Someone recently asked me if I was an architect, since I am always posting photos and commenting about the architecture from around the world throughout my travels.
The fact is that so many things we travel the world to see often involve architecture, whether it be the Angkor Wat or the Pyramid. It is natural for one to develop a love for beautiful architecture.
When I realized that Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, has one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world, it was a no-brainer for me to include Kharkiv as part of my trip to Ukraine.
Like with most post-Soviet cities, the metro system in Kharkiv is a source of pride, and you can see it in the intricately designed and constructed metro stations that reflect what the metro station represents.
After I arrived in Kharkiv, it was raining like crazy, so I asked myself, "What better way to spend a rainy day than to go underground and visit all the beautiful metro stations?"
So, I spent half of that day hopping from one metro station to another to bring you the most beautiful metro stations to visit in Kharkiv. Without further ado, let's begin with an overview of where all the most beautiful metro stations are with our itinerary map.
- Most Beautiful Kharkiv Metro Stations Itinerary Map
- 8 Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Kharkiv to Check Out
- Is it Legal to Take Photos in Kharkiv Metro Stations?
- How to Avoid Unnecessary Attention from the Police While Checking Out Kharkiv Metro Stations?
- How Does the Metro System in Kharkiv Work?
- How Much Does it Cost to Check Out Kharkiv Metro Stations?
- Ukraine Travel Video
- Further Reading for Ukraine
Most Beautiful Kharkiv Metro Stations Itinerary Map
8 Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Kharkiv to Check Out
1. Peremoha Metro Station
Let's begin with the furthest metro station of the Oleksiivska Line (Green): Peremoha. It is the perfect place to start your metro station hopping journey in Kharkiv.
To my surprise, this is one of the newer metro stations in the city. It was recently opened in 2016, and yet it still maintains that old Soviet vibe that you could come to expect from a post-Soviet state like Ukraine.
If you dig a little deeper into the history of Peremoha Metro Station, you will realize that the reason why it maintains the old Brutalist architectural style is because the station was planned in 1992 but was stopped numerous times before its actual launch date due to several funding problems.
Originally, it was planned to be decorated in the spirit of Soviet Victory Day, but it was scrapped after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decommunization in Ukraine. The design was slightly changed to comply with the decommunization law, which is why you see the angular design of the pillars, common in most Brutalist architecture, but painted in pink.
2. 23 Serpnia Metro Station
As we continue from the furthest metro station of the Oleksiivska Line (Green), we will arrive at another all-colorful platform, 23 Serpnia Metro Station.
I accidentally stumbled upon this metro station as I got off at the wrong one on my way to Botanichnyi Sad. When I saw the 23 Serpnia platform through the train windows, I was so captivated by its beauty that I thought it was the famous Botanichnyi Sad metro station, which is why I got off.
I did not regret making that mistake, though, as you can see, the 23 Serpnia platform is beautifully decorated with pastel pink tiles and paints all over the station.
The murals, as well as the pink color they used, don't feel like they were built during the Soviet era, which is true, because this station was only built in 2004. Hence, they were able to steer themselves away from the usual Brutalist-style decor that one would expect from a Soviet-built metro system.
3. Botanichnyi Sad Metro Station (Botanical Garden)
Next up is the Botanichnyi Sad Metro Station, one of the prettiest metro stations in Kharkiv. Same goes for this metro station, the Botanichnyi Sad was built only in 2004, so the style of architecture you find is refreshing to see.
It's beautiful green mosaic tiles, paintings of trees and plants, and the blue-colored train go perfectly well with the fact that this is a metro station named after the Botanical Garden of the Kharkiv University above it.
4. Universytet Metro Station (University)
From Botanichnyi Sad, we continue south to Derzhprom Metro Station where the Oleksiivska Metro Line (Green) meets with Saltivska Metro Line (Blue). This is where we will get off and switch so that we can get to Universitat Metro Station on Saltivska Metro Line (Blue).
Universytet Metro Station is a huge multi-level platform with white marble columns and colorful advertisements adorning all straps, giving it a unique look that actually hides the age of this metro station.
This metro station was built in 1984 right under Kharkiv National University. It used to be named after the founder of the Soviet Secret Police (Dzerzhinska), but as you know, after the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a huge movement in Ukraine to decommunize the country. So, the name, as well as a portrait of Felix Dzerzhinska, had been switched out during the renovation.
