Top 15 Attractions in Dnipro, Ukraine You Can’t Miss

Founded by Catherine the Great towards the end of the 18th century, Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk) is a city that developed due to a rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. Foundries, vehicle assembly plants, armaments manufacturers, and later an aerospace industry have underpinned Dnipro’s economy. The opulent residences of 19th-century industrialists and the longest promenade in Europe attest to the city’s fluctuating economic fortunes.

Prior to the Second World War, Dnipro had a vibrant Jewish heritage: A century ago, over a quarter of Dnipro’s population was Jewish, and in recent years, an innovative Jewish mixed-use development has emerged. The Menorah stands uniquely in Europe, comprising a vast complex that integrates retail spaces, hotels, a museum, and a synagogue.

Let’s explore the most notable attractions in Dnipro:

1. Dmytro Jawornyzkyj Avenue

For 84 years, until 2016, Dnipro’s renowned avenue was named after Karl Marx. However, following legislation to prohibit “Nazi and Communist propaganda,” the avenue was renamed in honor of the esteemed historian and lexicographer Dmytro Jawornyzkyj.

This broad, six-lane thoroughfare is bordered by rows of horse-chestnuts extends for five kilometers, commencing in the east at the Monument of Eternal Glory and concluding at Dnipro Central Station.

If you are inclined to traverse the entire length, you will be rewarded with a comprehensive overview of Dnipro.

The avenue features all of the city’s significant historical monuments, parks, retail districts, cultural institutions, and educational establishments, along with numerous cafes for brief respites.

2. Menorah Center

The largest Jewish cultural center in Europe opened in Dnipro in 2012 and represents a remarkable complex, composed of hotels, banquet facilities, an art gallery, kosher markets and dining options, alongside a synagogue and museum.

The initiative was collaboratively spearheaded by the leaders of the Dnipro United Jewish Community and the Jewish Community of Ukraine, with the attendance of the Sephardic Grand Rabbi and the Israeli Minister for Information and Diaspora during its inauguration.

On a general visit, the primary attraction will be the Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine Museum.

This museum is the most extensive of its kind in the former Soviet Union, tracing the events of the 1930s and 1940s while examining their impacts through state-of-the-art multimedia presentations.

3. Monastyrsky Island

The city’s river island has been inhabited for at least 2,000 years and has served as a staging point for early Christians and medieval traders.

You can access it on foot via an elegant metal arch footbridge, or by using a scenic cable car.

During your walk, be on the lookout for the Soviet stars embedded in the panels of the bridge.

Upon reaching the island, you will find yourself in Taras Shevchenko Park, which we will discuss next.

On the island’s far side, a beach stretches for more than a kilometer down to the southern tip, frequented by sunbathers during the summer months.

In this area, you will encounter several bars, while on the near side, there is a freshwater aquarium and a facility that rents out rowboats and kayaks.

4. Taras Shevchenko Park

The park located at the upper end of Monastyrsky Island merits individual mention due to the extensive amenities it accommodates within a compact area.

One of the park’s first sights is a Ferris wheel and an outdated Soviet-style amusement park designed for children.

If you turn left after crossing the bridge, you will encounter a statue dedicated to Taras Shevchenko.

This 19th-century poet is often regarded as the Ukrainian Shakespeare due to his significant influence on the Ukrainian language.

Furthermore, on the city side of the park, there is an impressive man-made waterfall situated beneath a cross.

According to local lore, St. Andrew halted at this exact location during his journey along the Dnieper in the 1st century.

5. National History Museum

Housed in a stately Neoclassical mansion, Dnipro’s National History Museum chronicles the narrative of the city and region, tracing back to the Stone Age.

In addition to prehistoric tools, the museum features intriguing artefacts recovered from local Scythian burial mounds, dating back as far as 3,000 years.

Notably, the museum excels in presenting exhibitions focusing on Dnipro’s industrial advancements and 20th-century history.

Visitors can explore remnants of Dnipro’s manufacturing sector, including arms, a mine cart, and a tractor.

Additionally, there is a compelling display of propaganda posters, particularly those linked to the man-made Holodomor famine that led to the deaths of approximately ten million individuals in 1932-33.

6. Transfiguration Cathedral

The foundation stone for Dnipro’s cathedral was laid by Empress Catherine the Great upon the city’s establishment in 1787. Nonetheless, this proved to be a premature commencement, as construction did not initiate until 1830. Ultimately, the church emerged with more modest dimensions than the spiritual center envisioned by Count Grigory Potemkin, yet it is strikingly beautiful and recognized as a national monument of Ukraine.

Reflecting a common narrative among many churches in the country, the Transfiguration Cathedral’s interior decorations were destroyed by Soviet troops, although the structure itself survived the Second World War unscathed.

A comprehensive restoration has revived the iconostasis and frescoes to their original splendor, with visitors able to view Catherine the Great’s foundation stone to the right side of the nave.

7. Battle of the Dnieper Diorama

A modern concrete structure situated on Dmytro-Jawornyzkyj Avenue presents the largest diorama in Ukraine.

This diorama illustrates the vital Battle of the Dnieper, fought between Nazi Germany and Soviet forces in the fall of 1943. Approximately four million troops were involved in the confrontation on opposite banks of the Dnieper River, marking the most significant battle of the Second World War.

