From ghostly towns shrouded in mystery to underground metropolises pulsating beneath the earth, our planet is brimming with astonishingly Weird Cities . These extraordinary destinations defy conventional travel guides—they’re not your standard bucket-list spots, nor your typical Instagram hotspots.
Each city holds a remarkable tale, layers of quirky facts, captivating legends, and unique local charms that will stir the adventurer within. Imagine wandering through streets frozen in time, exploring towns suspended above the ocean, or living briefly in subterranean homes crafted from ancient sandstone. These aren’t merely places—they’re experiences, waiting patiently to redefine your understanding of what a city can truly be.
Within this guide, you’ll encounter a town where dying is illegal (yes, really), a place where entire populations live under one roof, and a village that looks plucked straight from the English countryside but exists mysteriously in China. Prepare for tales of eternal underground fires, cliffside civilizations, surreal garbage districts, and towns devoted entirely to circus performers and artists.
You’ll discover why a seemingly ordinary Japanese island was once the most densely populated place on Earth and how one desert community survives extreme heat by living beneath the surface. Each city featured here is steeped in fascinating history, jaw-dropping facts, and filled with extraordinary, must-see experiences. This guide isn’t just about strange cities—it’s your ticket to an unforgettable global adventure filled with intrigue, discovery, and endless fascination.
So grab your passport, pack your curiosity, and prepare for a journey like no other—diving headfirst into the wonderfully bizarre and endlessly surprising corners of our incredible world with “Weird Cities”.
1. Longyearbyen, Norway
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Longyearbyen, on Svalbard, the remote Norwegian archipelago, is famously the northernmost settlement with a significant population. Founded as a coal-mining town in 1906 by American industrialist John Munro Longyear, this place still bears marks of its industrial roots, mixed with modern-day Arctic exploration. Interestingly, due to permafrost, bodies cannot decompose here, leading to the unusual law—it’s illegal to die in Longyearbyen. Instead, severely ill residents are flown to mainland Norway for their final days.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Visit the Svalbard Museum for Arctic wildlife and mining history.
- Participate in guided polar bear safaris.
- Dine at Huset, the northernmost gourmet restaurant in the world.
- Explore the Global Seed Vault, an international project safeguarding global biodiversity.
2. Thames Town, China
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Built in 2006, Thames Town near Shanghai replicates a quaint British village. Tudor-style buildings, red telephone booths, and fake pubs were designed to attract affluent residents but mostly serve as a backdrop for wedding photography and tourism, creating a surreal scene straight out of Europe.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Stroll picturesque cobblestone streets.
- Enjoy afternoon tea at Thames Café.
- Visit the replica of the Bristol Christ Church.
- Shop at boutique stores inspired by traditional English villages.
3. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Setenil de las Bodegas is literally embedded in cliffs, inhabited since prehistoric times due to its natural protection and temperature regulation. It famously resisted conquest during Spain’s Reconquista due to its strategic cliffside fortifications.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Wander Calle Cuevas del Sol, lined with cafés beneath dramatic rock overhangs.
- Visit the Arab castle ruins.
- Enjoy tapas and regional wines at cave restaurants.
4. Manshiyat Naser (Garbage City), Egypt
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Emerging in the 1940s, Manshiyat Naser, or Garbage City, is inhabited by Zabaleen, Coptic Christians originally from Upper Egypt, recycling about 90% of Cairo’s waste. Despite its humble origins, this community symbolizes remarkable resilience and ingenuity.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Visit the Cave Church of Saint Simon, carved into cliffs.
- Tour recycling workshops to learn innovative waste management.
5. Centralia, Pennsylvania, USA
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Centralia became a ghost town due to an underground coal fire ignited in 1962, which continues to burn beneath the ground. The fire led to toxic gases and unstable terrain, forcing residents to abandon their homes, creating a haunting atmosphere.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Walk the abandoned graffiti-covered Route 61.
- Observe smoke rising from fissures.
- Explore nearby pioneer cemeteries.
6. Gibsonton, Florida, USA
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Known as “Freaktown,” Gibsonton served as a winter retreat for circus performers and carnival workers, offering specialized zoning laws allowing elephants and tigers in residential areas, creating a unique, colorful local history.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Visit the International Independent Showmen’s Museum.
- Attend the annual Gibsonton Circus Carnival.
- Explore vintage circus memorabilia.
