Usually an abandoned place is something that can be seen in a horror film. For some reason, the desolate landscape is the perfect setting for them because they easily provide an eerie aesthetic and unsettling feelings. Because of the array of emotions abandoned locations can conjure, they have become popular settings for photographers to use too.
From abandoned malls to entire cities that have been left behind, there are a surprising amount of desolate places around the world. Did you know that even New York City has an island that hasn't been inhabited since the 60s?
These photo series showcase gruesomely abandoned locations like an abandoned veterinarian school in France that still has dead animals in it. And contrarily, it also features intriguing pop culture places like abandoned Star Wars film sets.
30 Abandoned Place Photo Series
From Abandoned Movie Set Photography to Abandoned Mall Photography:
Megan Facciuolo — Jun 1, 2014 — Art & Design
29
Abandoned Mall Photography
These Photos From Abandoned Malls are Hauntingly Beautiful
28
Abandoned Olympic Venue Photos
The 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Venue Photos are Hauntingly Beautiful
27
Abandoned Motel Pool Photography
The No Life Guard on Duty Series Still Exhibits a Seed of Life
26
Unsettling Abandoned Building Photos
Max Boschini Uses Run-Down Places for His Shabby Photography
25
Abandoned Building Art Exhibits
This Modern Building Art Proves Things Look Better with Graffiti
24
Abandoned Activism Art
Seph Lawless Photographed the Abandoned Randall Park Mall
23
Abandoned Movie Set Photography
Every World's a Stage by Ra di Martino Captures 'Star Wars' Ruins
22
Eerie Abandoned Architecture Photography
Niki Feijen's 'Decay' series is Endearingly Spooky
21
Deserted Desert City Photography
Abandoned by Richard Allenby-Pratt Imagines a Future Saudi Arabia
20
Abandoned Architecture Photography
The ‘Abandoned America’ Series Captures Desolate Sp
19
Post-Apocalyptic Photography
Chris Luckhardt Captures Eerie Photos of Urban Exploration
18
Abandoned Shelter Scenery
Nicolas Poillot Photography Focusses on Isolated Architecture
17
Abandoned America Photography
States of Decay by Daniel Barter Captures a Bygone Era
16
Altered Abandoned Subway Stations
This Subway Station in Paris is Redesigned for Entertainment
15
Abandoned Sanatorium Photography
Malaise by Christian Schmeer Captures an Old Haunting Hospital
14
Former Film Set Photography
Atlas Obscura Reveals the Post-Filming Lives of Iconic Movie Sets
13
Forgotten Staircase Photography
This Abandoned Staircase Photography is Whimsical and Artistic
12
Abandoned School Photography
Romain Veillon Shot an Eerie Series at an Abandoned Veterinary School
11
Forgotten Americana Photography
Paul Vayanos Captures Landmarks with Cultural Heritage
10
Surreal Abandoned Home Photography
This Abandoned Home Photo Series is Haunting and Sad
9
Abandoned Prison Photography
These Photos Show us the Abandoned Burwash Correctional Facility
8
Abandoned Hotel Art Galleries
Photographer Gaz Mather Captures an Impromptu Graffiti Gallery
7
Deserted Building Photography
Alfonso Batalla Highlights Past Primes with 'Prefabricated Life'
6
Radioactive Village Photography
Yuki Iwanami's Photos Capture an Abandoned Japanese Village
5
Abandoned Grecian Abode Photography
Alexis Vasilikos's Abandoned Home Photography Documents Crisis
4
Haunting Abandoned Factories
The Factory Photographs by David Lynch is Moodily Otherworldly
3
Chic Abandoned City Shoots
'Chongqing City in China' by Mathieu Belin is Both Eery and Graceful
2
Vibrant Earthquake Photography
Buona Fortuna Documents the Effects of the Irpinia Earthquake
1
Abandoned Water-Park Films
The 'Kilian Martin: Altered Route' Short Explores Barren Lands
Related Ideas
Nature-Connecting Warm Apartments
Baranowitz + Kronenberg Designs the Urban Refuge Apartment
Barn Home Transformation
From a Forgotten Barn to a Peaceful Country Home
Desert Sanctuary Exhibits
OASIS at Alcova Presented a Desert-Inspired Installation by Casa AnKan
Night QSR Campaigns
