The World's Most Intriguing Ghost Towns
There’s just something both eerie and captivating about abandoned cities. Whether it’s a village overtaken by sand dunes or a deserted marble metropolitan, each place is a snapshot of history frozen in time—with a grim story of how it became what it is today.
Here’s 14 of the world’s most intriguing ghost towns that will have you both awed and creeped out at the same time.
Craco, Italy
Perched on a rock almost 400 meters above sea level is Craco—a ghost town in Italy, not far from Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. It was once a prosperous town boasting four beautiful palaces, but after several natural disasters, including landslides, a flood, and then an earthquake, it’s been completely abandoned.
Craco, Italy
Today, the ruins attract tourists from across the globe, and have even become a popular filming location. But what makes it creepy are the mysterious legends of a church with mummified remains and a tavern run by witches. Tourists from all over the world have claimed to have mysterious and eerie experiences, particularly at the infamous tavern.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
Kolmanskop is a small ghost town in southern Namibia. At one point, Kolmanskop boasted a butcher shop, a bakery, an ice factory, a post office, several bars, a bowling alley, a hospital, and even a concert hall where opera companies from Europe would come to perform. Better yet, in 1912, Kolmanskop produced 1 million carats of diamonds—nearly 12% of the world’s total.
But sadly, it didn't last.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
By the 1930s, the town’s riches were largely depleted, and many of the diamond miners moved on. By 1956, the last family had left, making the town completely abandoned. Since then, the town has become slowly swallowed by sand—leaving an incredibly eerie vibe for those who dare to visit.
Oradour-sur-Glane, France
This abandoned French town has a troubling history that led to its abandonment. Before the war, Oradour-sur-Glane was a quiet, rural community that boasted a beautiful stone village. But in 1944, the village was left in ruins after German Waffen-SS troops massacred 642 men, women, and children before burning the village to the ground.
Oradour-sur-Glane, France
Today, all that remains are crumbling walls, rusted cars, and various household items that have been left untouched for over 70 years. Tourists are able to visit the ghost town, but beware—it’s definitely haunted.
Tourists have reported hearing creepy sounds, seeing shadows run among the ruins, and feeling an uneasy presence while visiting. Many attribute the hauntings to the sad souls who were tragically and horrifically massacred during the war.
Kennecott, United States
On the edge of a glacier in southern Alaska sits the ghost town of Kennecott—an abandoned mining camp that was once the center of activity for several copper mines. Today, it’s considered one of the most haunted places in the state.
In fact, the abandoned railroad that runs to and from the mine is said to be the “most haunted” part, so much so, that officials had apparently tried to redevelop the area multiple times but were plagued by phantom happenings.
Kennecott, United States
At one point, Kennecott was flourishing, full of workers who arrived in search of wealth and work. There were businesses, shops, a train connection—and lots of life. Then, in 1938, the town was abruptly abandoned by its citizens, leaving most of their possessions behind.
Today, a handful of residents may still live there—though it’s challenging without appropriate support in and out of the area.
Thames Town, China
Thames Town is actually a relatively new town that was completed in 2006. It’s located in the Songjiang District of China, but boasts an intriguing English-style design with cobblestone streets, Victorian terraces, corner shops, and even red telephone boxes.
But how does a charming cultural town like this become a ghost town?
Thames Town, China
Unfortunately, China overspent on this one. High house prices led to a decline in permanent residents, which then caused many of the shops and restaurants to close. It has since become known as a ghost town, with many of its structures remaining exactly how they always have been—but without a single person in sight.
Kangbashi District, Ordos City, China
Ordos City in China is said to be one of the nation’s largest ghost cities today—but it started with good intentions. Located in one of the richest areas in the country, Ordos City boasts world-class architecture, extravagant public plazas, international scale stadiums, and an array of new housing. But it was lacking one thing—people.
Kangbashi District, Ordos City, China
As we know, “rich” isn’t always better. In fact, similar to Thames Town, it was the high real estate prices that eventually drove away permanent residents, ultimately contributing to the ghost town feel that exists today.
It has often been referred to as a “stillborn city” or a “failed utopia,” but in recent years, China has been working to steadily increase its population. Though its grim reputation remains.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. And while it boasts incredibly beautiful, massive white-marble and gold buildings that create a futuristic-looking city—it is also lacking in people.
When building, the plan was to set the Guinness World Record for as many white marble buildings as possible—not realizing that no one would be able to afford to actually live in them.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
As extravagant as the city is, it is drastically underpopulated. Today, Ashgabat is called “the city of the dead,” because it is almost impossible to see people there. As for tourists, Turkmenistan is very strict, and only select people are allowed in the country. Much of the city cannot be photographed, and even though there is no one there to guard it, the abandoned metropolis remains under tight wraps.
