10 Best Things To Do In Dnipro, Ukraine

1. Catch a show at Dnipro Circus

One of the most striking buildings in the city, Dnipro Circus is where circus/acrobatic shows are hosted. Shaped like a circus tent, the building was built in the early 19th century and can hold up to 2,000 people. The acrobatic performances combine astonishing artistic skill with top technological effects across sound, lighting and laser animation. Typical shows last for around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The complex also acts as a venue for musical performances.

Dnipropetrovsk Circus

Address: Sicheslavska Naberezhna St, 33, Dnipro

Website: Dnipro Circus

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 11 USD/ 300 UAH

2. Take a selfie at Ball of Desires

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Editor’s note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing

As you walk down Dnipro’s lengthy embankment, you will come across a striking structure named as Ball of Desires. A large ball of green glass set upon a step pyramid base, this monument has come to be known as a place to make wishes, with some leaving their wishes here on a piece of paper. The spot is fantastic for enjoying views of the river and also for a few memorable selfies!

Ball of Desires

Address: Festival Pier, Dnipro

3. Enjoy the natural beauty of Monastyrsʹkyy Ostriv

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The perfect place to wander on a warm day, Monastyrskyi Island is located on the Dnipro river and can be accessed from the city either via a picturesque metal arch footbridge or by a cableway that offers panoramic views. The pretty island includes a portion of the Taras Shevchenko Park, a church, a theme park as well as a beach. Visitors can stroll around or rent a bike to explore its charming streets where you will find local stores and restaurants or bars or go out onto to the water on rowboats or kayaks.

Monastyrsʹkyy Ostriv

Address: Dnipro, Ukraine

4. Stroll down the Dnipro River Promenade

A favoured spot for both locals and visitors, the recently updated Dnipro’s embankment is supposed to be the longest in Europe. The Promenade offers lovely views of the river and is lined with greenery, making it very pleasant for walks. As you walk down the promenade you will come across a host of monuments and landmarks giving a glimpse of the city’s history. Don’t miss the gorgeous White Swan Fountain with its beautiful water play. You will also come across restaurants and eateries where you can stop by for a bite.

Dnipro River Promenade

Address: Dnipro, Ukraine

5. Marvel at the missiles in Rocket Park

The city of Dnipro was at one time a major production centre for the aerospace industry (it was home to the missile manufacturer Yuzhmash). Part of a larger park, Rocket Park commemorates this with a display of three Cold War-era missiles - 8K11, 8K99 and the three-stage Tsyklon-3. There’s also a small visitor centre-cum-museum where you can watch a short video show on the missile industry. Nearby are two memorials - one dedicated to the victims of the Chernobyl victims and another dedicated to soldiers who died in recent wars.

Rocket Park

Address: O. Polya Ave. 2, Dnipro

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

6. Spend a peaceful day in Lazar Globa Park

One of Dnipro’s top green spaces, the Lazar Globa Park offers a wonderful setting to enjoy the outdoors. A popular hotspot for families, the park features a small lake with swans where you can hire pedal boats and a children’s railway. Other fun attractions inside include a small theme park with a Ferris wheel, a go-karting facility and of course cafes. The park’s most well-known attraction is, however, the strikingly shaped Soviet-era building “Summer Theater”, where cultural shows are held at times.

Lazar Globa Park

Address: Dmytra Yavornytskoho Avenue, 95, Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, 49000

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

7. Pay your respects at Park of Eternal Glory

A major memorial, the Park of Eternal Glory can be found at one end of Dmytro Jawornyzkyj Avenue. Built to commemorate Russian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War II, the 7-meter (23 feet) high sculpture consists of a stainless steel column atop which stands a titanium figurine of a young woman wearing a wreath representing the motherland. An eternal flame is engraved at the bottom of the memorial.

Park of Eternal Glory

Address: Lavrska St, 15, Kyiv, Kyiv region., Ukraine, 01015

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

8. Explore local history at Dmytro Yavornytskyi National Historical Museum

Set up in 1849, Dmytro Yavornytskyi National Historical Museum recounts the region’s history starting from pre-historic times up until the 20th century through over 7,000 exhibits. The museum’s collection includes 3,000-year-old artefacts, cultural collectables, a variety of weapons and notable tools and equipment to reflect its rich industrial past.

Dmytro Yavornytskyi National Historical Museum

Address: Dmytra Yavornytskoho Avenue, 16, Dnipro

Website: Dmytro Yavornytskyi National Historical Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 4:45pm (closed on Mon)

9. Be amazed by the abandoned Palace of Ilyich

Editor’s note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing

Palace of Ilyich is a massive abandoned complex in Dnipro that epitomises the city’s Soviet past. During the communist era, every city had a Palace of Culture where people would gather for a variety of leisure activities. Such complexes had numerous large halls which provided sufficient space for concerts, sports events, theatre or musical productions and were also used as classrooms. Palace of Ilyich is currently not open to visitors, but if you want to explore this relic of a bygone past you could request the guards to allow you entry. You can also look out for cultural activities and events that are held here sometimes.

Palace of Ilyich

Address: Serhiia Nihoiana Ave, 47, Dnipro

10. Marvel at the gigantic Menorah Center

An unmissable Dnipro landmark, Menorah Center is the world’s largest Jewish complex. Representing the city’s significant Jewish heritage, this new centre was built on the site of the old synagogue of which only the facade now remains. The massive complex has a variety of attractions such as the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Holocaust, chic boutiques/stores, restaurants, a concert hall, hotels and a leisure centre.

Menorah Center

Address: Sholom-Aleikhema St, 4/26, Dnipro

Website: Menorah Center

A beautiful historic city

Though small, Dnipro offers several unique attractions. This list of best things to do in Dnipro, Ukraine, ensures that you miss none of its highlights. However if you have time then make sure to explore Dnipro’s cultural scene – there are several concert halls that regularly hold shows and give you a peek into the region’s rich heritage.