How to Find Urbex Locations | Search Strategies and Methods
Finding an interesting Urbex location requires mostly observation and research . Abandoned buildings are rarely clearly marked as such: they often have to be recognized by certain signs visible on maps, satellite imagery, or directly on the ground.
There are several useful strategies for identifying potential locations, from Google Maps and Google Earth to observing buildings with damaged roofs, overgrown vegetation, and other signs of abandonment.
In this article
Research techniques
The search for an Urbex location can start from many different sources and it is often the combination of multiple pieces of information that allows you to identify an interesting place.
Google Maps and Google Earth are useful for analyzing the area from above, observing buildings, roofs, vegetation, and seemingly unused areas. Newspaper articles, historical archives, and old photographs can also help identify structures that have ceased operation or have a unique history.
Another source is videos and photographs posted by other urbexers . By looking at images and content online, it's possible to recognize buildings, architectural details, or landscapes and subsequently trace their history and location. Social networks, forums, and communities dedicated to urban exploration can also offer inspiration for new research.
The most effective method, however, remains that of cross-referencing information : a satellite image, an old news item, a photograph, and some signs of abandonment can, together, provide a much more reliable picture than a single source.
Search on Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the most useful tools to start your search for a potential location.
You don't necessarily have to search for the word "abandoned." It's often more effective to explore areas where abandoned buildings are likely to be found.
Industrial areas , suburbs, agricultural areas, old production complexes and secondary roads can be particularly interesting.
The presence on the map of closed businesses, old factories, or structures with outdated names can also be a first clue.
The effective but time-consuming technique is Street View, so turn on Street View mode on Maps to view recent photos of the places.
Observe satellite images
The satellite view allows you to identify features that may go unnoticed by normal cartography.
A large building surrounded by a neglected area, a completely empty parking lot, or a structure showing obvious signs of deterioration may warrant further inspection.
It is particularly useful to note:
building size;
roof condition;
vegetation in the area;
presence or absence of cars;
unused parking spaces;
courtyards and squares;
access roads;
any secondary structures.
Satellite imagery alone does not prove that a building is abandoned, but it can help select areas for further investigation .
If you don't want to spend time searching, we recommend visiting the Spots for Sale section .
Broken and deteriorated roofs
One of the most interesting signs to look for from above is the condition of the roof .
A roof with collapsed sections, missing coverings, large areas of deterioration, or vegetation growing on the structure may indicate that the building has not been used or maintained for a long time.
Even the shape of the roof can provide information. Large warehouses, old industrial structures, and agricultural complexes are easily recognizable in satellite images.
A damaged roof, however, does not automatically mean that the building is abandoned: it could also be a structure under renovation or simply poorly maintained.
Vegetation and state of the area
Uncontrolled vegetation is another element to observe.
Very tall grass, trees growing in courtyards, creepers on facades, and outdoor areas completely overgrown with vegetation can be signs of a long period of disuse.
It is particularly interesting when several signs appear simultaneously: deteriorated building, widespread vegetation and no obvious activity .
Secondary roads and industrial areas
To find less obvious locations, it can be helpful to move away from the main roads.
Old industrial areas , the outskirts of towns, and side roads can hide structures that are not easily visible during normal exploration.
Even areas where manufacturing, agricultural, or commercial activities once existed can offer various research opportunities.
In these cases, satellite imaging allows for the analysis of large portions of territory much faster than searching exclusively on-site.
Comparing different images over time
Another method is to compare images available at different times .
If a structure appears active in older images and later features an empty parking lot, overgrown vegetation, and a deteriorating roof, it may have ceased operations.
This type of comparison is particularly useful because it allows you to observe how a building has changed over time .
However, not all satellite images have the same date or quality, so it is important to consider this element before drawing conclusions.
Searching for information about the past
Once a possible building has been identified, the search can continue outside of the maps.
The property name , address, or the business that previously occupied the building can be used to search for information online.
Old newspaper articles, company websites, photo archives, historical maps, and public documents can help understand:
what was present in that place;
when it was active;
which business it hosted;
when it may have been decommissioned;
if the building was subsequently sold or converted.
This phase is also important to distinguish a truly abandoned location from a structure simply unused for a temporary period.
Check the location on site
Digital research helps identify potential candidates , but it cannot replace information verification.
Once an interesting building has been identified, the first thing to do is understand whether it is actually abandoned and what its current state is.
It's also important to consider that an abandoned building may still be privately owned . The structure's exterior appearance doesn't mean it's open to access.
For this reason, the location search and the verification of the site conditions are two distinct phases.
Conclusions
Finding an Urbex location isn’t just about looking for buildings that look run-down.
The best searches combine several clues: Google Maps, satellite imagery, damaged roofs, vegetation, industrial areas, historical image comparisons, and research into past information .
The goal is to start from a signal and progressively collect more information, until we understand whether that structure could actually be interesting from an Urbex point of view.
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