Pripyat, Ukraine
Pripyat, Ukraine was once a beautiful, bustling city filled with a population of close to 50,000. The whole reason for its existence was to serve the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. However, after the nuclear disaster in 1986, a quick and massive evacuation emptied the town of all of its residents—leaving the city abandoned, with no one allowed to ever return.
Pripyat, Ukraine
Today, Pripyat is a ghost town in the truest sense, and has been used as the setting for games such as Call of Duty, Stalker, and Half Life. And, of course, it’s believed to be haunted. In fact, starting just days after the disaster, there were reports of a “dark, flying creature” that is apparently called “The Black Bird of Chernobyl”—and many tourists have claimed to come into contact with this bird at some point, too.
North Brother Island, United States
North Brother Island is an infamous island in America that was once the site of the Riverside Hospital for quarantinable diseases—particularly typhoid, smallpox, and tuberculosis. Many of the diseased victims—including the infamous Typhoid Mary—died after decades in quarantine and complete isolation.
North Brother Island, United States
Later, the island went on to house war veterans, and even junkies. But when reports surfaced about torturous activities going on with patients, the facility closed its doors and was later turned into a bird sanctuary.
Today, the island is said to be viciously haunted by all the poor souls who were tortured and suffered through unimaginable disease and despair.
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Famagusta, Cyprus
In the early 1970s, Famagusta was the number-one tourist destination in Cyprus, and one of the most popular tourist cities in the entire world. It boasted beautiful high-rise buildings and stunning hotels that overlooked sandy beaches and blue waters.
Then, in 1974, the Turks invaded Cyprus, and all of its inhabitants were forced to flee—and it has remained abandoned ever since.
Famagusta, Cyprus
Today, some Turkish residents live in parts of Famagusta, but a large portion remains completely blocked off and heavily guarded. Decaying buildings and rubble line the streets, and signs are posted labelling it a “forbidden zone”.
Plymouth, Montserrat
Plymouth is the capital of the island of Montserrat, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. While the island is extremely beautiful with lots of natural vegetation surrounded by beautiful blue waters, it is also home to a dangerous volcano—and the town of Plymouth happened to be built right on top of its historical lava deposits.
Plymouth, Montserrat
At one point, Plymouth had a population of about 4,000 people. But then in 1995, the volcano—which had apparently been inactive for centuries—began erupting, causing the people to flee. Before long, the entire town was buried in ash and volcanic matter—causing it to become permanently abandoned.
Today, the ruins of Plymouth are a ghost town under a blanket of ash. Access is strictly prohibited, unless permission is granted from certified personnel.
Hashima Island, Japan
Hashima Island, commonly called “Gunkanjimais” which translates to “Battleship Island,” is a tiny, 16-acre abandoned island off Nagasaki. It was known for its undersea coal mines, which operated during the industrialization of Japan. The majority of the island's residents were conscripted Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war who were forced to work under very harsh conditions and brutal treatment—with many perishing during their time there.
But, as we have learned, not everything lasts forever—and the underwater coal mines at Hashima Island were no different.
Hashima Island, Japan
When the island's coal reserves depleted, the mine was closed and the residents (a population of about 5,000 at its peak) left the island, ultimately leaving it abandoned.
Today, the island is virtually undisturbed, except by nature, with a crumbling seawall and dark, eerie ruinous buildings. And of course, the island's many secret tunnels are apparently haunted by trapped souls who tragically lost their lives in the mines.
Fordlandia, Brazil
In 1928, American industrialist Henry Ford established Fordlandia in the Amazon Rainforest as a prefabricated industrial town intended to inhabit 10,000 people and secure a source of rubber for his automobile manufacturing company. But eventually, the jungle pushed him out.
Fordlandia, Brazil
When Ford’s project failed (due to an unforgiving climate and workers protesting Ford's strict working conditions) the residents had no further work and had no choice but to leave, and the town ultimately became a ghost town. Apparently, Ford's labor conditions were so brutal that workers had very little freedom—in fact, he even forbade them from playing soccer.
Today, some of the decrepit buildings still exist, and the town is considered an “abandoned utopia” in the vast and lush Amazon rainforest—and if you're quiet enough, you may even see a glimpse of a phantom soccer ball out of the corner of your eye.
Bodie, California
Back in 1876, Bodie, California became a boom town after the discovery of a profitable vein of gold. Within a few years, the population had grown to 8,000 and it flourished for a while, but as the gold depleted, so did the population. And by 1915, Bodie was described as a ghost town.
Bodie, California
Today, the abandoned town, which is now a National Historic Landmark, looks much the same as it did over 50 years ago, and has become a popular tourist attraction for those who want to experience the most authentic setting of the California gold rush. There's just one very important rule when visiting Bodie: Do not take ANYTHING from the village. Not even a pebble.
According to popular legend, anyone who takes anything from the village will get the wrath of the "Curse of Bodie", which involves some serious bad luck and misfortune—and a few ghosts who will follow you until the item is returned.
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