Hundreds of quests and dungeons dot Skyrim's open-world. From the lengthy Bleak-Falls Barrow to the deceptive Pinewatch, Skyrim is never short of unique locations to find. This holds true even today.
Despite Skyrim's age, there is still a shocking amount of dungeons that players haven't explored. Due to their remote locations or lack of quests, some dungeons are rarely explored and thus underappreciated by the community. These can range from small forts to entire Dwemer dungeons that are hidden behind multiple cave systems. From faction conflicts to boss fights, here are ten underrated dungeons in Skyrim that most players miss.
10 Ironbind Barrow
Ironbind Barrow is a rather generic dungeon at first glance. It doesn't have any unique mechanics or boss fights, yet it is one of Skyrim's most memorable dungeons due to two NPCs.
Outside of the dungeon, players can find an Argonian and Redguard arguing with each other — they're named Beem-Ja and Salma respectively. Players can convince both to set aside their worries and delve into the dungeon. This will give players two companions to fight alongside, that is until they defeat the unique Draugr boss named Gathrik.
See, Beem-Ja's true motive for entering the dungeon was to absorb Gathrik's power. To do this, he must kill the player and Salma. It's an interesting turn of events that make this otherwise mundane dungeon quite memorable. Head southwest of Winterhold to give this unique dungeon a try.
9 Liar's Retreat
East of Karthwasten, players can find an action-packed dungeon named Liar's Retreat. Falmer and bandits can be found clashing swords right from the start of the dungeon. As players carve a path through the location, they will eventually find frostbite spiders and chaurus enemies to face. It's the ultimate dungeon for leveling skills and killing dozens of enemies.
8 Kagrenzel
Kagrenzel can be found on the eastern border of Skyrim to the right of Ansilvund. Few players visit this location due to its remote location, which is a shame considering how unique this Dwemer ruin is.
An ominous, glowing orb will guide players through most of the dungeon. It first leads players to a trap that sends them down a long shaft. Players will need to fight their way back up to finish the dungeon. Kagrenzel's verticality and guiding orb make for an unforgettable experience.
7 Darklight Tower
Darklight Tower is a unique dungeon southwest of Riften where the fantastic "Repentance" quest starts. In it, players assist an Imperial mage named Illia with slaying her mother. What starts as a typical dungeon turns into a cove of Hagravens and sacrificial ceremonies. Players get a good staff for their trouble as well.
6 Arkngthamz
Should players have Dawnguard installed, they might stumble on a quest titled "Lost to the Ages." In it, the Dragonborn assists a ghost named Katria with uncovering the Aetherium Forge.
Arkngthamz is tied heavily with this forge. To uncover one of the forge's key fragments, players will need to explore this massive dungeon complete with Falmer and Dwemer foes. Some of the best items in the game such as Zephyr can be found here, and players interested in lore will surely appreciate Katria's backstory and the lore of the Aetherium Forge.
5 Ansilvund
Following the northern path from Shor's Stone in the Rift will lead to one of Skyrim's most underrated dungeons named Ansilvund. In it, players will have to defeat a necromancer named Lu'ah that is determined to resurrect her dead husband. Besides an interesting love story that is told through journal entries and the environment, loot-focused players can also obtain the fantastic Ghostblade in this dungeon as well as a Stone of Barenziah.
4 Frostmere Crypt
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Boss fights are rarely The Elder Scrolls' strong suit, but there is a large exception to be made with The Pale Lady fight in Frostmere Crypt. Facing this unique Wispmother will first require players to settle an internal conflict amongst a bandit group. One of the members stole the Pale Lady's sword, so it is up to the player return the blade to its rightful owner.
That option is what most players won't do, nor should they. Instead, take the blade from the bandit's corpse and face The Pale Lady in battle. She has some of the most unique attacks in the game that range from cloning herself to firing a barrage of ice spikes. The reward for all of this trouble is The Pale Blade, one of the best swords in the game. It's a boss fight that needs to be experienced.
3 Blind Cliff Bastion
Blind Cliff Bastion is part of the Blind Cliff Cave dungeon that can be found northeast of Markarth. The cave itself is a generic encounter with Forsworn foes, but entering the Bastion in the area is where things get interesting.
Inside Blind Cliff Bastion is a caged Hagraven named Melka. She states that the entire dungeon was once hers until the Forsworn arrived and locked her up. With help from the player, Melka can escape her jail cell and accompany the player throughout the entire dungeon during the quest "The Affairs of Hagravens." Melka will fight alongside the player during the whole quest while providing insight into a Hagraven's daily affairs.
2 Sightless Pit
West of Winterhold's Shrine of Azura lies the most underrated Dwemer ruin in all of Skyrim. Named the Sightless Pit, the entrance to this ruin can be found adjacent to an empty bandit camp. Players enter this dungeon through a hole in the ground and must jump down to begin exploring. Due to this, only high-level players should attempt this dungeon.
Inside is a typical cave filled with spiders at first. Exploration quickly reveals that this is a forgotten Dwemer dungeon that has been overrun by Falmer. Exploring its depths further will show the Temple of Xrib, a massive Falmer encampment filled with treasure.
1 Frostflow Abyss
Unlike the Sightless Pit, Frostflow Abyss doesn't rely on grandiose visuals or great transitions to be distinct. Instead, this lighthouse and cellar are jam-packed with environmental storytelling.
West of Winterhold lies an abandoned lighthouse filled with blood and traps. An unsettling past is immediately apparent to any observant player as journal entries begin to describe a strange creature lurking under the home. Players must find the creature below, kill it, then burn the family's ashes atop the lighthouse. No quest or location in Skyrim tells a story quite as well as this underrated gem.