The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Urban Ecological Design Projects
Henning Larsen Designs Bidadari Park in Singapore
Revived Modular Photo Booths
Frames Booth Elevates Toronto’s Photo Scene with a Modern Approach
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Archive Film Exhibitions
The Wes Anderson the Archives Presents Artefacts from His Film Work
Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns
Polaroid Launched 'The Camera for an Analog Life'
Agriculturally Inspired Art Projects
Almudena Romero is Working on the Farming Photographs Project
Preserved Modern Residences
Bellaire House Has Been Saved Through a Private Preservation Purchase
Elevated Urban Skate Venues
AAN Architects Designs Suspended Skatepark Overlooking Shanghai
Design Journey Picture Books
FormaFantasma’s the Down Under Traces Australia’s Eco-Design Story
Barn-Form Family Homes
The Twisted House by Andy Martin Merges Barn Form and Landscape
Converted Industrial Homes
A 1960s Warehouse Transforms into a Residence Honoring Its Raw Design
Immersive Slow TV Series
Belmond Has Introduced the Groundbreaking 'Long Shots' TV Series
Black-Timber Stealthy Pavilions
Aptdotapt Designs the Drop-Stop Pavilion in the Mountains
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Protest Sand Architecture
The Bland Castles Installation Turns Beach into Critique of Urban Design
Brutalist Korea Books
Brutalist Korea Photobook Shows Concrete Architecture Across Seoul and Jeju
Artistic Lakeside Retreats
Ely Retreat Blends Modern Cabin Living with a Serene Creative Studio
Minimalist Concrete Complexes
Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture Completes a Residential Project in Tokyo
AI-Powered Portrait Studios
self.space Captures Professional Images Without a Photographer
Portrait Photography Books
Annie Leibovitz Book Compiles Decades of Cultural Portrait Work
Parking Lot-Transformed Homes
Maritau Arqui Completed the Octa House on a Japanese Island
AI Travel Photography
Epic AI Travel Photos Creates Stunning Photos of Popular Destinations
Floating Wetland Bookstore
Xixi Goldmye Bookstore Alters an Abandoned Office into a Reading Space
Self-Designed Tranquil Workspaces
Studio Saransh Designs the Oasis Workspace for Itself
Historic Villa Galleries
The Future Perfect Opens Miami Location in 1920s Landmark Villa Paula
Gothic Puzzle Houses
Addams Family LEGO Build Brings Spooky Charm in 2,999-Piece Gothic Mansion
Eerie Walking Tour Experiences
Toronto's Exhibition Place Introduces 'Ghost Walk Tours'
Airport Terminal Galleries
The NOMAD Abu Dhabi Converts a Terminal into an Gallery Space
Underrated Travel Locations
Intrepid Travel Has Released Its Annual Not Hot List
Art Expo Village-Esque Pavilions
Foster + Partners Create a Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Osaka 2025
Mask-Made Art Installations
Tidal Stories by Design PY Turns Medical Waste Into Public Seating
Timber Monastery Campuses
Plum Village Buddhist Monastery Forms a Low Rise Religious Complex
Cave-Like Exposed Concrete Homes
Suzuko Yamada Architects Designs the Nakano House in Tokyo
Dynamic Geometric Library Buildings
fjcstudio Designs the Yellamundie Library Building in Sydney
Miniaturized Product Art Photographs
Taysuya Tanaka Highlights MUJI Products with Small Muji
Sensory Museum Experiences
The Museum of Illusions Features Immersive Attractions
Renovated Rural Farmhouses
A Place in the Country Renovates a 17th-Century Farmhouse
Creative Office Campuses
Mother’s LA Headquarters Echoes the Surrounding Streetscape
Historic District Hotels
Blue Architecture Studio Converts a Yangzhou District into a Hotel
Community Event Hubs
Annex House is a First-of-Its-Kind Physical Gathering Space from Usal Project
Accessibility-Focused Villa Travel Destinations
Rental Escapes Debuts the Accessible Villas
Green Tourism-Focused Video Series
Hong Kong Tourism Board Boasts Four Captivating Short Films
Anime-Themed Sculptural Chairs
Ghost in the Shell O Series by Kwangho Lee Displays in Tokyo
Cinematic Travel Campaigns
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Star in 'Find Your Story'
