MapUrbex
🗺️ How to Find Urbex Spots Near You (2025 Guide)
Want to start urban exploration but don’t know where to find abandoned places near you?
You’re not alone — every month, thousands of explorers look for real urbex spots without falling for fake coordinates.
This complete guide shows you how to find reliable urbex locations around you,
with practical tools, online maps, and insider tricks used by experienced explorers.
🔍 1. Use Interactive Urbex Maps
The fastest way to discover abandoned places is through an interactive urbex map.
Platforms like MapUrbex list hundreds of verified locations,
sorted by rarity, danger level, and type of place (castle, hospital, factory, mansion, etc.).
👉 Advantages:
- Regularly updated database
- Exact coordinates and descriptions
- Satellite previews and difficulty levels
🧭 Get your Free Urbex Map here
🏚️ 2. Search with Google Maps & Street View
Many abandoned locations are visible directly on Google Maps.
Here’s how to find them efficiently:
- Type keywords like
“abandoned factory”, “ruined castle”, “old hospital”, “ghost town” - Use Street View to spot sealed or overgrown buildings
- Check user photos — some explorers post subtle urbex pictures without naming the place
⚠️ Warning: Some sites are on private property or unsafe.
Never enter without permission or proper gear.
🔗 Read next: Is Urban Exploration Dangerous?
📱 3. Search on Social Media
Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit are goldmines for finding new urbex spots.
Here’s how to use them effectively:
Search for hashtags like
#urbex, #urbexfrance, #abandonedplaces, #urbexexploration, #urbexworld
➡️ Check the latest posts and look for clues in the photos (landscape, signage, architecture).
Communities such as r/urbanexploration or r/abandoned share authentic photos and location hints.
Even without GPS data, you can often track them down by comparing visuals on Google Earth.
🧭 4. Use Historical & Topographic Maps
Old maps reveal forgotten sites that modern ones have erased.
Here are a few powerful tools:
- Geoportail (France) – Compare 1950s maps with today’s
- Old Maps Online – Search old towns, factories, or abandoned railways
- Google Earth Pro – Zoom over rural areas to spot collapsed structures or ghost villages
This method often uncovers hidden or unlisted urbex locations few people know about.
🧰 5. Learn to Spot Urbex Clues in Real Life
When walking or driving around, stay alert — urbex clues are everywhere:
- Boarded-up windows or doors
- Rusted fences and overgrown paths
- Old industrial signs or chimneys
- Abandoned rail lines or tunnels
Some of the best urbex finds happen by accident, not online.
Keep your eyes open — the next great spot might be a few streets away.
⚠️ 6. Follow Urbex Safety & Respect Rules
Urbex is built on one simple principle:
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Before each exploration:
- Never go alone
- Bring gloves, flashlight, respirator, and strong shoes
- Avoid sharing exact GPS locations publicly
- If the building looks unsafe — turn back
🎧 Also read: How to Start Urban Exploration Safely
🌍 7. Explore Verified Urbex Maps
Instead of spending hours searching online,
you can explore hundreds of verified spots already listed on MapUrbex.
Our database includes:
- Forgotten castles in France
- Abandoned factories in Belgium
- Ghost towns in the USA
Each location is verified, rated, and updated regularly.
🧭 Discover now the Full Map of Abandoned Places
🚀 Conclusion
Finding real urbex spots isn’t luck — it’s a mix of research, patience, and curiosity.
With the right tools and a bit of practice,
you can uncover incredible places filled with history, emotion, and silence.
Before heading out,
create your MapUrbex account and join the largest urbex community in Europe!
