Odessa's haven for beach lovers comes alive in summer when the flowers are in bloom, the trees offer much needed shade, and the sea-facing cafes and restaurants are abuzz with activity. Arcadia's eateries aren't exactly cheap but if you're just stopping by for drinks and snacks, it is worth it for the view. If you don't want to sunbathe or swim, you could even rent rowboats or paddleboats at economical rates. Once night falls, the open-air nightclubs give the place a whole new vibe which shouldn't be missed! It certainly isn't quiet but if it is silence and tranquillity you're looking for, a short walk should get you there.

In the centre of the city is Deribasovskaya Street. You'll see examples of the best architecture in the city along this street. Strolling along its cobblestoned walkways does take you back to another era. Being pedestrian-only, this tree-lined avenue is a joy to walk along. Its numerous cafes and terrace restaurants tempt you in for a breather and it may be fun to give in and people-watch for a while.

Walk along the street to end up at the picturesque City Gardens where sculptures of lions, a summerhouse and a fountain promise to whisk you away to a magical land. These gardens are Odessa's oldest park and are definitely worth a visit.

Acacia trees and cobblestones hark back to the Odessa of old when this street was the address of choice for well-to-do traders and merchants. Today, the road is the hub of resorts and you can even hop on a cable car to take you right up to Lanzheron Beach.

There's a rather steep hill that separates the road from the 3 beaches that lie below. There are staircases and pathways that meander down to the waterfront via a pedestrian-only ‘green zone'. The area makes a great location for picnics, so do pick up some food from the local stores and make your way here.

Many of Odessa's "firsts" seem to trace their roots back to this street. The very first City Theatre was constructed here as were the first restaurant and hotel of Odessa. The area marked by the streets of Rishelevskaja, Lanzheronovskaja and Derebasovskaja was the location of the first section of land earmarked for construction by de Ribas.

The Greek pagan priest Laokoon is believed to have displeased the god of the seas, Poseidon, and was set upon by snakes. A statue of this famous scene can be seen outside the archaeological museum here. While the original sculpture is housed in the Vatican museums, a great replica is still located in Odessa.

This treasured performance venue was the location of choice for greats like Anna Pavlova who performed ballets here and Peter Tchaikovsky who conducted many a concert in this theatre. This Opera House & Ballet Theatre has been built in the Viennese baroque style that dominated Europe in the era between the sixteenth and the eighteenth centuries.

The group of sculptures near the front of opera house symbolize Melpomena, a patron of the arts. Riding in a chariot led by four wild panthers that she has tamed, Melpomena makes quite a striking figure. The interiors of the theatre compare in magnificence to gems like the La Scala of Milan and the Bolshoi of Moscow. The decor is reminiscent of the style of Louis XVI.

The city of Odessa demanded a theatre of its own in 1804 and found that five short years later, its dream was fulfilled. The opera house opened with a performance by the Russian troupe Fortunatov on Feb 10, 1810. They enacted a single-act opera called A New Family (by Fralih) as well as a vaudeville style show called A Consolating Widow. The original building burnt down in 1873 but was rebuilt and opened to the public again on Oct 1, 1887.

These stairs lead into the city from the sea front. Built between 1837 and 1841 and named after the battleship Potyomkin, these stairs have been designed by architect F. Bofford. A total of 192 stairs sweep dramatically upwards in 10 flights and have two metre thick parapet walls. The cleverly designed staircase creates an optical illusion of it being grander than it is - the lowest point is much wider at 21.6 metres than the topmost point of the staircase, which is just 13.4 metres wide.

For sheer drama, it is hard to beat Primorsky Boulevard. As it sweeps along the seashore high on a cliff it isn't hard to see why the UNESCO put it on their list of world heritage sites. It is easily one of the most breathtaking sights in the Ukraine, with awe-inspiring vistas. Primorsky Boulevard has had many names, including Feldman and Nikolaevsky. Odessa's first exchange house, which is now the City Duma, marks the beginning of this great road. As with many buildings in Odessa that were decorated keeping in mind the purpose of the structures within, the façade is adorned with likenesses of Ceres and Mercury, the gods of fertility and trade. These symbolized the fact that absolutely everything could be traded within.

Privoz is one of the world's largest farmer's markets and is rivalled only by the ones in Mexico City and Istanbul. To see how the locals shop, plan a trip to this market. The Odessites busily go about their shopping and stall owners have a variety of wares on offer. If you are a foodie, this will be nothing short of heaven for you!

Pushkin's apartment was opened to the public as a museum in June 1961. The renowned author lived here in 1823 and it was in this very city that he crafted masterpieces like Gipsy, Bakchisaray Fountain and Eugene Onegin.

For a short while in the 1820s this street was known as Italianskaya, meaning the Italian street. In fact, famous poet Pushkin wrote a chapter set in Odessa in Evgenii Onegin in which he mentions this. Road signage used to then be written in both Italian and Russian. Craftsmen from Italy laid the roads here and their fine cobblestone-laying withstood the ravages of time, including the war. Along this street you will see famous sights like the Museum of Eastern and Western Art, St.Elijah's Church and the Pushkin Literary Memorial Museum.

The Nickolayev Church was built in 1795, within a year of the creation of Odessa. Located at the Sobornaya Square, this grand cathedral was one of Russia's most famous and largest. At 100 metres in length and 50 metres in width, it had the capacity to house as many as 10,000 faithful and was a jewel in Odessa's crown. Sadly, by 1932 it was closed down and the square where it stood was renamed the Soviet Army Square. However, the locals still called it by its old name and gave it as much importance as before. In 1936 Stalin had it demolished in the dark of the night but massive reconstruction work began in 1999 to restore it to its former glory.

On May 9, 1893 the foundation for the cathedral was laid and this iconic edifice was constructed. The symbolism in the church includes an allusion to the revered Aphon Mountain, a first for Russia. Murals adorn the structure and much of the work was done by local greats. Akhapnin's gold icon stands have caught the fancy of art connoisseurs and are worth looking out for on your visit here.

Homes in the region during the 19th century were made largely from limestone mined locally. When the miners moved on, the empty spaces where the mines once were became home to smugglers. Soon, a vast network of tunnels snaked their way through the underbelly of the city. This maze-like network called the ‘catacombs' are now an offbeat tourist attraction. A word of caution though - a trip here isn't for everyone. Tours to the catacombs are not officially recognized and can be quite unsafe. This hasn't stopped adventure seekers from making their way into the depths of the earth below Odessa.

Remember, if you do make the trip, these tunnels are not mapped properly and are not an ideal destination for the faint of heart. In fact, the tunnels are considered so dangerous that the local administration never undertook the construction of a subway system in Odessa due to their presence.

Begin your journey in Odessa at the lush, green botanical gardens. The gardens were first created in 1867 but haven't always been where they are currently situated. The gardens were shifted from their original location to Frantsuzsky Boulevard in 1880. While here, you will get to see as many as 800 tree and plant species (including many rare species) belonging to the various climatic zones of the CIS. The backdrop of the sea makes their location even more spectacular. What is mind boggling is how they manage the upkeep of the place on a rather modest budget.