20 of the World’s Most Extraordinary Toilets: Lavatories with Spectacular Views and Unforgettable Designs
Discover the globe's most remarkable toilets: from mountaintop outhouses with breathtaking views to lavish art installations in city parks.
20 of the World’s Most Extraordinary Toilets
Toilets are rarely the centerpiece of our adventures, yet across the globe, some restrooms transcend their utilitarian origins to become compelling destinations in their own right. Whether perched on perilous cliffs, embedded in cultural landmarks, or assembled as vast works of art, these lavatories reflect the creativity, humor, and environmental consciousness of the societies they serve. Join us on a journey through 20 of the planet’s most extraordinary toilets, where convenience meets innovation, artistry, and jaw-dropping scenery.
Why Toilets Deserve the Spotlight
Bathrooms often serve as a playful yet insightful window into a region’s character. From wild designs and lush locations to historical curiosities, toilets around the world offer not only relief but moments of awe, surprise, and creativity. Here are 20 that stand out for their remarkable settings, innovative construction, and cultural intrigue.
1. Barafu Camp, Tanzania
At Barafu Camp, an outhouse defies gravity on the flanks of Mt Kilimanjaro, some 4600 meters above sea level. This long-drop toilet clings to the cliff, offering those brave enough to use it astonishing vistas across Africa’s tallest peak and the gorges below. The experience is not just about relief—it’s an adrenaline rush matched only by the climb itself.
- Altitude: 4600m above sea level
- Type: Cliff-edge long-drop toilet
- Highlight: Views over the rugged landscape of Kilimanjaro
2. Krafla, Iceland
Set mysteriously in the volcanic wilderness near Krafla Geothermal Power Station, this isolated toilet stands alone in the barrens. Nobody knows who placed it here or why, but it delights trekkers with its stark presence amid bubbling mud pools and fissured ground. The toilet itself functions as a surreal photo opportunity for hikers captivated by Iceland’s raw beauty.
- Located at Krafla Geothermal area
- Feature: Solitary, open-air commode
- Appeal: Iconic Instagram backdrop
3. Museum of Islamic Art Park, Doha, Qatar
Outside the celebrated Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, a futuristic public restroom attracts attention with its sleek, spaceship-like architecture. Conceived by Pritzker Prize winner Ieoh Ming Pei, the structure blends iconic design with practical utility, giving visitors access to spotless facilities surrounded by modern landscaping—blending art, engineering, and a hint of whimsy.
- Designer: Ieoh Ming Pei
- Location: Park adjacent to Museum of Islamic Art
- Design: Contemporary, space-age form
4. Fountain of Toilets, Foshan, China
Foshan’s Fountain of Toilets is an audacious public art installation crafted from over 10,000 toilets, sinks, and urinals. Stretched to 100 meters in length and built by artist Shu Yong, this monument to ceramics offers both a humorous and serious reflection on waste, reuse, and the city’s proud manufacturing heritage. Water occasionally flows through the array, turning the quirky display into a functional fountain.
- Artist: Shu Yong
- Materials: Factory seconds, used fixtures
- Dimensions: 100m long, 5m high
- Location: Shiwan Park, Foshan
5. Long-drop Toilet, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
The Olduvai Gorge is synonymous with early human history. Its long-drop toilet, perched above a ravine, pays homage to both ancient traditions and modern discomfort. With the seat teetering on the edge, users are offered a tangible connection to the landscape where humanity began—and a reminder to watch their step!
- Proximity: Directly above the gorge
- Historical setting: Rift Valley, site of early human discoveries
- Type: Seat overhanging the ravine
6. Public Lavatories, Matakana, New Zealand
Matakana’s public toilets are more than just rest stops—they’re works of symbolic, functional art. Conceived by local designer Steffan de Haan and costing NZ$400,000, these ‘pouting’ lavatories offer ship-shaped cubicles, referencing the area’s boatbuilding heritage. They draw both praise and debate, blending necessity with cultural commentary.
