Four Ghost Towns Around The World You Can Still Visit Today

Most of you probably think of ghost towns as some abandoned coal mine in the Old West, with the dusty saloons and tumbleweeds. You’ll be surprised that there are many empty cities that were found all the way to Antarctica, yes that’s real. The reason why these cities are abandoned is varied: villages crumbling because of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or even nuclear disasters – you name it.

Here are the top four abandoned cities around the world you might have never known existed.

1. Pripyat, Ukraine

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 has affected the city of Pripyat (two hours away from Kiev) immensely. This incident forced entire towns to empty out completely. All areas within a 19-mile radius of the plant were considered inhabitable for at least 180 years. You can still visit the area today with private guided tours.

2. Pyramiden, Svalbard, Norway

Located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Pyramiden is named for the pyramid-shaped mountain appearing nearby. The city first became notable in the 1930s, when the Soviets took ownership of the area. The biggest hit came in 1996 when an airplane flying from Moscow to Svalbard crashed en route. Many of those who perished were Pyramiden residents. This tragedy was the reason why it was fully abandoned in 1998. Today, you can still get there by boat from the main city to visit the area.

3. Kolmanskop, Namibia

You would never believe that this sand-filled city used to be a hotspot for diamond mining in 1908. After they discovered a bigger source for diamonds in the south of Kolmanskop, the site instantly became a ghost town. If you’d like to visit, there are hour-long tours offered every day.

4. Craco, Italy

The city was founded in the eighth century. It endured harsh times for several centuries such as earthquakes, wars, and the Black Plague. The final straw happened in 1963 when a landslide forced all the remaining residents to evacuate. Even though the city is in a state of slow decay, the 2004 hanging scene from Passion of the Christ was filmed right there. As for touristic attractions, you can still reach Craco by car, and enjoy a guided tour.