5. Pushkinska Metro Station
Pushkinska Metro Station is named after, you guessed it, Alexander Pushkin, the great Russian poet and writer of the world. Pushkinska Metro Station did a really great job at designing the platform that is worthy of the name.
With its all-white ceiling and walls of the platform, a portrait of Pushkin in the center, and even with all the columns strapped with advertisements, the station still looks as gorgeous as ever.
Even the design of the metro station sign, which is strapped across the platform wall, is in a quill handwriting style representing Pushkin's mastery with his writing. A well-thought-out architecture like this is what I like about Kharkiv Metro Station.
6. Kyivska Metro Station
As we continue along the Saltivska Metro Line (Blue), another beautiful yet unique metro station you should check out is Kyivska Metro Station, built in 1984.
Kyivska platform is in this large bunker-like hall with a beautifully designed curved ceiling that just feels modern yet old at the same time. The two walls on the side are covered in intricately designed white marble carvings, and the hall is dimly lit with several brutalist-design chandeliers.
After seeing all the colorful metro stations, some of which are pretty boxed in and small, the spacious design of the Kyivska platform is a refreshing take on Brutalist architecture.
7. Arkhitektora Beketova Metro Station
Next up is the Arkhitektora Beketova Metro Station on the Oleksiivska metro line (Green). From Kyivska Metro Station, you will have to backtrack your way to Universytet Metro Station, switch back to the Green Line, and hop on a train at Derzhprom Metro Station towards Metrobudivkiv (or Odeska if the construction is completed) Terminus.
Now that we have seen the colorful and spacious halls of some of Kharkiv's most beautiful metro stations, Arkhitektora Beketova Metro Station is the one that actually looks and feels like it can withstand a nuclear attack, something that was often considered when the Soviets built their Metro System. Funny enough, this station was actually built by Ukrainians, not the Soviets.
Arkhitektora Beketova Metro Station opened in 1995, and the platform design does show its age. That said, the beauty of these metro stations is not that they are new and clean, but it's the way they are able to pause time temporarily and allow us to see what it was like then.
8. Sportyvna Metro Station
Last but not least, the final metro station we will be visiting along the oldest metro line in Kharkiv is the Kholodnohirsko-Zavodska metro line. From Arkhitektora Beketova Metro Station, you can continue traveling down the green line to the terminus, Metrobudivnykiv, and switch to Sportyvna Metro Station on the red line.
This metro station is very similar to Kyivska Metro Station, with a spacious platform under a white curved ceiling. However, instead of plain white, the ceiling is painted with stripes of the Ukrainian flag colors, blue and yellow, wrapping around the ceiling.
The epicness of this metro station is not very easy to capture with a camera due to the scale of the platform and the large flag painting that wraps the whole vault like a ribbon. You will really have to see it with your own eyes to appreciate its beauty.
Same goes for all the metro stations I listed here. Kharkiv is not a popular destination for tourists to visit (that's why I decided to visit Kharkiv in the first place), but with these photos of Kharkiv's beautiful metro stations, I hope that they will inspire you to put Kharkiv on your itinerary and come see it for yourself. If you are into beautiful metro stations, you won't regret it.
Is it Legal to Take Photos in Kharkiv Metro Stations?
For some outdated security reasons, it is still prohibited to take photos in most metro stations in many big cities around the world, like Moscow and Washington DC. Unfortunately, Kharkiv is also one of them.
In my opinion, this is a shame since many of these metro stations, especially the one in post-Soviet cities like Kharkiv, are among the most beautiful architectural creations that allow us to take a peek at what life under the Soviet Union was like.
I believe that Metro Stations, like the one in Kharkiv, can become valuable tourist attractions, bringing in tourists from around the world who would not have thought of visiting Kharkiv in the first place.
Many countries in the world have also realized the value of this, and some countries, like Uzbekistan, who recently lifted a photo ban in all of their metro stations in Tashkent, are capitalizing on the rising number of tourists around the world and trying to attract them to its capital city.
In Kharkiv, you can get away with taking a few quick photos with your smartphone, but if you are carrying a big camera like me, it is a bit more challenging, but not impossible. Let me illustrate how I was able to take photos with my big camera without getting caught (twice 😅).
How to Avoid Unnecessary Attention from the Police While Checking Out Kharkiv Metro Stations?
I usually do not condone doing illegal things in a foreign country, as it is the stupidest thing you can do while traveling, BUT I would make an exception for this since taking photos of the beautiful metro stations does not harm anyone or lead anyone to harm. Based on my experience of getting caught once, they simply tell you to stop taking photos, and that's it.
