Returning To Ukraine in 2021 - Derron's Travels

In July of 2021, I took a trip to Ukraine. I spent one month there. I traveled to the capital city of Kyiv, the eastern city of Kharkiv, and the seaside city of Odessa.

This was not my first time in Ukraine. I went there in 2018.

Ukraine 2018

Why Did I Go To Ukraine?

I went because I had not been able to travel in a year and a half due to the Covid pandemic. I was bored sitting in the U.S.

Also, I went to Ukraine to study Russian. Yes, it’s a little confusing, but most Ukrainians speak Russian even though Ukrainian is the official language.

Finally, I went to Ukraine because as a single solo male traveler there are beautiful girls in Ukraine.

If you are a solo male traveler, you should definitely go to Kyiv, Ukraine. You will see what it is like to walk into bars and clubs and see more girls than guys.

In most American bars, guys outnumber the girls.

Hotels and Airbnb

I stayed at the Presidential Hotel in Kyiv, and in an Airbnb in Kharkiv, The Frapolli Hotel in Odessa, and The Red Line Beach Club Hotel in Odessa.

Airbnb in Kharkiv

All of these places were good. Please leave a comment if you have any questions about any of these places or where to stay.

Costs

You will find that a trip to Ukraine is very affordable. As of this writing, the Ukrainian Grivna (Ukrainian dollar) is about 27 cents to $1 USD. Therefore, everything is about 70% cheaper.

However, flights and hotels will still cost you about the same.

Kyiv, Ukraine

I will have detailed information on all the sights I saw in Ukraine in future posts. But for now, in Kyiv, I saw the new glass bridge that goes across the Dnipro River.

I also saw the world’s deepest metro, and the World War II museum under the Motherland Statue.

I had seen all the other must-see sights in Kyiv the first time I was there.

If you visit Kyiv, you will have a lot of great things to see.

Kharkiv, Ukraine

Kharkiv is the second biggest city in Ukraine. It is located in the eastern part of Ukraine about 25 miles from the border with Russia.

It’s a college town with many universities. It’s also has a laid back relaxed feel as compared to Kyiv. I went there to be surrounded by Russian speakers and practice my Russian.

I had a tutor while I was there and I think she really helped my Russian.

Kharkiv reminded me of Phoenix, Arizona. A big city but with a relaxed feel.

I will have a lot to say about Kharkiv in the upcoming post. For now, I’ll just say the people of Kharkiv are wonderful and I absolutely loved my time there.

Odessa, Ukraine

I went to Odessa at the last minute. I was told that you can’t go to Ukraine in the height of summer and not go to Odessa.

I took this advice and went. I stayed in the city center of Odessa for 3 days, then at the beach for 4 days.

At the city center, you can walk to the famous Potemkin Steps, the beautiful Opera house, and enjoy the nightlife on the main street called Derybasivska Street.

At the beach, I stayed in the very touristy area called Arcadia. There’s really nothing to do but hang out at the beach parties and shop in this area.

Tip: The best beach club is Ibiza Beach Club.