Ruins, relics, and forgotten worlds you can actually walk through — no trespassing needed.
Ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a forgotten asylum? Or to wander through the rusted remains of a theme park overtaken by nature? Welcome to the growing world of urban exploration (urbex) — the art of visiting places time forgot. In 2025, thanks to relaxed access laws, tourism partnerships, and local initiatives, you can legally explore more abandoned places than ever before.
From haunting hospitals to off-the-grid theme parks, here are 5 legally accessible abandoned places you can visit in 2025 — each one a dream for thrill-seekers, photographers, and history buffs.
1. Bannerman Castle – Pollepel Island, New York, USA
Bannerman Castle looks like something out of a forgotten fairytale. Built by a 20th-century Scottish arms dealer on a small island in the Hudson River, the castle has crumbled over decades of neglect — but remains eerily beautiful. In 2025, you can legally explore this ruin through Bannerman Castle Trust-approved tours or even paddle up in your own kayak for an immersive experience.
Inside the crumbling structures are staircases leading nowhere, moss-covered courtyards, and dramatic views of the river — all begging to be photographed. Just remember to pack a waterproof camera and non-slip boots; nature’s taken over in unpredictable ways.
Want to explore these places like a pro and capture content that goes viral check these out: Waterproof cameras, kayak rentals, hiking boots
2. Pripyat Theme Park – Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Yes, the infamous Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is open for legal visits — and Pripyat’s abandoned amusement park is its surreal crown jewel. Originally scheduled to open on May 1, 1986, the park was never fully operational due to the nuclear disaster just days earlier. Today, the Ferris wheel stands frozen in time, surrounded by rust, silence, and stark beauty.
2025 brings enhanced safety measures and more in-depth multilingual tours. Visitors can explore not just the theme park, but the ghost city of Pripyat, decaying schools, and government buildings overtaken by nature. Photographers and content creators flock here for that apocalyptic vibe — but bring a radiation dosimeter and appropriate gear (linked in our affiliate guide).
3. Hashima Island (Battleship Island) – Nagasaki, Japan
Also known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island” because of its ship-like silhouette, this ghostly concrete outpost once housed thousands of coal miners and their families. Abandoned in 1974, Hashima Island became internationally famous after appearing in the James Bond film Skyfall. And as of 2025, limited parts of the island are legally accessible through designated tours.
Cracked apartment complexes, wind-beaten walls, and the absence of all life give this island an unsettling, post-human vibe. Due to structural instability, access is limited — but the visual storytelling opportunities are unmatched. Drones with proper permits are allowed, giving videographers stunning aerial shots of the island’s layout and decay.
4. Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital Complex – Beelitz, Germany
Built in the late 1800s, the Beelitz-Heilstätten complex once served as a tuberculosis sanatorium and later as a military hospital (including for Adolf Hitler after WWI). By the 1990s, the place was abandoned — but remained intact, with surgical tools and medical records still visible in some rooms. A photographer’s dream — and nightmare.
In 2025, parts of this haunting labyrinth are now open to the public via legal guided and self-guided tours. The peeling paint, old hospital beds, and ghostly light filtering through broken windows make for incredible photo ops. Wear rugged clothing and bring extra batteries — you’ll want hours to explore and document.
5. Döllersheim Village – Lower Austria
Built in the late 1800s, the Beelitz-Heilstätten complex once served as a tuberculosis sanatorium and later as a military hospital (including for Adolf Hitler after WWI). By the 1990s, the place was abandoned — but remained intact, with surgical tools and medical records still visible in some rooms. A photographer’s dream — and nightmare.
In 2025, parts of this haunting labyrinth are now open to the public via legal guided and self-guided tours. The peeling paint, old hospital beds, and ghostly light filtering through broken windows make for incredible photo ops. Wear rugged clothing and bring extra batteries — you’ll want hours to explore and document.
Why These Places Are Legal (and Safe) to Visit
With growing interest in “dark tourism” and the demand for immersive, unconventional travel, governments and private entities have begun monetizing and preserving abandoned sites rather than barricading them. These destinations follow local laws, safety standards, and have designated access zones — meaning you get to explore the unknown without risking trespassing fines or bodily harm.
Some even offer virtual-reality headsets and AR-guided tours, especially popular in Japan and parts of Europe, allowing deeper interaction with the location’s history.
Safety & Etiquette for Urban Exploration
Urban exploration, even legal, carries risks. Follow these golden rules:
Carry ID and travel permits if needed. Some areas (like Chernobyl) require pre-authorization.
Never enter unapproved structures. Just because it’s abandoned doesn’t mean it’s stable.
Always follow guide instructions. They know where’s safe — and where’s not.
Respect the place. Don’t take “souvenirs” or deface walls.
Be discreet and responsible. Don’t glorify risky stunts for content.
