Submerged beneath ground level, there's a world of remarkable real estate that remains largely hidden from view. Embedded into hillsides and concealed beneath turf, the most extraordinary underground homes are waiting just below the surface – if you know where to look.
Click or scroll on to discover 12 spectacular subterranean properties with hidden depths, from a hobbit house in Colombia to an iceberg home in Colorado.
Partially submerged in a hillside, this unique earth home lies in Springfield, Missouri and is hard to spot from the front, aside from a few hints of concrete. Yet walk around the back and this unusual home is fully revealed...
The bunker-style property spans 2,500 square feet (232sqm) and boasts a natural green roof and walls of concrete and glass.
The front door sits at the top of the hillside, while the entryway – a long staircase – leads down into the property's depths where a series of underground rooms can be found.
Despite being located below the ground, the interior is surprisingly bright and inviting thanks to endless glass windows and generous ceiling heights. Featuring exposed concrete, structural columns and a simple, neutral colour palette throughout, the unusual property fuses modern and industrial aesthetics.
As for the floor plan, there's a living area with access to an exterior patio, a kitchen, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Outside, there's a spacious yard, a firepit and a dining area where guests can enjoy alfresco meals.
There are plenty of bold architectural details throughout too, including circular roof lights, curving walls and porthole windows. The perfect place to hunker down and escape the hubbub of daily life, the pad is available to rent via Airbnb.
Nestled in the rolling hills surrounding the town of Murbad in the Indian state of Maharashtra, this remarkable underground rental home looks like little more than a mound of earth on first approach.
It's hard to fathom the depths of the extraordinary space from the surface – the only hints of what lies below are an unusual circular door set into the hill and an array of curious pipes and funnels peeking out amongst the grass.
From beneath the hill, the fantastical home appears in all its glory. Bulbous structures adorned with decorative metal skins and porthole windows radiate out, each accommodating a different living space.
Heralded as India's first earth-sheltered home, the unusual design combines references to New Zealand's hobbit homes with sweeping, curvaceous lines reminiscent of bubble architecture – a school of design that emphasises freeform, organic shapes.
A flight of steps leads down into the house, their stone hewn from the local landscape. Exquisite mosaics in sky blue and peach hues ripple across the walls and ceiling, guiding the eye further down the corridor.
The entryway feels cave-like with its undulating walls, however, it's far from dark and dingy. The strange pipes emerging from the earth above the house are in fact sun tunnels, channelling light down into the subterranean living space.
Offering three bedrooms and three bathrooms, the underground retreat is the furthest thing from an ordinary family home.
The open-plan kitchen features a blue and grey mosaic splashback punctuated by freeform windows, while the sweeping countertop morphs into a breakfast bar large enough to seat seven. The space is crowned by a cluster of organic-inspired ceiling lights.
The property may be defined by its astonishing architecture, but it doesn't go without luxurious amenities. At the side of the house, a blue pavillion shelters a stunning swimming pool that enjoys views across the hills thanks to an ellipsis-shaped opening in the structure.
Country retreats don't get much cooler than this!
Described by C.F. Møller Architects as "invisible", this remarkable underground structure was built as a sensitive addition to the site's existing historic farm. Approaching the residence, there are no indicators to suggest that a modern work of art lies just below the ground.
Situated near the old Viking-era inlet of Oslo Fjord, this plot has housed many generations of farming families over the decades.
Pictured here is one of the two entrances that lead down into the underground home, allowing the property to seamlessly blend into the landscape.
A green roof on top of the villa provides a verdant garden for residents to enjoy, while the lower terrace and grounds include two water features and a swimming pool. A smaller adjacent pool collects rainwater from the roof and is filled with aquatic flora.
The south-facing rooms are lined with vast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, framing tranquil views out over the fjord.
In the spacious dining and cooking area, large sliding doors blur the distinction between inside and out, allowing the living space to spill out onto the terrace, which features the same polished concrete flooring.
