If you ask around the locals of Odesa, "Where are you from?", they will most likely answer, "I am Odesan" instead of Ukrainian. Due to its strategic location on the coast of the Black Sea, Odesa has seen many occupants that came and went. What remains is Odesa and its population of refugees and foreigners who built the city from the ground up and made it what it is today.
From Turkish influence to Slavs and Western European influences, Odesa is a type of city you have never seen before. One house in the same neighborhood might have Gothic architectural style, whereas the one next to it might have Brutalism architectural style from the Soviet era, and another next to it with a touch of the colorful Ottoman-Turkish influence. This is Odesa.
In most cities, this chaotic blend of cultures might not work, but in Odesa, they do. Hence, why Odesa is one of the most popular cities to visit in Ukraine.
In order to fully experience Odesa's potential, you will need a travel guide that can assist you in discovering cool activities and sights during your visit. Here is a comprehensive backpacking guide highlighting fantastic things to do in Odesa, Ukraine, including a suggested 2-day itinerary and much more. Without delay, let's commence with the Odesa Attractions Itinerary Map.
- Odesa Attractions and Things to Do Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Odesa, Ukraine?
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10 Best Things to Do in Odesa
- 1. Explore the Wild Catacomb of Odesa
- 2. Watch a Ballet/Opera at Odesa National Theater of Opera and Ballet
- 3. Walk or Take the Funicular Down Potemkin Stairs
- 4. Stroll Around Tarasa Shevchenka Park in the Evening
- 5. Relax by the Black Sea at Lanzheron Beach
- 6. Look Up at the Grandeur Glass Ceiling of Odesa Passage
- 7. Be Bombarded by Street Performances at Derybasivska Main Street
- 8. Check Out the Cathedral Square
- 9. Eat all the Seafood in Odesa
- 10. Go Cafe-Hopping in Odesa
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Other Things to Do in Odesa, Ukraine
- 1. Learn About Alexander Pushkin, the Great Russian Poet at Pushkin Museum
- 2. Keep an Eye Out for Old Architecture and Monument around Odesa
- 3. Visit the Witch House of Odesa
- 4. Go People-Watching at Privoz Market
- 5. Admire the Domes of the Cathedral of Great Martyr And Healers Panteleimon
- 6. Pledge Allegiance to Darth Vader Statue and Join the Dark Side
- More Odesa Activities
- Where to Eat and Drink in Odesa, Ukraine?
- Ukraine Travel Video
- When to Visit Odesa, Ukraine?
- How to Get to Odesa, Ukraine?
- How to Get Around Odesa, Ukraine?
- How Many Days to Spend in Odesa, Ukraine?
- How Much Money Do I Need for Odesa, Ukraine?
- Is it Safe in Odesa, Ukraine?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Ukraine?
- What to Pack for Odesa, Ukraine?
- Further Reading for Ukraine
Odesa Attractions and Things to Do Itinerary Map
❤️ Must Visit: | Catacomb of Odesa |
🥘 Place to Eat: | Kotelok Seafood Restaurant |
10 Best Things to Do in Odesa
1. Explore the Wild Catacomb of Odesa
One of the highlights in Odesa for me was going on a Wild Catacomb tour to explore these man-made labyrinths with a local guide who is also a catacomb enthusiast.
As I introduced previously, Odesa has the largest network of catacombs in the world. It is said that these urban labyrinths could be as long as 2,500 km. That is the distance from Odesa to Paris!
The reason for the existence of these networks of tunnels is due to all the stone mining operations in the 19th Century that built the very city sitting on top of them. The tunnels went deeper and deeper as miners used them as a source of cheap construction materials to build Odesa and all its structures.
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During World War 2, the Odesa Catacomb was used by the Soviet partisans to hide and ambush the advancing Axis powers. Within the part of the catacomb the tour will take you to, you can see many wartime remnants, such as bullets and equipment used for survival.
There were only 3 of us, including our local guide, on the day I went to the catacombs. Our guide, Egor, is a catacomb enthusiast who enjoys exploring the vast network of tunnels all over Odesa. He likes to come with his friends to picnic and camp in these tunnels on the weekends while exploring new routes throughout the catacombs.
He took us to many different areas, from living quarters to a church, while explaining to us all the graffiti and pictures drawn by the partisans and, sometimes, the miners themselves.
