16 Best Cities to Take an Underground Tour
We’re all familiar with the famous sites and landmarks of travel destinations– the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Mount Rushmore–but who knew there was a whole underground world ready to explore?
The idea of a real-life Indiana Jones adventure, exploring hidden caves, dodging stalactites (those pointy rock formations in caves hanging from the ceiling), and maybe even witnessing ancient artifacts is definitely a step above your standard hop-on-hop-off city bus tour.
If you’re into digging a little deeper into the culture and history of a place, there’s nothing better than a subterranean tour. Here are some of the best cities to explore underground!
1. Paris Catacombs, France
Imagine walking through tunnels stacked with millions of skulls and bones—welcome to the Paris Catacombs! Beneath Paris’s 14th arrondissement, this eerie underground burial site was created in the late 1700s as a solution to Paris’ overcrowded cemeteries.
Descend 131 steps to see walls lined with human bones arranged in haunting patterns. A spooky sign greets you: “Stop! This is the empire of death,” but don’t worry, despite fictional horror movies taking place there, the real catacombs are perfectly safe and utterly fascinating!
Read more about Catacombs, one of the Haunted Historical Sites Around the Globe
Book the Skip-the-Line Catacombs Audio Guided Tickets
2. Hallstatt Salt Mine, Austria
Want to slide down a giant miner’s tunnel like a kid? You can go to Salzwelten Hallstatt in Austria–the oldest salt mine in the world, dating back over 7,000 years! Ride a funicular up the mountain, explore an ancient cemetery, and suit up to enter the mine. It’s an adventure-packed 90-minute tour that will make your visit unforgettable!
Book the Hallstatt and Salt Mines Small-Group Tour from Salzburg
3. Maginot Line, France
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a World War II soldier stationed underground in a giant concrete bunker? Take a trip back in time and explore the Maginot Line at Hackenberg Fort in France!
Start with a scenic drive through the French countryside. Don’t be surprised to see a US Army tank at the entrance—it’s a reminder of the fort’s role in the Second World War. Then, explore a labyrinth of tunnels that stretch for almost a kilometer!
Book the guided tour of the Maginot Line
4. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
If you’re like me and love adventure, nature, whimsy, or anything little out of the ordinary, you’ll be enchanted by Waitomo Caves. Paddle through these ancient limestone formations, filled with thousands of twinkling glowworms unique to New Zealand.
The glowworms create a breathtaking starry night effect as you glide silently on a gentle boat ride. Try black water rafting and tube through the dark caves, exploring stalactites, stalagmites, and even underground waterfalls for an extra thrill!
Book the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
5. Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy is unlike anywhere else in the world. You can tour opal mines and discover how opals are formed, but this place is special because most of the town lives underground to escape the intense heat.
There are underground houses, hotels, shops, and even churches! Don’t miss Faye’s Underground Home, built in the 60s and 70s and still in its original condition with furniture and a small indoor pool—it’s a fascinating glimpse into life below the surface!
6. Tunnels of Shinjuku, Japan
Shinjuku’s underground labyrinth is like a secret city, a sprawling network of tunnels connecting buildings, shops, and even a government office! Start your adventure near the cool, cyclopean Shinjuku Eye art installation.
From there, follow the southern tunnel on a sidewalk towards the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or zip north towards Shinjuku Station. These wide underground avenues are packed with shops and building entrances, creating a fascinating subterranean world to explore!
Book the Shinjuku Underground Mall Tour
7. Galleria Borbonica, Italy
Naples has a rich history that stretches back over 2,000 years; much of that history is hidden underground. The Galleria Borbonica was dug out in the 1850s as an escape tunnel for King Ferdinand II in case of riots. Today, it offers insightful daytime tours and hosts unique nighttime events like the Concert in the Dark, where musicians perform classical pieces in a pitch-black cavern.
Four tours are available, including options for those with reduced mobility. Bring your walking shoes and a light jacket for an unforgettable underground adventure!
