Some find the abandoned places creepy, while others consider them exciting and they are even eager to explore them. Since not everyone has the opportunity as well as the necessary skills to go on an adventure themselves and travel to these eerie destinations, other explorers make sure they capture their discoveries and share them with a wider audience on their social media. We all agree these places are not for everyone to visit, but we must admit that the photographs showcasing these unique locations are both scary and beautiful. Also, there is something very alluring in them…

If you are interested in having a glimpse into the urbex community and you are looking for the best profiles dedicated to this content, you may be interested in checking out “Deserted Places” on Instagram. This account features amazing photographs and videos shared by people who visited the most mesmerizing places on the planet.

We hope you like the list of images we prepared for you today. And who knows, maybe you will be the next one to get lured into the eerie world of deserted places.

#1

Image credits: budilnikovyy

#2

Image credits: @aleksandr_nesterovskyi

#3

Image credits: espinas3

Bored Panda has reached out to Rafał, the creator of GoUrbex. We wanted to find out more about this specific activity he dedicated himself to – the exploration of abandoned places. In addition to his YouTube channel counting over 1 million views, and nearly 150 videos, Rafał documents his urbex adventures and discoveries on his Instagram profile. First, we asked him how he became interested in urban exploration, and what inspired him to start GoUrbex. We found out that: “I think it’s a general curiosity. I’ve always been interested in how things are produced, how they work, and so on. Eventually, I came across videos and photos of abandoned places on the internet, and that’s when I realized that this hobby is called urbex. I learned about it relatively late, only in 2011. I live near the Kampinos National Park, and I used to go with friends to explore the bunkers there, where it all began. In 2013, I bought a sports camera and tried to record it, but I wasn’t satisfied with my footage at the time, so I put the exploration aside for a while.

It wasn’t until 2016 that I stumbled upon the location of a well-preserved recreational center called Okrąglaki online. The place was literally perfectly preserved. Unfortunately, at that time, I didn’t know that it’s better not to delay visiting such places. A friend I was supposed to go with kept postponing the trip, and when we finally went there six months later, the center was significantly different from the footage from winter 2016. Initially, my channel was supposed to focus on abandoned places in my area, but when I returned to the topic after some time, I realized that the name shouldn’t limit the locations. So, in 2017, my initiative under the name GoUrbex was born. Over the years, I even had the opportunity to visit the closed zone of Chernobyl four times. Additionally, on my channel, I sometimes try to restore electricity in abandoned buildings using a converter powered by a small battery. It’s a small reference to my enthusiasm for electronics.”

#4

Image credits: 69_tz

#5

Image credits: abandoned_nordic

#6

Image credits: infinity.photographs

Asked if he could share one of his most memorable experiences while exploring an abandoned location, Rafał answered: “Yes, the most interesting place I visited was the PZL Wola factory. Paradoxically, I still haven’t made a film from that location, but that’s because the original way of filming didn’t suit me. This factory produced engines for tanks, large power generators, as well as boats and smaller ships. The facilities were enormous, abandoned for years and guarded. When I first entered the premises, I felt like a spy; we had to go unnoticed without knowing the entrance to the building. We walked around the abandoned fire station unit adjacent to the building we were interested in. A few days later, we returned and encountered scrap collectors who showed us a fairly well-hidden entrance. The facilities were huge, and what’s best is that I would often go there after work to explore new areas in the factory. Each visit to that place uncovered new rooms, areas, and secrets of the facilities. There, I met many other explorers, and I still keep in touch with some of them to this day, back in November 2017. Interestingly, I met Michał there, who had explored Sobieskiego 100 on multiple occasions. I used to watch his films as one of the first when I was looking for materials about abandoned places. Unfortunately, 1.5 years later, the factory was demolished.”

#7

Image credits: tovissibence

#8

Image credits: mysteriesoftheabandoned

#9

Image credits: tom_juenemann

Next, we were curious about what challenges Rafał typically faces when exploring abandoned places, and how he overcomes them. He shared with us: “I think that, first and foremost, there is fear, uncertainty, and the fear of being detected. But curiosity and adrenaline compensate for that. I explored 90% of the places I visited with one or two other people. I believe that going ‘urbexing’ alone is highly dangerous; it’s better to have someone who can help or at least call for help in case of an accident. In abandoned places, I’m most afraid of encountering people and, possibly, animals; I don’t believe in ghosts. Sometimes, in safer places, I go alone to build my confidence.”

#10

Image credits: solenegdsn

#11

Image credits: rj__46bex

#12

Image credits: charliie.b

We were also wondering how the explorer prioritizes safety, both for himself and his team. Rafał said: “If I see that a particular structure is in poor technical condition, etc., then I don’t enter. During urbex, it’s crucial to watch where you step, pay attention to the material the floor is made of. Very old buildings often had wooden ceilings that can collapse due to moisture. For safety reasons, I don’t take people I don’t know, people who have never been on urbex trips, on explorations with me. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to anyone because it’s difficult to convey that specific knowledge and intuition. Not everyone has the technical sense to assess risks, and I definitely err on the side of caution.”

#13

Image credits: ksenia_hound

#14

Image credits: gregabandoned

#15

Image credits: peter.rajkai

Lastly, we asked Rafał if there are any tips he could give to our readers and aspiring urban explorers who want to delve into abandoned places. We were told that: “First and foremost, do not enter places that are closed and secured. Urbex is not about breaking in, so if it’s closed, don’t force entry. As I mentioned earlier, pay attention to where you step and avoid taking excessive risks for the sake of a film or a photograph.”

