While many tourists spend their vacations lounging on the beach or exploring major theme parks, some may have spookier interests. Whether you’re an avid ghost hunter or enjoy learning about the supernatural, several destinations offer ghostly experiences that aren’t for the faint of heart. Find out if you’re brave enough to travel to these spooky locations across the globe.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is an older city rich in history and paranormal activity. One of the most popular spots for vacationers is Marie Laveau’s House. Marie Laveau was a well-known Louisiana Creole native who practiced voodoo. Although her home is now a museum and store, residents say her spirit still haunts the premises. Several other spooky spots surround the French Quarter, including Le Petit Theatre, St. Louis Cathedral, and Antoine’s Restaurant. You can also explore New Orleans’ more macabre side by taking a graveyard ghost tour or staying at one of the many local haunted hotels.
San Francisco, California
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San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is known to be a hotbed of paranormal activity, starting with the Alamo. In fact, the Ghosts of Old San Antonio Tour focuses heavily on the Alamo’s supernatural history. This tour will also take you throughout the city, stopping at various haunted hotels, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, and San Fernando Cathedral.
Of course, you must complete your trip to San Antonio by stopping at the haunted railroad tracks. Travel along Shane Road until you locate the tracks, then park your vehicle on top of them. Many visitors report feeling their car lurching across with no explanation. This haunted legend has existed for many years, and local officials have not found a cause for these strange occurrences. In addition, there have also been many sightings of ghostly apparations walking along the tracks in the middle of the night.
Salem, Massachusetts
The historic city of Salem is known for the Salem Witch Trials, during which nineteen people received death sentences due to accusations of practicing witchcraft. Locals say that the ghosts of the deceased continue to haunt the area to this day. Much of the tourism in Salem centers around its infamous past, and several guided tours take visitors on a journey to historic sites in the area. If you’re feeling brave, book a room at The Hawthorne Hotel. Paranormal experts regard this historic building as one of the most haunted hotels in America. Many visitors report feeling the presence of spirits throughout their stay.
Paris, France
When most people think of Paris, they usually picture fashionable boutiques and romantic restaurants. However, Paris is also home to several spooky places not for the faint of heart. If you are planning a Paris vacation, stop by the famous Catacombes de Paris. Construction on this ossuary began as a response to major public health concerns connected to the local cemeteries. At that point, the tombs and graves around Paris were emptied of their contents and placed deep underground at this site. As a result, the remains of over six million people lie in rest here, and the legend is that terrifying sounds and apparitions occur after midnight.
The Catacombs aren’t the only spooky tourist destination in Paris. For an evening of ghost hunting, head over to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This cemetery is the largest in Paris and is home to over seventy thousand graves, tombs, and mausoleums. Tourists regularly report visions of translucent figures and small bursts of light throughout the cemetery.
Sighisoara, Romania
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While you may not have heard of Sighisoara, you will be familiar with its most famous resident. This city in Romania is the birthplace of one of the most infamous characters in history, Vlad the Impaler (also known as Count Dracula). Spend some time at Casa Vlad Dracul, a museum and restaurant in the house where Count Dracula was born. Afterward, take an evening stroll down to Sighisoara Clock Tower. This tower was once a fully functioning dungeon, and ghosts of the imprisoned now haunt the area. The Scholars’ Stairs, which lie just around the corner from the tower, is a sprawling staircase that ascents to the highest point in Sighisoara and is thought to be haunted. Take a walk up this spooky staircase if you’re feeling courageous.
Dublin, Ireland
The enchanting country of Ireland is full of spooky attractions to experience. Spend some time at Malahide Castle, where six ghostly residents are believed to reside. One of these apparitions is said to be Miles Corbet, who died in the seventeenth century. Both tourists and workers at the castle report seeing his ghost on horseback on the premises. Other haunted spots throughout the city include Glasnevin Cemetery, The Brazen Head Pub, and the house of Bram Stoker. An evening stroll through Dublin’s historical district will surely give the bravest tourists serious goosebumps.
Port Arthur, Australia
During the 19th century, Port Arthur was the site of a British penal colony where hardened criminals would go to serve their sentences. The abuse was rampant at this prison, and deprivation of light and sound as punishment frequently occurred. This sensory deprivation caused the majority of them to develop serious mental illnesses. Although there is no longer a working prison at Port Arthur, this site has become one of the most famous haunted tourist destinations. Historic ghost tours occur twice a night, where visitors can explore the prison’s church, morgue, and other mysterious areas on the property. Some guests report hearing slamming doors and echoing footsteps as they walk through the dimly hit halls. Many people choose to leave the tour early due to the spooky atmosphere.
Poveglia Island, Italy
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The dark history of Poveglia Island stems from the late Middle Ages. Venice experienced the bubonic plague throughout this period, and fear of infection was a serious concern amongst the population. If people became exposed to the plague, they had to quarantine for forty days at Poveglia Island. Unfortunately, most people never made it off the island again. Officials working on the island would burn the deceased’s corpses to avoid spreading the plague. A common belief is that the ashes of the dead comprise half of the island’s soil. For centuries, Poveglia Island remained an important quarantine site, and Venetian residents nicknamed it the “Island of Ghosts.”
Eventually, a mental institution opened its doors on the island in 1922. According to local legends, one of the physicians would torture and kill his patients. Although the institution closed in 1968, many remnants of the facility remain surprisingly intact. While Poveglia Island is currently off-limits to visitors, there are plans to eventually restore the buildings and open them back to the public. For now, you can take a ten-minute boat ride from Venice and view the island from afar.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland, is a treasure trove of rich history and vibrant culture. However, there is a much darker side to this sprawling gothic metropolis. Throughout centuries gruesome battles and deaths have occurred at the site of Edinburgh Castle. Therefore, it should be no surprise that many paranormal experts regard this castle as one of the most haunted places in the world. Visitors to Edinburgh Castle report hearing a phantom piper on the premises and a headless drummer who roams the hallways. Tourists also experience sudden temperature drops, mysterious voices, and disembodied footsteps following them as they explore.
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In addition to Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Vaults is another haunted place many visitors frequent. Construction of these vaults began in the late eighteenth century due to booming economic growth. The intention was to create an underground business district full of taverns, cobblers, and other trades. Unfortunately, the Edinburgh Vaults experienced massive flooding, which drove most businesses out from underground. Eventually, many of the city’s poorest residents occupied the vault. Notorious serial killers William Burke and William Hare would find many of their victims here and, after killing them, would store their bodies deep within the vault’s many chambers. If you’re feeling brave, consider booking a walking tour through the vaults and learn more about their eerie history from a knowledgeable local guide.
