Family holidays at sea

Odessa is a popular leisure destination among Ukrainians. People come to this city from all over our country, not only for healing sea air, but also for fun.

Odessa is famous for its unusual architecture, sightseeing and special places that even those who have never been to this wonderful city know about. Nowadays we suggest considering the TOP-10 of the most interesting places in Odessa, which you can visit while having a family vacation.

1. Derybasivska Street

The main street of the city – Derybasivska traditionally heads the TOP-10 places in Odessa. And although the street itself is quite short, there is in for a treat and where to walk not only for those who visit this wonderful city for the first time, but also for frequent guests. Particularly noteworthy is a walk along Derybasivska street in the evening or at night, when the lights of cafes and shops illuminate the pedestrian road, and walkers cast fancy shadows on the walls of buildings.

It is the main street of the city where you can feel the spirit of Odessa and taste delicious dishes in cozy restaurants. From Derybasivska you can get to the Passage shopping center, which can be safely called the main hallmark of the city for its unique architectural style and the unique charm that the glass atrium gives; or take a walk along the smallest square in the world (only 5 square meters) that is the Square of Ilf and Petrov. Besides, from Derybasivska you can get into the territory of another landmark for Odessa – the City Garden.

2. Potemkin Stairs

Another place of interest widely known outside the city consists of 192 stone steps and 10 spans. Initially, the staircase was made of wood, but soon it was replaced by more durable and long-lasting material.

There is a belief that going up or down stairs you go your life path. Each step is unique, but the human brain remembers only the general picture that develops into this monumental architectural object. There is the same in life, despite the uniqueness and originality of each individual day, we remember only the most striking events that create a general idea.

You can take the Potemkin Stairs simply as an architectural feature of the city, you can relate to the ascent or descent along it philosophically. However, a walk along the Potemkin steps is simply a musthave on your list of plans. By the way, for those who are not confident in their abilities, there is a funicular next to the Potemkin Stairs that will slowly take you to the very top or lower you for a small fee.

3. Odessa Catacombs

This mysterious and gloomy object attracts not only visitors of the city, but also its indigenous people. The length of underground passages reaches about 3,000 km, but not all paths are still fully explored and covered.

Initially, quarries, and later a reliable place of shelter for guerrilla regiment of the Second World War, they still retain their greatness and unique mystery.

Stone underground passages branch and bend in the most unpredictable way, so it is extremely undesirable to go far from the guide so as not to get lost.

4. Market Place – Privoz

To visit Odessa and not see its market is a lot to lose. Privoz is considered one of the most picturesque places of this city, a visit to which will allow every tourist to know Odessa a little better and also get something useful in the household.

5. Prymorsky Boulevard

You can get to Prymorsky Boulevard by climbing the Potemkin Stairs, which is one of the most popular objects of Odessa. During a walk along the boulevard, you can admire the first monument to Armanoudus Plessis de Richelieu that appeared in Odessa, who was the first mayor. Popularly, this sightseeing is also called the Duke Monument.

6. Sea Port

The largest seaport in Ukraine attracts visitors no less than other sightseeing and iconic places.

There are the following places of interests at the seaport:

• marina;
• open-air museum;
• monuments, including the “To Sailor’s Wife”;
• art-gallery;
• yacht complex;
• the port itself and all auxiliary equipment and sea transport.

7. Opera Theater

The impressive architecture of this building attracts the delightful gaze of even those who are far from the cultural events held in it.

For funs of luxurious interiors and beautiful exteriors, a visit to the Odessa Opera House is a must.

8. Tyoschin Bridge

The legend of the creation of this bridge tells us that it was built by a certain official Mykhailo Synytsa, who loved to sip mother-in-law pancakes. But the problem was the remoteness of his mother-in-law’s dwelling, and specifically, the house was located on the other side of the descent, which extremely slowed down the road. The solution was the bridge, which was called after Tyoschin. True or just a beautiful fairy tale, it is now difficult to say. But the fact that the bridge attracts couples in love and just tourists who want to admire the gorgeous panorama of the sea harbor is an established fact.

Tyoschin Bridge is considered the highest and at the same time the narrowest pedestrian bridge in Odessa.

9. Zoo

Coming to have a rest in Odessa, among other things, it is worth visiting the oldest zoo in Ukraine, where more than two thousand animals live. There are exotic animals, rare birds, tropical fish in the aquaterrarium, amphibians, and reptiles. A visit to the zoo will be very interesting for children who can see rare or outlandish animals not only on pages of books or on television screens.

10. Beach

By no means that having arrived in Odessa it is simply impossible not to visit its beaches, but the resort area of the city is Arcadia deserves that should be paid special attention. You can get to the beach without any special difficulties on a gentle slope, unlike the rest of Odessa coastal and beach areas.

On the territory of Arcadia visitors are expecting to see:

• nice sandy beach and separate pebble zones;
• entertainment center;
• cafes, bars, restaurants;
• evening and night discos;
• water activities;
• playgrounds and attractions;
• package of administrative services.

Speaking of the best beach areas of Odessa, the oldest Langeron beach is also worth mentioning. Picturesque nature, romantic boat trips, dolphinarium, many fountains, all this is about Langeron.