Now, in order to take photos within Kharkiv Metro Stations, you will have to be discreet about it. Here are a few tips you could try:
- Look out for security: They often wear a white shirt with a dark blue vest, the same uniform that the people operating in an escalator booth wear, and avoid taking photos when they are around. They are usually 1 - 3 people walking along the platform.
- Do not linger in a crowded hallway: People are more often than not in a rush when they are using the Metro, so do not be a bad tourist and wait until the hallway is not too busy to snap your photo and move out of the way. You will also attract less attention like this.
- Find a corner or turn your back towards a wall: This will help you keep an eye out for security without having to worry that they might be approaching from behind.
- Listen to the security when you get caught: Don't be stubborn tourists and simply put down your cameras and move on when you get caught.
- Be Patient: Observe, wait for the right moment, and you will get the shot you want.
- Be Quick: Make sure all your camera settings are in place before proceeding to take photos of the Metro Station. Again, you don't want to linger too long to avoid catching the security person's attention.
How Does the Metro System in Kharkiv Work?
How to Buy the Metro Ticket in Kharkiv?
The Metro System in Kharkiv works the same way as in any metro system built by the Soviet Union all around the world. You go to the ticket booth once you arrive at a metro station, buy a token (8 UAH per trip), go down the escalator, and that is where you will find all the beautiful architecture.
How Many Metro Lines Are There in Kharkiv?
There are 3 metro lines in Kharkiv: Kholodnohirsko-Zavodska (Red), the oldest metro line built in 1975 by the Soviet Union; Saltivska (Blue), built in 1984; and Oleksiivska (Green), the newest line built in 1995 and continued to be expanded until 2016.
For connecting with different metro lines, you do not have to buy another token. All the interconnected stations are accessible from each station's platform without requiring you to go above the ground and change the station yourself.
How to Navigate the Metro in Kharkiv?
The metro system in Kharkiv, like post-Soviet states, is quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. First and foremost, you will have to get down to the platform, and more often than not, they will have two tracks on both sides of the platform.
In order to see which one goes where, you can either look at the sign above your head when you enter the platform. It will tell you which metro station the left and right tracks go to.
If you don't want to be standing there in the middle of a crowded platform, blocking everyone else's path, you can also go to the track itself and find a metro station sign. Under the metro station name, they will list all the metro stations that particular track is going to, which station connects to another line, etc.
And to make it even easier for you, Kharkiv Metro Station has all its signs in both English and Russian, so you should be able to navigate the metro system without having to ask around.
How Much Does it Cost to Check Out Kharkiv Metro Stations?
For this itinerary, it will only cost you 8 UAH for the entire trip. If this isn't the cheapest tourist attraction ever, I do not know what is!
All you have to do is buy one token at one of the metro stations near you and simply visit each metro station I recommended here with this one token. You can switch metro lines or travel back and forth without having to buy another one. This will be the best 8 UAH you will ever spend in Ukraine.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Ukraine
Looking for more information for your trip to Ukraine? Here is a collection of articles about Ukraine that might help you with trip planning.
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3 Months Itinerary for Europe.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Ukraine is one of the few hidden gems left in Europe, and in order to see the country and all it has to offer, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is a One Month Itinerary for Ukraine.
- Ukraine has recently loosened up its borders a little for non-European travelers with an E-Visa program. Here is my experience of applying for an E-Visa for Ukraine and things I wish I knew before applying.
- Of course, one of the reasons why you are visiting Ukraine is to learn more about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and what better way to learn about it than to go into the field and see it with your own eyes. Here is a complete guide on how to visit Chernobyl.
- If you think Kyiv is only suitable for Chernobyl and Brutalist architecture enthusiasts, then you are in for a big surprise when you discover how awesome the city is. Here are the top 18 things to do in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Are you a coffee snob like I am? If so, then you will love Kyiv and its unmatched indie cafe culture. Here are 8 best indie cafes you should check out in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- The Tunnel of Love is one of the most photogenic attractions in Ukraine, and it would be a shame to miss it on your trip to Ukraine. Here's a complete guide on how to visit the Tunnel of Love independently.
- Thinking of visiting the Tunnel of Love and not sure where to base yourself? I would recommend Lutsk, and here are 8 best things to do that will make you fall in love with Lutsk.