On a side note, we would like to encourage you to check out Rafał’s channel, GoUrbex. The creator mentioned that some of his videos have English subtitles available for people worldwide curious to follow his impressive adventures.

#16

Image credits: charliie.b

#17

Image credits: rbrtkfnr

#18

Gunkanjima, also known as Battleship Island, was once a thriving industrial site, housing over 5,000 workers in its heyday. The island was completely self-sufficient, with its own schools, hospitals, and even a swimming pool. However, as the demand for coal decreased and the island’s resources were depleted, the mine was eventually closed in 1974, and the island was abandoned. Since then, Gunkanjima has remained largely unchanged, and the abandoned buildings and structures on the island have become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take guided tours of the island and explore the abandoned buildings, which have been left to decay and have been overtaken by vegetation.Despite its eerie atmosphere, Gunkanjima is an important part of Japan’s history and stands as a testament to the country’s rapid industrialization in the 20th century.

Image credits: espinas3

#19

Image credits: gnek69_urbex

#20

Image credits: anna_korob_

#21

Image credits: abandoned_nordic

#22

Image credits: mgness_urbexery

#23

Image credits: justinjenny

#24

Image credits: espinas3

#25

Image credits: los_schallos

#26

Image credits: peter.rajkai

#27

Image credits: gnek69_urbex

#28

Image credits: me_gu27

#29

Image credits: organize_urbex

#30

Image credits: ksenia_hound

#31

Image credits: alek.sikora

#32

Image credits: traveller_of_the_past

#33

Image credits: lostschatti

#34

Image credits: rj__46bex

#35

Image credits: dark_lostroad

#36

Image credits: burtoo

#37

Image credits: places_forgotten

#38

Image credits: bo.dabi

#39

Image credits: drope09

#40

Image credits: escapade__z

#41

Image credits: ___krampus___

#42

Image credits: jotafc_photography

#43

Image credits: lanasator

#44

Image credits: abandoned_nordic

#45

Image credits: abandoned_nordic

#46

Image credits: mjurbexphotography

#47

Image credits: organize_urbex

#48

Image credits: 104b0

#49

Image credits: like_a_free

#50

Image credits: u_r_b_e_x__

#51

Image credits: abandoned_nordic

#52

Image credits: jotafc_photography

#53

Image credits: ilus_urbex

#54

Image credits: tenera_a

#55

Image credits: samurai

#56

Image credits: urbex.ben

#57

Image credits: deserted.places

#58

Image credits: samurai

#59

Image credits: gregabandoned

#60

Image credits: alex_dawson_photography

#61

Image credits: rj__46bex

#62

Image credits: gregabandoned

#63

Image credits: andy_schwetz_photography

#64

Image credits: rj__46bex

#65

Image credits: alexplorefpv

#66

Image credits: charliie.b

#67

An abandoned subway located in Russia

Image credits: lanasator

#68

Image credits: georgmichaeljordan

#69

Image credits: deserted.places

#70

Image credits: dark_lostroad

#71

Image credits: deserted.places

#72

Image credits: ___krampus___

#73

Image credits: jim_carroll__

#74

Image credits: rj__46bex

#75

Image credits: gnek69_urbex

#76

Image credits: me_gu27

#77

Image credits: urbanxexplorer

#78

Image credits: mpunkth_

#79

Image credits: escapade__z

#80

Image credits: apeculiarghost

#81

Image credits: rj__46bex

#82

Image credits: infinity.photographs

#83

Image credits: urbex_et_prestige

#84

Michelangelo Antonioni’s dome, designed by Dante Bini, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, is a building with a unique past and priceless value, which resists the passing of the years and still bears witness to the troubled love story between Michelangelo Antonioni and Monica Vitti.

Image credits: olaflostinsardinia

#85

Image credits: rj__46bex

#86

Image credits: urbex.ing

#87

Image credits: gregabandoned

#88

Image credits: pbm_urbex

#89

Image credits: florisgone

#90

Image credits: like_a_free

#91

Image credits: saltybarbara

#92

Image credits: flo_xploration

#93

Image credits: charliie.b

#94

Image credits: los_schallos

#95

Image credits: rj__46bex

#96

Image credits: organize_urbex

#97

Image credits: charliie.b

#98

Image credits: 104b0

#99

Image credits: lanasator

#100

Image credits: dnf.n

#101

Image credits: cwebb_sy

#102

Image credits: itsjonne

#103

Image credits: organize_urbex

#104

Image credits: rj__46bex

#105

Image credits: abandoned_southeast

#106

Image credits: lost.and.lovely

#107

Image credits: apeculiarghost

#108

Image credits: 104b0

#109

Image credits: escapade__z

#110

Image credits: rj__46bex

#111

Image credits: cha_dlvx

#112

Image credits: relicta_places

#113

Image credits: itsjonne

#114

Image credits: escapade__z

#115

Image credits: urbex_2m

#116

Image credits: lanasator

#117

Image credits: like_a_free

#118

Image credits: rj__46bex

#119

Image credits: rj__46bex

#120

Image credits: peter.rajkai

#121

Image credits: 13_pilot

#122

Image credits: u_r_b_e_x__

#123

Image credits: deserted.places

#124

Image credits: leschosesabandonnees

#125

Image credits: urbex.ing

#126

Image credits: gnek69_urbex

#127

Image credits: 104b0

#128

Image credits: lanasator

#129

Image credits: urbex_675

#130

Image credits: rj__46bex

#131

Image credits: h_o_u_s_e_

#132

Image credits: deserted.places