|
|
|
THE ODESSA BEACHES
Odessa has long been known as the "Riviera of Russia" and the "Pearl of the Black Sea". Before the Soviet Revolution Odessa was a popular resort town for the wealthy. But after the revolution, many palaces and hotels of the czars and upper classes were seized and converted into sanatoriums and public hotels.
Langeron/Lanzheron Beach (Пляж Ланжерон)
Count Langeron built a summerhouse at the seashore, with today's Langeron archway at the entrance. This is how today's Langeron Beach got its name. It is a 1.5 hour walk north of Arcadia Beach, 45 minutes north of Otrada Beach (below) and the cable cars, and just East of Shevchenko Park (Парк Шевченко). Langeron Beach is much quieter than Arcadia and the closest beach to the city center. It is more than a kilometer long and 40 meters wide. A large yellow shell rock marks the border between the Langeron and Otrada beaches.
Otrada Beach (Пляж Отрада) is easy to recognize by the cable cars. For 3 Hryvnas one way, visitors can take the cable cars down to the beach, which takes about 5 minutes. The cable way is 425 meters long with the cars moving just over 16 meters above the ground. Chernomorsky Yacht Klub (Черноморский Яхт клуб) Otrada Beach (Плаж Отрада) Tel: 7287474, 7287449
The Yacht club is Odessa's oldest sport organization, organized in 1875. Today the yacht club has fallen into disrepair.
Delfin Beach (Плаж Дельфин)
South of the Yacht Club, this beach is one kilometer long, up to fifty meters wide, and was founded in 1968.
Chkalovsky Nudist Beach (Пляж Чкаловский)
Located south of the Delfin Beach and north of Arcadia Beach. The beach is below the Chkalova (Чкалова) Sanatorium, Frantsuzsky Blvd. 85 (Французский Бульвар 85) and the botanical gardens). Simply ask other pedestrians for "Chkalovsky Plazj". Named after the famous Russian test pilot. Also called "Tikhy Beach".
Arkadia Beach (Пляж Аркадия) - the best, the mother of all Odessa beaches.
|
|
LANZHERON BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Ланжерон
Lanzheron is a popular Odessa beach among the locals and tourists alike. Located next to Park Schevchenko, one can enjoy the greenery of the park and take a dip in the warm black sea at the same time. This is the closest beach from Odessa's historical center, about a 15 minute walk from the Opera Theater. Lanzheron stretches over many different beaches, each with its own unique Odessa flavor. Some are fully equipped while others were left alone in their natural state. There are even numerous water slides available for your entertainment along the water, just in case you get bored while in Odessa. If you get bored, you can visit a large newly built Dolphinarium. The well known Khutorok Restaurant is perched on the bank nearby offering panoramic sea views from the terrace. It does decent food.
|
|
DOLPHINARIUM - LANZHERON BEACH, ODESSA
Dolphinarium "Nemo", Lanzheron Beach
http://www.delfinariy.od.ua
The biggest dolphinarium in all of the former Soviet Union is now open in Odessa. Along one of the city's biggest beaches sits year round open dolphin display that rivals most of its peers in Western Europe. This is the only year around open Dolphinarium in all of Ukraine and its retractable roof allows for open area performances in the summer and indoor shows during the winter.
|
|
OTRADA BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Отрада
Steep walk downhill is required to access most of Odessa beaches. However, this is not the case here. Otrada (Otrada means "delight" or "desire") is known for its Soviet Time constructed cable cars. Save yourself the walk and for $1 take one of these cable cars down to the water. Enjoy the beautiful view of coast from atop of the ride. Otrada consists of numerous beaches - almost all of which are fully equipped with bars, waiter service, changing rooms, showers, kid play rooms and various other facilities. Take a walk along the water and see which beach appeals to you most. Some of the more popular beaches here are Riviera and Treasure Island. Both are fully equipped and for $3 you will gain an entrance fee, beach chair and access to all the facilities. It is also possible to gain free access; however, you may not be able to use all the facilities on that basis. A feature of much of the coastline around Odessa are the extremely steep banks that rise up from the shore. Here you can also try out Wind Surfing or Jet Skiing. Usual cost of a Jet Ski is $20 for 10 minutes.
|
|
CHERNOMORSKY YACHT CLUB IN ODESSA
The club is located on the Otrada Beach (Пляж Отрада) and it is the oldest club in Odessa since 1875.
