"Odessa on the Black Sea" Top 5 Page for this destination Odessa by bilgeez

Odessa Travel Guide: 471 reviews and 1,078 photos

Looking down Potemkin Stairs to Sea Terminal

Impressions On Odessa

Odessa sits on the Black Sea and is a diamond-in-the-rough. It is a large city (2 million inhabitants) that is still reacclaimating to a capitalist economy after 75+ years of being in the Soviet Union. One sees spurts of modernization and growth, but the city is very beat up after years of neglect and socialist stagnation. But there are many beautiful and intriguing things about Odessa. The ship terminal is very modern and clean and bright. A modern hotel is on the quay itself. The city centre is clean and compact and offers many restaurants and activities. The Opera House, one of the most ornate in Europe, is undergoing refurbishment and is very striking. The parks in the city are many and vary in upkeep from very good to very bad. The Pushkin Park, around the corner from the Potemkin Stairs, is one that is very well kept and is a favorite spot for newlyweds to have photos taken because it is adjecent to the main palace of justice where couples are legally married. Another park, Shevchenka, where the tomb of the unknown sailor lies, is also very well kept and is a popular place for locals to stroll. It also overlooks the main ship terminals and the Black Sea, itself. Coming into the Park from the west is very awe-inspiring, as one walks down toward the monument of the unknown sailor tomb, one sees the Black Sea as a background to this monument.
The city is easy to get around, and very, very cheap (ten cents US) by bus or tram, but they are very crowded (see my review).
The Arcadia Beach is very nice and has many nice restaurants and disco clubs adjacent to it, also a newer hotel. To get there one has to travel through some older neighborhoods of soviet-style apartment blocks that are very much the worse for wear. But adjacent to the beach areas, are new townhouse developments and businesses.
Odessa is full of new, entrepenuership, and many street vendors are located everywhere in the city. Look around for best price.
As with any large city in Europe, one has to be careful of pickpockets and I would advise not walking alone outside the city centre after dark as muggings are common. Also be advised that there are many stray dogs in the city, they generally are not agressive, but don't interact with them, many are cute puppies, but usually momma is close and she may not like someone getting near her pups!
Aside from that, Odessa is a very intriguing city and if one wants to visit a city in a former Soviet State, Odessa may be the place to go as it has much to offer and is less of a tourist trap than the Crimean cities.

A Little Contrast

Marine Terminal in Winter

Just to show the contrast, this picture I took in December, 2004, the above I took in September.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cheap, easy to get around, beautiful sea vistas
Cons:Beat up, stray dogs, underdeveloped
In a nutshell:Nice Seaside location, somewhat exotic

Last visit to Odessa: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Nov 11, 2006
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Reviews (18)

Unmarried Ukrainian Women with Children Local Customs (2)

Unmarried Ukrainian women have low levels of having children. A country where most people don't admit to being very... more travel advice

Ukrainian Women and Smoking Local Customs (2)

Although cigarettes are plentiful and cheap in Ukraine, it appears that many women there do not smoke. Many men seem to.... more travel advice

Your Cell Phone What to Pack (2)

If you have cell phone, you may have to get a SIM card from Kievstar or some other Ukrainian Cellular supplier, or it... more travel advice

The Past and the Present Favorites (1)

This is a typical housing block in Odessa, these are Soviet-era apartment buildings. This particular building was built... more travel advice

Things to Do (7)
See All The Orange that Saved Odessa
Restaurants (3)
See All Almost Like Home
Transportation (1)
Busses, Trams, "Machinas"

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Dogs, dogs, dogs
Hotels (1)
Odessa Hotels
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Comments (6)

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Sininen Apr 13, 2006 at 9:48 PM

Hello Bill! Thanks for taking me for a tour in Odessa! Looks like an amazing place. Happy birthday from Finland!
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hunterV Dec 29, 2005 at 7:25 AM

Bill, great memories and fine page! Go on please! Happy New Year!
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L._A. Sep 9, 2005 at 9:34 PM

wonderful pages with lots of details and tips
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grishaV1 May 27, 2005 at 10:53 PM

you page made me feeling a longing for home, very good tips and fotos as well. its a very improving city in many ways
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bijo69 Feb 26, 2005 at 3:14 PM

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
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LoriPori Oct 20, 2004 at 5:19 AM

Hello Bill : Thanks for stopping by. My bowling average last year was 169 and I bowl with a bunch of terrific ladies. Lori.