We also get to see the saw used to cut these limestone pieces that were left by the miners.
What makes this tour so special, unlike the catacomb museum in Odesa where you can only see a small part of it, is the fact that our guide took us outside Odesa to this random town called Usatove and pointed us to these random cracks in a rock that somehow expanded into a large network of tunnels.
There is no way anyone would be able to find where this tunnel is unless they are with someone who really knows what they are doing. When I saw the entrance, that was when I realized that this Wild Catacomb tour is the real thing.
If you are looking for a unique experience in Odesa, you have to explore the untamed part of the Catacombs. You can book the Wild Catacomb Tour through Tripadvisor for 400 UAH. They leave three times a day (9 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM), and the meeting location is by the bicycle rack near McDonald's in front of the Odesa-Holovna Train Station.
Where to Stay in Odesa, Ukraine?
2. Watch a Ballet/Opera at Odesa National Theater of Opera and Ballet
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Odesa is the Odesa National Theater of Opera and Ballet, or the Odesa Opera House, a stunning landmark where you can go and watch local talents shine.
Odesa Opera House was constructed by Fellner & Helmer, an Austrian architect who designed many historical buildings in Vienna. Hence, the exterior of the opera house is constructed in the Neo-Baroque architectural style, while the audience hall is in the French-Rococo architectural style.
If you think the outside is already impressive, wait until you go inside and see its grand audience hall. Unfortunately, you will have to get a ticket to go inside. That is why I recommend you to attend one of the shows at Odesa Opera House.
There are several shows happening almost every day. They don't cost much and last long, so you can enjoy the local shows while you are in the middle of exploring the city.
For the show schedule, you can check the Odesa Opera House Official Website. Keep in mind that they have a dress code, so if you are planning to attend a show, be sure not to wear shorts, t-shirts, vests, clothes, and shoes for sports or beaches.
3. Walk or Take the Funicular Down Potemkin Stairs
The Potemkin Stairs are a giant 192-step stairway that connects Odesa City to the harbor and the sea. They are considered to be the formal entrance to the city and are now a popular tourist attraction for travelers to see.
You can see 2 optical illusions, features created by design, of the Potemkin Stairs. One is that if you look from the top, you will only see the landings and the steps, whereas if you look from the bottom, you will only see the steps but none of the landings.
Another cool optical illusion is that if you look from the bottom, the stairways will feel like they are longer than they actually are. The reason behind this is that the builder designed the stairs in a way that the bottom is wider than the top, which enhances and magnifies the true length of the stairs.
Other than walking up and down the Potemkin Stairs, you can also take a funicular up/down the stairs. The trip will take 12 minutes and cost around 3 UAH each way.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
4. Stroll Around Tarasa Shevchenka Park in the Evening
If Odesa gets a little too overwhelming for you, you can take a break by going for a walk around Tarasa Shevchenka Park, a large city park with many walking paths, several cafes, and monuments for you to check out.
The best time to visit Tarasa Shevchenka Park is in the late afternoon when the shade of the trees covers most of the walking path. It is also on the way to Lanzheron beach, which is a great place to be at sunset. Therefore, you can make your way there through Tarasa Shevchenka Park to enjoy the sunset.
My favorite walking path is Suvorivska Alley that goes through the northern part of the park along a platform that overlooks the Black Sea, allowing you to enjoy the ocean breeze as well as see the massive Odesa port from above.
5. Relax by the Black Sea at Lanzheron Beach
Once you walk through Tarasa Shevchenka Park, you can follow the road going south and continue to Lanzheron Beach, a nice and lively place to hang out with locals.
The beach itself was disappointing, to be honest. There is a very small sandy area that looks nice but crowded, and the rest is all concrete. However, there are many bars and restaurants near Lanzheron that you can indulge yourself in while being near the ocean.
6. Look Up at the Grandeur Glass Ceiling of Odesa Passage
Odesa Passage is a great reminder of how big of an impact Western Europe had on the city. This beautiful architectural wonder reminded me of a shopping street with a glass ceiling in Paris.
The interior of Odesa Passage is filled with classical sculptures, brightly colored facades, and all are very well-lit under a beautiful glass ceiling. It's not big, but there are a few shops and cafes you can check out inside.
