Last Update: July 2026
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 a window into the past and an intriguing destination for adventurous travelers. While ancient civilizations created underground cities for survival and defense, modern planners design subterranean networks for climate control and commerce.
From ancient catacombs to modern-day subways, underground cities are a testament to human ingenuity and resilience in adversity.
Index
What Is the Largest Underground City in the World?
The longest underground pedestrian network in the world is in Montreal, Quebec, andis known as the Montreal Quebec underground town (RESO) or La Ville Souterraine in French (while Toronto’s PATH network traditionally holds the record for the largest underground shopping space). Spanning a vast 20 miles 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 2,000 shops and 40 cinemas, drawing close to half a million visitors every single day.
Montreal, Quebec launched its famous underground town in 1962, and the subterranean network has never stopped growing over its 64-year history. Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, or exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage, Montreal, Quebec City, has something for everyone.
Practical Tip: Access to the RÉSO is completely free, and the wide, modern corridors are highly wheelchair accessible.
The Most Famous Underground Cities in the World
Underground cities have been around for centuries and have become a popular attraction. Let’s explore some of the most famous underground cities in the world. Each has its own unique history and culture.
China: Dixia Cheng, Beijing
Constructed during the tense geopolitical climate of the 1960s, Beijing’s underground complex, Dixia Cheng, originally served as a bomb shelter. Today, people famously refer to it as the ‘Underground Great Wall. It remains a captivating 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 book an underground tour through the Berliner Unterwelten (Berlin Underworlds Association) to learn more about the city’s complex history. The tour includes visiting the war bunkers and escape tunnels built during the Cold War.
The tour offers a rare chance to see the Cold War nuclear bomb shelters, bunkers, and tunnels built beneath the Berlin Wall. It’s an incredible sight to behold and a deep dive into the city’s rich history. Tours generally last 90 minutes and cost around $20 USD.
Travel Tip: Note that the bunkers are chilly (around 50°F) and are not wheelchair accessible due to steep stairs.
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 of the 1920s, rumors swirled that smugglers used the tunnels to move booze from Canada into the United States, with some even tying the operation to 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).
Tickets are typically around $22 USD per tour, each lasting 50 minutes. The facilities are wheelchair accessible, making it a great family-friendly option.
Napoli Sotterranea, Naples, Italy
Napoli Sotterranea is a spellbinding underground city with a long history dating back to ancient times. Hidden directly beneath the historic center of Naples, Italy, this underground network likely served as everything from water storage and waste disposal to a secret passage for early Christians.
The underground complex served as a vital refuge during World War II, and today, locals still use its cool chambers to store 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 once supplied the city.
One of the highlights of Napoli Sotterranea is its air-raid shelter from World War II, which provides a firsthand look at the city’s recent history. The shelter protected the people of Naples during air raids.
For anyone fascinated by history and architecture, Napoli Sotterranea offers an unforgettable look into Naples’ hidden past. It offers a rare chance to explore the hidden side of Naples and learn about its complex past. Standard tours cost $16 USD and take about 90 minutes.
Please Note: Be prepared to descend over 130 steps, and note that there are some very tight, narrow passageways that may not be suitable for those with severe claustrophobia.
Guanajuato Tunnels, Mexico
The Guanajuato tunnels in Mexico are a fascinating destination for tourists who love history and engineering. These tunnels, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, form a labyrinthine network of subterranean passageways beneath the city. Local engineers originally constructed the tunnels to prevent flooding in the early mining town.
In the 19th century, workers used dynamite to blast the longest tunnel, ‘Túnel La Galereña,’ which successfully protected the town from flooding. 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 an unparalleled view of the city and its infrastructure, and a window into its mining past. While you can take walking tours of the historic mining sections, the most practical way to experience the active tunnels is simply by hopping in a local taxi or bus to navigate the city. The tunnels are an ideal spot for those interested in architecture and engineering.
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 55 million square feet 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 beneath the streets and has almost 7 miles 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. Because of its subterranean location, the facility is highly secure and safe with high-quality ventilation shafts, making it an ideal spot for storing goods and products.
Its sheer size and historical importance have earned it a massive title: the World’s Largest Underground City. While it is primarily a private industrial park, occasional small-group tours run for engineering enthusiasts.
What Is the Oldest Known Underground City?
The most famous ancient underground city is Derinkuyu, located in Cappadocia, central Turkey. Historians date the city’s construction to around 1000 BC, making it roughly 3,000 years old. Derinkuyu is 272 feet deep and was once home to more than 20,000 people.
While Derinkuyu is incredibly famous, recent archaeological discoveries are currently rewriting history. In 2020, researchers uncovered Matiate, a sprawling subterranean city beneath the town of Midyat in southeastern Turkey. Archaeologists estimate that Matiate dates back to at least the 9th century BCE, making it significantly larger than Derinkuyu and big enough to have once held up to 70,000 people.
Admission to Derinkuyu is usually around $11-$16 USD. Like Naples, it requires navigating steep, narrow staircases and low ceilings, so comfortable shoes are a must.
Don’t Travel Without Your Insurance
Navigating subterranean tunnels is a thrilling adventure, but unexpected accidents can cost thousands. Our comprehensive travel insurance ensures your peace of mind by providing extensive medical coverage, luggage protection, and round-the-clock emergency support through the 24/7 Heymondo Assistance App.
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