If you’re seeking a unique adventure, why not venture off the beaten path and explore the mysterious world of underground cities? These subterranean metropolises offer an intriguing glimpse into the past and are a fascinating destination for adventurous travelers. From ancient catacombs to modern-day subways, underground cities are a testament to human ingenuity and resilience in adversity.
Before embarking on your underground journey, it’s crucial to ensure that you have comprehensive travel insurance coverage from a reputable company. At Heymondo, we offer top-notch travel insurance policies to provide you with peace of mind as you explore the depths of the earth. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of underground cities without worrying about unforeseen mishaps.
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What is the largest underground city in the world?
The largest underground city in the world is in Montreal, Quebec, and is known as the Montreal Quebec underground town or La Ville Souterraine in French. Spanning a vast 32 kilometers of tunnels, the network covers over 41 city blocks, providing access to a wide range of attractions and amenities.
Visitors to the underground town can explore apartment buildings, hotels, offices, banks, universities, cinema halls, the Bell Centre hockey arena, museums, metro stations, and bus terminals, all accessible through the RESO. Altogether, the city connects over 80% of office spaces and 35% of commercial space in Montreal, making it an integral part of the city’s infrastructure. It boasts over 2000 shops and 40 cinemas that are frequented by close to half a million people daily.
The Montreal, Quebec underground town was opened in 1962 and has been expanding ever since, making it 64 years old. Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, or exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage, Montreal, Quebec City, has something for everyone.
The most famous underground cities in the world
Underground cities have been around for centuries and have become a popular attraction. So, we will explore some of the most famous underground cities in the world. Each has its own unique history and culture.
China: Dixia Cheng, Beijing
Dixia Cheng, located in Beijing, China, is an underground complex built in the 1960s. Originally designed as a war shelter, it is also known as the Underground Great Wall. It remains a fascinating destination for adventurers and history buffs, though it has remained closed for extensive renovations and safety upgrades for several years. Prospective visitors should verify current access with local Beijing tour operators before visiting, as much of the original tourist section has been impacted by the city’s rapid subway expansion.
Germany: Gesundbrunnen, Berlin
Gesundbrunnen is a neighborhood in the Berlin district of Mitte, best known for its railway station of the same name. The station is a major interconnection point between the northern Ringbahn and many lines of the Berlin S-Bahn, making it an essential transportation hub for the city.
The Gesundbrunnen station opened in 1872 and became part of the Berlin S-Bahn network in 1924. The Gesundbrunnen station underwent extensive renovation in 1990. Today, it serves as a vital transportation hub for the people of Berlin. Visitors to Berlin can take an underground tour to learn more about the city’s fascinating history. The tour includes visiting the war bunkers and escape tunnels built during the Cold War.
The tour offers a unique opportunity to see the Cold War nuclear bomb shelters, bunkers, and tunnels built beneath the Berlin Wall. It’s an incredible sight to behold and offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history. Remember to buy your travel insurance before embarking on this adventure!
Canada: Tunnels of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
The Tunnels of Moose Jaw is an underground complex in Saskatchewan, Canada. This unique attraction is home to a network of tunnels with two distinct stories. The tunnels’ history dates back to the 20th century, when Canada imposed a head tax on Chinese immigrants out of fear that they would steal jobs from the locals.
During the Prohibition era in the 1920s, the tunnels were rumored to have been used to transport booze to the United States via Canada, even by the infamous gangster Al Capone.
Today, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw are over 120 years old and have become a popular tourist destination. Private enterprises have created an entertaining balance between fact and fiction, making the tunnels an exciting place to visit. The site now offers three distinct theatrical tours: “The Chicago Connection” (Prohibition era), “Passage to Fortune” (Chinese immigration history), and “Bunker 24” (a Cold War-themed experience).
Napoli Sotterranea, Naples, Italy
Napoli Sotterranea is a fascinating underground city with a long history dating back to ancient times. It is located beneath the historic center of Naples, Italy, and is believed to have been used for various purposes such as water storage, waste disposal, and even as a secret passage for early Christians.
