POSTS Best Destinations The Ultimate Guide to Uncover the Best Urban Exploration Destinations Around the World

The Ultimate Guide to Uncover the Best Urban Exploration Destinations Around the World

2023-10-07 00:30:28 - Drany Macley Drany Macley, the senior editor of Vytravels.com, brings extensive journalism background and over eight years of experience in travel writing and editing to the site, offering practical insights and first-hand knowledge through articles on innovative hotels, backed by a BA in Journalism from Ithaca College.
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Explore the hidden treasures that lie beneath the surface and embark on the ultimate journey of urban exploration. From the haunting remnants of Chernobyl to the forgotten depths of the Paris sewers, we take you on a mesmerizing tour of the world's most intriguing abandoned places. Brace yourself for a thrilling adventure as we unveil the best urban exploration destinations that will leave you captivated and craving for more.

Chernobyl city, Ukraine

Credit: Alamy

Chernobyl city in Ukraine is known for an infamous event that occurred in 1986. An accident at its nuclear power plant resulted in a leakage of radioactive waste. As a result, the entire city had to be evacuated. Despite the presence of radiation, there are guided tours available that allow visitors to explore the exclusion zone and get within 100 meters of the contaminated reactor. Abandoned schools, homes, and factories are among the attractions in the area. The neighboring city of Pripyat, which used to have 50,000 inhabitants, is home to iconic reminders of its former life, such as an eerie public swimming pool, playground, and Ferris wheel.

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie, CA

During the late 1870s, Bodie in California was a bustling gold rush town with nearly 10,000 residents. Today, Bodie is a ghost town that welcomes tourists and photographers who are interested in witnessing the remnants of its past. The town was home to saloons, a red-light district, shops, and houses that were once filled with activity. As a visitor, you are only allowed to take photographs, as it is believed that taking souvenirs from the town brings bad luck. Daily tours and talks are available from late May through September at the Bodie State Historic Park, with a $5 entrance fee.

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    KAZAKHSTAN: Kantubek Ghost Town

    The name of Vozrozhdeniya island in Kazakhstan is ironically fitting considering its history. This island was once used for the testing of biological weapons and has since become a ghost town within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Even today, the island poses a potential threat due to the burial sites of contaminated waste. While measures have been taken to disinfect the area, the concentration of the virus was so high that the danger remains. Additionally, the transformation of the island into a peninsula allows for easy migration of the virus to the mainland, making it a ticking time bomb. Nowadays, the region has seen the opening of mining facilities for various metals, gas, and oil, leading to the gradual closure of the area to outsiders.

    openair gym in kantubek aralsk-7

    ROMANIA: Buzludzha - The Last Communist Palace

    The impact of communism on minds, lives, and architecture is apparent in Romania. One of the most significant architectural remnants of the communist era is the Bulgarian "flying saucer" located on Buzludzha Mountain. Exploring the former house-monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party is an exciting experience. The monument stands as evidence of the "red" power that once dominated the country.

    Памятник коммунизму в Бузлудже

    Wieliczka salt mine, Poland

    Credit: Alamy

    Located near Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine offers a unique exploration opportunity. With 300 kilometers of galleries and 3,000 chambers spread over nine levels, this salt mine is a haven for urban explorers. However, visitors are advised to stick to the three open levels and designated pathways to ensure safety. One of the highlights of the mine is the presence of salt-dug chapels and a saline lake. Exploring the mine involves tackling 800 steps or using the available lift.

    Naples catacombs, Italy

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    Underneath the city of Naples lies a fascinating network of catacombs that date back to ancient Greek times. These catacombs, known as the Catacombs of Naples, are a treasure trove of architecture and history. The San Gennaro catacombs feature a fourth-century basilica carved out of soft stones, while San Gaudioso holds centuries-old tombs, mosaics, and frescoes. For a macabre experience, visitors can also explore the Fontanelle Cemetery on the outskirts of the city, where piles of skulls from plague victims can be found.

    Spinalonga leper colony, Greece

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    Located off the coast of Crete, Spinalonga is a small island with a unique history. From 1904 to 1957, the island served as a leper colony, isolating and abandoning Greek lepers. Today, the island is a tourist attraction that allows visitors to explore the ruins of leper houses, a school, an incinerator used for burning clothes, and a cemetery. The island is surrounded by 16th-century Venetian watchtowers and bastions, pierced by dark tunnels. Despite its haunting past, the island is known for its beautiful scenery, including fig trees and wildflowers.

    Mechelen cathedral, Belgium

    Credit: Alamy

    In the city of Mechelen, Belgium, visitors have a unique opportunity to explore St Rumbold's Tower. This cathedral tower allows visitors to climb into its architectural skeleton, immersing themselves among massive crossbeams, organ pipes, and remnants of the wooden wheels once used to transport building materials. Clambering through the tower's high windows, visitors can observe pigeons and falcons. The tower's carillon, with its vibrating bells, is another highlight. The tower also offers panoramic views of Flanders from an outdoor platform at its summit.