Today it lacks the old time facilities.
A modern and new club is in the sea port: TCF Sea Club (Морской Клуб, ТЦФ)
|
|
DOLPHIN BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Дельфин
Delphin or (Dolphin) Beach and Delphin VIP are both located just further south of the Lanzheron and Otrada Beaches.
The sand quality on this beach is one of the better ones in Odessa.
Overall, clean quality beach and relatively great service make this a recommended summer visit on a hot summer day while in Odessa.
|
|
DOLPHIN VIP BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Дельфин VIP
Delphin VIP is located just further south of the Lanzheron and Otrada Beaches. Delphin VIP beach is marked by a big sign overhanging on Frantsuzky Boulevard as you are driving. Few minute walk down the steep stairs brings you to all of the Delphin beaches. The best one of course as the name indicates is the VIP beach. The cost is worth it as $3 gets you inside with a chair and umbrella. Plus great waitress/waiter service and a bar nearby for those badly needed pina-coladas on a hot summer day.
|
|
ARKADIA BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Аркадия
The mother of all Odessa's beaches - Arkadia. About a 15 minute cab ride from the center brings you to the largest and most developed beach of Odessa, Ukraine. The main entrance is clearly labeled by two pillars holding an Arkadia sign. Behind the sign is a long, shaded boulevard which boasts dozens of entertainment options ranging from karaoke while on a horse to go cart riding. Along this path, you will also notice dozens of cafes, restaurants and kiosks. After about a 200 meter walk you will see the nightclub "Ibiza" which sits just before the entrance to the beach. From here you can choose to either go downstairs onto the main Arkadia Beach or take a left or a right and choose numerous surrounding stretches of sand that all fall within Arkadia's premises. Here is a full serviced part of Odessa's Arkadia beach, which offers umbrellas and lying chairs for 15 hr. There is a bar on this part of the beach, soft music and waiter service. Changing rooms and showers are all included with the price. Other activities you can do on this beach range from Jet Skiing to relaxing massages from wondering masseuses.
|
|
RIVIERA BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Рнвнера
Just a little further on from Arkadia, at 13th Station Fontan, is the town`s best beach, namely Riviera. Here the $5 fee paying crowd, including a sprinkling of Europeans and Americans, is more upmarket than for example, Arkadia. The water is reputedly cleaner here than at the other beaches, so if you`ve been resisting taking the plunge now`s your chance. What is nice about Riviera is that you don' t have to dress and gather your belongings and then walk to find the nearest restaurant. Here there is an an excellent and very popular restaurant right on the beach, where you can sit at a table in your bathing suit and enjoy a meal or just a beer and soak up the atmosphere. It is well attended and it is a possible alternative to Arkadia.
|
|
CHKALOVO BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Чкаловский
Named after the famous Russian test pilot, this beach has gained notorious reputation that the Soviet Hero never could have predicted. It has for some time been the official nude beach in Odessa. While there are others, this one is located close to the center and usually has a significant presence of beach goers. While both nude and clothed tourists can have equal fun at this Odessa beach, be prepared to see most of the male visitors fully nude! It is in the norm for most girls at Odessa beaches to be topless. Sanatorium located on the premises of the beach is also something one may consider if looking for a quiet Soviet Style Hotel experience by the Black Sea.
|
|
LUZANOVKA BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Лузановка
Odessa's Luzanovka is one of the more "genuine" beaches in the sense that it does not offer the quality and array of services that most central Odessa beaches such as Arkadia and Lanzheron do. While this can be seen in negative light, consider that this Odessa beach is intended for the large population concentration located at an Odessa area called "Poselek Kotovskovo".
While Luzanovka has a number of quality restaurants and nightclubs, do not expect to receive Western quality service or to find many English speakers as the tourist are virtually entirely absent from this area. However, if looking for a different feel from one of Odessa's less developed beach fronts, this may just be the perfect option. Located just fifteen minutes away from the center, making it easy to get it by way of taxi or public transportation.
|
|
CHAIKA BEACH, ODESSA
Пляж Чайка
This Odessa beach, which is located just south of Arkadia, is a standard beach offering various facilities and small cafes alongside.
Most beaches offer surprisingly good food options along with full bar servings. Chaika means seagull.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|