The city of Odessa, located in the south of Ukraine, is the third-largest and one of the most beautiful cities to visit, not only in the country but throughout Europe. It is simply a must-see to feel its magical charm and enjoy its unforgettable aura. Odessa is a unique city where people speak a variety of languages from different parts of the world, where there is a lively and enjoyable atmosphere and where you can witness the distinctive and witty humour of Odessa residents.
Odessa is a relatively young city founded by Queen Catherine II in 1794 when the Russian Empress decided that the country needed a port on the Black Sea to expand ties with Europe. Due to its convenient geographical location on the site of ancient Greek villages, Odessa quickly turned from a small settlement into a commercial, industrial and scientific center of European significance. It’s port was for a long time, a “door” to Europe and was developed under the strong influence of European culture and with the direct participation of European political and military figures, builders, architects, financiers, and merchants.
Tourists often lovingly call Odessa “Little Paris” due to the strong European spirit that can be felt throughout the city. Examples of this can be seen on Deribasovskaya Street and Primorsky Boulevard where there are many French and Italian architectural masterpieces. Whats more, the Jewish culture and traditions have a big influence on the culture of Odessa whilst the vibrant beach of Arcadia is even comparable to Ibiza.
So, in this article, we have collected 5 main reasons why you need to visit Odessa.
Visit Odessa for: The best beaches in Europe
Thanks to the stunning atmosphere and the cleanliness and comfort of the city. The beaches of Odessa fully deserve the title of European-style resorts. The most famous beaches of Odessa are Lanzheron, Arcadia and Otrada.
Arcadia Beach is a firm favourite for young people and nightlife lovers. This cosmopolitan beach has swimming pools, comfortable sun loungers, a sports area and a vast array of cafes and bars. The “Hawaii” water park is a popular hotspot during the day and by night, people flock to the many bustling nightclubs.
Lanzheron Beach is distinguishable by its convenient location to the city centre in addition to the many beautiful restaurants where you can hide from the sun. But perhaps most well-known is “Nemo”, the most famous dolphin aquatic centre in Europe.
Otrada beach has earned a lot of raving reviews from tourists. Located in an urban area, it is very clean and spacious and even consists of a cable car allowing tourists to access the sea easiky . You can rent everything you need on the beach — umbrellas, sun loungers and other beach accessories.
In addition to these three main beaches of Odessa, the beaches of Bolshoi Fontan, Luzanovka, Zolotoy Bereg and Dolphin also deserve recognition.
Amazing cuisine
Odessa cuisine is very varied and incredibly tasty. Historically, representatives of more than 130 nationalities live in the city. For this reason, Odessa cuisine consists of many of the best dishes from a wide variety of cultures — Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, Italian, French, Greek, Turkish, and many others. A distinctive feature of Odessa cuisine is the abundance of fish found in the coastal zone, as well as a variety of dishes from Black Sea mussels. And at the famous Odessa market “Privoz” you can buy fresh flounder directly from the Black Sea. However, do not forget that no one knows how to bargain as well as the residents of Odessa!
Visit Odessa: Night life
Like any tourist city, Odessa has a rich nightlife, making it a hub for party lovers. There are a huge number of nightclubs, bars, and pubs in Odessa. Most of the night establishments of Odessa are located on the coast, right under the sky. The most popular clubs are ITAKA and IBIZA, located on Arcadia Beach. You can enjoy various parties, fashion shows and concerts every night.
Magnificent architecture
The magnificent courtyards of Odessa, monuments, and buildings are a delight to the eye. The architecture of Odessa presents various styles — classicism, empire, neo-baroque, neo-gothic, modern, neoclassicism, constructivism, and postmodernism. Thanks to the mixture of all these styles, Odessa in many respects resembles France, Italy and Greece. Most of the buildings in the historical center of Odessa are architectural monuments that are protected by law. Here are houses that Pushkin saw while walking along the first streets of the city. Among the most famous architectural masterpieces of Odessa that you must visit is the Monument to Duke de Richelieu, the Vorontsov Palace, the Shah’s Palace, the Potemkin Stairs, the Passage, the Flat House, and the Spaso-Preobrarzenskiy Cathedral.
Cultural life
Odessa is one of the cultural capitals of Ukraine. There are a huge number of museums, art galleries, and monuments here with the theaters deserving special attention. The most significant is a masterpiece of architectural art — the Opera and Ballet Theater. Many representatives of Ukrainian and European culture performed in this theater and still to this day, you can enjoy amazing plays and ballet there.
Fascinating festivals are constantly held in Odessa, which provide an opportunity to get better acquainted with Ukrainian culture. Among the most popular and large—scale festivals in Odessa are “Humorin”, Odessa JazzFest, the Festival of vests, and one of the most anticipated Odessa Beer Festival.
When is the best time to visit Odessa?
Odessa is considered beautiful at any time of the year. In autumn, golden foliage pave the streets of the city, giving it a magical and enchanted feel whilst summer is a fully-fledged tourist season with rich nightlife, noisy parties, and fun beach activities.
If you choose Odessa for a seaside holiday, undoubtedly the best period will be summer, with sea temperatures increasing and all kinds of entertainment and excursion programs are available for tourists. But if you do not like the hustle and bustle, choose the end of spring or the beginning of autumn for relaxation, when there are fewer tourists, prices are lower and the sea temperature remains mild.