Smoked and varnished wood is used throughout the interior, including the slatted timber panels that clad the ceilings, imparting texture to the sleek, minimalist interior.
Concrete has been used across the walls, floors, stairways, steps and outdoor areas, connecting the new structure with an existing concrete barn on the property.
The town of Bad Zwesten in Hesse, Germany is something of a rural idyll with its pastoral fields, woodlands and quaint architecture. This unassuming hillock is nothing out of the ordinary then in this picturesque corner of the world. However, on closer inspection, the small glass dome at its summit might pique the interest of a curious passerby...
Embedded in the earth, the mound conceals the main living area of a thoroughly unique Airbnb home, whose entrance comes into view on the opposite side of the hill.
Built from clay, the age-old construction material offers impressive insulation and helps to regulate the interior temperature, ensuring the home is comfortable in the winter and shielded from the heat in the summer months.
The unusual hideaway originally served as a therapy house before the current owners converted it into a holiday home.
While it may be subterranean, natural light is drawn down into the property via skylights and an impressive glass window, which is inset into the peak of the dome-shaped main living area.
Inside, the entrance hallway leads into the circular heart of the underground home. The towering, 16-foot-high (5m) ceiling carves out an airy, capacious space that's broken up into different multifunctional zones.
The brick-lined arches that frame the room have been cleverly repurposed as seating nooks, media centres, bookshelves and cabinetry.
While the kitchen and bathroom are located off the hallway, the main dome-shaped room houses the lounge, dining space and sleeping area.
The headboard of the oak-framed double bed has been sequestered in the recess of one of the arches, offering some separation from the rest of the room. Flanking the bed, two archways have been transformed into built-in wardrobes where guests can store their clothes.
In the early evening, only an enchanting glow emanating from the hillside gives away the existence of this incredible hidden hobbit home.
Located in the rural community of La Calera in the wilds of central Colombia, the retreat is surrounded by trees, mountains and freshwater streams – truly the Shire brought to life.
Emerging from beneath the earth, the home's charming stone façade features the iconic circular hobbit door framed by multicoloured stained-glass panels.
At the front of the house, a beautiful wooden deck encircled by greenery offers the perfect spot to soak up views of the breathtaking valley below. There's also an organic vegetable garden that provides residents with fresh produce.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental home is just as endearing inside as it is on the outside. The snug lounge features an open brick hearth where guests can warm themselves in the colder months.
Furnishings throughout echo the rustic character of the property – a reclaimed trunk has been repurposed into a coffee table and old wooden cabinetry has been upcycled in keeping with the interior's mismatched aesthetic.
A slatted timber room divider separates the bedroom from the living area without impeding the flow of natural light. Above the bed, a skylight provides a vantage point for stargazing after nightfall, while a bay window opposite captures views of the rural landscape.
Quirky design features impart plenty of personality. Decorative cut-outs in the plasterwork expose brickwork and celebrate the home's fabric.
Adjacent to the bedroom sits a wetroom with the toilet and sink separated from the shower by another slatted screen.
A showcase of natural materials, beautiful rugged stone clads one of the walls. The space's pièce de résistance, however, has to be the magnificent washbasin, which has been hewn out of a large rock.
Incredible vistas of the hills can be glimpsed from the shower, but if you fancy something more alfresco, there's also a hot tub on the deck outside.
When you first see this pretty garden in Bridgewater, South Australia, it isn't immediately obvious that what you're looking at is the roof of an amazing underground home. However, head round the back of the house and you'll find the skillfully obscured main entrance.
Built into its sloping site in 2019, a portion of the subterranean home is nestled below the ground, with the front section jutting out and framing enchanting views thanks to a wide expanse of glass. There's no denying this is one of Australia's most incredible pieces of architecture.
Custom designed by the original owners, no expense was spared in the construction of the 1,076-square-foot (100sqm) home.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area takes centre stage, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors connecting the interior to a concrete deck and the wider backyard.
