What to see in Odesa in one day: the best route for you
How to spend a day in Odesa? What can you see in Odesa now? These questions are the very first that come to mind when planning your vacation to this picturesque city. If you ask a friend or colleague who lives or enjoys visiting here, you will almost certainly receive a long list of tips and recommendations. And all of them may be worthy of your attention. However, what to do when options are limited and time is short or only enough for one day? The answer is simple: you need to create a convenient travel route around the city and visit attractions that not only amaze every tourist, but also that will fit perfectly into your plan for the day. To help you decide on such places, today we will tell you about our TOP attractions that are worth seeing in Odesa in one day.
Colorful Odesa: What to see and visit in one day
For all visitors to magical Odesa, the journey and impressions begin from the very first minutes after arrival. Odesa Railway Station is a beautiful and majestic building from 1952, which is conveniently located near the famous Privoz. This is where you should go.
Market “Privoz”
The Privoz market in Odesa is a living, pulsating artery of the city, a landmark that attracts locals and tourists with its authenticity and rich cultural experience. If you are looking for the unique taste and atmosphere of Odesa, the Privoz market is the place you should visit.
This is not the oldest market in the city, but it is the most famous and popular. It has always been famous for its huge selection of goods of varying prices and, of course, the number of customers. As the residents of Odesa themselves say, “you can buy everything there and a little more.” Indeed, here you will find everything your soul desires – fresh vegetables and fruits, salted seafood, meat, cheese, spices, sweets. Moreover, there are also household chemicals, clothing, furniture, electrical equipment, and even souvenirs. If you want to try something, be it fruit or wine, you will definitely be treated to the best piece. The market assortment is truly capable of satisfying even the most demanding buyer.
However, the variety of assortment is not everything. The Privoz market is known as the “Soul and Heart of Odesa”. Many local residents believe that the true Odesa begins with Privoz. You won’t find a more colorful place in the capital of humor. There are even monuments to sellers here – right on the market territory. For example, looking into the fish row,
you will see the most famous of them – the sculpture of “Aunt Sonya”.
By the way, you can also save your stroll through this market for the end of your tour, setting aside some time before boarding the train. In this case, you can spend the whole day not shopping for travel or souvenirs for your family, but find everything in one place and without having to carry it with you for a long time. And remember, “If you haven’t been to Privoz, you haven’t been to Odesa.”
Address: Privokzalna Street, 14.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 07:00-19:00.
To Deribasivska via Pushkinska
Odesa is unique in that even when heading to the sights of your trip, along the way you can meet many more interesting things. And this is not surprising, because every corner of this incredible city is full of history and beauty.
To get to Deribasovskaya, we recommend choosing the path through Pushkinskaya Street. This street is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful in the city. Once here, you can’t help but agree. Heading from Station Square, the first thing you will see when you find yourself on Pushkinskaya is the Ilyinsky Monastery, included in the list of cultural heritage monuments of Ukraine. Also, you should definitely pay attention to the ancient Bristol Hotel, which has existed since 1899. This historic hotel is one of the most luxurious in Odesa and is included in the Top 25 best hotels in Ukraine.
Museum lovers will definitely need to visit the Museum of Western and Eastern Art – one of the largest art museums in Ukraine. Here you can discover over 10,000 exhibits from around the world, such as paintings by Thomas Lawrence and Michelangelo Caravaggio.
Deribasivska
Deribasivska is the main street of the city and the first association for almost everyone who hears the word “Odesa”. This is a real symbol of the city, in which life is constantly “bubbling”. It is here that hundreds of tourists walk every day, and on significant days, such as City Day and Odesa Humorina, celebrations are held.
This street was given the name “Deribasivska” in 1812, in honor of the first mayor of Odesa, Jose de Ribas. On this street itself there is a small building, and on this street there is a monument, erected on the very edge of Deribasivska. The street is closed to traffic, and it’s only 950 meters away! Unrespectful on the ground, There are over 10 monuments of history and architecture posted here. One of them is the fortune-telling of de Rebas’s booths, which now houses the tavern. Before speaking, there is such a great number of shops, cafes and restaurants that you will simply be overwhelmed by walking around and not looking at the food.
Besides the over-recovered property, on Deribasivska Street there is a richly populated Municipal Garden in Odesa, the oldest park in the city. Its founder is Felix de Ribas, brother of José de Ribas. It dates back to 1803 and is one of the most beloved local residents. Taking a walk in the park, You will discover for yourself countless treasures: a monument to the great Odesa resident, artist and singer Leonid Utyosov; Summer Theater of the Odesa Regional Philharmonic; monument “12th style”, dedicated to the work of Yevgen Petrov and Illya Ilf “Twelve Styles”; decorative sculpture “Kohannya Tree”; Musical fountain, which is one of the first in Odesa; symbolic monument “Odesa Hour”; Hotel “Moskovsky” and much more. Odesa is a place of dissatisfaction, so here you will find a bas-relief of Ludwig Zamenhof, the winemaker of Movi Esperanto.
