Some links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
I don’t really have good memories of Kiev, where I spent a few days. The highlight of the trip was the day I spent in Chernobyl. It really blew me away, and just for this, I didn’t regret my trip to Kiev. Thus I was a little disheartened about my next trip, to Odessa. In Kiev, people sulk and don’t look happy. How will it look like in Odessa? Let’s see the things to do in Odessa, Ukraine!
Description of Odessa
I have to admit that after my bad experience in Kiev, I wasn’t expecting anything from Odessa. During the bus ride from Kiev to Odessa, we had a short break at a service area. Everybody was staring at me, literally every single person (yeah I’m getting used to it, but still!). I just bought a chicken sandwich, and as I was enjoying my small meal, the guy sitting next to me said “What you’re doing now, it’s dangerous. Eating a chicken sandwich. You might get sick, they don’t use good meat. Because economy is bad now here.” Oh wow… I guess it’s a sign of what’s coming up within the next few days…
For your information, I didn’t get sick but what this guy said, it just reinforced the bad preconceptions I had about this country. But I have to admit that regarding Odessa, I was pleasantly surprised! I think there’s an essential factor I didn’t take into account before coming : Odessa is located by the Black Sea! And this makes a huge difference! The weather is perfect, people are a lot more relaxed, it’s summertime (I was there in July), and the city is beautiful! Moreover, the cost of living is so low! Ukraine is one of the cheapest European countries.
What to do in Odessa
Arcadia
I heard about an area in Odessa which is supposedly the place to be : Arcadia! Actually it’s a place on the oceanfront where you’ll find all the bars, clubs, strip clubs, beautiful Ukrainian and Russian girls… Party animals, you know where to go if you visit Odessa one day! This is where I saw several guys coming from Minsk (capital of Belarus, 600 miles away) in their 20-year-old car, to spring all their money in clubs, buying bottles, showing off their fruit basket on the tables, etc…
Admire the architecture of Odessa
Fortunately, for those who are not much into clubbing, Odessa is not limited to clubs and parties. It’s a very beautiful city and the architecture has a style more mediterranean than Russian. It reminded of Paris or Rome more than Moscow. This is why we call Odessa “The pearl of the black sea”. Buildings are a mix of different styles : art nouveau, renaissance, and classicist. There are buses everywhere, it’s easy to go from one place to another, and the bus ticket is fucking cheap! 5 hryvnia, 0.15 euros! Little detail : you pay when you get OFF the bus, not when you get in! Confusing as hell at first!
Apart from a few guys who kept staring at me, people now smile at me again, greet me, some guys want to shake my hand, especially around Arcadia. A little kid called his parents… Just to point at me! Another kid was walking in front of me with his mom. Since he kept turning around to look at me, his mom decided to check what her son kept staring at! When she saw me, she decided to come see me just to talk for a few minutes, she asked her son to say hi to the tourist, etc… Really nice!
The Privoz market
The food is good, mediterranean style! When they serve you, they say “Bon appétit!” (“Enjoy your meal!” in French). This is also the case in Moldova, but especially in Romania! When you want to pay, you just mime signing a check. Some people do it very well! A lot of restaurants get their products from the Privoz Market, a market in the city center where they sell anything you can think of when it comes to food, especially cheese and meat. You really have to go there, it’s the largest and the oldest market in Ukraine (it dates back to 1827!).
The Potemkin stairs
An iconic place of Odessa is the Potemkin stairs. Constructed between 1837 and 1841, it has 192 stairs with 10 landings. There’s an optical illusion. When you look from the bottom, you only see stairs (and not the landings!). But when you look from the top, you just see the landings (and not the stairs!). The steps at the bottom are much wider than the ones at the top.
As you probably understand now, Odessa is located by the Black Sea. Do not hesitate to spend a lazy day, doing nothing, just walking around, sunbathing… Arcadia is a lively place, even daytime. This seaside district is a good area if you like hustle and bustle around you, if you want to meet people… Otherwise there are places with less people and not too loud (I’m thinking about Bali Beach).
The cable car
The cable car is not easy to find, it’s located around Vidrada Beach. The price? 40 hryvnia (1.30 euro) to enjoy a few minutes in the air. I need to warn you. If you suffer from vertigo, don’t do it. I’m not really afraid of heights but there’s no real security and the cable car sways a lot! But it’s worth it (look at the price!).
Odessa catacombs
A must see : Odessa catacombs, the largest catacombs in the world. Nothing like the catacombs in Paris. During World War II, this is where members of the resistance used to live and hide. Some of them stayed there for months, never going out, not even once!
The catacombs are 6 to 40 meters below sea level. There are a lot of little anecdotes about the catacombs : every New Year Eve, there’s a big party in the catacombs. People come from Kiev, Minsk, sometimes Saint Petersburg… A wedding took place there, an explorer celebrated his birthday in 1974… A kid started playing in the catacombs when he was 6 during his spare time. 15 years later, at the age of 21, he knew every little corner of the catacombs (world’s largest labyrinth running up to 2,500 kilometers!).
For the people staying in Kiev (or even Lviv), I suggest you to go to Odessa for a few days if you have time of course! The city is really beautiful, people are relaxed, it’s a safe place and of course like every city in the country, it’s super cheap! I liked it! It’s one of the cheapest travel destinations! If you plan to stay a bit in the country, check out my post listing the places to visit in Ukraine! Click here to read Diana’s perspective of Odessa!
How to get to Odessa
The easiest way to get to Odessa is by plane. Click here to check the latest flight prices. If you’re in Kiev, there are trains and buses going to Odessa.
How to get around in Odessa
There are buses going all over the city. A one-way ride is just 5 hryvnia (0.15€). You can also go on a walking tour in Odessa. Click here for more info.
Where to stay in Odessa
If you’re traveling on a budget, the Hostel51 is an excellent hostel. Click here to book your stay. If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, the Sinfonia del Mare is well-located and the staff is great. Click here to book your stay. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel, Il Decameron Luxury Hotel is the place to be. Click here to book your stay. Otherwise click here to check what are the hotels available in Odessa.
Finally, if you prefer to stay in an apartment, click here to check the apartments available on Airbnb.
Odessa travel tips
- Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
- Do not leave home without a travel insurance! Here’s why you should buy travel insurance!
- Want a tailor-made trip to Ukraine? Get a free quote here!
- Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why use a VPN when traveling!
Odessa seems like a really interesting place! The catacombs are intriguing. I’d enjoy spending a day next to the Black Sea! You have really great photos. ?
Yes, it’s a very beautiful city. Thank you!
Loved my time in Ukraine.. Yalta, Odessa and Donetsk were among my favorite.