7. Be Bombarded by Street Performances at Derybasivska Main Street
In the evening, right around sunset, Derybasivska Main Street turns from a regular shopping street into an impromptu circus where all the street performers come out and try to attract tourists' attention with their amazing performances.
Not just in the evening, but also during the day, Derybasivska Main Street is a popular meeting point for people and a great place for you to start your day of exploration in Odesa.
The Opera House is not too far, the Cathedral Square is just around the corner, and there are tons of cool museums for you to visit like the Chocolate Museum, the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art, and the Pushkin Museum.
All in all, Derybasivska Main Street is a great place to unwind in the evening after a long day of exploration. There are many restaurants and bars along this road, making it probably one of the best places to be if you are looking for nightlife.
8. Check Out the Cathedral Square
One of the largest religious buildings in Odesa is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral located right at the center of Cathedral Square, a huge spacious park surrounded by amazing restaurants that I will be recommending later on.
This Orthodox Cathedral is modern in design and massive in size. It was the first church in Odesa built in 1794, but it was demolished during the Soviet time and has only been rebuilt again in 1999. Even though they try to mimic the greatness of old with their decor, you can feel that it is new just by walking into it and observing how perfect and clean it is.
Around the Cathedral Square, you will find many cool restaurants, cafes, and bars that you can enjoy. I especially like this area because it is not as crowded as Derybasivska Main Street but still offers a great range of places to eat and chill out. Highly recommended if you are looking for a quieter place to enjoy your dinner than bustling Derybasivska Street.
9. Eat all the Seafood in Odesa
Odesa may not have as many things to do as Kyiv or Lviv, but they sure make up for it with the number of seafood restaurants you can devour. Considering how expensive seafood is in Europe, Odesa offers all kinds of fresh seafood at a very reasonable price.
To give you a taste of Odesa seafood, a big bucket of mussels at Kotelok, which in my opinion is one of the best seafood restaurants in Odesa, costs from 240 - 360 UAH (10 - 15 USD). For seafood in such a great restaurant, that is pretty reasonably priced, in my opinion.
If you are traveling in Odesa, make sure to reserve your final meal in the city for a seafood dish, and then you can finally say that you have been to Odesa.
10. Go Cafe-Hopping in Odesa
Last but not least, Odesa continued the Ukrainian tradition of having one hell of a vibrant café culture that rivals many big cities in Europe. Even though I didn't spend that long in Odesa, I had a chance to try some of their cafes and I can tell you that if you are addicted to coffee as I am, you are screwed (in a good way 😆).
There are so many nice cafes for you to try in Odesa. A few of my favorites are Atelier. Design & Coffee and their deliciously healthy Buddha Bowl, Foundation Coffee Roasters and their tasty brewed coffee, and Whoopie Coffee & Pancakes and their mouth-watering pancakes.
Let's just say, you will never go hungry or be in need of caffeine when you are traveling in Odessa.
Other Things to Do in Odesa, Ukraine
1. Learn About Alexander Pushkin, the Great Russian Poet at Pushkin Museum
Odesa was once home to one of the world's most renowned poets from Russia, Alexander Pushkin, who, fearing persecution by the Tsar, moved from Moscow to Odesa, the only free port city in Russia during that time.
He stayed in this apartment, which has since been turned into a museum, for 13 months before being exiled again from Odesa. The museum housed an exhibition that includes genuine editions of the poet's work, so if you are interested in learning more about Pushkin, be sure to visit the Pushkin Museum in Odesa.
2. Keep an Eye Out for Old Architecture and Monument around Odesa
As I introduced earlier, Odessa is a city of refugees and foreigners who brought their cultures with them and built the city we see today. As such, you will find many buildings with different architectural styles across the city.
Some of the cool buildings you should look out for while you are in Odesa are Vorontsov Palace, Tioschin Bridge, Shah's Palace, Monument to Orange, the buildings around Monument to Catherine II, and Odesa's Philharmonic Theatre.
3. Visit the Witch House of Odesa
If you think the Potemkin Stairs has a great optical illusion, wait until you see the Witch House of Odesa, or as many call it, the One-Wall Building. Walking past it at first, you might think it is just a regular-looking building. However, if you look at it from the right angle, the building will seem like it is only one wall thick.
If you are in Odesa, make sure to keep an eye out for this building and let me know if you can find the right angle that turns the building into a thin wall facade.
