Urban exploring (urbex) is an exciting way to discover abandoned buildings, underground tunnels, old factories, and hidden locations. In the Netherlands, there are many abandoned places that are perfect for urbex enthusiasts. Want to find urbex locations yourself? Here are some effective methods to discover hidden spots.
1. Use Google Maps and Google Earth
šŗļø Google Maps and Google Earth are great tools to find abandoned buildings, old railway lines, and hidden tunnels. By zooming in on industrial areas, ports, and suburbs, you can spot unused or abandoned buildings.
š Tips for Google Maps:
- Look for overgrown buildings or vacant lots.
- Use Street View to check if a place is truly abandoned.
- Look for old factory sites, military zones, or abandoned train stations.
2. Join urbex communities
š» Urbex enthusiasts often share locations and experiences in Facebook groups, forums, and online urbex communities. By joining these groups, you can find tips, photos, and stories about abandoned places in the Netherlands.
š Look for:
- Urbex forums and blogs
- Social media groups for Dutch urbex
- YouTube channels of urbex explorers
3. Use historical maps and archives
š Old maps and aerial photos often show railways, bunkers, factories, and military buildings that are no longer in use. By comparing historical maps with modern maps, you can discover abandoned locations that are no longer active.
š Useful places to search:
- Old train and railway lines
- Former military bunkers
- Historical factory sites and hospitals
4. Explore industrial and rural areas
š One of the best ways to find urbex locations is by exploring yourself. Old industrial areas, abandoned farms, and factories can be interesting spots for urbex.
š Where to look:
- Old ports and shipyards
- Abandoned factories and industrial sites
- Former hospitals and asylums
- Remote villages and old mining areas
5. Watch for signs of abandonment
š You can recognize abandoned buildings by:
- Overgrown entrances and broken windows
- Boarded up or barricaded doors and windows
- No lighting or activity
- Graffiti or traces of previous urbexers
š¹ Note: Some places appear abandoned but are still guarded. Always check if the site is accessible.
Conclusion
The Netherlands has many hidden urbex locations, but finding them requires research, patience, and a keen eye for abandoned places. By combining Google Maps, historical archives, urbex communities, and physical exploration, you can discover new abandoned spots.
