Guide to finding an underground fortress in Minecraft

Underground Fortresses in Minecraft are hidden structures that guard the coveted End Portal , essential for facing the Ender Dragon and completing the game's main quest. Locating one of these structures can be challenging, especially for beginner players, but there are reliable techniques that make the search much simpler.

Whether it's exploring secret libraries, gathering rare resources, or reaching the End, knowing how to find an Underground Fortress is essential. In 2025, players can rely on three main ways to reach these structures, valid for both the Java and Bedrock versions.

What is an Underground Fortress in Minecraft?

The main purpose of these structures is to house the End Portal , which leads players to the End dimension. In addition to the portal, they feature extensive corridors, mysterious rooms, and even libraries, making exploration even more exciting.

How to find an underground fortress with the Eye of Ender

The Eye of Ender is the most traditional way to locate an Underground Fortress. To create it, you need to gather Ender Pearls (obtained by defeating Endermen) and Blaze Powder (dropped by Blazes in the Nether). With these items combined, you will have the Eye of Ender ready for use.

When launched, the item floats towards the nearest fortress. If it is far away, the Eye will point upwards, showing the trajectory. If it is close, the Eye will point downwards, indicating the exact location to dig. As there is a chance the item will break after use, it is recommended to carry more than 12 units, both to find the portal and to activate it.

Finding underground fortresses with seed maps

Another efficient way is to use your world's seed code /seed . From it, tools like Chunkbase allow you to view all the Underground Strongholds present on the map.

The process is simple: enter the seed code into the tool, select the correct game version, and set the dimension to Overworld. The map will display the locations of each stronghold , and by clicking on the icons, you will have access to the exact coordinates. This is a great way to plan your journey in advance.

Locating underground fortresses with commands

For those who want an even faster solution, it's possible to use commands . This alternative requires that cheats are enabled in the world.

After enabling the commands, type /locate structure stronghold . The game will show the coordinates of the nearest Underground Stronghold. If you prefer, you can use /tp to teleport directly to the location.

This option is quite common in speedruns or tests, as it eliminates the manual exploration aspect. However, for those who prefer to play in the traditional way, the previous methods make the achievement more challenging and rewarding.

Final tips before exploring an underground fortress.

Reaching the fortress is just the beginning. To prepare, bring sturdy pickaxes , made of iron or diamond, as you will need to do a lot of digging. Also carry food, armor, potions, and enchantments that will increase your chances of survival.

Another important point is to bring enough blocks to mark the way back, since the fortresses have complex corridors and can easily confuse players. With the right preparation, you'll be ready to activate the End Portal and face the most epic battle in Minecraft .