This is not a “tour” in the usual sense. It is a descent into a different world — where the city ends and another Odesa begins: underground, enormous and stubbornly mysterious.
The Odesa Catacombs can surprise even people who have been exploring them for years. Underground, nothing ever feels repetitive: one turn — and suddenly there is another story, another layer of time, another reason to question what you thought you knew. That is why the main phrase of this route is simple: “You’ve never seen anything like this before.” And this is one of those rare cases when it is not an exaggeration.
What awaits you underground? Not a museum full of display signs, but real discoveries and stories that make you instinctively lower your voice.
• Cold War underground bunkers — sealed, massive and carrying that unmistakable feeling that everything here was once deadly serious.
• Traces of ancient life: a place where time is measured not in years, but in millions of years.
• Underground lakes — and a tiny ecosystem that science still does not fully understand.
• Stone quarrying: how Odesa was built “from below”, and why working underground was never romantic — it demanded real strength and character.
• Hideouts and secret caches — the underground city behind the legends, where sometimes knowing when to stop is more important than finding something.
• Partisan stories: where the documents end, the mysteries begin.
And yes — it is safe. The equipment, safety rules, route and pace are all carefully planned so that you leave with unforgettable impressions, not stories about unnecessary heroics.
The catacombs are one of those rare places where adults rediscover their sense of wonder. And for children, it feels like a real adventure — not “just another tour”.
This is not a “tour” in the usual sense. It is a descent into a different world — where the city ends and another Odesa begins: underground, enormous and stubbornly mysterious.
The Odesa Catacombs can surprise even people who have been exploring them for years. Underground, nothing ever feels repetitive: one turn — and suddenly there is another story, another layer of time, another reason to question what you thought you knew. That is why the main phrase of this route is simple: “You’ve never seen anything like this before.” And this is one of those rare cases when it is not an exaggeration.
What awaits you underground? Not a museum full of display signs, but real discoveries and stories that make you instinctively lower your voice.
• Cold War underground bunkers — sealed, massive and carrying that unmistakable feeling that everything here was once deadly serious.
• Traces of ancient life: a place where time is measured not in years, but in millions of years.
• Underground lakes — and a tiny ecosystem that science still does not fully understand.
• Stone quarrying: how Odesa was built “from below”, and why working underground was never romantic — it demanded real strength and character.
• Hideouts and secret caches — the underground city behind the legends, where sometimes knowing when to stop is more important than finding something.
• Partisan stories: where the documents end, the mysteries begin.
And yes — it is safe. The equipment, safety rules, route and pace are all carefully planned so that you leave with unforgettable impressions, not stories about unnecessary heroics.
The catacombs are one of those rare places where adults rediscover their sense of wonder. And for children, it feels like a real adventure — not “just another tour”.
Tour Program
- Fallout Shelter This is where the Cold War begins without textbooks: silence, concrete and the feeling that underground, time follows its own rules.
- Stalker A location with a post-apocalyptic atmosphere: a flashlight, rustling sounds and that irresistible curiosity — “what’s waiting around the next corner?”
- Mining We dive into the history of quarrying and underground technology: how stone was extracted, what tools were used and why these tunnels were part of an entire industry, not just a maze of passages.
- Geology Millions of years lie beneath your feet. We explore what this region is made of and why the catacombs developed exactly the way they did.
- Lovers’ Island A place focused on sensations: sensory deprivation, biorhythms, the influence of sunlight and more. Even silence sounds different here.
- Partisan Camp A vivid look at the partisan movement during World War II: everyday life, harsh realities and daily decisions made on the edge — without drama, but very real.
- Underground School Education during the defence of Odesa: how children continued learning in a place where survival came first, and why this story is more powerful than any slogan.
- Catacomb Church The story of religious persecution and church schism: a place where faith was not simply a “tradition”, but a quiet and courageous choice.
- Prison Cell The history of the slave trade without embellishment: a short part of the route that stays with you and gives you something to think about.
- Criminal Hideout Crime stories and legends from the past: connections with the underground world, secret “rules”, and that unmistakable Odesa taste for a good dramatic story.
What’s Included in the Price
- 2-2.5 hours of a walking tour led by the distinctive guides of “Tudoy-Syudoy”
- fascinating stories that will leave a lasting impression
- all necessary equipment (helmets,flashlights)
- a farewell tea with gingerbread
What’s Not Included in the Price
- personal expenses
We Recommend Bringing
• closed, comfortable shoes with good soles
• sportswear/hiking clothes
• a warm long-sleeved layer and socks are essential (it is cooler underground)
• not allowed: high heels and any type of flip-flops
• bringing your own flashlight is welcome (but not required)
Tour Photos
Photos of our guests and their brightest moments during the tour.
This short promo video will give you a taste of the experience:
Guest Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour
How long does the tour last? Will I make it back in time for lunch, or should I bring a sandwich?
The tour lasts around 2–2.5 hours — just enough time to get inspired, be pleasantly surprised and not get too hungry.
How should I dress so I don’t get cold and still look like a real explorer in the photos?
The temperature in the catacombs stays at a steady +14 °C. It’s not winter, but it’s definitely not a day at Luzanivka Beach either. Wear something with long sleeves and keep your legs covered — comfort comes first!
And don’t forget comfortable shoes, because explorers in slippers don’t get very far. Sneakers, on the other hand, also look great against the underground stone.
A tip from the guide: if you dress like scout Nick Cartwright but have the soul of a traveller who loves adventure, both the photos and the memories will turn out great!
How can I pay for the tour?
You can pay for the tour:
- online through our website
- by bank card transfer (our managers will send the payment details by SMS)
- in cash at our office or to the administrator at the museum entrance
What are the cancellation and refund terms if your plans suddenly take a different turn?
We understand — life can be a bit like an Odesa tram: sometimes it suddenly changes direction. If you cancel your booking and let us know in advance, the refund policy is as follows:
- 7 calendar days or more before the tour — 100% refund
- at least 72 hours before the tour — 50% refund
- 1 day before the tour — 25% refund
Where do we meet, and how do I know it’s our guide — not just someone standing there looking important?
The meeting point is listed on the tour page and in your booking confirmation. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early — that gives you enough time to find the group and still look like you were the first one there.
Is it safe? I haven’t made a will yet...
Absolutely safe! The route runs through an official catacombs museum, where everything has been checked, lit and explored countless times — by children, grandparents and even mothers-in-law.
The guide knows every turn like the back of their hand, and the helmet is more about looking the part than having anything to worry about.
So there’s no need to make a will — unless it’s for the memories, because those tend to stay with you forever.
