has three areas: mixed forests, forest-steppe and steppe. The Carpathians and Crimean mountains are also specific geographical regions. The unique environmental conditions of the Carpathians specifically are determined by mountain relief, the great number of small and big rivers, mountain forests and mountain valleys. The climate of the southern coast of Crimea, with its rains and warm winters resembles the Mediterranean. Territory in east and southeast has Is moderate-continental climate. In winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south. In Kharkov in summer time we have from +20 deg.C to +35 deg.C, in winter from 0 deg.C to -25 deg.C.
Visa: for short term visits (up to 90 days) citizens of the United States, European Union, Swiss Confederation, Liechtenstein, Canada, and Japan do not need visas for entering Ukraine. However, before traveling, it is recommend to contact the Ukrainian Consulate in your country. At 20 of August 2009 was made some changes for the entrance to Ukraine. read more
Money: the monetary unit of Ukraine is hryvnia. Money can be exchanged at banks, exchange desks at hotels, or shops in licensed exchange windows. It is not required to have your passport for exchange operations. The most common foreign currency in Ukraine is the U.S. dollar, Euro, Russian Ruble. Credit cards are becoming more common in Ukraine, but not all of organizations accept the card for payment. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept the card for payment.
Population: The population of Kharkov and its region - about 3 million people (approximately 6% of the population of Ukraine). Representatives of 111 nationalities are lives here.
Airport: In order to catch the plane you supposed to be in airport 2 hour before departure time - all procedures are slow. The airport is located on the outskirts of the city. To get to the city at daytime easy with bus 119 or private taxi. The nearest metro station Gagarina about 20 minutes.
Transportation: public transport in cities - metro, trolleybus, tram, bus. Tickets for public transport can be purchased at bus stops or from the controller (while transportation). It is possible to rent a car or taxi with or without driver. In our subwayofficial site system 3 lines.To enter you must buy "zheton" at any cashier of subway and put it in the machine at the entrance to the station. The price of almost any urban transport approximately 0,30 Euro. You will not get plan of metro station in English, and majority of locals don't speak English. If you need somebody to ask something better to ask younger people. They might don't know the answer, but they might speak English and of course knew Russian to pass you to those who knew. Furthermore due to EURO 2012 and international football matches the scheme of metro stations, downtown streets, and streets adjacent to the stadium slowly translating into English.
Telephone: to stay available for calls in Ukraine your cell phone must supports standards GSM 900 or GSM 1800 international. International code of Ukraine is 38, Kharkov code 057. To make a phone call dial +38 + city code + city number. You may also buy package provided by Ukrainian operators - it is available at small shops located throughout cities. The package contains a Sim-card - a chip for plugging into the phone and a voucher for the prepaid time. You can add funds to your phone account by purchasing new vouchers.
Voltage grid: in Ukraine electrical current runs on 220v/60Hz, whereas American current is 110v/50Hz. So that if you wish to bring a personal computer with you purchase a converter to transform the voltage or purchase equipment that adjusts internally to either current. Almost all laptop computers are designed to run off of either 110v or 220v current. Please note that adapter plugs will be necessary to fit into standard European sockets, and a surge protector should always be used. The sticker on the bottom of your laptop should indicate whether it is dual voltage or not.
Meals: Business lunch in cafe cost 3-7 euro. Dinner something like 10. As in Europe at the center of the city have been payed approximately 10-15 euro you may eat and drink partly endless. Some institutions works from 8 a.m. till the last client, but if you don't know the city better to have breakfast in the hotel.
Medicine: take with you a first-aid kit, which will help you save time searching for drugs and get rid of the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many drugs has different names in different countries.
Useful telephones:
Embassies of US in Kiev - +380 (44) 490-4000. Ukrainian Embassy in US
Police - 102
Ambulance - 103
Shops: majority of shops operate from 8.00-9.00 to 19.00-20.00. There are supermarkets chain which works 24 hours.
Accommodation: To be honest we don't have 5 star hotels here, but find 2,3,4 star hotel or rent apartment - not a problem. list of hotels