- Lviv is the cultural capital city of Ukraine. It is what St. Petersburg is to Russia, Prague is to Czechia, and Krakow is to Poland. It is the most European city out of all of Ukraine, and it has so many things to do that you will need a great guide to navigate it. Here are 10 Best Things you should do in Lviv, Ukraine.
- Lviv is another great city to go cafe-hopping if you love coffee, and here are my Top 10 Cozy Cafes in Lviv you should check out.
- Getting bored of cities? How about we go and hike some of the stunning trails in the Carpathian Mountains? Here is a complete hiking guide to Yaremche and the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains.
- One of the most impressive architectural wonders in Ukraine is Chernivtsi National University in Chernivtsi, a remnant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire era that still survives today. Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
- Kamianets-Podilskyi, an island city home to Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Ukraine, is a place that seems like it came straight out of a fairy tale and a place that you should not miss. Here’s a backpacking guide and the top 8 things to do in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
- Odesa is known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, and in order to understand why, you will need to dive deep into its history and even further down underground into its infamous catacombs. Here is a complete guide on tourist attractions and 8 great things to do in Odesa.
- You may not have heard of Kharkiv before, but once you see what I saw when I was traveling in that city, your mind will be blown away by how beautiful it is. Here are the 10 best things to do in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
- My words are not convincing you about traveling to Ukraine? How about you see it for yourself with my Ukraine travel video? Ukraine Beyond Travel Video
- Want to know where to go after Ukraine? How about visiting Poland? Alternatively, you could drop by Kosice in Slovakia or go bar-hopping in Budapest, Hungary. We have travel guides for those destinations as well.
- For all articles about Ukraine, visit the Ukraine Travel Guide page.
- You can see all of my Eastern Europe-related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- You can also see all of my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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5 Comments
Kharkiv Metro Station does not have their signs in both English and Russian..... Kharkiv Metro Station has all their signs in both English and Ukrainian.......
Great job capturing an undiscovered marvel. I've been to all of those stations, true gems. If I may suggest adding to your trip, a journey down the Red line which strecthes South East from the city. It goes out to the heavy industrial dietricts. Many of the names were changing when I was there, so not sure which remained. They had very bad-ass names like Malyshev Tank Factory decorated with tank icons (was the largest tank factory in the world long ago), then Industrialna, Proletariot, and Kharkov Tractory Factory. (Compare these names to suburbs in other countries named Rosedale or Mira Vista! Those Metro stations are also worth visiting, and walking around those neighborhoods gievs you a picture of a different lifestyle.
Negative comment: Many of the stations have token machines which require exact change and no token-lady on duty. So you could have all the money in the world. be willing to pay whatever for the trip, and not be able to get on. So you go ask for change at the nearest bottle shop and she gives you attitude, and probably not the change, etc.
Positive Comment: If you are staying awhile you can buy a card (at some of the very central stations), and put as much money as you want on it. Then you just swipe and roll each time you enter and it tells you your balance. So easy. A few times strangers from other cities in Ukraine who didn't have exact change asked offered a 10 or 20 to swipe them in. I just did it for free, but if you are ever ltravelling on a shoe string, you could probably play guitar in the entryway for change, and add a sign saying "will swipe for food".
Last;ly, we foreigners say Red Line, Green Line etc. but most locals use the names you mention. This matters because the locals (especially older) say Red Line (as in Soviet) to refer to string of streets with a certain style of architecture, usually more sought after real estate. "nice view, on the Red Line." And the same concept in some other Ukrainian cities. This red line happens to paralell the Metro "Green Line" while the "Red Line Metro runs opposite. So if you care whether you end up hanging with the IT cafe goatee gourmet burger district, vs. the drinking beer in a tent outside the tractor factory district, then it's important to not confuse red and green here. (I recommend the latter destination).
Overal Kharkiv is the best transport system I've used out of god knows how many in the world. Inexpensive, fast, easy to use, rarely crowded, and as you show, very beautiful.
Thank you for the recommendation! That's a great suggestion going down the Red Line. Definitely have to do that the next time I'm in Kharkiv. They really do have one of the most interesting public transportation in the country. Thanks again for your insights!
Great review! I live in Kharkiv and can suggest an update: you don't have to buy 1-time ticket or E-Ticket card anymore to access the metro, you can just pay with Visa/Mastercard or NFC device through the blue color turnstile. There is only one such turnstile per each side of station but it works.
Thank you for the heads up Ivan! That's great to hear! The info will definitely come in handy especially during COVID time where touchless payment is definitely a welcome addition. :)