Odessa Catacombs Tour: Private Guide, Hotel Pickup & Tea

Summary

Private catacombs walk in Odessa with local stories & tea

You’ll descend deep beneath Odessa’s Moldavanka district with a local guide, exploring catacombs filled with WWII history, ancient bones, and secret bunkers. Expect hotel pickup, helmets and flashlights provided, plus a warm drink and sweet treat at the end — all while hearing real stories from someone who knows these tunnels by heart.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect when we got picked up at our hotel in Odessa — I’d seen photos of the catacombs but they never quite capture that first breath of cool, earthy air as you step down into the Moldavanka district’s underground. Our guide, Sasha, handed us helmets and flashlights (I fumbled mine twice) and grinned like he’d done this a thousand times. He probably has. The stairs felt steeper than I thought — apparently we were heading down the height of an eight-story building. My knees noticed.

Inside, it was quiet except for our footsteps and Sasha’s voice echoing off stone walls. He pointed out old quarry marks and told us about smugglers who used these tunnels long before the anti-nuclear bunker was built. There was this moment where he shone his light on some ancient animal bones — not sure why but it made me shiver a bit. You could smell damp limestone everywhere, mixed with something metallic near the bunker doors. At one point, Sasha tried to teach us a Ukrainian word for “catacomb” — I absolutely butchered it and he laughed so hard he had to stop walking for a second.

I kept thinking about how many people must’ve hidden here during WWII; Sasha shared stories about partisans moving through these same passages. It’s strange — you feel both safe and slightly lost at the same time down there. The tour ended with coffee and some sweet treat (no idea what it was called but it tasted homemade), which felt oddly comforting after all that darkness. I still think about that silence underground sometimes — it sticks with you longer than you’d expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Odessa Catacombs with Guide

• Hotel pick up
• Wear helmets and flashlights
• Descend to 8-storey deep dungeon
• Visit anti-nuclear bunker and underground lakes
• See bones of ancient animals and caver finds
• Hear stories of quarries, slave trade, smugglers
• Learn about WWII partisan movement
• Enjoy sweet surprise at tour end

Top questions

How deep are the Odessa catacombs on this tour?

You’ll go down to a depth equal to an 8-storey building beneath ground level.

Is hotel pickup included in the Odessa catacombs tour?

Yes, private hotel pickup and drop off are included in your booking.

Are children allowed on the Odessa catacombs tour?

The tour accepts tourists from 2-3 years old and up.

Who leads the private walking tour of Odessa catacombs?

The tour is led by local speleologists who know the tunnels well.

What will I see inside the Odessa catacombs?

You’ll see an anti-nuclear bunker, underground lakes, ancient animal bones, and themed museum halls.

Is coffee or tea provided during the tour?

Yes, coffee or tea is included at the end of your visit along with a sweet treat.

Is this day trip suitable for people with health issues?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.

What’s included

Your experience includes private hotel pickup and drop off in Odessa, guidance from a local expert throughout your walk in the catacombs, use of helmets and flashlights for safety underground, plus coffee or tea served alongside a sweet surprise before returning above ground.