4. Go People-Watching at Privoz Market
If you like to go people-watching or are looking to buy some secondhand goods or anything you could think of, Privoz Market is a great place to visit.
This sprawling market has been operating since 1827, and it is considered to be the largest market in the city. You can find almost anything here, from cheap clothes to Turkish spices. You will also get to see what life is like outside the touristy area of Odesa, which is always interesting to experience.
5. Admire the Domes of the Cathedral of Great Martyr And Healers Panteleimon
When I was walking from the train station to the city center, I spotted a really cool-looking church, the Cathedral of Great Martyr and Healers Panteleimon.
Its many beautiful domes, reminiscent of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral I saw in Tallinn, Estonia, stood out from the rest of the buildings so much that I had to check it out up close. If you are planning to walk from the train station to the city center, be sure to stop by the Cathedral of Great Martyr And Healers Panteleimon.
6. Pledge Allegiance to Darth Vader Statue and Join the Dark Side
Last but not least, if you are a Star Wars fan and sympathize with the Empire, you should definitely go pledge your allegiance to the Darth Vader statue in Odesa 😆.
The reason why there is a Darth Vader Statue in Odesa is that when the Soviet Union collapsed, the process of decommunization in the Eastern Bloc began. Monuments of Lenin were torn down across the country, except for one.
Lenin's pose on this one statue in Odesa reminded one Ukrainian artist of someone else, and before being torn down, the artist proposed to turn this Lenin statue into the first-ever Darth Vader monument in the world.
If you are looking for something weird to end your epic trip in Odessa, this is it!
Where to Eat and Drink in Odesa, Ukraine?
Eat a Bucket of Mussels at Kotelok Seafood Restaurant
As I mentioned before, my favorite seafood restaurant in Odesa that you must try is Kotelok, located not too far from the Cathedral Square. They serve some of the most delicious mussels I have ever tasted in a big bucket, along with fries and a baguette.
The bucket of mussels comes in many flavors that you can choose from. I chose the one with Garlic sauce, and it was so delicious that I had to come back the next day to try it again. The price for a bucket of mussels ranges from 240 - 360 UAH, and I can assure you, it is well worth the money spent. They also serve other types of seafood if you are not into mussels.
Kotelok is very popular among locals as well as tourists, so you might need to wait a while if you want to get seats during dinner time. I would suggest you come around 6 - 7 PM, as the place tends to get packed from 8 - 10 PM.
Stuff Yourself with Pancakes at Whoopie Coffee & Pancakes
If you are looking for a place to grab a quick bite or refuel your sugar levels, Whoopie Coffee & Pancakes is one of the hidden gem cafes of Odesa that you should definitely try.
They serve a great breakfast, with the most delicious pancakes in town, and a wide selection of coffee to go with it. I tried their Nutella Pancakes after a day of exploring the catacomb, and boy, it was a much-needed reward for a long day like that.
The café is very well decorated, the staff is very friendly, and they have great WIFI and power sockets for you to charge your phone or laptop. Does it get any better than this?
Try the Buddha Bowl and a Coffee at Atelier. Design & Coffee
Last but not least, if you are looking for an atmospheric café with a cozy vibe that serves delicious coffee, Atelier. Design & Coffee is a café you shouldn't miss.
With its all-wooden decoration and cool artsy lighting, this café is as cozy as it gets. They serve breakfast as well as lunch in the form of a healthy Buddha Bowl, a bowl full of small portions of several foods such as avocados, brown rice, and different kinds of vegetables.
I had one of their Buddha Bowls, and it was delicious. If you are looking for a place to sit and relax in Odesa, be sure to check out Atelier. Design & Coffee.
When to Visit Odesa, Ukraine?
The best time to visit Odesa is from late April to early October, when the temperature (16°C - 30°C) is good enough for most people to enjoy.
The weather will be a bit cooler during Spring and Autumn, but you will get fewer tourists during those periods, whereas the weather will be nice and warm in the summer months, but there will be a lot more tourists then. Odesa gets a lot more tourists than most cities in Ukraine, so factor that in when you are deciding when to visit Odesa.
How to Get to Odesa, Ukraine?
How to Get to Ukraine?
In order to get to Odesa, you can either fly directly into Odesa or you will have to fly to Kyiv and take an overnight train to Odesa.
