Planning your travel itinerary to Odessa, Ukraine’s commercial and recreational port on the Black Sea? Below we’ve listed some of the top things to see and do – from the beaches and summer nightlife of Arcadia to the city center’s quaint cafes and historic 18th century architecture.
 Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater - Odessa's famous opera house was constructed between 1884 and 1887, eleven years after the city's original theater was destroyed by fire. As renowned as its Neo-Baroque style exterior, the theater's lovely horseshoe-designed hall (adhering to the highly ornamental and theatrical French Rococo style), is distinguished for its exceptional acoustics from the stage.Follow the link for more Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Odessa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet (official website), Wikipedia |
| Potemkin Stairs - One of the best known symbols of Odessa, the Potemkin Stairs (built in 1841) represent the formal entrance into Odessa from the sea. Extending 142 meters (466 feet) from top to bottom, the lowest step is 21.7 meters (70.8 feet) wide, while the highest step is just 12.5 meters (41 feet) wide, giving the stairs the illusion of greater length. Another optical illusion to look for is the view from the top of the stairs versus the view from the base of the stairs. From the top (looking down) one only sees the landings. From the base (looking up), one only sees only the steps. Follow the link for more Potemkin Stairs info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Wikipedia |
| Primorsky Boulevard - Located at the top of the Potemkin Stairs is Primorsky Boulevard - one side overlooking the sea, the other side lined with splendid Neoclassical archtecture. At the north end of the walkway is Vorontsov Palace (built from 1827 to 1830), a cliffside colonnade viewing platform, and Teschin Bridge (Mother-in-Law Bridge) where newlyweds hang locks as a symbol of their union. At the south end of the walkway is the old stock exchange building (now the Town Hall), and a monument to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin who spent 13 months in exile in Odessa (July 1823 to August 1824). Other points of interest along Odessa's famous promenade include: an excavation site (visible through a skylight) showing artificats from an Anceint Greek settlement (6th to 5th centuries BC), plus the bronze statue of Duc de Richelieu (Odessa's first mayor), standing majestically at the summit of the Potemkin Stairs. Follow the link for more Primorsky Boulevard info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex |
| Odessa Catacombs - A labyrinth of tunnels running hundreds (even thousands) of kilometers underground, the catacombs are mostly man made structures – the result of mining limestone (coquina) for building material. The first underground mines began to appear in the 19th century during Odessa's growth, and while mining below the city is no longer permitted, the catacombs continue to expand into the 21st century thanks to continued mining in the region. A hiding place for Soviet partisans during World War II, guided tours can now be arranged to give visitors a perspective of life underground as a miner, smuggler or partisan soldier. Follow the link for more Odessa Catacombs info (photos, video, maps, etc). Websites: Wikipedia |
| Deribasovskaya Street - Odessa's main pedestrian street with lots of streetside restaurants, cafes and street entertainment. A few of the notable landmarks include - Odessa Passage (a late 19th century, glass-covered boutique shopping hall adorned with statues), The Twelve Chairs monument (honoring the 1928 satirical novel by Odessan authors Ilf and Petrov). Follow the link for more Deribasovskaya Street info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Wikipedia |
| Pushkin Museum - Located near Deribasovskaya Street, visitors will find an apartment-museum where Russian poet Alexander Pushkin lived in 1823. During his 13 month southern exile in Odessa (July 1823 to August 1824), Pushkin finished the poem 'The Fountain of Bakhchisaray', penned the poem 'The Gypsies', and started his novel 'Eugene Onegin'. The museum displays original manuscripts from Pushkin's writings, a copy of a page from Eugene Onegin, rare watercolors showing Odessa at the time of Pushkin's visit, plus various other historic artifacts. Follow the link for more Pushkin Museum info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Wikipedia |
| Dolphinarium 'Nemo' - An entertainment complex that includes performances by dolphins and other marine animals, an oceanarium where visitors can get aquainted with marine life, plus opportunities to meet and swim with the dolphins. Follow the link for more Dolphinarium 'Nemo' info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Dolphinarium 'Nemo' (official website) |