Urban Regeneration Projects
MULTIPLE Architecture & Urbanism Presents Browning Industrial Park
Village-Like Museum Complexes
The Lost Shtetl Jewish Museum is by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki
Reclaimed Material Dairy Facilities
Studio Saar Uses Eco-Friendly Design for the Gaushala Building
Lighthouse-Resembling Urban Buildings
Safdir Architecture Designs the Old Port Square in Portland
Sculptural Mall Dreamscape
Studio Proba Introduces Unbounded Sanctuary in Grand Joy City Mall
Agriculture-Inspired French Gyms
Atelier O-S Architectes Designs the Marie Marvingt Gymnasium
Book-Themed Bar Concepts
Book Bar is an Upcoming Destination for Shopping, Eating & Connecting
Photogenic Destination Campaigns
Icelandair is Searching for a Really Bad Photographer
Travel Lifestyle Brand Ads
Away’s 'Travel Changed Me' Film Captures the Power of Exploration
Retail Design Landmarks
D14.2 Concept Store in Oslo Rethinks the Shopping Experience
Abandoned Bikes-Turned Art
Objects from Frames by Cara Campos Repurposes Bicycles into Furniture
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Enigmatic Graffiti Incidents
Toronto's Museum of New Calls Attention to Mystery Graffiti
Off-Grid Solar Panel Residences
Florian Busch Architects Designs the House W in Japan
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Exploratory Architectural Projects
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is Thought-Provoking
Color Photography Exhibitions
The Profiles in Color Show Presents Works by Andres Valencia
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Rural Charred Modern Residences
The Stanfordville House Bridges Vernacular Farming Cues
Lunar-Based Rotating Pavilions
The Moon Pavilion by Atelier Guo Transforms an Abandoned Greenhouse
Inaugural Japanese Photography Exhibitions
Japan House London Announces the Invisible Exhibition
Reinvented Office Spaces
The Mislad Office Reflects Home-Style Comfort in Kyiv, Ukraine
Refined Residential Architecture Projects
Min Design Tackles Constrained Urban Spaces
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Japanese-Inspired Recycled Pavilions
Second Edition's Love Shack is Made of Recycled Materials
Cinematic Diorama Puzzles
LEGO Hollywood Sign Model Recreates Mount Lee with Film-Set Details
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Personal Nostalgic Photo Books
The Holy Ohio Photo Book Presents a Personal Return to Family Roots
Photography Project Series
Still Life Documents Kohshin Finley’s Photographic Work
Wellness-Focused Venue Expansions
Anatomy Aventura Opens Its Doors in South Florida
Harmonious Aerial Photograph Series
Brad Walls is a Distinctive Voice in Contemporary Photography
Desert Landscape Residences
Juniper Hill Home Reimagines Desert Living Through Connection
Futuristic Commerce Spaces
Deji Plaza Phase II Brings Deep-Sea Wonder to a Retail Environment
Homelessness-Focused Architecture Studies
Architecture Without Borders Quebec Identifies Issues
Themed Hotel Bars
Disney Cruise Line Launches Haunted Mansion Parlor at Sea
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Tree-Covered Vertical Mausoleum
Lehrer Architects and AyD Create the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Concealed Modern Barrel Stores
Studio Nine Architects Conceals a Store Under a Visitor Center
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
English Countryside Retreats
Pitchup Offers Accommodations Inspired by the World of Austen Novels
Paper Curvature Lights
Paper Curves Explores Dimensional Gradients Through Photography
Nostalgic Family Homes
Apartamento Relicário Celebrates Memory, Legacy, and Aging with Dignity
Farm Field Community Projects
Practice on Earth & Increments Studio Debut Down in the Clouds
Surrealist Story-Backed Hotels
Philippe Starck Designs the Maison Heler Hotel
Large-Scale Drone Lightshows
Abu Dhabi will Host a Culturally Driven Show to Boost Tourism
Rustic Coastal Retreats
A Finca Style Coastal Hideaway Blending Heritage with Modern Warmth
Space-Themed Playscape