The underground complex served as a refuge during World War II and is still used today as a storage space for wine and olive oil. Visitors can take a guided tour of Napoli Sotterranea to explore the vast network of tunnels and caverns. Having access to ancient cisterns, tombs, tunnels, underground chapels, and a 13th- to 16th-century aqueduct that was used to supply water to the city.
One of the highlights of Napoli Sotterranea is its air-raid shelter from World War II, which provides a glimpse into the city’s recent history. The shelter protected the people of Naples during air raids.
Napoli Sotterranea is a perfect destination for tourists interested in history and architecture. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the hidden side of Naples and learn about its rich history. The underground complex is also an excellent option for tourists who want to escape the heat during the summer months, as the temperature underground is cooler. Overall, Napoli Sotterranea is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Naples.
Guanajuato Tunnels, Mexico
The Guanajuato tunnels in Mexico are a fascinating destination for tourists who love history and engineering. Also, the underground tunnel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And are a labyrinthine network of subterranean passageways that run under the city. They constructed the tunnels to prevent flooding in the early mining town.
The longest tunnel, “Tunel la Galerena”, was blasted using dynamite in the 19th century and prevented flooding in the town. Currently, the tunnels allow for cars, medium-sized buses, and vans, but not larger transport.
You can take a guided tour of the tunnels to explore the engineering feats and learn about their history. The tunnels provide a unique perspective on the city and its infrastructure and a glimpse into its mining past. The tunnels are a perfect destination for those interested in architecture and engineering, and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center.
What is the largest underground city in the United States?
The largest underground city in the United States is the SubTropolis, which is an artificial cave located just above the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri. This underground city is 5,100,000 square meters and sits on a 1,100-acre piece of land with limestone deposits dating back 270 million years ago. It started in the 1940s and is the world’s largest underground storage facility. As of 2026, it has expanded its role as a major hub for the “Animal Health Corridor” and recently added advanced subterranean cold-storage facilities to support global food and pharmaceutical supply chains.
SubTropolis is 160 feet (ca. 49 m) beneath the streets and has almost 7 miles (ca. 11 km) of paved roads. It serves over 1,600 people who report daily to work in different businesses, including record storage, e-commerce, food distribution, and retail manufacturing. Surely, the underground complex is highly secure and safe with high-quality ventilation shafts, making it an ideal spot for storing goods and products.
Due to its sheer size and importance, it has been mentioned as the World’s Largest Underground Business Complex.
What is the oldest known underground city?
The oldest known underground city is Derinkuyu, located in Cappadocia, central Turkey. It is believed to have been built around 1000 BC, making it around 3000 years old. Derinkuyu is 83 m deep and was once home to more than 20,000 people.
It has a subterranean network of rooms and tunnels, including living quarters, churches, storage rooms, wineries, refectories, and stables. However, only 10% of the city is currently available and open to visitors. Despite this, it remains an impressive testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient civilizations.
You can book a guided tour to explore the underground city and learn about its history, including its use as a shelter during war and persecution. The unique feature is the cruciform church that sits between the third and fourth levels, with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that showcases the remarkable engineering and architectural feats of the past.
Don’t travel without your insurance
Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience, but preparing for the unexpected is essential. This is why having travel insurance is crucial. Whether going on a backpacking adventure or attending a festival, good travel insurance coverage can provide peace of mind.
One of the most important aspects of travel insurance is medical coverage. If you become ill or injured while traveling, medical expenses can add up quickly. With our travel insurance, you can be covered for medical assistance, care by medical teams and specialists, tests, hospitalization, treatments, and medical supplies.
Additionally, our coverage extends to protecting your luggage against loss or theft. Losing your luggage can be a nightmare! Another benefit of our travel insurance is the Heymondo Assistance App. This app operates 24/7, and you can easily contact our medical team in an emergency. With the app, you can consult a medical team at any time.
Accidents and medical issues can happen unexpectedly; without travel insurance, they could cost you thousands of dollars. So, don’t travel without insurance—it’s essential for your safety and peace of mind.
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