Forget grey, boring cities with skylines of towering apartment blocks, built across flat, ordinary land. All around the world there are cities, towns, villages and settlements located in some incredible spots – from inside a volcano to the Earth’s highest settlement.Some even have houses built underneath huge rock formations, with the surrounding landscape encasing them. Read on to discover the amazing locations humans choose to live across the globe. Aogashima, Japan Japanese island Aogashima is home to 170 residents and is made from a volcanic crater with a smaller volcano insideLocated south of Japan’s capital, Tokyo, Aogashima (which translates literally to ‘blue island’) is made entirely from a volcanic crater, which houses another smaller volcano inside.The lush, green landscape has a population of just 170 people, according to GoTokyo. Especially compared to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, life on Aogashima is slow and relaxed. There are only three bars, one shop and a post office – but residents and tourists alike can also head to the geothermal sauna located near the inner core, powered by the volcano itself, by way of local attractions.Aogashima is also home to local delicacy, aochu, a vodka-like beverage made from sweet potatoes. How to get there: Aogashima can be reached by boat from Hachijojima, another volcanic island which has an airport. The journey from Hachijojima takes around two hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively, it is possible to book a 20–minute helicopter ride from Hachijojima. Where to stay: For adventurers seeking a volcanic island escape, there’s a free campsite available to book. Alternatively, there are a small handful of B&Bs that welcome guests. La Rinconada, Peru La Rinconada, Peru, is 5,000 metres above sea level and is the highest settlement in the worldLocated in the eastern Andes Mountains, La Rinconada in Peru is the highest settlement in the world, sitting 5,000 metres above sea level.Located on gold reserves, La Rinconada began as a temporary mining settlement over 40 years ago, with the aim of collecting gold.However, even with its low oxygen levels, the population of the settlement has steadily increased over the years. Records from NASA state that 50,000 people currently reside here – despite there being no running water or sewage system. Instead of a proper waste disposal process, locals burn or bury their rubbish.How to get there: Reaching La Rinconada is no easy feat. However, for those willing to make the journey, it’s possible to fly to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, and then take a train or bus to Puno. Buses from Puno, however, are infrequent and the roads are reportedly difficult to drive on. Instead, many opt for catching a ride from local, more experienced drivers. Where to stay: There are no hotels in La Rinconada. Most visitors spend the day there and reside in Juliaca, a nearby city.Derinkuyu, Turkey Derinkuyu, in Turkey, is an abandoned city made of 18 levels of underground tunnelsSitting 85 metres underground is the ancient multi-level city of Derinkuyu, in Cappadocia, Turkey. Derinkuyu boasts 18 levels of tunnels and was once home to 20,000 inhabitants.Abandoned in the 1920s during the Greco-Turkish war, it then lay empty until 1963, when it was rediscovered, the BBC reports. It now has UNESCO World Heritage Status.How to get there: It is possible to reach Derinkuyu by bus from Goreme. Many travellers also recommend booking a guided tour. Where to stay: Nevsehir and Goreme are popular tourist spots nearby to Derinkuyu and offer ample accommodation options. Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway Longyearbyen, in Norway, is a small Arctic town that sees darkness for four consecutive months every yearHome to only 2,400 residents, Longyearbyen is a small Arctic town in Svalbard, Norway. They live in harsh, cold conditions during the Northern Lights winter, when the area is in darkness for four months. Indeed, for two and a half months of the year, during the ‘Polar Night’ period, it’s hard to tell the difference between daytime and night time.In stark contrast, during the polar summer, the Midnight Sun is in the sky all of the time. Polar bears live nearby so locals often carry weapons with them whenever they venture outside of the safety of the town. Other wildlife, like reindeer and whales, are not uncommon to see around either. How to get there: The nearest airport to Longyearbyen is Svalbard Airport. It’s then possible to get a taxi or shuttle to the town. Where to stay: There are around six hotels in Longyearbyen, according to Visit Svalbard, as well as a few guesthouses.Coober Pedy, Australia Coober Pedy is a mining town located in the South Australian outback Some buildings are built into the rocky hills to help take cover from sweltering temperatures Located in the remote South Australian outback, Coober Pedy is a mining town known as the Opal Capital of the World with a population of around 2,500.With temperatures reaching up to 52C in the summer, 60 per cent of locals live in homes carved into rocky hills to escape the sweltering heat. In fact, it gets so hot in Coober Pedy that residents have to store electronic devices in fridges, the BBC reports. How to get there: It’s possible to reach Coober Pedy by plane, via the local airport, or along the Stuart Highway by car. Where to stay: Travellers hoping to explore the outback town have the choice of several hotels, motels and apartments in the area. There are also caravan parks and campsites. La Paz, Bolivia La Paz, in Bolivia, is the highest capital city in the world and sits 3,650 metres above sea levelAnother destination located in the clouds, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and is 3,650 metres above sea level. Mount Illimani overlooks the city, which is home to around 755,000 residents, and cable cars are a common way to get around. The area is packed with impressive museums, 19th-century churches and has plenty of markets to explore.How to get there: The nearest hub to La Paz is El Alto International Airport. The city can then be reached by public transport or a 30-minute car journey.Where to stay: Sopocachi is a popular area to stay in La Paz, and there are plenty of hotels and accommodation options to choose from. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain In Spain’s Setenil de las Bodegas, homes are built under huge overhanging rocksIn Setenil de las Bodegas, residents live in houses built directly under enormous, overhanging rock formations. Instead of carving into the rock, homes, restaurants, shops and bars are all built against it. How to get there: Setenil train station is located around three miles from the village. The area is also well-linked by road for travel by car. Places to stay: There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Setenil de las Bodegas, many of which are built into the rocky landscape.