Odessa Catacombs Tours 2021 | Ukraine’s Largest Catacombs
Odessa Catacombs is a maze of tunnels that you can find joy in exploring. The Ukraine catacombs are located under the city of Odessa and are a mixture of basements, drainage tunnels, bunkers, storm drains, and natural caves. These historical tunnels are what bring tourists to the city. History lovers can see the Catacombs hundreds of years later, after it’s initial use as a hiding place during the second world war.
Highlights
- Great certified guides
- Tours are offered in different languages
- Get to see old bunkers used in wars
- Learn how the catacombs came to be
Know before you book
- Crowded during peak season
- Transportation is not always guaranteed
- Not suitable for anyone with back issues
- Not wheelchair accessible
So what are catacombs? It’s a man-made underground passageway which is used for religious practice, but for Odessa it was used in other ways. The tunnels were used as a hideout for rebels and criminals, even though the Soviets were forced out of the city. During the second world war, it was used as a sneak tactic and was used to relay information.
The Odessa Ukraine Catacombs were created during the 18th century and only received its name a few years later. During this time, the Russian empire took over the land that is now known as Ukraine. After the Crimean War, the empire created the city of Odessa and to build the city, the people made use of the wide layers of limestone that was found underground. As a result, the labyrinth that we now call Odessa Catacombs was made.
The Odessa Catacombs is the largest catacomb in the world with a length of 2.5 thousand kilometres, which is over 1500 miles long. In the deepest part of the catacomb, it sits 60 meters or 200 feet below sea level. To give you a sense of how large it truly is, the distance between Paris and Odessa is around 2 100 kilometres and the Ukrainian Catacombs is much larger than that.
Visiting the Odessa Catacombs will leave you in awe because of its astonishing size. Be sure to gather as much information from your guide and enjoy the tours.
The Odessa Catacombs Tour Prices 2021
The cost for a tour of the Odessa Catacombs is, on average, around UAH 1 900 (US$ 71.22). Although, these are your basic tours that include only a guide. Tours can, however, reach up to UAH 2 200 (US$ 82.47), if you decide to choose a tour that includes visiting other attractions and landmarks that can be found in the city.
Prices vary between different tour companies, so be sure to choose one that offers a private guide and possibly covers a larger area of the catacombs.
You can compare the different tour prices below:
Odessa’s Catacombs Tour Times
There are no set times attached to visiting the catacombs, but regular tour guides work until 6 pm, although tours can occasionally continue until 8 pm. It is possible to enter the catacombs by yourself at any time but is not recommended - without a knowledgeable guide you can get lost.
There is a museum located at one of the entrances that are also accessible and many times are included on the tours.
Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 8 am - 6 pm (Only for private tours and based on the availability of the tour guides)
Best Time to Visit the Odessa Catacombs
The catacombs are open and accessible all year round, so you can visit them at any time of the year. During the winter months, the tours will close earlier than usual. For this reason, you may want to consider a visit to Odessa during the summer.
In general, the perfect time to visit Ukraine is during the Summer months (May, June, and through to September). Visiting Ukraine during the start or closer to the end of summer (May, June, or September) is a perfect time. The temperature is warm and there aren’t as many crowds.
Odessa Catacombs Tour Options
There are various tours that you can take when wanting to visit the Odessa Catacombs. Choosing the perfect tour is totally up to what you want to see and how far you would like to explore. The Catacombs are an untraditional attraction, but one that is well worth a visit, especially since the man-made subterranean labyrinth holds so many mysteries and history.
Some of these tours include transportation and options to either get a private guided tour or to travel with other groups. The following tours are some of the best Odessa Catacombs tours available.
Wild Odessa Catacombs
This tour is specifically made for travellers that love to embrace European history. An experienced guide will help you understand how the underground world came about and answer any questions that you may have.
The tour offers all-around transportation which is, unfortunately, only reserved for private groups. So, gather your friends and ensure that you’ve booked your wild Odessa experience.
What we liked: All-round transport is included in the tour price.
- Professional Guide
- Flashlights
- Transportation only reserved for private groups
With this tour, you get a chance to see how the underground tunnels were used in the Second World War. An experienced guide will take you down to the catacombs and discuss how the catacombs came to life during the war.
The tour can take you up to four hours but is well worth it since you get to visit both the Odessa and the Kantakuzin Catacombs altogether. You’ll be able to discover some secret passageways while the guide makes the experience more fun by letting you try and read the catacombs map.
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Odessa: Underground Secrets Catacombs Tour
This three-hour-long guided tour of the catacombs is a great way to explore the tunnels on the outskirts of Odessa. Learn about smuggling, slave trading, who was sheltered here, and much more. Feed your Cold War interest by finding the exact location that was used as a bunker years ago.
What we liked: Bilingual guides are available in eight different languages.
- Professional Guide
- Insurance
- Snacks
- Hard hats, gloves, and lanterns
- Transportation is not included
This tour runs from 10 am to 1 pm and offers valuable information about the importance of the catacombs and how they were used in different centuries. Discover how the catacombs served as a tunnel for gangs and smugglers who were using them as hideouts. The tunnels were also used as a women’s prison, where the women were later sold into slavery.
The guide will take you on a journey as you discover the locations of where the members of underground organizations met during the October Revolution. The tour also offers you a short snack time. You can use this time to ask your guide any other questions and share impressions of the tour with other members of your group.
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Odessa: City and Catacombs Tour
This five-hour combined tour will have you in awe after seeing the main sights that Odessa has to offer. After the Odessa city tour, you’ll make your way to the largest catacombs system in the world. With all-around transportation, you’ll get to enjoy this illustrious tour filled with a piece of history and some of the best Ukrainian architecture.
What we liked: You can experience the best sights in Odessa and the catacombs underground.
- Professional Guide
- Transportation
- Admission tickets to the catacombs
- Gratuities
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing while you get the chance to embrace the history of the Odessa Catacombs. The sightseeing starts as soon as you’re picked up from your accommodation. Visit famous places in Odessa, such as the Arcadia district, the French Boulevard, and stand in awe at the Potemkin Steps, which overlooks the local port and the Black Sea.
There will be tons of other places to see as you make your way to the Odessa Catacombs. With your admission ticket included, you get to jump right into your catacombs adventure. You will also have the opportunity to visit the underground Partisan Glory museum where you can learn even more about the catacombs.
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Specification: Odessa Catacombs Tours 2021 | Ukraine’s Largest Catacombs
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