What to See Near Zatoka: Akkerman Fortress, Shabo, and Ukrainian Venice

Even the warmest sea and golden sand can get boring by the 4th-5th day of vacation. One of Zatoka's main advantages over other resorts is its unique geographical location. Just a 20-60 minute drive away are locations that are worth a separate trip. We have compiled a guide to the most interesting places near Zatoka for those who want to diversify their vacation in 2026.

Zatoka is not only a beach resort but also an excellent starting point for exploring the south of Ukraine. Historical monuments, gastronomic tours, unique nature reserves — all this is just a short car or bus ride away. When planning your vacation, be sure to set aside at least one or two days to leave the beach and immerse yourself in a completely different atmosphere.

1. Akkerman (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi) Fortress

What is it: One of the largest and best-preserved medieval fortresses in Eastern Europe. Built in the XIII-XV centuries, it towers over the rocky shore of the Dniester Estuary. Powerful towers, a deep moat, and a stunning view of the estuary make this place a must-visit. The fortress has the shape of a polygon with an area of about 9 hectares and still impresses with its scale today.

What to do: Walk the perimeter of the fortress walls (be careful, they don't have fences everywhere, so hold your children's hands!), go down to the dungeons, shoot a real medieval bow or crossbow at the local shooting range. Jousting tournaments, craft fairs, and historical reenactments are regularly held inside the fortress. You should also visit the museum of torture and take atmospheric photos against the backdrop of the Pushkin Tower (according to legend, this is where the great poet spent several days in exile).

How to get there: From Zatoka to Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is only 20-25 km. You can take a local train (get off at the "Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi" station, then a 15-minute walk through the historic center of the city) or minibus No. 560. By car, the trip will take about 30 minutes; you need to head towards Shabo and follow the signs.

Prices 2026: Adult entrance ticket — about 150 UAH, for children — 80 UAH. A guided tour (highly recommended, as without the historical context it's just beautiful stones) — from 300 UAH for a group.

2. Shabo Wine Culture Center

What is it: A modern winery complex located in the village of Shabo (right on the way to the Akkerman Fortress). It's not just a factory, but a huge tourist center with two-level ancient cellars, a maze museum, and modern art objects. The Shabo area has long-standing winemaking traditions, established by Swiss settlers in the 19th century.

What to do: Take a VIP tour with a tasting. You will walk through historic cellars that are over 200 years old, see the Cognac Courtyard, the Sparkling Wine House, and the Sherry Cellar. Guides will explain the intricacies of the vine and the process of wine aging in oak barrels. The tour ends in the tasting room led by a sommelier, where you can try the best samples of their products. There is also an excellent company store where you can buy wine as a gift for loved ones without supermarket markups.

How to get there: Located between Zatoka and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi. Minibuses No. 560 from Zatoka pass by the village of Shabo ("Winery" stop). The road will take no more than 20 minutes.

Prices 2026: Basic tour without tasting — from 200 UAH. Extended tours with tasting of premium wines and cheeses — from 450 to 900 UAH. Please note: children under 18 are not allowed at the tasting, but they can join the tour route with their parents.

3. Vylkove ("Ukrainian Venice")

What is it: A unique town in the Danube Delta, where instead of traditional streets there are canals (eriks), and instead of cars locals use wooden boats. A place with a unique flavor, Old Believer traditions (many locals are descendants of Lipovans), and the incredible nature of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. This is one of the most unusual places in all of Ukraine.

What to do: First of all — take a motor or rowboat ride through the city's canals. A mandatory part of the program is a trip to "Kilometer Zero", the place where the mighty Danube flows into the Black Sea (it is believed that if you pass through the zero symbol, you can reset and start life with a clean slate). During the tour, you will see huge flocks of pelicans and other rare birds. Upon return, be sure to try the local Danube fish soup, cooked over a fire according to a special recipe, and the unique wine from the "Novak" grape variety, which grows right on the water.

How to get there: This is a full-day excursion. The distance from Zatoka is about 160 km, the road can be imperfect in places. It is best to go as part of an organized tour group in a comfortable minibus (they will pick you up right from the hotel early in the morning and return you by evening). In your own car, you need to drive towards Tatarbunary and Spasske.

Prices 2026: A comprehensive tour from Zatoka (transfer, boat through the canals, trip to kilometer zero, lunch with fish soup, guide services) will cost approximately 1200–1500 UAH per person.

4. European Cheese Dairy (Shabo)

Just a couple of kilometers from the Shabo winery operates the modern craft European Cheese Dairy. This place has become a real gastronomic discovery of recent years.

Here you can see the whole process of making real cheese using classic Dutch technologies, look into the aging chamber where hundreds of cheese wheels are stored. The territory has a mini-farm where children can feed the animals, and an atmospheric cafe. And of course, the main thing is the tasting of Gouda cheeses of different aging periods with local honey and wine.

A visit to the cheese dairy is perfectly combined with a trip to the Akkerman Fortress and the winery in one day. This is a ready-made itinerary for an ideal day off the beach.

Conclusion and Recommendations from Our Hotel

Don't try to embrace the unembraceable in one vacation. We recommend setting aside 1-2 days for excursions so as not to get tired and to maintain the right balance with beach relaxation. Our hotel administrator will gladly help you organize a transfer, book a place in a tour group, or create an individual itinerary.

Book a room with us and enjoy a perfect vacation →