| Privoz Market - Dating back to 1827, Privoz Market is a giant farmers' market and bazaar offering fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, wine, fish, meat and dairy, plus clothing and consumer goods of all kinds. Follow the link for more Privoz Market info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Wikipedia |
| Arcadia - Located on the coastline roughly 5 km (3 miles) south of the city center, Arcadia is a lively summertime promenade that includes beaches, eateries, shopping, amusement rides and epic nightlife. Several public beaches are accessible about a 5-15 minute walk from the Arcadia entrance, while other beaches are pay-to-enter beach clubs and entertainment complexes with bars and swimming pools (seaside and poolside lounge chairs provided). Those expecting a Mediterranean or Caribbean beach experience will be disappointed, but those coming for summertime revelry will be highly entertained. Follow the link for more Arcadia info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex |
| Odessa Archaeological Museum - Founded in 1825, the museum has a purported collection of 160,000 archaeological relics from the northern Black Sea region. Artifacts (including a large collection of numismatic coins), date back from ancient Greek and Scythian civilization, right up to the Romanov Dynasty of the Russian Empire. Follow the link for more Odessa Archaeological Museum info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Odessa Archeological Museum (official website), Wikipedia |
| Odessa Museum of Regional History - Situated in a stately two-story mansion built in 1876 (by a member of a powerful 19th century industrial family), the museum's collection boasts roughly 120,000 artifacts including signed documents, architectural designs of notable Odessa buildings, rare paintings, plus a Holodomor exhibit, weapons exhibit, World War II, and post-World War II exhibits. Follow the link for more Odessa Museum of Regional History info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Odessa Museum of Regional History (official website), Wikipedia |
| Museum of Interesting Science (more for kids) - An interactive science museum that lets visitors be inquisitive and conduct scientific experiments with their own hands. Fun place for curious children (and adults). Follow the link for more Odessa Museum of Interesting Science info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Museum of Interesting Science (official website) |
| Jewish Museum of Odessa - Situated in a humble home past a neglected courtyard, visitors can gain a poignant account of Odessa's rich Jewish history. While less than 1% of Odessa's current population is ethnically Jewish, the city was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world (comprising over 40% of the city's population in the 1920s). Through a diverse collection of photographs, documents, clothing, religious and household articles, furniture, musical instruments and even children’s toys, one can envision life in a Jewish home from Odessa's not too distant past. Follow the link for more Jewish Museum of Odessa info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Jewish Museum of Odessa (Migdal.org) |
| Odessa Museum of Modern Art - Located in the former home of an imperial doctor, the Odessa Museum of Modern Art exhibits Soviet Nonconformist art from the latter half of the 20th century, as well as permanent and temporary exhibitions of leading 21st century contemporary artists. Follow the link for more Odessa Museum of Modern Art info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Odessa Museum of Modern Art (official website) |
| Transfiguration Cathedral - Situated on the spot where the historic church stood (blown up by the Bolsheviks in 1936), the present-day structure (rebuilt 1999 to 2011) is a replica of the original Cathedral (built 1794 to 1808) and bell tower (built 1825 to 1837). The largest cathedral in Odessa, it holds special distinction as it was established in the same year as the modern day city - 1794. Follow the link for more Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Transfiguration Cathedral (official website), Wikipedia |
| Odessa Seaside Boat Excursions (Passenger Terminal, Port of Odessa) - Directly down Potemkin Stairs (and through the underpass), one will find the Odessa Sea Port's Passenger Terminal. There at the furthest end of the terminal, one can find passenger boats leaving regularly on excursions along the Odessa seashore that go as far south as the Arcadia district before returning to the same location. Follow the link for more Port of Odessa info (photos, video, maps, etc). Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Websites: Port of Odessa (official website), Wikipedia |