If you are coming from the US, there is a direct flight from New York to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline that you can take. Alternatively, you can fly via several European airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France into any of the main hubs in Europe, and then fly directly to Odesa.
If you are already in Europe or the Middle East, you have a few more options with Ukrainian Airline. They sometimes fly directly from big cities like Warsaw or Istanbul straight to Odesa or with one layover in Kyiv.
If you are in Asia, the simplest option is to fly directly from one of the hub cities like Bangkok to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline. They are cheap and fly directly to Kyiv in 11 hours. From Kyiv, you can take an overnight train to Odesa.
To find a cheap flight to Kyiv or Odesa, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
How to Get from Kyiv to Odesa, Ukraine?
Once you arrive in Kyiv, you have a few options to travel to Odesa. There are 3 daily trains from Kyiv to Odesa, all of which are overnight and leave in the afternoon or evening. It takes from 8 to 13 hours and costs as low as 170 UAH for third-class seats.
Getting from Kyiv Airport to Kyiv Train Station
This is pretty straightforward. There is a direct bus operator called Skybus that you can take from the airport.
Simply follow the BUS sign and you will find a Skybus waiting for you outside the terminal. Get on the bus; the number is 322, and it will take you directly to Kyiv Central Station.
Skybus operates from 5:40 - 23:30, and it runs every 30 - 60 minutes or so. The bus will cost you around 100 UAH, and they only accept cash. The journey will take you around 1 hour, depending on the traffic and the time you arrive.
You can book your trains online through the official website here: Book Ukraine Train Online or through Tickets.ua. You can simply pay with your credit card, and you will receive an email with a QR code. All you have to do is show it to the ticket master when you are on the train.
How to Get Around Odesa, Ukraine?
With my recommended accommodation, you will be right in the center of all the tourist attractions recommended here, and you can walk to all of them quite easily.
Due to the hidden network of catacombs under Odesa, previously used by smugglers to smuggle illegal items into the Soviet Union, it is impossible to build a Metro System in Odesa. Therefore, if you want to travel a bit further, you will have to rely on either buses or Uber or Uklon, the local alternative to Uber, to get around.
In order to find the right bus route, you can use Google Maps. Simply punch in your destination, and the app will recommend a bus number for you to take. The bus costs 7 UAH per trip, and you can pay the driver when you get off.
How to Get from Odesa Train Station to the City Center?
The Odesa Train Station is only a 30-minute walk away from the city center, so you can just walk. If you have a lot of luggage, you can also call Uber or Uklon and organize a taxi with them.
How Many Days to Spend in Odesa, Ukraine?
In my opinion, Odessa does not have as many unique things to do as in other cities in Ukraine, and most tourist attractions are so close together that it can all be seen in one day. So, I would recommend you spend around 2 full days (3 nights) in Odessa. Here's a 2-day itinerary for Odessa:
Day 1: Spend your first day visiting all the tourist attractions within the city center such as Cathedral Square, Odesa Opera House, Potemkin Stairs, and Derybasivska Main Street. Take a stroll through Tarasa Shevchenka Park and watch the sunset at Lanzheron Beach.
Day 2: Go and explore the Wild Catacomb with a local explorer and come back in the afternoon to enjoy all the coffee and seafood the city has to offer before ending your trip in Odesa.
How Much Money Do I Need for Odesa, Ukraine?
With the given itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you will need to make this Odessa trip happen.
Accommodation: $5 in a dorm for 3 nights is $15 (372 UAH).
Food: The usual price for a meal is 150 UAH, but if you want seafood in a good restaurant (which I recommend), it could cost you 300 UAH per meal. To balance it out, I would say 2 meals of 150 UAH and one meal for 300 UAH for a day. In total, for 2 days, you will spend around 1200 UAH on food.
Transportation: You won't have to travel anywhere far with this itinerary, but just in case, I'll add 1 roundtrip bus fare to the calculation, so a total of 14 UAH.
Activities: The most expensive activity you will have to pay for on this itinerary is the Wild Catacomb Tour, which I highly recommend. It costs 500 UAH + 30 UAH for transportation per person for a 3-hour exploration inside the abandoned parts of the Catacombs outside of Odesa. This is the most unique thing you can do in Odesa.
Total Budget for 2 days in Odesa: 2116 UAH (85 USD).
Is it Safe in Odesa, Ukraine?