Book the Galleria Borbonica tour in Standard Route
8. Derinkuyu, Turkey
Derinkuyu is an ancient subterranean metropolis carved from volcanic rock in Cappadocia, Turkey. It originally housed over 20,000 people. This city is one of the most mysterious and deepest underground cities in the world, reaching up to 280 feet deep and with eight discovered levels!
There’s even talk of 18 floors in total! Fun fact: the city was accidentally rediscovered in 1963 by a local man renovating his home!
Book the Under Ground City Tour
9. Moaning Caverns, California, USA
At Moaning Caverns in California, you can descend into the earth on a ten-story spiral staircase made from World War I battleship scrap metal. You can opt for the family-friendly Spiral Tour to explore ancient rock formations and learn about cave history comfortably.
Or, if you’re up for a real challenge, take on the Expedition Crawling and Spelunking Tour—crawling, climbing, and wriggling through narrow passageways with just a headlamp to guide you.
10. Domus Aurea, Italy
Skip the ordinary tours and explore ancient Rome’s lost world with an underground adventure through Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea!
Descend into the stunning chambers, marvel at the fresco murals and the Octagonal Room, and uncover the fascinating (and scandalous) story of Nero’s Golden House. With 3D technology, you’ll see the palace in its original splendor—golden walls, sparkling fountains, and all!
Read more about Nero’s Domus Aurea
Book the Domus Aurea Skip the Line Ticket Guided Tour
11. Berlin Underworlds, Germany
Berlin is a city full of surprises, and one of the coolest things you can do there is explore its underground world with the Berliner Unterwelten (Berlin Underworlds)! Venture through World War II air-raid shelters to see where Berliners sought refuge from bombings and walk the Cold War escape tunnels that tell tales of bravery and freedom.
Forget traditional sightseeing; these tours are like history classes brought to life, complete with artifacts and exhibits at the Dark Worlds Museum.
12. Montreal Underground City, Canada
Montreal is a fun city to explore both above and below the ground! The coolest thing about Montreal is that it has the biggest underground city in the world, called RÉSO, which is over 20 miles long!
That’s right; you can walk for miles underground, visiting stores, restaurants, and even art installations, all without going outside! You’ll also see some hidden treasures, like a piece of the Berlin Wall and an authentic Parisian metro entrance.
Book the Montreal Underground City + Downtown Tour
13. Guanajuato Tunnels, Mexico
Imagine a city built on top of another city! That’s Guanajuato, Mexico. This charming colonial city has a hidden world underneath it—a network of tunnels that used to be the riverbed. Initially constructed in the 1800s to prevent flooding, these tunnels evolved into a unique traffic system as the city expanded.
During festivals like the Cervantino Festival or the Day of the Dead, the tunnels come alive with DJ parties, concerts, food vendors, and art exhibits, offering a vibrant subterranean experience!
Book the Guanajuato City: Tunnels, and Mines Tour
14. Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel, Iceland
The Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel is one of the coolest (literally!) things you can do in Iceland. It’s just a 30-minute drive from the capital city of Reykjavík, making it a perfect half-day trip. This massive lava tube stretches over 4500 feet and features stunning colors and shapes created by minerals in the cave walls.
Walk the path where lava once flowed over 5,200 years ago—it’s like stepping into another world! Ideal for adventurers of all ages, it’s a family-friendly tour you won’t forget.
15. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, USA
Just about an hour south of iconic Mount Rushmore is Wind Cave National Park. Above ground, there are rolling prairies, forests, and wildlife, perfect for hiking and biking trails, plus great spots for wildlife watching.
Below ground, explore a massive cave system famous for its unique boxwork formations—calcite fins that resemble intricate honeycombs found nowhere else in the world. It’s a natural wonderland you don’t want to miss!
16. Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland
Right underneath the crowded center of the old town sits the Edinburg vaults. Constructed in the late 1700s, this set of chambers was originally created as part of the South Bridge building project. After the bridge builders abandoned the vaults, they became a secret space for more nefarious activities like smuggling, gambling, and possibly even hiding spots for corpses.
Many consider them to be haunted with reports of ghosts, odd happenings, witches, and more. If you’re into the darker side of history or the paranormal, you can catch a haunted vault tour!
