Many cities and towns are tucked away in remote, hard-to-reach locations. From icy polar caps and towering mountains to vast, open oceans, these areas are often isolated from the rest of the world. Yet, despite the challenges, people live there, and some of these settlements have grown into sizable communities. These are the most remote cities on the planet.
It isn’t easy to define the world’s most remote cities, as there are many factors to consider. The terms “remote” and “city” themselves can be tricky to define.
What does “remote” really mean? Typically, it refers to places far from civilization—towns that seem to exist in the middle of nowhere: atop mountains, on polar glaciers, or on small ocean islands. But distance alone isn’t the only factor. A settlement can also be considered remote if it’s extremely difficult to access, even if it’s not thousands of kilometers from other towns. Many mountain villages fall into this category.
And what counts as a “city”? Is it the population size, infrastructure, or both? At what point does a town officially become a city? These questions make it challenging to pinpoint the most remote cities with certainty.
Despite these complexities, when we consider remoteness, accessibility, and isolation together, a number of settlements clearly stand out. These cities can be found all over the globe—in remote islands, high mountains, and harsh polar regions—showcasing humanity’s remarkable adaptability in extreme environments.
10 Most Remote Cities in the World
While creating a definitive list is tricky, certain cities and towns are strong contenders for the title of the world’s most remote. These places are often difficult to reach, isolated, and challenging for visitors, yet they still attract travelers drawn to wild landscapes and untamed nature. Here are ten of the most remote cities on the planet:
1. Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands
Adamstown is located on the Pitcairn Islands, currently an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Pitcairn Islands are located in the Southern Pacific Ocean and are very difficult to reach. While it’s not a city in the strict sense, Adamstown deserves a place on this list because of its status as the capital. Being the only settlement on the Island, the town is named the capital despite having only 56 residents. In fact, it is named the second-smallest capital in the world, the first being Other islands in the group are inhabited. Despite its isolation, Adamstown has satellite TV and most residents still rely on radio for communication. The only way to reach Pitcairn Islands is via sea journey.
2. Supai, Arizona, USA
Supai is a village in Havasu Canyon in Arizona, USA. It is often referred to as the most remote community in the US. Located within the Grand Canyon, Supai is very difficult to reach. Home of the Havasupai Tribe, the village has a population of about 200 people. There are no roads to reach Supai so the only way to visit the village is to hike along a 13 kilometers (8 mile) long trail. Another possibility is a helicopter, but this is usually reserved for the urgencies. Supai is so remote that the nearest place to get food and water is located over 60 miles away, in Peach Springs. Mules are used to this day to deliver the mail to Supai.
3. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Greenlad is known for some of the most remote settlements in the world. This northern island is almost completely covered by ice, except for a narrow coastline and some other places. It makes its towns remote and difficult to access. One of the most remote towns in Greenland is Ittoqqortoormiit. Located on the eastern cost of Greenland, this settlement has about 450 residents. This is an isolated place without many visitors. The town’s residents depend on hunting and fishing, but this is not the only way to acquire food. Ittoqqortoormiit actually has a grocery store and a few convenience stores so residents can buy many necessary items. There is also a small historic museum. While this is a very remote settlement it does get its share of visitors. There are some tourists attracted to the remote areas who want to see the way of life in an isolated place. Other tourists come to Ittoqqortoormiit because of its wilderness. There are some exciting opportunities offered in this small town, such as dogsledding and kayaking.
4. Hanga Roa, Easter Island
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is famous for its monumental stone statues. The statues, depicting typically only a head and torso, are known as Moai and there are almost 900 of them. Easter Island is located in Eastern Polynesia and officially belongs to Chile. This is a volcanic island with a rich history. The makers of the Moai lived on the island in the 10th-16th century but today, the Island is mainly visited by tourists. Its remote location makes it inaccessible to many but the most persistent ones, but there is a steady flow of visitors interested in the monumental stone statues. The main town in the Island is Hanga Roa. It is located on the west coast of the Island, situated between the now-extinct volcanoes Terevaka and Rano Kau. While officially part of Chile, Hanga Roa is located about 3,700 kilometers away from the country’s capital Santiago. The city has about 3,300 residents, which makes almost 90% of the total population of the Island.
5. Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk is situated along the shores of the Lena River and it is one of the most remote cities in the world. It is located in the Sakha Republic in Russia, about 450 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. As such, it has a harsh climate: this is one of the coldest places to be. It is not unusual to experience temperatures as low as -50 Celsius in Yakutsk, and there were even instances when the temperature fell under -60 Celsius. This is clearly not a welcoming climate to live in, so Yakutsk is not only located far away from other cities but is also difficult to access. The city does have its airport: two, in fact, the Yakutsk Airport and Magan Airport. Despite this, the city is difficult to reach on ground, especially in a smaller vehicle. The city is famous to be the coldest major city in the world. The population of Yakutsk is about 300,000 and the city is known as a major supplier of diamonds.
6. Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
It is a known fact that there are many remote areas in Canada, particularly on the north. One of the most inaccessible places is the territory of Nunavut. Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, is known as one of the most remote cities in the world. With the population of about 7,200, it is not really considered a city but a small town, but as a capital of a Canadian territory it sure deserves a place on this list. The majority of residents are the Inuit people. There are not many visitors or tourists since the town is difficult to access. That being said, the town does get its share of visitors. If you are interested in exploring Canadian wilderness Iqaluit may be a great base. It has several hotels and other accommodation options. Iqaluit is also known as the only city in Canada without a highway.
7. Deception Island, Antarctica
Deception Island is located in the South Shetland Islands archipelago in Antarctica. It is a home to several bases and small settlements situated on the shores of the island. The island is actually the caldera of an active volcano. Once a whaling station, Deception Island is a home to two scientific bases, Argentine and Spanish. It is also a popular tourist destination for those who wish to explore Antarctica and do some penguin watching. You can even take a hot bath in a sand pool on the Island. Do not confuse this place with a fun tourist destination, though. The former whale station is located in a remote place within harsh climate conditions. I may not be as bad as some other places in Antarctica but it is sure unpredictable. The only way to reach Deception Island is through one of the Antarctica tours. The general isolation of the area makes it difficult to access.
8. Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Svalbard is an Artic island that belongs to Norway. Technically an archipelago, the islands are surrounded by icebergs and glaciers. This is a remote area that is not easy to access, so it is not surprising that any settlement in Svalbard has to be isolated. Longyearbyen is the capital of Svalbard and it has around 3,000 residents. The town also gets its share of visitors who use it as a starting point to explore Svalbard and the surrounding area. Longyearbyen is known as the northernmost settlements in the world. The area is rich in wildlife, particularly reindeer and polar bears. There are also many seals and birds accustomed to the cold climate. Polar bears tend to be the major danger to the people of Longyearbyen since they are known to attack people. The area gets most of its visitors during the summer, when the weather is not as harsh as in other seasons.
9. Socotra, Yemen
Hadibu is the capital of the small island Socotra (other spelling: Soqotra) that officially belongs to Yemen. Situated in the Indian Ocean, Socotra consists of four small islands. This is a tropical place known for its remote position and rich plant life. There are over 300 documented species of plants in the area, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. One of the main reasons for this richness of plant life is the island’s remote location. These isolated plant forms make for a very effective sight to the visitors, so it is not surprising that Socotra was often described as “alien-looking”. Because of this, most visitors to the city of Hadibu are those interested in the area’s interesting plant life. However, Socotra also proves to be an attractive place for those who wish to explore the most remote cities in the world.
10. Barrow, Alaska, USA
Barrow (Ukpeagvik) in Alaska is one of the most remote cities in Alaska and in the world. This is the northernmost community in the USA and is known for its remote position. The city has a population of about 4,500 people, but it does get its small share of tourists and other visitors. The city and the surrounding area are known for harsh weather and low temperatures. This is an important thing to keep in mind if you wish to visit Barrow: it is best to do this only during the warmest months of the year. Due to its geographical location and climate Barrow is known as one of the coldest and most remote cities in the world. However, it is interesting that temperatures in Barrow are not as bad as they could be: the surrounding terrain actually makes the city a bit warmer than the larger area in which it’s located. The city is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean on three sides while a flat tundra is located on the fourth. This means that there are no valleys where cold air could settle, which results in a bit higher temperature for Barrow.
Honourable Mentions
Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha
Edinburgh of the Seven Seas couldn’t be more different from its famous Scottish namesake. Located in the South Atlantic on the tiny, isolated island of Tristan da Cunha, this small settlement is home to only about 300 residents. While technically not a city, its extreme remoteness earns it a spot on this list. Locals simply call it “The Settlement.”
The town was named in honor of the Duke of Edinburgh, who visited the island in 1867. Beyond its quaint community, Tristan da Cunha is also famous for its active volcano, which dominates the island’s center. The only way to reach Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is by a six-day boat journey from South Africa—a true adventure in isolation.
La Rinconada, Peru
Perched high in the Peruvian Andes, La Rinconada holds the title of the world’s highest city, sitting at an astonishing 17,000 feet above sea level. Its remote location is matched by its lack of basic infrastructure—there’s no running water—but that hasn’t stopped about 50,000 people from calling it home.
The city’s main draw is gold mining. Beneath the glacier La Bella Durmiente, gold deposits attract workers and their families despite harsh living conditions. Life here is challenging, but the city’s high altitude and extreme remoteness make it a remarkable example of human endurance and adaptability.
Medog, China
Medog is a hidden gem in Motuo County, Tibet, surrounded by towering mountains and difficult terrain. For decades, the city was completely cut off due to a lack of proper roads, earning it a reputation as one of the most remote cities in the world. A road now connects Medog, but it’s only passable for about eight months of the year because of heavy snowfall.
Home to over 10,000 people, Medog boasts stunning natural landscapes. Its isolation has posed challenges for education, healthcare, and daily life, but recent infrastructure improvements have started to change that. Tourism is slowly growing, and the city is now offering better accommodations and internet access, benefiting both visitors and residents alike.