The Allure of Odessa: When Pictures Speak Louder Than Words

I am not often at a loss for words when describing a place I enjoyed so much. ☺️

Odessa, Ukraine was simply one of those places. There was something about the atmosphere here that allured me and kept me lingering far longer than I had expected. 😍

I was surely falling in love with Odessa. 💜

No BUTTS about it! 😂

It is a thriving port city, which for me has the perfect combination of beautiful European architecture, walkable streets, a lively nightlife, and delicious food.

Things definitely don’t operate at a snail’s pace around here! 🐌

But if you don’t like to walk too much, there’s always the option of taking an electric scooter.

It’s also an eclectic and affordable city where you can feel chic lounging at an outdoor bistro with a coffee, be entertained at the many museums and spacious parks, and be indulgent at the many cheap, international restaurants.

Odessa is oddly obscure and quirky, which also adds to the allure .

The people here are a lively bunch and you never know what to expect around each street corner. People might be singing and dancing in the street, dressing in costume, or randomly joining you at your dinner table. 😂

Side note: Women here also dress to impress, whatever their style may be.

As I mentioned earlier, this was not a city where I planned to stay awhile, but I found it difficult for me to leave.

I was lucky enough to meet a bunch of travelers here to help me celebrate my birthday, which made the experience all the more memorable. 🎂

I used the app couchsurfing to meet them, and we all had food, drinks, and great conversation. We even met a local who showed us some hidden bars, like an Irish pub inside the Odessa Passage.

So you might wonder then what finally made me leave this oasis of Odessa. Well, that’s the most exciting of all! Within 48 hours, I had interviewed for a new job, accepted the offer, bought a plane ticket, and was on my way to Bangkok, Thailand. Stay tuned to hear all about it! Until then!

Where to Stay:

While in Odessa, I stayed at Tsatsa and Esther House. Tsatsa was my favorite by far! They have clean and quiet dorms with privacy screens. Most people were also staying there long-term, making the atmosphere more homey. 7 USD/night