Odesa is a city straight from literature – an energetic, decadent boom town. Its famous Potemkin Steps sweep down to the Black Sea and Ukraine's biggest commercial port. Behind them, a cosmopolitan cast of characters makes merry among neoclassical pastel buildings lining a geometric grid of leafy streets.

Good to know

Odessa’s nickname is ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’.

The climate is harsh and cold in the winter and warm to (very) hot in the summer (from end of April to middle of October 26° on average with only a few rainy days).

The main shopping streets are Derybasovskaya, Rishelievskaya, Bunina, Ekaterininskaya. Shops are usually open from 10h till 20h, all year round (except for few national holidays). Most supermarkets and pharmacies are open 24/7.

The city center is renown for its hundreds of restaurants with local and foreign cuisine, baroque architecture and numerous outdoor activities in spring, summer and autumn. And you will be amazed by the number of trees and parks in Odessa.

Ukrainians may appear suspicious at first but when they open up they are truly and honestly friendly. Family is one of the corner stones of Ukrainian society, in which Babooshkas (grandmothers) play an important role.

Older generations hardly speak english, younger people most often do.

Service in general is good to very good, certainly in the more commercial areas, shops, restaurants and hotels.

When you go to a bar or restaurant you always leave a cash tip of 10%.

Aside the historical city center there is also the long Black Sea coast with its many bars and restaurants, beach clubs and beaches. The center of partying is in Arcadia, an area outside the city center where most of the (family) tourists stay. You can walk via the “Road of Health” from city center along to coast to Arcadia.

Odessa has recognisable buildings, public transport, roads, … which differ completely from Europe. Always do mind the traffic as Ukrainian drivers are known for not really minding other vehicles, pedistrians or bikers.

The local currency is Hryvna (UAH) which you can trade in hundreds of exchange offices just along the road and at every corner. Pick the one with the best tarriffs as they might differ substantially. 1€ on average equals 30 UAH. The cost ofd living is on average 1/3 of Europe.