Odesa Cruise Port

Odessa is a major seaport on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea, known for its graceful old town and sumptuous Imperial architecture. Ukraine's third most populous city, it serves mainly as a port of call for Black Sea cruises, with the passenger terminal at the Nova jetty positioned well for exploring the city on foot.

The city was founded in 1794 on the strategic decision of Catherine the Great to build a warm water port following the Russo-Turkish War of 1787 to 1792. Its early success as a port, combined with favourable trade policies through the 19th century and its status as a free port city from 1819 to 1859, shaped rapid development and gave Odessa a character unlike anywhere else in the region. The city became home to an extraordinarily diverse population, including Albanians, Armenians, Bulgarians, French, Germans, Greeks, Italians, Jews, Poles, Romanians, Russians, Turks and Ukrainians, and that cosmopolitan heritage still shows in the streets and architecture today.

Odessa is known for its beaches and striking 19th century architecture. The most famous landmark is the Potemkin Steps, a long staircase leading down to the port. The Odessa National Opera and Ballet Theatre, also 19th century, ranks among the country's most beautiful buildings and is open for performances and tours. Derybasivska Street is a well-known pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. The most popular beaches are Lanzheron, about 4 miles from the terminal, and Arkadia, about 5.5 miles away.

Local dishes worth trying include borscht and varenyky, and the region's cherries make a good fresh snack. The city rewards a day spent wandering its tree-lined boulevards and taking in the seaside atmosphere.

Have you sailed to this historic Black Sea port? Add your cruise to Odessa to your account on The Cruise Globe to see the exact route your ship followed.