Odessa, Ukraine City Guide: Tourist Sights

Besides swimming and sunbathing, you can rent paddleboats, rowboats and other sailing vehicles for moderate prices.

If you are taking kids, check out Tropicano Children World – probably, they would like it. There are several outdoor nightclubs by the beach in Arcadia.
Surely, Arcadia is not for solitude seekers, but they can find a quiet place by walking further.

Rare and extinct plant species may be encountered in the gardens, over 800 varieties of trees and plants from different climatic zones of CIS and other countries grow here.

With the Sea as a background, the beauty of the gardens is immense. And what is really amazing, it is how the staff manages to keep it in perfect condition on shoestring budget and no salaries. Probably, they truly love these gardens.

Deribasovskaya leads to the City Gardens with its fountain, old summerhouse and sculpture of lion and lioness. City Gardens were laid out shortly after the foundation of Odessa and were its first park.

The Souvenir Market with a crowd of artists and craftsmen demonstrating their works is situated right here. Prices are really low, and some items are gorgeous. Bargains are common. Don't miss it if you want to get originally Odessan souvenirs.

The steep hill parts the Frantsuzsky Boulevard from 3 beaches beneath. Paths and stairs lead downhill to the Sea through a green zone closed to vehicle traffic. It is a favorite sight for picnics.

Exquisite inside decor in the style of Viennese baroque blended with elements of the Italian Renaissance and French rococo, sculptural groups taken from Greek mythology, the stucco moldings and guilt friezes combined with the red velvet of the seats and boxes – all this tends to create a special atmosphere.

There is a viewing platform on the roof of this tremendous building from which the whole city could be observed. Now the Theatre is under renovation but performs on normal basis.

Ballet is really good, though actors might not impress you as much as the room.

Looking down from the top, the steps themselves become invisible, only the landings can be seen. On either side of the stairs there is a stone parapet and the two appear to run parallel.

This, however, is an optical illusion, because in reality the width of the stairs of the bottom flight is double that of the top flight. At the bottom of the steps is the city’s brand new passenger ship terminal and convention center.

Shady platens and chestnut trees, numerous benches and magnificent sea view make the Primorsky Boulevard irresistible both for tourists and Odessans. People coming here stay for hours – gazing at the Sea Port full of ships, boats and yachts, enjoying shade and sea breeze.

At the west end of the Boulevard is Count Vorontsov Palace and a Grecian colonnade which overlooks the harbor and also provides a fine view of the bay.

Next to the palace is so called "Piece of Old Odessa" – steep bridge, the well and sculpture of girl with a jar. Newlyweds traditionally come here to have their pictures taken.

Here is everything that is edible and in season in the CIS, plus lots more. Best shopped for food.