Recently updated on August 13th, 2025 at 03:50 pm
Spooky season is upon us, and for those craving an extra dose of eerie excitement, we’ve rounded up the best places to visit for Halloween. As the leaves turn and the air grows chilly, a handful of destinations promise a spine-tingling adventure.
Let’s explore the most captivating places to visit for Halloween, with each offering a unique blend of haunted history, ghostly tales, and eerie ambiance. From ancient castles to abandoned ghost towns, these are the top 10 best places to visit for Halloween aficionados seeking an unforgettable, hair-raising experience.
Edinburgh, Scotland
At any time of year Edinburgh has a spooky season feel. The iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched on a rocky volcanic hill, sets the stage for a grand ghostly spectacle. Here tales of ghosts and paranormal encounters abound. And don’t forget the haunted underground vaults, where ghost stories reveal secrets that’ll send shivers down your spine. On Trafalgar tours you’ll join a Local Specialist for a spooky stroll. Tip-toe through the eerie alleyways of the Old Town, where ancient tales of witches and grave robbers come alive.
SPOOKY FUN: Scotland’s Highlands, Islands and Cities
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
New Orleans, the Big Easy, is a city that casts a spell on anyone who visits. Known for its vibrant culture, soulful music, and delectable cuisine, it’s also a place where the supernatural mingles with the everyday…. The historic French Quarter, with its ornate balconies and gas lamps, sets the stage for eerie tales of voodoo and ghostly encounters. Above-ground cemeteries like St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 are like cities of the departed, and voodoo shops beckon the curious.
For those going on a Halloween trip to New Orleans, make sure it lines up with the official parade known as ‘Krewe of Boo.’ This was created by the Mardi Gras World owner and the event starts in the morning with The Zombie Run.
EXPLORE IT: Tastes and Sounds of the South
Transylvania, Romania
Transylvania is as much mythical as it is a real destination. This region of Romania in Eastern Europe is overshadowed by the infamous Dracula legend. It’s a place where medieval castles, like the enigmatic Bran Castle, rise from lush landscapes, cloaked in tales of vampires and eerie gothic lore. Beyond the dark myths, Transylvania is filled with charming villages with centuries-old traditions, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains’ misty peaks. It’s a land where history and legend converge – making it one of the best places to travel for Halloween.
SPOOKY FUN: Balkan Adventure
Port Arthur, Australia
In Australia the eerie events of the past make Port Arthur its spookiest spot. At the southern tip of Tasmania, this hauntingly beautiful destination has a dark past. Once a notorious penal colony during the 19th century, it housed some of the country’s most dangerous criminals. With Trafalgar you’ll take a walk through the ruins and take a cruise of the harbor around the Isle of the Dead. Hear chilling tales of convict life and the harsh punishments they endured, and perhaps have your own ghostly encounter.
EXPLORE IT: Perfect Tasmania
Dublin, Ireland
The lively capital of Ireland pulsates with history and a dash of Celtic mysticism. Dublin is one of the best places to visit for Halloween, as the original holiday is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan celebration to welcome the harvest. From the dark and mysterious tales of old to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of its people, Dublin is a city where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony.
SPOOKY FUN: Irish Highlights
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Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a city that feels like a living fairy tale. Its skyline is adorned with spires and domes, while cobbled streets wind their way through a maze of historic architecture. The city’s dark, mysterious side emerges during hauntingly atmospheric night walks, revealing stories of ghosts, alchemists, and legends that linger in its medieval alleys. The iconic Prague Castle, perched above the Vltava River, holds centuries of history and ghostly tales. But it has nothing, by way of sheer spookiness, on the Sedlec Ossuary – a bone-chilling chapel, located in the nearby town of Kutna Hora, whose interior is adorned with thousands of human bones.
EXPLORE IT: Prague, Vienna & Budapest
London, England
While London is a pleasure to visit now, that wasn’t always the case. Step back in time at the Tower of London, the city’s most notorious prison and a place of torture and executions. A number of its ghosts – of Edward V, Richard of York, Arabella Stuart and the famed White Lady – still reportedly haunt the building. In London you’ll also wander in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper, London’s famous serial killer, or meet the ghost of Henry VIII’s fourth wife Catherine, at Hampton Court Palace.
SPOOKY FUN: London Explorer
Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA
Even the name ‘Sleepy Hollow’ should immediately prick the ears of the Halloween fans amongst us, with this village being a hotspot for many during October.
When the holiday rolls around, the local businesses go all out and decorate for the season. The month also sees a number of events and activities like haunted hayrides, Gothic mansions to explore, farmers markets, street fairs, and even a Halloween 10K run. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze takes place every year too, with this being the area’s biggest event.
The town really plays on the myth of the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow too, with this deriving from an 1820 short story. Within it, a German soldier who was killed during the Battle of The White Plains in 1776 left his head on the battlefield. He was buried in Sleepy Hollow.
Paris, France
While you may not immediately view the French capital as being one of the top Halloween destinations, its history has led to people wishing to explore more about the past.
People can visit the Paris Catacombs which are underground ossuaries which hold the remains of more than six million people. The history dates back to the eighteenth century when major public health problems tied to the city’s cemeteries led to the contents being transferred to an underground site.
The catacombs are a massive 20 meters in depth, which is akin to a five-story building. A number of ghost tours take place throughout the city as well.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF: Paris Explorer
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Often referred to as the ‘Halloween Capital of the World,’ Salem comes to life in October as it welcomes more than a half-million visitors.
It puts on parties, parades, vendor fairs, walking tours, attractions, and special events. The Salem Haunted Happenings mark the festive celebration which takes place each year.
This city gained fame for the witch trials, which took place between 1692 and mid-1693. Authorities accused over 200 people of practising witchcraft and executed 20 of them.
FAQ: 10 of the best places to visit for Halloween
Where did Halloween originate?
Halloween is believed to have originated from the ancient pagan festival of Samhain, 2,000 years ago.
According to reports, The Celts believed that Samhain was a day in the year which acted like a gap between the normal world and the spirit world.
Where is Halloween celebrated?
The United States and Canada widely celebrate Halloween. The United Kingdom’s interest in the holiday has grown over the last couple of decades, with many now celebrating the day.
While other European countries don’t go all-out for Halloween, like in France, some businesses in these areas do host some form of events. It’s more of a commercial opportunity rather than an official holiday.
Why is Halloween celebrated?
Dating back to The Celts, they believed that souls of the dead returned to their homes on the day of Samhain.
They would dress in costumes and light bonfires to ward off spirits which is where the traditions of Halloween began.
What are the best Halloween events in the US?
One of the most popular Halloween events in the US is Salem’s Haunted Happenings. The festival spans several weeks, with activities like ghost tours, a Salem witch trial, a night faire, and more.
Other big Halloween events in the United States include the Horror Nights at Universal Studios and Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm.
What are the best Halloween festivals in Europe?
Many countries in Europe don’t celebrate Halloween in the way that the US does, but Derry in Northern Ireland is thought to be the continent’s largest Halloween festival.
Tulleys Farm, in West Sussex, is also known for hosting its annual Shocktober Fest Scream Park.
When is the Salem, Massachusetts Halloween festival?
The Salem Haunted Happenings event runs annually in the city, with it running for the whole of October.
Those are the best places to travel for Halloween. Where are you planning on spending spooky season this year? Let us know the places you like to visit on Halloween in the comments….