35 Stunning Abandoned Places Around the World You Can Still Visit

32. Grytviken, South Georgia: Antarctic Whaling Ghost Town

In the remote, wildlife-rich sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia lies Grytviken, a former Norwegian whaling station. Operational from 1904 until 1966, it was once a bustling hub of a brutal industry. Today, rusting processing plants, abandoned ships half-submerged in the icy harbor, and workers' barracks stand silent amidst colonies of king penguins and elephant seals. The juxtaposition of industrial decay and thriving wildlife is striking. Grytviken, also the final resting place of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, offers a poignant glimpse into a harsh chapter of human history in an extreme environment.