All visitors will allways note how green Kyiv is with its parks and the big number of trees keeping the city cosy and inviting. National Botanical garden is the second and latest among two that Kyiv has. It is an all-season venue both for an easy relaxing weekend and a tough hilly route for runners.

The garden is special because of its structure: each of its parts imitates another geographical zone: relief, fauna and landscapes are equivalent to the ones in Carpathians, steppy Ukraine, Caucasus and even Middle Asia. The garden owns a spectacular collection of species of plants from different parts of the world – all that can survive and grow in a Ukrainian climate. In May it’s a must to come here for a selfie with tons of blossoming magnolias.

As I am a crazy runner and my fiancé calls me a hamster in a running wheel for that, I know and treasure all good running spots in Kyiv, and can say that the National Botanical Garden is definitely a beloved spot among runners. Extremely fresh air right next to downtown. Peaceful loneliness and the best place to think your thoughts. A great view of the left bank of Dnipro, ancient churches and the sunset makes it a must for even a short visit.