20 Towns Built Inside Mountains or Caves

These 20 towns were built inside mountains or caves, showing how people have adapted to nature for safety, climate, and culture.

Sophia Zapanta
February 16, 2026
6 min read

20 Towns Built Inside Mountains or Caves — Bernard Gagnon on Pexels

Across history, humans have carved homes and cities into rock to survive harsh weather, wars, or isolation. Some of these places are ancient, while others are still lived in today. These 20 towns built inside mountains or caves reveal how nature and human creativity can merge into one.

1. Matera, Italy

Matera is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its homes, called “Sassi,” were carved directly into limestone cliffs. People lived in these cave dwellings for thousands of years, using them for both shelter and worship. Today, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique cave architecture.

2. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Setenil de las Bodegas was built beneath large rock overhangs in southern Spain. The town’s whitewashed houses fit tightly under massive cliffs for shade and protection. Streets wind between rocks that act as natural roofs. Locals still live there, combining old stone homes with modern comforts.

3. Petra, Jordan

Petra, once the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, was carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs. Its temples, tombs, and pathways were all shaped from living rock. The famous Treasury and Monastery buildings attract millions of visitors each year. It remains one of the most stunning examples of rock-cut architecture.

4. Kandovan, Iran

Kandovan is a living village in northwestern Iran where homes are carved into cone-shaped rock formations. The volcanic stone keeps interiors warm in winter and cool in summer. Many of these cave houses are still occupied today. The village looks like a natural sculpture shaped by time and human hands.

5. Vardzia, Georgia

Vardzia is a 12th-century cave monastery complex built into the cliffs of southern Georgia. It once contained thousands of rooms connected by tunnels and stairs. The caves provided safety during invasions and harsh winters. Monks still live and pray there, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.

6. Göreme, Turkey

Göreme lies in the Cappadocia region, known for its fairy chimneys and cave dwellings. Locals carved churches, homes, and monasteries directly into the soft volcanic rock. Many of the ancient frescoes inside the caves are still visible today. It remains a cultural and historical treasure in central Turkey.

7. Derinkuyu, Turkey

Derinkuyu is an underground city beneath Cappadocia that once sheltered up to 20,000 people. It goes several levels deep, with tunnels, ventilation shafts, and even schools carved into stone. It was used as a refuge during wars and invasions. The site shows impressive ancient engineering and survival skills.

8. Coober Pedy, Australia

Coober Pedy is an opal mining town in the Australian outback. Because of the extreme desert heat, most homes, hotels, and churches are built underground. Residents say living below ground keeps temperatures pleasant all year. The town is known as the “opal capital of the world.”

9. Bandiagara Escarpment, Mali

The Dogon people built villages along the cliffs of the Bandiagara Escarpment. Their homes and granaries are made from mud and rock and cling to steep walls. The cliffs once served as natural protection from invaders. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage area for its cultural and architectural value.

10. Orvieto, Italy

Beneath the medieval town of Orvieto lies a hidden network of tunnels and caves. These underground spaces were carved by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago. They were used for storing food, wine, and as shelters during sieges. Some of these ancient tunnels are still accessible today.

11. Guadix, Spain

Guadix in Andalusia is famous for its cave houses dug into soft hillsides. Many residents still live in these white-painted cave homes. The caves keep a stable temperature year-round, perfect for the hot Spanish climate. The area looks like a blend of earth and architecture.

12. Banshee Cave Village, China

In Guizhou Province, some villagers built homes within large limestone caves. The caves provide natural insulation from cold and rain. One of the best-known examples was Zhongdong Village, located entirely within a cavern. Although now largely abandoned, it remains a striking example of cave habitation.

13. Palaiochora, Greece

Palaiochora on Crete Island once had residents who lived in cliffside caves for protection from pirates. The caves were later expanded into small stone homes. Some have been restored for modern living or tourism. They show how natural shelters shaped ancient island life.

14. Uchisar, Turkey

Uchisar Castle is a massive rock fortress carved into a mountain in Cappadocia. It once served as a lookout point and refuge during attacks. Inside are hundreds of tunnels and rooms stacked on different levels. Visitors can still climb to the top for panoramic views of the region.

15. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, France

Known as the “capital of prehistory,” Les Eyzies sits among cliffs full of prehistoric cave shelters. Early humans lived and painted on these walls tens of thousands of years ago. Later, people turned the caves into homes and storage areas. Today, it is an important archaeological and historical site.

16. Bamiyan Caves, Afghanistan

The Bamiyan Valley is famous for the giant Buddha statues once carved into its cliffs. Behind those carvings lies a network of ancient caves where monks once lived and meditated. The caves are decorated with old murals and carvings. They represent the mix of art, religion, and mountain living.

17. Monemvasia, Greece

Monemvasia is a medieval town built into a giant rock island off the coast of Greece. Its homes and churches are hidden behind cliffs facing the sea. This location protected the town from invaders for centuries. Today, it is a preserved historical site with stone paths and ancient walls.

18. Al Hoota, Oman

Near the Al Hoota Cave system, small settlements once used the caves as shelters during extreme weather. The caves extend for several kilometers underground. They provided water sources and cool air for the people who lived nearby. The area is now a major natural attraction.

19. Ellora Caves, India

Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia Commons

The Ellora Caves in Maharashtra include temples and monasteries carved into rock between the 6th and 10th centuries. They represent Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. These caves once housed monks, pilgrims, and travelers. The craftsmanship and scale make them a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

20. Meymand, Iran

Meymand is a 12,000-year-old village built into cliffs in southern Iran. The caves were carved into soft rock and passed down through generations. Locals still live in some of the ancient dwellings. The village reflects how humans adapted to mountain life in a harsh desert environment.