Five Hottest Places Worldwide You Might Want To Think Twice About

Some places on Earth are so blisteringly hot that visiting them could be outright dangerous. These locations routinely break temperature records, scorch landscapes, and push human survival to its limits. From sun-blasted deserts to volcanic hellscapes, here are five of the hottest places on the planet that you might want to admire from afar.

🔥 1. Death Valley, California, USA

Hottest Recorded Temperature: 56.7°C (134°F)

Why You Shouldn’t Go:

Death Valley holds the title for the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth. During summer, the valley becomes a furnace of shimmering heat and parched ground. Dehydration and heatstroke can set in within minutes without proper precautions.

💀 Fun fact: Even locals avoid hiking after 10 a.m. in peak summer. That should tell you something.

🌋 2. Dasht-e Lut, Iran

Surface Temperature Record: 70.7°C (159.3°F)

Why You Shouldn’t Go:

This Iranian desert is often the hottest place on Earth by surface temperature, thanks to its vast salt flats and black sand that absorb the sun’s rays like a heat sponge. The terrain is nearly lifeless—and for good reason. It’s bone-dry, wind-blasted, and nearly impossible to traverse without specialized gear.

🚫 No shade. No water. No escape.

🌞 3. Al-Aziziyah, Libya

Previously Claimed Record: 58°C (136.4°F)

Why You Shouldn’t Go:

Although its record-setting temperature was later disqualified, Al-Aziziyah remains one of the most brutally hot inhabited regions in the world. Infrastructure can struggle to cope, and travellers face extreme risk from sun exposure, vehicle breakdowns, and dehydration.

🌡️ Even locals retreat indoors by midday.

🏜️ 4. Dallol, Ethiopia

Average Daily High: 41°C+ (106°F+), year-round

Why You Shouldn’t Go:

Dallol sits in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression and is often dubbed the hottest inhabited place on Earth by average annual temperature. But it’s not just hot—it’s also toxic. The area is riddled with volcanic vents, acid pools, and sulphur springs. The heat, the fumes, and the isolation make this one of Earth’s most alien environments.

☠️ It’s like walking on another planet—without a spacesuit.

🌡️ 5. Kebili, Tunisia

Recorded Temperature: 55°C (131°F)

Why You Shouldn’t Go:

Though an ancient desert town with historical charm, Kebili’s sweltering temperatures can be punishing for unprepared visitors. Sandstorms are common, and the blazing sun can make daytime movement unbearable.

🔥 If you go in summer, you might not see anyone outdoors at all.