It is very safe in Odesa. Although, the main street of Derybasivska gets really crowded in the evening, so be sure to keep an eye on your belongings just in case.
The most dangerous thing in this itinerary is the exploration of the Wild Catacomb. As you can see from the name, we are going to explore the abandoned part of the Catacomb that is rarely trodden by people, so you will be in the dark in a cave-like environment with low ceilings and sometimes, muddy floors. Therefore, watch your step when exploring the catacomb. Your guide will help you navigate the catacomb, so there is no way you will get lost here.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ukraine?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Odesa, Ukraine without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Odesa, Ukraine:
Like most big cities in Ukraine, Odesa has reliable internet infrastructure, and you can always count on finding a restaurant or café with fast WIFI for you to stay connected. Hostels, as well as hotels, have great WIFI as well, so you will be completely fine if you do not want to buy a SIM card.
If you want to buy a local SIM card just in case, you can get one from Vodafone or Kyivstar. They both offer similar plans with data ranging from 2GB to unlimited, costing between 55 UAH to 220 UAH.
For more information about Ukraine local SIM cards: Ukraine Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Odesa, Ukraine?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Odesa, Ukraine:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for Top 10 Things to Do in Odesa, Ukraine. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Odesa, Ukraine! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Odesa, Ukraine independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Ukraine
Looking for more information for your trip to Ukraine? Here are a collection of articles about Ukraine that might help you with your trip planning.
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3-Month Itinerary for Europe.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Ukraine is one of the few hidden gems left in Europe, and in order to see the country and all it has to offer, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is a One Month Itinerary for Ukraine.
- Ukraine has recently loosened up its borders a little for non-European travelers with an E-Visa program. Here is my experience of applying for an E-Visa for Ukraine and the things I wish I knew before applying.
- Of course, one of the reasons why you are visiting Ukraine is to learn more about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and what better way to learn about it than to go into the field and see it with your own eyes. Here is a complete guide on how to visit Chernobyl.
- If you think Kyiv is only good for Chernobyl and Brutalist architecture enthusiasts, then you are in for a big surprise when you find out how awesome the city is. Here are the top 18 things to do in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Are you a coffee snob like I am? If so, then you will love Kyiv and its unmatched indie cafe culture. Here are 8 best indie cafes you should check out in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- The Tunnel of Love is one of the most photogenic attractions in Ukraine, and it would be a shame to miss it on your trip to Ukraine. Here’s a complete guide on how to visit the Tunnel of Love independently.
- Thinking of visiting the Tunnel of Love and not sure where to base yourself out of? I would recommend Lutsk, and here are 8 best things to do that will make you fall in love with Lutsk.
- Lviv is the cultural capital city of Ukraine. It is what St. Petersburg is to Russia, Prague is to Czechia, and Krakow is to Poland. It is the most European city out of all Ukraine, and it has so many things to do that you will need a great guide to navigate it. Here are 10 Best Things you should do in Lviv, Ukraine.
- Lviv is another great city to go cafe-hopping if you love coffee, and here are my Top 10 Cozy Cafes in Lviv that you should check out.
- Getting bored of cities? How about we go and hike some of the stunning trails in the Carpathian Mountains? Here is a complete hiking guide to Yaremche and the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains.
- One of the most impressive architectural wonders in Ukraine is Chernivtsi National University in Chernivtsi, a remnant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire era that still survives today. Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
- Kamianets-Podilskyi, an island city home to Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Ukraine, is a place that seems like it came straight out of a fairy tale and a place that you should not miss. Here’s a backpacking guide and top 8 things to do in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
- You may not have heard of Kharkiv before, but once you see what I saw when I was traveling in that city, your mind will be blown away by how beautiful it is. Here are the 10 best things to do in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
- Did you know that Kharkiv is also home to the prettiest metro stations in Ukraine? Here are 8 of the most beautiful metro stations to check out in Kharkiv.
- My words are not convincing you about traveling to Ukraine? How about you see it for yourself with my Ukraine travel video? Ukraine Beyond Travel Video
- Want to know where to go after Ukraine? How about visiting Poland? Alternatively, you could drop by Kosice in Slovakia or go bar-hopping in Budapest, Hungary. We also have travel guides for those destinations too.
- For all articles about Ukraine, visit the Ukraine Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Eastern Europe-related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- You can also see all my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.