Secret Hideaway in Odessa, Ukraine

We all love the idea of finding a place where we can enjoy peace and quiet and escape from the crowds, and love the thought that we may have found a unique hideaway that only we know about. The truth is, invariably, that countless other people have also had those same thoughts - and often about the same place as well. There are, however, many places where there are fewer crowds. Not because the place concerned is any less spectacular than the more popular locations, but often because they are just a bit further away, with fewer amenities and less easy to get to. To the adventurous spirit, though, this simply adds to their charm. The Odessa coastline is blessed with around 40km of spectacular coastline and the most popular beaches do tend to become pretty crowded in the height of the best beach weather. So, to get away from it all, whereabouts do you go? In fact, the further you go from Odessa itself, the more attractively quiet some particularly lovely spots are and, if you can get across to the Crimean peninsula you will encounter so absolutely gorgeous scenery, much of it particularly spectacular and, above all, quiet.

Places such as the resort of Koktebel or, as it was previously known, Planerskove: this village can be found on the south-eastern corner of the Crimea and, amongst other things, is known for its cognac. It also has a number of naturist beaches if that is your thing. Despite plenty of infrastructure that has been developed to entice the tourists, such as the esplanade that lines the beach - this village is just that: a village. A plethora of restaurants, cafes and interesting kiosks, plus arts and crafts’ markets, arranged excursions and horse-riding - to name a few - this village caters for the annual influx of tourists yet remains far less crowded than many of the beaches close-by to Odessa. The month of September sees the annual jazz festival which is popular with people attending from all over the Ukraine but, generally, this is a secret hideaway in Odessa Ukraine, known to the many but visited by the few. If you want to stay there, we recommend to rent Odessa apartments 2-3 weeks before your arrival.

If you are interested in a true hideaway in the Ukraine, head towards the Romanian border. Here you will find the town of Vikovo which has grown up amongst the Kilia delta - a place that has a unique and truly amazing history for any visitors to delve into. Immediately to the north, a number of delightful coastal lakes that are not too far from Odessa but which could be a million kilometers away in terms of peace and quiet. However, if you are seeking the cleanest beaches, spectacular scenery and soaring cliffs head for the secret hideaway of Chernomorskoe which is a coastal area of the Crimea that is sparsely frequented by tourists. To the west of the Crimean coast you will find the beautiful sandy beaches of Yevpatoriya and Saki at which you can experience their mineral water and the therapeutic quality of their mud - apart from the gloriously sparsely-populated beaches.

Beaches that are closest to Odessa city are obviously the most popular. Once outside of the immediate area of Odessa, however, the visitor will find quieter beaches and delightfully peaceful coastal lakes. Meanwhile, a trip by sea across to the Crimean peninsula will allow you to enjoy dramatic cliffs and enticing beaches, wonderfully clean and sparsely populated. If you have access to a car, a 40-minute drive will take you the 60 kilometers from Odessa to the coastal region of Zatoka where the sandy beach stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions, lapped by clear waters against a backdrop of blue skies amid the swooping cries of the ubiquitous bane of tourists’ lives, the seagull. Here, in the Zatoka region, you can stay at the 1,000 people resort that is known as Micron which offers plenty of entertainment, simple accommodation and an archetypal seaside holiday with no-frills.

So, as you can see, if you are prepared to head further afield you will encounter white sandy beaches that are cleaner, with more space and sparklingly clear water: many with breathtaking views and sufficient infrastructure to keep even the most discerning tourist satisfied. Secret hideaways in Odessa do abound - if you seek them out: they are just there for the finding!