10 Of The World's Best Underground Tours

Venture underground to get a different perspective on some of the world’s greatest cities and lesser-known destinations on these fascinating guided tours.

If you’re a traveller who likes to dig a little deeper into the culture and history of a destination, there are few better ways to do it than underground tours of the cities you visit.

From a virtual reality experience deep inside Emperor Nero’s palace in Rome and Berlin’s eerie fallout shelters to strolling down a 17th-century street under Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and a boat trip surrounded by twinkling glowworms, these tours offer a sightseeing experience with a difference.

1. Salzwelten Hallstatt

Imagine getting to work every day by zipping down a giant slippery slide! That’s what the workers at this historic salt mine used to do, and now it’s your turn. Tours begin in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Hallstatt, one of the prettiest destinations in Austria, with a trip on a funicular railway.

the Salzwelten Hallstatt town with a backdrop of the salt lake — Hallstatt is one of the prettiest destinations in Austria. (Image: Nikolay Kovalenko)

After checking out the Skywalk lookout platform, you’ll slip on a boiler suit and zoom down one of the two miners’ slides to arrive at the Salzwelten Hallstatt mine. During this family-friendly tour, you’ll see a subterranean salt lake, ride on the mine train and learn what it took for everyone, from those living in the Bronze Age to modern salt miners, to harvest the ‘white gold’ found deep inside the mountain.

a look inside the Salzwelten Hallstatt mine — Zoom down one of the two miners’ slides to arrive at the Salzwelten Hallstatt mine.

Address: Salzbergstraße 21, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria

2. Domus Aurea

Explore a working archaeological dig and the palace that belonged to Nero, one of Rome’s most notorious emperors, at Domus Aurea (which means Golden Palace in Latin).

After entering the rather nondescript entrance with an archaeologist, you’ll walk into what was once Rome’s largest palace, where many of the mosaics and frescos are still clearly visible after thousands of years.

an underground palace in Rome, Domus Aurea — Explore a working archaeological dig and the palace at Domus Aurea.

Even more impressive is the virtual reality experience that transports you back to the palace during Nero’s reign and a very different landscape with virtual parks, lakes and colonnades that formed part of the original palace grounds stretching out in front of you.

Tours of Domus Aurea only run from Friday to Sunday due to the archaeological works and must be pre-booked in advance.

the palace exterior of Domus Aurea in Rome — Be transported back to the heart of ancient Rome in Domus Aurea.

Address: Viale Serapide, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

3. Maginot Line

Despite a huge investment in engineering and construction, The Maginot Line’s vast network of fortresses, bunkers, minefields and gun batteries designed to defend France from Germany during the Second World War was widely regarded as a colossal failure. However, this only makes a tour of the Hackenberg Fort section of The Maginot Line even more interesting.

the Maginot Line in France — The Maginot Line was built to defend France from Germany during the Second World War.

Filled with innovative features that were state-of-the-art at the time, the line was run in the same way as a submarine, with soldiers shut away from the world for months to prevent the secret nature of their base from being discovered. The mental challenges this entailed proved to be the Line’s greatest weakness but also its greatest strength, as you’ll discover on this underground tour in the Moselle region of France.

the moss-covered entrance of Maginot Line in France — Soldiers were shut away from the world for months to prevent their base from being discovered.

Address: Rue Commandant Martial Reynier, 67250 Hunspach, France

4. Underground NYC Tour: Subway 101

Join an expert guide from the New York Transit Museum and venture underground to ride the New York Subway and discover how it transports millions of passengers daily. On this tour, you’ll learn about abandoned stations, hidden artworks and the fascinating history behind one of the world’s most iconic modes of transport.

people heading in and out of the train at NYC Subway — Venture underground to ride the New York Subway.

A visit to the New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn, where the tour ends, is included in the tour price. Exploring a 1930s subway station and a fleet of vintage train cars at the museum is a fitting end to this underground adventure.

the Astor Place Station in NYC — The tour begins at Astor Place Station. (Image: Lerone Pieters)

Address: Begins at Astor Place Station, Astor Place and Lafayette Street New York, NY, USA

5. Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Māori Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife Huti began escorting visitors through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in the late 1800s – and you can still visit them today.

twinkling glowworms inside Waitomo Glowworm Caves — Waitomo Glowworm Caves will enchant you.

After a walk through the cave, you’ll travel by boat into a cavern filled with thousands of Arachnocampa Luminosa glowworms, which can only be seen in New Zealand. Local stories and Māori legends bring the history and beauty of this incredible place to life as you gaze at the sparkling glowworm grotto overhead.

two people exploring the Waitomo Glowworm Caves — Stroll through the cavern filled with thousands of glowworms.

Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

6. Paris Catacombs

One of the most eerie tours in Paris involves a trip underground to tour the Paris Catacombs. The Paris Catacombs are an ‘Empire of the Dead’ that opened to the public for tours by appointment in 1809.

a close-up of skulls inside the Paris Catacombs — The Paris Catacombs contain the remains of several million Parisians. (Image: Travis Grossen)

Constructed using a network of empty underground quarries in the late 1700s, the ossuary was created to provide a solution to the city’s growing population and its dead, but it went on to become a popular tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike.

inside the Paris Catacombs full of skulss — Brave the maze of skulls at Paris Catacombs. (Image: Mathew Browne)

Tours provide a fascinating look at some of the six million-plus sets of bones collected during the city’s history that have been used to create artworks and hidden caverns containing the remains of the city’s poor and aristocracy.

the portal to the Paris Catacombs — Go on an epic trip underground to the Paris Catacombs. (Image: Nico Knaack)

Address: Begins near Denfert-Rochereau Metro Station, 75014 Paris, France

7. Galleria Borbonica

Pitched as a magnificent public works project for the people of Naples in the 1800s, the Galleria Borbonica (Bourbon Tunnel) was, in fact, a military route for soldiers and an escape route for Naples’ nobility.

The tunnel network, which also contained an aqueduct system, went on to serve as a Second World War bomb shelter for locals and a police vehicle impound. A variety of tours offer a virtual journey back in time that encapsulates the often-complex history of this Italian city.

Choices range from a guided walk through the tunnels to an adventure that requires mining helmets and a good level of fitness for exploring the Roman aqueduct system and ancient water wells.

vintage cars preserved at Galleria Borbonica — Journey back in time to a Second World War bomb shelter. (Image: Galleria Borbonica)

Address: Various entrances depending on the tour

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8. Moaning Caverns

The largest single cave chamber in California was discovered by gold miners in the mid-1800s who went in search of gold and came out empty-handed. The fascinating tours of the Moaning Caverns are far more rewarding, even though they no longer make their eerie moaning noise.

inside the Moaning Caverns in California — Keep your ears open for eerie sounds at Moaning Caverns. (Image: Moaning Caverns)

Narrow passageways with names like the Meat Grinder, Pancake Squeeze, and Birth Canal provide an idea of what you can expect on the hardcore half-day Expedition Crawling and Spelunking Tour. If you would prefer something (much) less adventurous, the Spiral Tour takes visitors down a towering spiral staircase built with scrap metal from a First World War battleship to see the cave’s elaborate rock formations.

the largest public cave chamber in California, Moaning Caverns — Rappel into California’s largest public cave chamber. (Image: Moaning Caverns)

Address: 5350 Moaning Cave Rd, Vallecito, CA, USA

9. Berliner Unterwelten

Uncover the history of the East-West conflict as you venture beneath Berlin on a Bunkers, Subways and the Cold War tour. On this underground adventure, you’ll explore the original underground bunkers designed to protect the citizens of Berlin from a possible nuclear war.

a look inside the Berliner Unterwelten Museum — Discover Berlin’s vast network of bunkers, tunnels and vaults. (Image: Berliner Unterwelten e.V./Holger Happel)

These hopelessly inadequate structures, plus a subway station that doubled as a fallout shelter, could only hold a tiny fraction of the population and provide a tangible and sobering look at the politics and policies that powered the East-West regime and impacted the lives of so many during the Cold War.

the bunk beds inside the Berliner Unterwelten Museum — Venture beneath Berlin on a Bunkers, Subways and the Cold War tour. (Image: Berliner Unterwelten e.V./Holger Happel)

Address: Brunnenstraße 105, 13355 Berlin, Germany

10. Exclusive Cappadocia Tour

There are plenty of tours in Cappadocia that explore the ‘fairy chimneys’ and ancient cave dwellings that make this region in Türkiye famous.

a spectacular landscape of hot air balloons at Cappadocia — Marvel at the spectacular hot-air balloon scenery in Cappadocia.

However, the Argos in Cappadocia takes this one step further with luxury underground accommodation and complimentary private tours through the hotel’s thousand-year-old monastery, caves and underground tunnels, Türkiye’s largest underground wine cellar and a vineyard surrounded by Cappadocia’s famous ‘fairy chimneys’.

underground tunnels and caves, Argos in Cappadocia — Unearth the underground treasures at Argos in Cappadocia. (Image: Argos Cappadocia)

Address: Tekelli, Kayabaş Sk. No: 23, 50240 Uçhisar/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Türkiye

11. Mary King’s Close

Venture beneath The Royal Mile in Edinburgh and take a trip back in time to the 17th century when the street known as Mary King’s Close was one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, packed with stallholders hawking their wares and shoppers who were eager to buy.

At The Real Mary King’s Close, dressed as a former resident, a guide in period costume leads you down a set of stairs and into the Close, sharing tales of Old Town Edinburgh’s past residents, hidden secrets, murders and ghouls during this entertaining one-hour walking tour.

Laundry hanging above Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh, Scotland — Mary King’s Close was one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares in the 17th Century.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Going underground: 10 of the world’s best underground tours