Abandoned places have a haunting allure that draws in many people who are curious to explore and uncover the stories behind their demise. From ghost towns and abandoned amusement parks to former mining towns and hospitals, the world is full of abandoned places waiting to be discovered. In this list, we have compiled the top 20 abandoned places from around the world, each with its unique history and haunting beauty.
Some of these places were abandoned due to natural disasters or human conflict, while others fell victim to technological advancements or economic changes. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for an adventure, these abandoned places offer a glimpse into the past and the chance to explore the unknown.
Pripyat, Ukraine – The city was abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
Craco, Italy – A medieval town that was abandoned due to natural disasters and landslides.
Kolmanskop, Namibia – A ghost town that was once a diamond mining town but was abandoned in the early 1950s.
Bodie, California, USA – A ghost town that was once a thriving gold-mining town but was abandoned in the early 1900s.
Hashima Island, Japan – An abandoned island that was once a coal-mining town.
Centralia, Pennsylvania, USA – A town that has been abandoned due to an underground coal fire that has been burning since 1962.
Gunkanjima Island, Japan – An abandoned island that was once a thriving coal-mining town.
Oradour-sur-Glane, France – A village that was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II and has been left as a memorial.
Prypiat Amusement Park, Ukraine – An abandoned amusement park in the city of Pripyat that was due to open on May Day in 1986, but was never used after the Chernobyl disaster.
Varosha, Cyprus – A once-popular tourist destination that has been abandoned since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, Chile – A UNESCO World Heritage site that was once a thriving saltpeter industry but was abandoned in the 1960s.
City Hall Subway Station, New York City, USA – A beautiful abandoned subway station that was closed in 1945.
Sanzhi UFO houses, Taiwan – A series of abandoned pod-shaped houses that were built in the 1970s but were never occupied.
Bhangarh Fort, India – An abandoned fort that is said to be cursed and haunted.
Kayaköy, Turkey – A ghost town that was once a thriving Greek community but was abandoned after the Turkish War of Independence.
Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia – An abandoned temple that was built in the 12th century and is now overgrown with jungle.
Nara Dreamland, Japan – An abandoned amusement park that was modeled after Disneyland.
Battleship Island, Japan – An abandoned island that was once a thriving coal-mining town.
Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital, Germany – An abandoned hospital complex that was used as a military hospital during World War I and later as a tuberculosis sanatorium.
Ross Island, India – An abandoned island that was once the administrative headquarters of the British Raj in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
