Thessaloniki Train Cemetery

The Thessaloniki Train Cemetery, located just outside Thessaloniki in northern Greece, is one of Europe’s most surreal and expansive train graveyards. Once a bustling railway hub for the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), the site became a dumping ground for decommissioned locomotives and carriages over the last few decades. Some of the trains date back to the mid-20th century, including steam engines, diesel locomotives, and rusted passenger wagons, many still adorned with faded logos and peeling paint.

After economic decline and infrastructure changes within Greece’s railway system, these machines were left to decay. Plans to recycle or restore the trains were repeatedly delayed, leaving hundreds of carriages and engines to be slowly consumed by time, weather, and graffiti. The sheer density and scale of the cemetery, combined with its open-air layout, creates an atmosphere both nostalgic and post-apocalyptic.

Today, the site is unofficially accessible, making it a favorite destination for urban explorers, photographers, and train enthusiasts. Though security is minimal, visitors enter at their own risk, as the site remains unmaintained and structurally unstable in parts. As of 2025, there are no confirmed government plans for restoration or cleanup.