There are three bedrooms, one of which also opens onto the deck, as well as a study and a family bathroom.
The home's solid concrete structure has been left exposed throughout, complemented by elegant lighting, terrazzo countertops and charcoal fixtures that accentuate the modern, industrial aesthetic of the interior.
As well as a spacious garden just outside the main living area, there's also the large lawn on top of the home, while landscaped gardens frame a path that leads down to the house from a parking zone at street level.
Fallen in love? You can now book a stay in this unique underground oasis via Airbnb.
Some underground residences are bold and imposing, while others are subtle and hard to spot. Then you'll find some that are both!
If you look closely at the hilly patch of land in the centre of this image, you might just be able to spot the roofline of Edgeland House – one of the world's most beautiful hidden homes.
The closer you get, the house becomes more visible. The angular property was designed by the architects at Bercy Chen Studio and was built seven feet (2.1m) below the ground, with just two pointed tufts of grass discernable from the front aspect.
The project was inspired by one of America’s oldest home-building traditions, the Native American pit house.
A staircase from the ground level leads down to the unusual, camouflaged home.
The property was constructed in 2012 and lies on a former industrial plot. Designed to protect and restore the local ecosystem, it features an insulated roof and hydronic heating. Adding to its eco credentials, the house was sited beneath the earth's mass in a way that allows the internal temperature to remain comfortably regulated, while still allowing enough sunlight to filter inside.
Although a large proportion of the house is concealed underground, it's still beautifully bright thanks to glass walls that are angled to imitate the form of the hill.
The interior spans 1,400 square feet (130sqm) and every room is impressive, with vaulted ceilings, sharp, sloping walls and modern fixtures.
Head around the back and the full beauty of the house is revealed. From the dramatic steel and glass lines of the building itself to its remarkable triangular swimming pool – everything about this home is utterly mesmerising.
Lucky holidaymakers can stay in an amazing underground home in the hills of Surselva, Switzerland – if they can spot the clandestine property that is. Embedded into the side of a hill, the unique subterranean retreat is situated next to the famous Therme Vals hot springs.
Built in 2009, the plan for the design was to integrate the villa into the landscape in such a way as to protect the local ecosystem. To negate the need for roads and additional construction, access is only possible via a tunnel that runs through the mountainside, with the entrance concealed inside a historic barn.
The façade slopes upwards, framing amazing views of the breathtaking mountain ranges on the opposite side of the valley.
Inside, a dramatic concrete entrance hall leads down to the home's depths. Akin to a billionaire bunker, the hallway is seriously impressive.
At the other end of the hallway are the property's surprisingly spacious rooms. The curving glass allows light to flow inside, ensuring no space is dark or dingy.
Furnished with items from local Dutch designers, the contemporary living spaces are finished with exposed concrete and accented by eclectic statement pieces.
The interior includes a striking kitchen, a dining zone, a living room and four bedrooms. There's even a pool table and a hot tub on the terrace outside.
Now a holiday rental, it's the perfect place for keen skiers or hikers or those who simply want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
This beautiful Tennessee hideaway could easily be mistaken for a mound of grass thanks to its turf-covered roof and secluded location. Named the Sassafras Dome Earth Home, it's a truly unique piece of real estate.
Perched on top of a cliff, the underground house looks out over an old rock quarry pond.
Outside, there’s a gas firepit for cosy nights under the stars, plus an outdoor spa and stone soaking tub where guests can relax and unwind.
Inside, an immaculate white colour palette shows off the home’s unique dome form, while high ceilings prevent the place from feeling claustrophobic. Light furnishings and driftwood furniture give this pondside pad a beachy feel.
From this rustic wooden vanity unit to the weathered barn door pictured here, natural materials define the home's characterful, organic aesthetic.
Throughout the rooms, unusual wide triangular windows frame the surrounding trees as if they were beautiful paintings hung on the walls.
