Velyka Vasylkivska St. Area Shopping Walk (Self Guided), Kiev

No shopping trip in Kiev is complete without visiting Velyka Vasylkivska, the longest shopping street in the historic city. It is brimming with shops, restaurants and pubs and is where many locals come to browse and to buy.

One place that you should definitely put on your itinerary is Besarabsky Market, the most expensive market in the city. Come here for a delicious bounty of fresh produce, including tropical fruits, vegetables and meats as well as dairy products. Try some home-made salo, a traditional Ukrainian dish that is slabs of cold, white pork fat.

Then go to Mandarin Plaza, a luxurious mall spread across several floors with such famous international brands as Mont Blanc, Chanel and Max Mara. The customers can sometimes include the city’s wealthy elite and a smattering of celebrities. In addition to new clothing trends and unique outfits, there are stores selling footwear, perfumes and everyday clothing. Spoil yourself with a luxury treat and buy an exclusive gift for someone close. There is also a well-known florist studio here and plenty of cafés and restaurants to unwind in between store and boutique visits. The mall’s architecture is also worthy of note with some Baroque features.