    Tempelhof Airport: Berlin, Germany

    Berlin, Germany is a great destination for urban exploration enthusiasts. Tempelhof Airport in particular offers an interesting opportunity for exploration. While it is now closed for regular airport operations, Berliner Unterwelten provides five different theme tours of Berlin's subterranean attractions, including ones related to Tempelhof Airport. These tours allow visitors to delve into the underground history of the city. Tempelhof Airport itself is a unique architectural site that has been featured in movies like Skyfall.

    Read more: Top 10 Free Things to Do in Berlin

    • ALBANIA: Underground Aircraft, Submarine Bases and Weapon Plant

    Albania, a beautiful mountainous country along the shores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, holds some fascinating urban exploration sites. Historically, the country underwent a period of heavy militarization after the death of its dictator Enver Hoxha. This resulted in the construction of numerous underground sites, including more than 70,000 bunkers, underground aircraft bases, submarine bases, and a weapon plant. These sites provide a unique glimpse into Albania's past.

    aqua blue water inside abandoned albanian submarine base

    Hashima Island, Japan

    Credit: Alamy

    Hashima Island, located near Nagasaki in Japan, is a famous urban exploration site. Once a coal-mining and processing plant, the island was home to 5,000 workers. After its closure in 1974, the island became a World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction. It is covered in ruins of industrial and residential buildings, creating a unique and steampunk-like landscape. The island has been featured in films, including the James Bond movie Skyfall. Visitors, however, are restricted to elevated walkways due to the risk of collapsing buildings.

    Eastern State Penitentiary

    Philadelphia, PA

    This U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Eastern State Penitentiary, housed some of America's most notorious criminals, including "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone. Although the jail closed in 1971, it has been preserved and opened to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore the vaulted, sky-lit cells and learn about the prison's history. In addition to general admission tours, the site also hosts a haunted house during Halloween.

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    Othello railway tunnels, Canada

    Credit: Alamy

    Coquihalla Canyon in British Columbia, Canada, is home to a spectacular railway line that has been repurposed for recreation. Walking or cycling along this track allows visitors to explore a series of tunnels and bridges that traverse the canyon. The dark tunnels, devoid of lighting, provide a unique experience reminiscent of illicit track-running. The bridge and tunnel system offers breathtaking views of the turbulent waters below.

    Paris sewers, France

    Credit: Alamy

    Paris is famous for its extensive network of underground tunnels and sewers, making it a sought-after destination for urban exploration. The Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum) offers visitors a legitimate opportunity to explore the underground tunnels through guided tours. These tours provide insights into the historic sewage, drinking water, and telecommunications systems that lie beneath the city's streets. Visitors walk along raised walkways to avoid direct contact with the sewage. The museum offers a unique perspective on Paris and is accessible through a maintenance door.

    Underground Seattle, US

    Credit: Alamy

    Following a devastating fire in 1889, parts of downtown Seattle were rebuilt on top of the ruins, resulting in an extraordinary buried city beneath Pioneer Square. The Underground Tour offered by Bill Speidel's Underground Tour allows visitors to explore a small portion of this buried city legally. The tour showcases intact shopfronts, walls, and footpaths, reminiscent of a modern-day Pompeii. Alongside historical anecdotes, visitors will learn interesting stories about plumbing mishaps, exploding toilets, and the abandoned red-light district.

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    Othello railway tunnels, Canada

    Credit: Alamy

    Located in Coquihalla Canyon, British Columbia, the Othello railway tunnels offer a unique urban exploration opportunity. This early 20th-century railway line has been transformed into a walking and cycling track that follows the path of the original tracks. The line consists of a series of tunnels and bridges that provide spectacular views of the canyon and its turbulent waters. The dark tunnels, devoid of lighting, offer a thrilling experience akin to trespassing on active tracks.

    Paris sewers, France

    Credit: Alamy

    Paris is famous for its extensive network of underground sewers and tunnels, which have become renowned destinations for urban exploration enthusiasts. The Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum) offers visitors a legitimate and educational way to explore the underground tunnels. Guided tours allow visitors to walk through historic sewage, drinking water, and telecommunications tunnels, with raised walkways ensuring safety. The museum provides a unique and eye-opening look at the hidden side of Paris, with access through a maintenance door. For more underground exploration in Paris, the Catacombs are another fascinating site to visit.

    Underground Seattle, US

    Credit: Alamy

    Seattle's underground city beneath Pioneer Square is a captivating destination for urban explorers. Following a devastating fire in 1889, parts of downtown Seattle were rebuilt on top of existing ruins, leaving a hidden world below the surface. Bill Speidel's Underground Tour offers visitors the chance to explore a small portion of this underground city legally. The tour provides insight into the city's history, with stories of dodgy plumbing, exploding toilets, and the abandoned red-light district adding a touch of humor to the melancholic setting. Additional paranormal and adults-only tours are available for added entertainment.

    These stunning destinations offer more than just a glimpse into the past; they provide an opportunity to uncover the hidden stories and secrets of our urban landscapes. From the desolate ghost towns of Ukraine and Kazakhstan to the grandeur of the Last Communist Palace in Romania, urban exploration takes us on an unforgettable journey through time. Whether it's descending into the depths of the Wieliczka salt mine in Poland or delving into the eerie catacombs of Naples, these extraordinary locations showcase the human experience in all its complexity. So why not grab your courage, pack your bags, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime? The marvels of urban exploration await, ready to captivate and inspire the intrepid traveler in you.

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