5 Spooky Places Around the World I’d Love To Visit
Halloween is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing some of the spooky places I’d love to visit. As they’ve have always fascinated me. I’ve done ghost tours in London and Edinburgh, wandered through the Paris catacombs, visited the harrowing sites at Auschwitz, explored old churches, cemeteries, castles, and even stayed in a haunted hotel. So it’s pretty safe to say I love anything with a creepy story or a brush with the supernatural.
Bourton-on-the-Water Ghost Tour, The Cotswolds, UK
Since I live in the Cotswolds, it feels fitting to include something close to home. The region is full of folklore, ghost stories, and historic buildings, but one that may surprise you is the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
The village offers a ghost tour that explores centuries of local legends and strange sightings – a stark contrast to its quaint bridges and cosy Cotswold stone cottages. It’s been on my personal wishlist for ages, and honestly? The idea of wandering those quiet lanes at night hearing Cotswold ghost stories sounds like the perfect blend of cosy and creepy.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem already appeared in my historical sites post, however, I wanted to mention it again because it’s top of my list of spooky places to visit – and it’s history is a large reason for that.
Forever tied to the infamous 1692 witch trials, the Massachusetts city offers Salem embraces its past with year-round ghost tours, maritime tales, museums, and of course, massive Halloween celebrations. Visiting in Autumn would be ideal for me – it still has the spooky atmosphere, but likely a bit less intense than peak October crowds.
Romania — Land of Dracula
Romania has been on my spooky travel wishlist for years. Not only fir it’s ties to Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, but also for the beautiful architecture – such as Bran Castle.
Bran Castle, often marketed as Dracula’s Castle, is a Gothic fortress perched dramatically on a cliff – perfect for horror fans. While its links to Bram Stoker are mostly fictional, the atmosphere is pure spooky magic.
A few hours away is Poenari Castle, the real stronghold of Vlad the Impaler (the person behind the Dracula legend). It’s harder to reach, requiring a climb of nearly 1,500 steps, but the mountain views and eerie ruins make it worth the effort.
Gloucester Prison, England
Gloucester Prison is one of those places I always forget to mention, because it’s on our doorstep (so to speak), even though it’s been on my spooky to-visit list for ages. The historic Victorian jail closed in 2013 and has since become a hotspot for paranormal investigations, ghost hunts, and atmospheric tours.
The prison has also featured on ghost hunting shows, and visitors have reported cold spots, unexplained footsteps, shadow figures, and strange voices. My best friend and I keep saying we’ll book one of the evening ghost tours – hopefully soon! It’s the perfect mix of eerie history and paranormal curiosity, without needing to leave the UK.
The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is a must-visit for Stephen King fans. Not only did it inspire ‘The Shining’ novel but Stephen King also famously stayed in Room 217. The hotel leans into its eerie reputation with , themed tours, including one dedicated to The Shining, and a guided experience that focuses on “active paranormal hotspots” and the folklore of the 100-year-old building.
Halloween at Disneyland Paris
Definitely the least spooky place on this lists, however, Disneyland Paris goes all-out with seasonal décor, illuminated pumpkins, parades, spooky soundtracks, and – most importantly for me – rare character meet-and-greets. So, it’s the perfect addition to any spooky trip.
My sister was lucky enough to meet Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie, which makes me want to go even more. It’s less about ghosts and more about cosy Halloween fun, which I absolutely love.
Whether a place is genuinely haunted or just steeped in eerie history, I adore destinations with a story to tell. From foggy trails, to vampire castles, to Disney villains, each of these places has its own special kind of Spooky Season magic.
Where would you go for a spooky adventure? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