7. Whittier, Alaska, USA
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Nicknamed “The City Under One Roof,” Whittier houses almost all its residents in Begich Towers, a former military barracks converted into apartments, stores, a school, and city services. The town is only accessible through a single-lane tunnel, enhancing its isolation.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Take glacier cruises from the harbor.
- Tour Begich Towers, including shops and museums.
- Enjoy scenic hiking trails and wildlife.
8. Battleship Island (Hashima), Japan
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Hashima Island, off Nagasaki’s coast, was once the world’s most densely populated city, home to coal miners and families. Abandoned abruptly in 1974 after coal mining ceased, it stands as a haunting example of industrial decline.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Guided tours through abandoned apartments.
- Photograph the stark, post-apocalyptic landscape.
9. Matmata, Tunisia
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Matmata is known for its ancient troglodyte homes carved into sandstone hills, inhabited by Berbers for centuries. Its otherworldly landscape was famously featured as Luke Skywalker’s home in “Star Wars.”
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Stay in traditional underground guesthouses.
- Visit Star Wars filming locations.
- Discover Berber history in local museums.
10. Slab City, California, USA
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Slab City sits atop an abandoned military base, inhabited by artists, nomads, and off-grid communities. Known as “the last free place,” it has no official governance, utilities, or laws, making it an eclectic haven for alternative lifestyles.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Explore Salvation Mountain, a stunning art installation.
- Visit East Jesus, a creative outdoor museum.
- Attend communal concerts and gatherings.
11. Coober Pedy, Australia
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Coober Pedy produces the majority of the world’s opals. Residents live underground due to extreme desert temperatures, creating subterranean communities complete with underground hotels, churches, and pubs.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Stay in underground hotels.
- Tour opal mines.
- Visit underground churches.
12. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Chefchaouen’s vivid blue buildings originated with Jewish refugees who painted them symbolizing heaven. Today, it creates an enchanting atmosphere attracting artists and tourists from around the world.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Wander picturesque blue streets.
- Hike the Rif Mountains.
- Savor local Moroccan dishes.
13. Neft Daşları (Oil Rocks), Azerbaijan
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Built in 1949 by the Soviet Union, Neft Daşları was the world’s first offshore oil platform city, constructed entirely over the Caspian Sea, hosting thousands of oil workers in its heyday.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Limited guided tours of this engineering marvel.
- Discover fascinating Cold War history.
14. Auroville, India
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Founded in 1968, Auroville is a utopian international township promoting unity, sustainability, and spiritual growth without traditional currency or government, based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Meditate at the Matrimandir.
- Volunteer at sustainable farms.
- Participate in holistic workshops.
15. Ordos, China
Weird Cities – History & Facts: Ordos is infamous as China’s largest ghost city, built during the property boom for over a million people but left nearly empty, creating a bizarre, futuristic cityscape.
Experiences & Places to Visit:
- Explore deserted streets and plazas.
- Visit the rarely used Ordos Museum.
Whether it’s exploring abandoned ghost towns enveloped in perpetual silence, marveling at entire communities thriving underground to escape harsh climates, or witnessing towns built precariously into cliffs that seem to defy gravity, each destination provides an utterly unique lens through which to view the world. Wander through villages that mimic other continents entirely, lose yourself in towns where conventional laws and norms cease to apply, and encounter cultures thriving in conditions most would find impossible.
Every street, alleyway, and building in these peculiar cities invites you to uncover secrets not mentioned in conventional travel guides, offering a glimpse into how humans adapt ingeniously to even the most bizarre and challenging circumstances.
Traveling to these wonderfully weird cities also means stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing curiosity in its purest form. Whether you’re snapping surreal images of deserted urban landscapes reclaimed by nature, exploring communities held together by shared quirks and unique cultural traditions, or simply marveling at human ingenuity in places where life shouldn’t thrive but does, you’re guaranteed to leave with perspectives that forever change the way you perceive the possibilities of urban life. These cities are more than just unusual locations—they’re testament to humanity’s boundless creativity, adaptability, and occasional delight in defying conventional wisdom.
So, grab your camera, lace up your adventure shoes, and dive headfirst into an exhilarating journey into the unknown. Embrace the strange, savor the unexpected, and let each peculiar discovery fuel your wanderlust and imagination. These incredibly strange cities aren’t just places—they’re unforgettable experiences that challenge everything you thought you knew about what makes a city extraordinary. Welcome to the wonderfully weird corners of our fascinating planet—your adventure is waiting, so why not start exploring now?
