Odessa, the biggest Ukrainian port, is an ideal starting point for discoveries along the coast of the Black Sea, down to the Danube Delta at the border between Ukraine and Romania.
This city of over a million habitants is located at the Black Sea and at the crossroads of East and West but, given its seaport, also faces the South and the Orient. In Odessa, one can feel a post-Soviet ambience as well as a Mediterranean flair, evidenced by the vibrating life that can be felt in the streets and public places of the bustling metropolis. In spite of the young age of this 221-year-old city, the cultural diversity and the changeful recent past of the region at the Black Sea are reflected in its cosmopolitan character.
Odessa’s reputation as a cultural capital amongst its visitors has not only been gained by countless festivals like the Odessa International Film Festival and attractions such as the Odessa Pushkin Museum but is also due to the appearance of the famous Potemkin Stairs in the movie Battleship Potemkin. In addition, the city is a hub for journeys to the Danube Delta, the second-biggest river delta in Europe. The Danube Delta, with a size of more than 5800 km², is located at the border between Ukraine and Romania and was declared as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, now enjoying the status of a world natural heritage site.
Odessa International Film Festival: Aidan Turner – “Cinema is the universe after all – it continues to expand”
The distance between Odessa and the Delta is approximately 200 km. On the route to the Delta, drivers pass by a narrow coastal strip that separates the Tuzly lagoons, part of a nature park, from the Black Sea. The biggest and most significant towns in the Ukrainian Danube Delta are the border cities of Izmail, Kiliya and Vilkovo that are located on the banks of the Danube. Just ahead of the river estuary, where the Danube meets the Black Sea, Vilkovo is the last city en route. Some of the river cruises heading to the Danube Delta as their final destination originate in Passau, Germany or even Amsterdam, thousands of kilometers away. With the continuous rise of river cruising, new tourism offers are developing in the Danube Delta, on both sides of the Ukrainian-Romanian border.
The Ukrainian towns at the Danube are starting points for excursions into the Delta. Apart from river cruising, nature tours and ecotourism are distinctive of the region. The UNESCO biosphere reserve Danube Delta is a unique protected area that is home to about 30 different ecosystems and thousands of species of fauna and flora. The area is a true mecca for nature lovers. Activities such as bird watching and photo safaris are particularly popular. With more than 300 species of birds breeding and passing through here, the Danube Delta is a world-class bird habitat and resting site for migratory birds. Among the fish, the various types of sturgeon are especially noteworthy; these can reach a length of several meters and are very sensitive creatures that rely on an intact ecosystem. The Beluga sturgeon is the source of the world-famous black caviar.
Despite the situation in other parts of Ukraine, traveling to the Danube Delta and Odessa can be done conveniently and safely. Odessa is easily accessible with UIA – Ukraine International Airlines via Kiev, with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and with LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw, among other options.
Source: Mascontour / DCC – Danube Competence Center
Vilkovo: The Ukrainian Venice
For more information about Odessa and the Danube Delta, please visit:
Odessa City Council – Department of Culture and Tourism: odessatourism.org
City of Odessa – Official Site: omr.gov.ua/en/tourist
Odessa International Airport: odessa.aero
Odessa overview: Odessa – danube.travel
Vilkovo overview: Vilkovo – danube.travel
Danube Delta: Danube Delta Duet (by Salix Nature Tours)
You may also like:
Destination Germany: Travel Resources
Things I’ve noticed in 2017
Innovative destination videos that will inspire you
Trendy Leipzig entices with its many facets and creative vibes
Experiencing a creative urban lifestyle along the Danube