5 Cities Built Below Sea Level You Won’t Believe Exist

Some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes lie below sea level, where extreme climates and unusual geology reshape the idea of human habitation. These regions reveal how communities and ecosystems adapt to conditions that seem inhospitable at first glance. From scorching salt plains to vast desert basins, here are five remarkable below-sea-level locations and whether travellers can experience them.

Lake Assal – Africa’s Lowest Point

Located in Djibouti, Lake Assal sits around 155 metres below sea level, making it the lowest point in Africa. This crater lake formed due to tectonic activity linked to the Afar Triple Junction, where the Earth’s crust is slowly pulling apart. Its exceptionally high salinity results from intense evaporation and limited freshwater inflow. 

Despite its harsh environment, people harvest salt here, continuing a centuries-old trade. Visitors can reach Lake Assal, and it has become a niche destination for adventurous travellers who want to witness its blinding white salt flats and turquoise waters.

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Qattara Depression – A Vast Desert Basin

The Qattara Depression lies in north-western Egypt and drops to about 133 metres below sea level. This basin formed through wind erosion over thousands of years, creating a rugged terrain of salt marshes and dunes.

The extreme conditions, including quicksand and a lack of infrastructure, have kept the area largely untouched. While technically accessible, tourism remains limited and challenging. Most visitors explore its fringes with guided expeditions rather than venturing deep inside.

Danakil Depression – Earth’s Hottest Inhabited Place

Spanning parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Danakil Depression lies more than 100 metres below sea level. It formed due to the divergence of tectonic plates, which also fuels its volcanic activity.

This region is famous for its lava lakes, sulphur springs, and vividly coloured mineral deposits. Despite being one of the hottest inhabited places on Earth, people live and work here, particularly in salt mining. Travellers can visit the Danakil Depression through organised tours, although the journey requires careful planning due to extreme heat and remote conditions.

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Sebkha Tah – A Hidden Salt Flat

Situated in Morocco, Sebkha Tah lies below sea level as a seasonal salt flat. It forms in a natural depression where water occasionally collects before evaporating, leaving behind salt crusts.

Its below-sea-level status results from geological subsidence combined with arid climatic conditions. While not a major tourist hotspot, curious travellers can visit the region, especially during drier months when the salt formations create striking patterns across the landscape.

Sabkhat Ghuzayyil – Remote and Mysterious Terrain

Hidden within Libya, Sabkhat Ghuzayyil is a lesser-known depression that lies below sea level. Like other sabkhas, it forms in arid environments where groundwater rises to the surface and evaporates, leaving salty deposits behind.

Its isolation and limited accessibility make it one of the least visited locations on this list. Travel here is currently difficult due to regional instability, so tourism remains extremely rare.

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