Therefore, if you are looking for what to see in Odesa and dream of capturing impressions in one day, then this is the place for you.
How to get there: If you decide to go to Deribasivska directly from the station, you need to find and take minibus No. 220A or No. 175.
Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
If Odesa is the pearl of the Black Sea region, then the Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater is the pearl of the city itself. It is considered the oldest opera house in Ukraine and is one of the five best theater buildings in the world. It is also the most famous theater in Odesa and the calling card of the city. Interesting, that Forbes magazine included it in the list of the most unusual attractions in Eastern Europe.
This building simply amazes with its beauty and majesty. Despite the fact that the Odesa Opera House survived a terrible fire in 1873, as a result of which it completely burned down, its modern appearance, internal and external design make you hold your breath. This place is definitely impossible to avoid.
Address: Teatralny Lane, 1.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00-19:30.
Potemkin Stairs
One of the most famous places in Odesa. You must have heard about the nearly 200 (192) steps that captivate all adventurers. Walking all the way up can be a real challenge, but if you’re short on time and in a hurry, there’s a double-line funicular nearby to help you get up. However, you simply must visit there – the view, which opens from the Potemkin Stairs, is truly impressive.
The Potemkin Staircase in Odesa is known for its interesting history and many names – at different times it bore the names “Primorskaya”, “Boulevard”, “Portovaya”, Richelieu’s, “Vorontsovskaya”, and simply “Giant”. Built in 1841, the staircase was a gift from Prince Vorontsov for his beloved wife Elizabeth. First, Before the construction of Primorsky Boulevard, this staircase literally crashed into the sea coast. It consisted of 200 steps and 10 landings. However, during the expansion of the port, 8 steps were filled in. Now, the length of the Potemkin Stairs is 142 meters. Interestingly, its design provided for future development –
the lower part of the staircase is significantly wider than the upper one, namely 21.7 meters versus 12.5, respectively. This gives the impression that, when viewed from above, the staircase appears equally wide regardless of level. To the left of the stairs is the Greek one, to the right is the Istanbul one. Both parks are also worth a visit, especially if you are traveling with children –
there are children’s playgrounds, beautiful fountains, and places to relax.
The Potemkin Stairs is one of the ten most beautiful in Europe. In 2017, it was reopened after reconstruction, restoring the steps, strengthening the foundation, and replacing the old asphalt with granite tiles on the landings. Therefore, now it will be even more pleasant for you to walk and enjoy this historical landmark. And if you’re lucky, You can entertain yourself by attending the annual Up the Potemkin Stairs race.
To get to the Potemkin Stairs, you need to walk along Primorsky Boulevard. This is where the monument to Duke de Richelieu, the founder of Odesa, is located. This, by the way, is another attraction that is the historical and cultural heritage of Odesa. From here you have a beautiful view of the seaport.
How to get there: Primorsky Boulevard leads to the stairs. Passing the Opera House, get off at Duma Square and Primorsky Boulevard. In addition, you can get to the boulevard by minibuses No. 110, 190 and 210. You need to get off at the Customs Platform stop and walk through Istanbul Park. There is also the Odesa-Port station nearby.
Marine station and port
After walking along the Potemkin Stairs, go to the Marine Station and further to the port. This is a great place if you want or need to end your walk. Here you can also stop and relax. On the territory of the Marine Station, luring tourists, there are attractive cafes, shops, ATMs, souvenir shops, and much more. There’s even a gallery and outdoor stage!
In 2017, the station was reconstructed. The most interesting detail of the “new” station was the renovation of the front facade with new panels, which are made in such a way that they imitate the vibrations of waves in windy weather. Right next to the station you can see the multi-storey Odesa Hotel, built in 2001. Nearby is also the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, patron of sailors, built in a modern style. On the way you will come across the monument “Golden Child” or “Golden Boy”. It is dedicated to the brilliant children of Odesa and the rapid development of the city.
Plan a short walk near the sea coast and port, where you can see majestic ships, vessels and yachts, as well as the Vorontsov Lighthouse. The seaport of Odesa is considered the largest commercial port in Ukraine. It also serves as a passenger and cruise ship. The embankment offers a magnificent seascape, The main attractions of Odesa are located nearby.
In 2002, the monument “The Sailor’s Wife” was erected on the port territory. This sculpture depicts a woman holding a small child in her arms and waiting for her husband to return from a flight, looking out at the endless waves of the Black Sea. He is also popularly known as “Sailor”. Finally, check out the Anchor Museum, which is located in the open air. Its exhibits were collected in different years in the Black Sea.
How to get there: You can go down the Potemkin Stairs to the Marine Station.
Vorontsov Palace
This unique building with columns and rich interior decoration is definitely worth your attention and will be a wonderful end to your “one day trip” to Odesa. To get to the Vorontsov Palace, you need to return to Primorsky Boulevard.