This monumental conflict is artistically represented in a diorama that offers a 230° view of the battlefield and is enhanced with authentic military artifacts, including arms, river-crossing equipment, and remnants of fortifications.

Additionally, there is an exterior display of military hardware from the battle, encompassing howitzers, tanks, and anti-aircraft weaponry.

8. Dnipro Quay

Spanning 23 kilometers and encompassing the entirety of the city’s waterfront, Dnipro Quay is purportedly the longest quay in Europe.

This location serves as a social hub for Dnipro’s residents and visitors, providing a scenic area for leisurely walks along the Dnieper.

The riverside was developed in the latter half of the 20th century when the quay was paved, and trees were planted to provide a barrier from the roadway.

Prior to this transformation, it had been a somewhat desolate post-industrial space; however, you will feel distant echoes of those times while enjoying a coffee at a café table or photographing the public art and monuments here.

The most cherished feature is the White Swan Fountain, located slightly off the right bank, with dynamic jets creating the illusion of a swan unfurling its wings.

9. Lazar Globa Park

The oldest park in the city is located adjacent to Dmytro Jawornyzkyj Avenue and serves as a place of relaxation and recreation for the residents of Dnipro.

Enhancing the green spaces and extensive, leafy pathways, there is a compact amusement park in this area.

The main attraction is the Ferris wheel, which offers a panoramic view of the city and the Dnieper River.

In warmer months, you can rent a pedal boat on the park’s pond, while the distinctive concrete “Summer Theatre” hosts entertainment for children.

Additionally, be sure to locate the Little Prince Fountain, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s character and installed in 2002.

10. Monument of Eternal Glory

Situated at the eastern terminus of Dmytro Jawornyzkyj Avenue, this powerful Soviet-era monument was erected to honor the sacrifices of soldiers during the Great Patriotic War (Second World War). At the top of the column stands a stainless steel sculpture symbolizing the motherland, measuring seven meters in height and weighing five tons.

At its base, an eternal flame pays homage to those who fell.

The monument was completed in 1967 and carries a significant emotional weight, particularly following the events of recent years.

As recently as May 2017, confrontations and arrests occurred here during the WWII Victory Day celebrations.

11. Holy Trinity Cathedral

This cathedral serves as the central place of worship for Orthodox Christians across the Dnipro Region and was constructed in the mid-19th century following the establishment of the Transfiguration Cathedral.

Initially a modest structure, it gained prominence in the 1860s when the new bell tower was added, making it the tallest building in Dnipro.

Subsequently, the church was shuttered by Soviet authorities and repurposed as a storage facility, a function it maintained until the Second World War.

The damage it incurred during this time has been rectified, restoring the cathedral to its former grandeur of a century ago.

Many of the 19th-century frescoes that were once obscured beneath plaster and whitewash are now as vibrant as they appeared originally.

12. House of Organ and Chamber Music

This venue is located on the western outskirts of Dnipro; however, avid enthusiasts of classical and sacred music will find it a worthwhile destination.

The location offers a vibrant schedule of performances featuring choirs, chamber ensembles, and soloists within a deconsecrated church.

The former St. Nicholas’ Church, constructed in an eclectic style in 1915, is noted for its distinctive rotunda.

Although it endured challenges during the Soviet era, the church was preserved as a national monument.

A Sauer organ was installed in the 1980s, allowing the church to function as a music venue due to its exceptional acoustics.

13. Potemkin Palace

Somewhat perplexingly, on the mainland adjacent to the river and in view of Monastyrsky Island, there is another park named after Taras Shevchenko.

Commonly referred to as “Shevchenko Park,” this green expanse houses the oldest building in the city.

This structure was commissioned by Count Grigory Potemkin, who wielded considerable influence under the reign of Catherine the Great.

The Neoclassical palace was erected in the 1790s; however, Potemkin never resided there as he passed away unexpectedly in 1791. Over the past two centuries, the palace has undergone numerous transformations, including a fire during the Second World War.

Nonetheless, it was quickly restored to become Dnipro’s “Student House,” which features a dynamic calendar of events and exhibitions for visitors wishing to explore within.

14. Kodak Fortress Ruins

For a day trip, you could follow the Dnieper River for approximately 20 minutes to discover the remnants of a 17th-century Polish stronghold.

This star-shaped artillery fortress was constructed in 1635 and functioned for only 80 years, during which it witnessed significant conflict between the Poles and Cossacks.

The very year it was completed, around 200 German mercenaries allied with the Poles were executed by the Cossacks.

The fortress was ultimately decommissioned and demolished in 1711 following the Treaty of the Pruth.

In subsequent years, it was utilized as a quarry; nevertheless, the natural riverside setting, earthen structures, informational panels, and an obelisk provide insight into its historical significance.

15. Rocket Park

Dnipro was a central hub for the Soviet Union’s aerospace and armaments industries, and this legacy is proudly displayed in a new park featuring obsolete military technology.

There are three showcased long-range missiles, each representing advancements in 20th-century weaponry.

The oldest, the 8K11, is a development from the German V-2 rocket.

The second, the 8K99, marks a significant milestone as it was the first missile to be launched from a vehicle.

Finally, the three-stage Tsyklon-3 was introduced in 1977 and reaches nearly 40 meters in height.

This model remained operational until 2009. Adjacent to the hardware, there is a pavilion featuring a video presentation showcasing the rockets in action.