Welcome Little Stranger by Walter Van Beirendonck Creates Immersive Play
Cinematic Location Mappings
Explore Real-World Filming Locations With CineMapper Maps Platform App
Electric Heritage-Based Apartments
Yana Molodykh Renovates the Landscape Alley Apartment
Paranormal Mapping Platforms
Ghost Town Lets You Track and Share Paranormal Events Worldwide
Travel Photography Exhibitions
All Within the Detour Highlights Yoshitomo Nara’s Photo Journeys
Cave-Like Folded Residences
Earthscape Studio Creates the Unique Structural Wild House
Pastel Tonal Apartment Blocks
Behles & Jochimsen Designs the Regensburg Quarter
Photo Location Finders
FindPicLocation Identifies Photo Locations Using AI And EXIF Data
Surreal Photobook Releases
Podunk Photobook by Nadia Lee Cohen and Scarlett Carlos Clarke Launches
Contemporary Monastery Stays
Eremito in Italy Allows Travelers to Detach Themselves in Isolation
Boutique Grocery Makeovers
This Women’s Clothing Boutique is Charming and Thoughtful Design
Barn-To-Retreat Transformations
The Amassa Retreat Reimagines a Rustic Hamlet as a Yoga Sanctuary
Humanized Waiting Pavilions
The De Wachtkamer Pavilion Reimagines Temporary Housing
Barn-Inspired Timber Residences
Florian Busch Architects Designs the House W in Japan
Content Studio Marketplaces
ContCave Connects Creators and Brands With Professional Shoot Spaces
Explosion-Damaged Sculpture Series
Light into Darkness Reconstructs Damaged Ukrainian Artefacts
Modern Farmstead-Inspired Structures
MUUK Architecture's 'Le Pâturage' is Thoughtfully Designed
Beachside Architectural Retreat
Caam Arquitectos Opens the Suuel Hotel as a Beach Escape
Volcanic Visitor Architecture
PLAT ASIA's Volcano In Visitor Center Turn to Surrounding Landscape
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Public Art Displays
Paul Anthony Smith’s Photographs Appear at 300 City Bus Stops This Summer
Startup Failure Archives
404tomb Documents Defunct Startups And Their Digital Legacy
Travel-Themed Fractured Mirrors
Baggage Claim Mirrors Capture Airport Carousel in Layered Glass
Open-Air Steel Living Space
Carroccerra Collective Created the Missing Room Pavilion
Serene Waterfront Pavilions
The Lake House Life Experience Pavilion Blends Architecture and Nature
Cultural Japa Pavilions
Japa Valley Tokyo Reimagines Napa Luxury Through Art and Sake
Object Design-Explorative Apartments
Apartamento Secreto explores objects that go beyond function
Tree-Lined Striking Modern Residences
Palette Architecture Designs the Shift House in New York
Commemorative Famine Memorials
Lemay Partners with the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation
Desert Cultural Landmarks
Al Ain Museum by Dabbagh Architects Anchors Heritage and Landscape
Brutalist Jungle Sanctuaries
the John Dessarzin Jungle Sanctuary Blends Architecture and Landscape
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Courtyard Rental Conversions
An Old Police Station Becomes Nine Boutique Apartments by Wendover
Reflective Museum Conversion
The Hangzhou Empathy Museum is Transformed from an Abandoned Building
Thatched Roof Wildlife Retreats
Ma+rs Serenity Retreat Anchors Hillside Residence in New Zealand
Rock‑Like Coastal Centers
Nature Rocks Visitor Centre by MVRDV Inspired by Taiwan’s Coastline
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Forest Sanctuary Homes
The Sadowski House near Warsaw Showcases a Modern Forest Retreat
Local Geological History-Inspired Buildings
Salon Alper Derinbogaz Designs the Quartz Plaza
Cinematic Painting Series
Cary Kwok Exhibition at Sessions Arts Club Shows 1980s-Inspired Works
Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals
The Brown House Uses Ecological Materials to Redefine Urban Infill
Minimal Retail Spatial Strategies
UP2DATE Architects Debuted Messa House In Almaty
Documentary Photography Exhibition
The Martin Parr Foundation Presents the Last Resort Exhibition
Terraced Urban Landmarks
The Go Park Sai Sha Bringsvarious Elements Together in a Sculptural Hub
Commercial-Transformed Artful Galleries
New Affiliates Designs the Canyon Museum Space