10 Ghost Towns That Have Become Tourist Attractions
Discover 10 fascinating ghost towns around the world that have transformed into unique tourist attractions, blending history, mystery, and abandoned beauty.
1. Pripyat, Ukraine Once a thriving Soviet city near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Pripyat was evacuated in 1986 after the disaster. Today, it’s a chilling time capsule with abandoned schools, Ferris wheels, and apartments frozen in time. (Image: Canva)
2. Kolmanskop, Namibia A former diamond mining town in the Namib Desert, Kolmanskop was abandoned in the 1950s. Its sand-filled houses and German-style buildings create a surreal desert landscape that’s now a photographer’s dream. (Image: Canva)
3. Bodie, California, USA Bodie was a booming gold-mining town in the late 1800s. Now preserved as a State Historic Park, it offers visitors a glimpse into the Wild West, with weathered wooden buildings and deserted streets. (Image: Canva)
4. Hashima Island, Japan Nicknamed “Battleship Island” for its shape, Hashima was once home to coal miners. Abandoned in 1974, its crumbling concrete buildings stand as a haunting reminder of Japan’s rapid industrialisation. (Image: Canva)
5. Oradour-sur-Glane, France This French village was destroyed in World War II during a Nazi massacre in 1944. It remains untouched as a memorial, with rusting bicycles, burnt-out cars, and empty streets telling the story of its tragic past. (Image: Canva)
6. Varosha, Cyprus Once a glamorous beach resort visited by celebrities, Varosha was abandoned during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Decades later, parts of it have been reopened, allowing visitors to wander through its eerie, sun-bleached hotels. (Image: Canva)
7. Kayaköy, Turkey A Greek village abandoned after the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey, Kayaköy’s stone houses and churches now form an open-air museum surrounded by pine forests. (Image: Canva)
8. Pyramiden, Norway This Arctic settlement was a Soviet coal-mining town on Svalbard. Abandoned in 1998, it remains remarkably preserved, complete with a swimming pool, cultural centre, and Lenin statue under the midnight sun. (Image: Canva)
9. Humberstone, Chile A former nitrate mining town in the Atacama Desert, Humberstone is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its rusting machinery and empty theatres offer a glimpse into Chile’s mining history. (Image: Canva)
10. Craco, Italy Perched on a hilltop, Craco was abandoned in the 1960s due to landslides. Its medieval buildings and dramatic location have made it a popular filming site for movies and a favourite among tourists seeking ghostly charm. (Image: Canva)
