Princely Chernihiv. The 11th-century Transfiguration Cathedral, the Boldyni Hills and the Anthony Caves in one day from Kyiv
12 hours (07:30–19:30, approx.) · Meet at 07:15, departure at 07:30
Kyiv, Lisova metro station, by the exit to Brovarskyi Avenue
Chernihiv is one of the oldest cities of Kyivan Rus, and its main sights are gathered in a small area above the Desna River. This FantoTravel day trip runs in autumn, when the ramparts, parks and squares around the cathedrals turn golden and the air over the river is crystal clear. You will see the 11th-century Transfiguration Cathedral, walk through the Detynets past old cannons, go down into the Anthony Caves and look out over the city from the Boldyni Hills.
Why go
- The 11th-century Transfiguration Cathedral on the Detynets – one of the oldest surviving churches of Kyivan Rus
- The autumn Val rampart with its cannons and views of St. Catherine’s Church – the most photogenic walk in Chernihiv
- The Anthony Caves (11th–18th centuries): underground passages and cells beneath St. Elijah’s Church of the Trinity-St. Elijah Monastery
- The Boldyni Hills, with ancient burial mounds and a panorama of the city and its golden church domes
- A FantoTravel guide and a ready-made route: transportation, stops and lunch are planned around the daylight hours of an autumn day
Route
Starting point:
Kyiv, Lisova metro station
Departure at 07:30
Drive to Chernihiv
About 2.5–3 hours, 150 km
The Detynets, the city’s ancient citadel
A walk along the Val rampart, old cannons, viewpoints over the Desna
Group admission to the Detynets – UAH 50, paid separately
Transfiguration Cathedral
An 11th-century cathedral and the exhibition “Chernihiv Savior: Code 990”
Admission – UAH 100, paid separately
Cathedral of Saints Borys and Hlib
A look at the 12th-century cathedral on the grounds of the Detynets
St. Catherine’s Church
A look at the 18th-century baroque church with five golden domes
Lunch in Chernihiv
Free time for lunch at a café in the city center
At your own expense, about 1 hour
Boldyni Hills
A walk among the burial mounds and a panorama of Chernihiv from the hills
St. Elijah’s Church and the Anthony Caves
An 80-minute tour with a reserve guide: underground passages, cells and churches
UAH 200 per person, admission included, paid separately
Return to Kyiv
About 2.5–3 hours
Kyiv, Lisova metro station
Expected return around 19:30
Good to know
What’s included
Travel by comfortable bus Kyiv – Chernihiv – Kyiv and a FantoTravel guide for the whole day.
Paid separately
Group admission to the Detynets costs UAH 50, the Transfiguration Cathedral with the exhibition “Chernihiv Savior: Code 990” costs UAH 100, and the guided tour of St. Elijah’s Church and the Anthony Caves (80 minutes, admission included) costs UAH 200. All tickets can be added to your order together with your seat on the tour. Lunch is at your own expense. Prices of the Ancient Chernihiv reserve as of October 2026.
Short daylight hours
After the clocks go back on October 25, it gets dark around 17:00, and even earlier in November, so the outdoor stops are planned for the first half of the day and the caves for the second.
What to bring
Comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and paths of the Val, warm clothes for the windy viewpoints, water and a light snack.
Tour language
The tour is conducted in Ukrainian.
Schedule
Organized by: FantoTravel · Guide: Melnyk Andrii Petrovych