The palace was built in 1827 for Governor General M.S. Vorontsova. The author of this work of art was the same Italian architect F. C. Boffo, who designed the Potemkin Stairs, as well as many other Odesa attractions. The design is dominated by Empire and Classic styles. The palace gives the impression of lightness and grace. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a menacing stone lion. Now the palace building houses the House of Children’s and Youth Creativity.
Looking around a little, you will see the Vorontsov stables. This is a semicircular building with huge windows, reminiscent of a mini-castle. The stables still evoke great admiration for their sophistication and size.
However, the most famous part of the palace – and the main reason for the crowd of tourists here – is the Vorontsov Colonnade-belvedere (also known as the rotunda or belvedere), which is a separate structure of 20 columns placed in two rows on a high base. It offers a beautiful view of the port and the city. The colonnade once served as a greenhouse at the palace.
Address: Primorsky Boulevard, 1.
Get off the route: what else can you see in Odesa in one day
You still have a few hours before your train and are looking for what else is worth visiting in Odesa? Or, perhaps, you have already had the opportunity to visit the above points and are looking for new experiences? In this case, we have selected for you the top 3 places that are worth visiting additionally in Odesa.
Odesa Passage
One of the most interesting and beautiful architectural symbols of Odesa. Having existed for more than 220 years, the passage is the real pride of Odesa residents. This shopping complex amazes every new visitor with its splendor and beauty: a glass dome can be seen overhead, and from the outside, The inside of the building is also decorated with numerous unique sculptures and stucco moldings. The entire design exudes extraordinary sophistication and imbues a sense of richness and splendor. You will want to walk around it more than once, looking at all the details, taking photographs and admiring it.
Today “Passage” is a universal place, with countless shops for every taste and budget, a hotel, restaurants, cafes and bars. Staying here will turn your shopping experience into an aesthetic pleasure.
Address: Deribasivska Street, 27.
Opening hours: Around the clock.
House with Atlanteans
A unique architectural composition that has no analogues. “House with Atlantes” is a five-story building at No. 7 on Gogol Street. There is a sculpture on it that depicts two Atlanteans holding a star globe. The sculpture was created by architect T. L. Fishel.
The author has positioned these two giants in an unusual way: they are separated from the walls of the building, their bodies tense and curved from the weight of the celestial sphere they hold. The fact that the Atlases are separated from the wall of the house gives the sculpture an even more natural look.
The “House with Atlanteans” borders on the residence of the barons von Falz-Fein, to whom it belonged, and together they form a single architectural ensemble. Both buildings have the same facade finish and are located on the same level, which creates an impression of unity. It is also interesting that the “House with Atlases” has 4 floors and an attic, while the Falz mansion
There are only 2 Fains.
“House with Atlantes” is recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings both in Odesa and throughout the country.
Address: Gogol Street, 5-7.
House of the Sun
A unique place that you could see more than once in photos on Instagram, Facebook or on your friends’ phones. Opened quite recently, in 2017, the art object “House of the Sun” on Lanzheron Beach has already become one of the most popular and famous sculptural monuments in Odesa. It represents open bronze doors through which, According to the author Mikhail Reva, the sun “sets” in Odesa in the morning at dawn. It is intended to become the main entrance to the House of the Sun and fulfill cherished human desires.
On the doors you can see the Latin inscription Domus Solis (“House of the Sun”). This is a bronze copy of ancient Odesa doors, which back in the 19th century adorned the front entrance to an Odesa house on 21 Rishelievskaya Street.
Address: Lanzheron Beach, Odesa.
Conclusion
Odesa is a city that captivates with its character, culture and picturesqueness. In just one day you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of wonderful Odesa, touch its rich history, enjoy street sculptures and majestic buildings, try authentic local cuisine and enjoy views of the sea and port. This experience will leave an unforgettable impression and will inspire you to come back here again. With the street atmosphere of Deribasivska, the grandeur of the opera house, the picturesqueness of Primorsky Boulevard and the cultural notes of palaces and museums, Odesa will become a part of your heart.
We created this article to help you find out the answer to the question “What to visit in Odesa in one day?” and developed a convenient route so that you can see as much as possible in a short time. When compiling a list of places worthy of viewing, we chose those that can make you “grasp” the Odesa atmosphere from the first seconds and introduce you to its rich history and unique culture.
Follow this route and your one-day vacation in a pearl among Ukrainian cities will turn into an unforgettable adventure. We also recommend that during your tour to Odesa, find and join one or more telegram channels that publish news about the daily events of the city, such as, for example, “Odesa. What to see?” Maybe, If you come to Odesa for one day, you will be lucky to attend an outstanding concert or an interesting exhibition.
If you had to change your plans and you plan to stay in magical Odesa for another day, two, or even a week, the Zirka Hotel will be the best place for you to stay and relax. Located in the heart of the city, just a 15-minute walk from the legendary Deribasivska Street, the hotel offers all the necessary amenities, including free Wi-Fi and family rooms, and has many positive reviews from visitors. The best choice for all travelers, our hotel will do everything to make your vacation comfortable.