- Designer: Steffan de Haan
- Theme: Boatbuilding homage
- Cost: NZ$400,000
- Impact: Local landmark with artistic merit
7. Mt Shuksan, Washington, USA
On the flanks of Mt Shuksan’s Sulphide Glacier in the North Cascades National Park, the base camp toilet provides a rugged outdoor experience with views to match. On clear days, you’ll gaze at neighboring Mt Baker while braving gusty winds. For intrepid mountaineers, the minimal shelter ensures nature’s panoramas are never out of sight.
- View: Mt Baker
- Location: North Cascades, near Canadian border
- Features: Sparsely sheltered; panoramic
8. Namib Desert Toilet, Namibia
The sand-swept Namib Desert toilet—a simple privy in a vast, arid landscape—epitomizes minimalism. The Namib, one of Earth’s oldest deserts, offers a liberating experience for those who don’t mind trading privacy for unlimited horizon views and absolute solitude.
- Setting: Namib Desert, Namibia
- Features: No walls, just wide-open space
- Highlight: Solitude, clear night skies
9. Transparent Public Toilets, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo’s See-Through Toilets are a masterclass in urban innovation. Installed in city parks, these high-tech restrooms use frosted smart glass that turns opaque when locked. This feature ensures cleanliness and safety while offering visual intrigue and a contemporary twist on public hygiene.
- Feature: Smart glass turns opaque when in use
- Location: City parks, Shibuya Ward
- Purpose: Safety, cleanliness, design showcase
10. The TARDIS Toilet, Warmley, UK
Fans of sci-fi and novelty alike will appreciate Warmley’s TARDIS Toilet. Styled after Doctor Who’s time-traveling police box, this quirky outhouse offers both fandom fun and practical relief. It’s a testament to the British knack for blending culture, humor, and necessity.
- Theme: Doctor Who
- Location: Warmley, UK
- Features: Iconic exterior, functional interior
11. Antarctic Field Toilet, Antarctica
In Antarctica’s harsh environment, field toilets are essential for preserving pristine conditions. Portable containers serve both scientists and tourists. Every waste product is packed out—ensuring this remote wilderness remains untouched for future generations.
- Function: Portability, environmental safeguards
- Setting: Antarctic research camps
- Importance: Strict ecological protection
12. Arctic Circle Toilet, Norway
On Norway’s rugged coast, you can find modern toilets perched above crashing surf and rocky cliffs. Heated seats may not be guaranteed, but the location and design offer welcome comfort for travelers braving the elements. The Arctic Circle inspires both awe and practical innovation.
- Location: Arctic coastal Norway
- Features: Contemporary design, dramatic scenery
- Appeal: Warm(ish) refuge in a cold land
13. Desert Toilet, Siloli, Bolivia
Bolivia’s Siloli Desert toilet is an open-air latrine without frills or shelter, set against wind-carved stone formations like the famed Arbol de Piedra. Here, nature takes center stage, offering a unique blend of exposure and beauty few other restrooms can rival.
- Setting: Siloli Desert, Bolivia
- Features: Minimalist; exposed to elements
- Scenery: Stone Tree geological feature
14. Waterfall Washroom, Taroko National Park, Taiwan
At the Baiyang Waterfall Trail in Taiwan’s Taroko National Park, trailhead washrooms are supplied with fresh water directly from a nearby cascade. Seven tunnels and countless waterfalls line the 2km hike, making pit stops here exceptionally refreshing.
- Location: Taroko National Park, Taiwan
- Features: Fed by natural waterfall water
- Scenic value: Surrounded by tunnels and cascades
15. Schönbrunn Castle Toilets, Vienna, Austria
Set among the Baroque gardens of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Castle, these leaf-covered restrooms carry centuries of royal gardening tradition. While touring the palace’s 1441 rooms and exquisite grounds, visitors will find toilet stops as elegant and historic as their surroundings.
- Location: Schönbrunn Castle grounds
- Design: Leafy, integrated with gardens
- Heritage: Baroque, once home to the Habsburgs
16. Valley View Restroom, Laos
In mountainous Laos, roadside rest stops offer not only cleanliness but spectacular sunrise valley panoramas. Whether you sit, stand, or squat, the bold open hole in the wall frames a vista that makes the journey memorable—proof that bathrooms can uplift mind, body, and spirit.