Those wanting to spend the night in style at this secluded Sassafras spot in Johnson City can find the property listed on Airbnb. Availability is limited, but previous visitors have given the place impressive reviews.
The magical Earth House Estate Lättenstrasse on the outskirts of Zurich is like something out of a Tolkien novel. Designed by visionary earth architect Peter Vetsch, there are now over 90 of these unusual houses across Switzerland, as well as further afield.
Completed in 2008, the one-of-a-kind housing estate lies in the Swiss city of Dietikon and consists of nine cosy earth-covered homes grouped around an artificial lake. The complex even features a handy underground car park too.
Made from natural earth and recycled glass sprayed with concrete, the super-sustainable and snug homes are well-insulated, making them cool in summer and warm in winter, eliminating the need for expensive air-conditioning or central heating.
While we can't step inside, we can tell you all about the interiors of these homes. Each property is surprisingly spacious and eschews traditional straight lines for curvaceous, Gaudí-esque ceilings, walls and windows, creating an organic feel.
Of course, they each have everything you need for a comfortable daily life, including a kitchen, living room, dining area, bedrooms and bathrooms.
The homes range in size, going up to a family-friendly seven-bedroom model. No matter the square footage, strategically placed skylights let in plenty of sunshine, bathing the interiors in natural light.
As a bonus, residents of the estate can grow vegetables on their grass-covered roofs.
In 2009, developer Huntsmere unveiled plans to build this swish underground mansion just outside the English market town of Altrincham in Cheshire.
Construction is now complete and the hidden home is listed for sale with the company for a cool £3.8 million ($4.9m). Let's find out more...
Sadly, there aren't any photographs of the entrance to the property, but this render highlights how extraordinary the home is from the surface.
Enclosed by hedges and secured by an electric gate, the house is accessed via a glass car lift, which reportedly cost around £150,000 ($194k). This leads down into a viewing gallery, which flows through to a series of open-plan living areas that unfold below the ground.
Known as Perdu, the below-ground home won several top design awards before it was even built – and it isn't hard to see why.
The interior is laid out in a large circle, with a huge central rooflight drawing light into the heart of the home. This swish living area is the centrepiece of the pad and has a sitting area, dining area and kitchen. There's even a DJ area and a cocktail bar where the owner and their lucky guests can while away the evenings in style.
The house also has three huge bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The master suite comes complete with a dressing room too.
The original plans for the property included a resort-style swimming pool with a water slide, Jacuzzi and state-of-the-art gym. However, these luxe extras don't seem to have made it into the finished property.
Pictured here, the property benefits from an underground courtyard lined with living walls.
As well as its luxury amenities, Perdu is kitted out with all manner of eco-friendly features, from rainwater harvesting to a hi-tech heat recovery system. Covered in earth, the home will also be naturally well-insulated by the ground above, keeping the heat in during the winter and ensuring the living spaces are cool in the summer.
From a distance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is an old abandoned industrial chimney – but up close it’s the tip of a very unique iceberg home. The property is perfect for anybody who knows their Orion from their Ursa Major, as the tower makes for an idyllic star-gazing spot.
Located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, this one-of-a-kind property sits on top of the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs.
Submerged in the earth, the environmentally conscious holiday home is primarily heated by passive solar energy, which keeps the interior at a comfortable temperature all year round.
Despite its modest exterior, the Wonder Haus has a wonderfully spacious interior thanks to its lofty vaulted ceilings. There's ample space for entertaining, with a large, open-plan living area featuring quirky design elements including a Juliet balcony that overlooks the dining area.
Beautiful hexagonal floor tiles pave the way throughout the property, including the two bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. Both rooms come with breathtaking mountain views and stylish but simple décor.
The underground home is such an unusual and memorable space that streaming giant Netflix gave the earthen home the title of the ‘World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rental’ in 2021.
If you want to experience this unique retreat for yourself, it's currently listed on Airbnb.
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