- Feature: Panoramic valley views
- Location: Mountainous roadside, Laos
- Inclusivity: Multiple stance options
17. Outhouse on the Altiplano, Chile
This battered bog sits alone on Chile’s high-altitude Altiplano, surrounded by salt flats and volcanic peaks. Its ramshackle frame might test your nerves, but the unspoiled view is a fitting reward for adventurous travelers seeking remote rests.
- Setting: Altiplano, Chile
- Features: Rustic, minimalist
- Landscape: Salt flats, volcanoes
18. Beach Toilet, Bondi, Australia
Bondi Beach features some of the world’s cleanest and most artfully designed shore-side restrooms. Here, surf culture meets architectural refinement, proving that even high-traffic facilities can be stylish, sustainable, and inviting.
- Location: Bondi Beach, Sydney
- Design: Coastal, artistic, eco-friendly
- Vibe: Surf, sun, and sanitation
19. Florida Keys Mangrove Bathroom, USA
Among Florida’s mangroves, eco-toilets are raised on stilts above brackish streams and dense roots—merging conservation with necessity. Scientific field stations and kayaking outposts use these composting toilets to preserve the ecosystem and offer uniquely wild pit stops.
- Location: Florida Keys mangroves
- Feature: Elevated, composting design
- Purpose: Environmental protection
20. Train Station Toilet, Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich’s train station showcases the city’s obsession with cleanliness, style, and efficiency—even in their public lavatories. Automated doors, meticulous maintenance, and contemporary fixtures make this bustling toilet a model for modern public amenities.
- Location: Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station), Zurich
- Features: High-tech, sparkling clean
- Design: Swiss precision
A Spotter’s Guide: What Makes a Toilet Extraordinary?
- Location: Toilets perched in wild, remote, or breathtaking settings.
- Design: Creative architecture, high-tech materials, or cultural motifs.
- Integration: Facilities that reflect or enhance their surroundings—natural or manmade.
- Function: Sustainability, environmental consideration, and accessibility.
Table: Comparing Extraordinary Toilets
| Toilet Name | Location | Unique Feature | Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barafu Camp | Tanzania | Cliff-side long-drop | Adventure, stunning view |
| Fountain of Toilets | China | Ceramic art installation | Museum-worthy spectacle |
| Krafla Outhouse | Iceland | Isolated alfresco seat | Surreal, mysterious |
| Transparent Toilets | Japan | Smart glass privacy | Modern tech, intrigue |
| TARDIS | UK | Pop culture icon | Fun, fandom |
| Bondi Beach | Australia | Colorful, eco-friendly | Style, sustainability |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why document extraordinary toilets?
Documenting unique toilets reveals much about local cultures, creative trends, and the importance of hygiene, sustainability, and public art worldwide.
Q: How do extraordinary toilets benefit travelers?
Special toilets enhance comfort, promote sustainability, showcase local innovation, and often become memorable highlights or photo opportunities on a journey.
Q: Are these toilets accessible to everyone?
Not always—remote locations may require strenuous effort to reach, but many city installations and landmark lavatories are fully public and accessible.
Q: Which toilet offers the best view?
The cliff-side facilities of Barafu Camp and scenic roadside stops in Laos are renowned for breathtaking panoramas, blending relief with awe.
Q: Where can I find more extraordinary toilets?
Guidebooks like ‘Toilets of the World’ by Lonely Planet catalog hundreds of fascinating facilities, offering inspiration for offbeat travel.
Conclusion: More Than a Comfort Stop
The world’s most extraordinary toilets serve as reminders that everyday necessities can be transformed by design, creativity, and a sense of fun. Whether they are perched atop summits, hidden in city parks, or crafted from thousands of porcelain pieces, these facilities challenge our perceptions of utility and beauty, giving ‘nature calls’ an entirely new meaning.
