While some haunted houses may seem a little hokey — filled with actors dressed as ghouls, goblins, and mad scientists — there are many places around the world with a reputation for being truly haunted.
Some of these spots are shrouded in mystery, with creepy legends about them passed down century after century. While others are much newer, they are still haunted by their tragic pasts. Whether from the 12th or 20th century, each one has an interesting backstory and is known for ghostly sightings or other spine-tingling experiences.
Ghost hunters across the globe are always trying to catch a glimpse of a spirit, hear mysterious voices coming from an empty room, or feel a chill while investigating a creepy corridor. Luckily, there are numerous reportedly haunted places that are open for public tours or even overnight stays. No matter where you are in the world, there’s probably a haunted house or haunted hotel that’s just waiting for you to visit.
Not only are there plenty of places in the U.S. to send a chill up your spine — from the Winchester Mystery House in California to the historic battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania — there are lots of eerie destinations outside the country worth visiting as well.
Ghosts, strange sounds and lights, and bizarre UFO experiences have been reported throughout the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Romania, and as far away as Australia and China. Here’s a look at 30 of the most haunted places in the world.
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Raynham Hall: Norfolk, England
This English country home may be gorgeous, but it also has a dark past. The mysterious “Brown Lady,” rumored to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, was reported to be one of Raynham Hall’s apparitions, captured on film in the December 1936 edition of Country Life. Guests can visit the home on any of its “Open Days” throughout the year.
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Poveglia: Venice, Italy
A short trip from Venice, the beautiful island of Poveglia was once a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague and was also used as a psychiatric hospital in the early 20th century. Ghost hunters claim this spot is now a hotbed of paranormal activity. Note that the island is currently closed to the public.
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Bhangarh Fort: Rajasthan, India
Roughly two hundred miles from Delhi, this abandoned fortress sticks out in the middle of the wilderness. According to local legend, a sorcerer once cast a curse on the area after being rejected by its princess. Guests can still visit the fort’s impressive ruins today.
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The Ancient Ram Inn: Wotton-under-Edge, England
This 12th-century inn, located in southwestern England, is one of the oldest in the Western world. It is believed to have once been a pagan burial ground and is now supposedly haunted by more than 20 spirits, including several children and a monk. Fearless travelers can book a ghost tour at the inn in hopes of experiencing the specters firsthand.
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Port Arthur: Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania's Port Arthur Historic Site is known throughout Australia for its hauntings, with plenty of reports of paranormal activity recorded over the years. It makes sense, though, given the area’s creepy past: The site originally served as a penal colony in the 19th century, where prisoners were forced to endure solitary confinement, hard labor, regular beatings, psychological abuse, and mandatory church services to correct bad behavior once they’d been transported from the U.K. We imagine more than a few souls are finding it hard to rest after all that.
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The Queen Mary: Long Beach, California
This beautiful ocean liner spent 30 years at sea before permanently docking in Long Beach and becoming a tourist attraction. During her tenure, the ship logged at least 49 deaths, which makes her reputation as a haunted vessel even more believable.
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Burg Wolfsegg: Wolfsegg, Germany
This 800-year-old castle in the municipality of Wolfsegg, Germany, is apparently haunted by a woman who scares off any visitors who pass. She is rumored to be the ghost of Klara von Helfenstein, who was reportedly murdered by her jealous husband. The castle is typically open on weekends and Bavarian public holidays from May to early October.
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The Lizzie Borden House: Fall River, Massachusetts
This allegedly haunted bed-and-breakfast is the sight of a gruesome and highly publicized murder. Although she was eventually acquitted, Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in the unassuming home in 1892. Since then, guests have reported all sorts of strange sightings in the house. Ghost tours and overnight stays are available for intrepid travelers who want to experience the notorious residence for themselves.
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Casa Loma: Toronto, Canada
Completed in 1914, the Gothic Revival-style house, Casa Loma, is filled with corridors and secret passageways. Tales of ghosts have been whispered around the property for decades, and you can still take a tour of it today. The home hosts events throughout the year, and there are two restaurants on the grounds in case you’re more afraid of hunger pangs than spirits.
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Château de Brissa: Brissac-Quincé, France
This impressive building is known throughout France as the place where Charlotte de Brézé was murdered. According to legend, Charlotte, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, was killed by her husband after he discovered she was having an affair. Visitors claim to have seen a “Green Lady,” named for the color of her dress, roaming the halls. Visit the stately castle and try to spot her yourself — honestly, though, the stunning architecture alone is worth the trip.
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The Stanley Hotel: Estes Park, Colorado
Not only is this popular Rocky Mountain destination famous for inspiring Stephen King’s classic horror novel “The Shining,” it also has its own spooky past. Allegedly, staff members have encountered ghosts such as the maid from Room 217, who is known to pack away guests’ clothing when they aren’t looking. The hotel offers a variety of accommodations and ghost tours of the property if you’re feeling brave enough. It also makes a great base if you want to visit nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Fairmont Banff Springs: Alberta, Canada
Ever since it was completed in 1888, this postcard-perfect hotel has been associated with paranormal activity. One of the most well-known stories is of its “Ghost Bride,” a woman who reportedly awaits people in the hotel ballroom. Today, the hotel continues to welcome guests to the heart of Banff National Park.
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St. Augustine Lighthouse: St. Augustine, Florida
This lighthouse became famous during the Civil War when its light was removed to disrupt Union shipping efforts — just part of the structure’s long and sometimes tragic history. It’s not all bad; visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a lighthouse keeper, who is always quite friendly. During your next tip to St. Augustine, visit the site during the day for beautiful views — or take a ghost tour at night, if you dare.
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One If by Land, Two If by Sea: New York, New York
This legendary West Village establishment is a New York City treasure, although some of the guests who frequent it may not be totally of this plane. The restaurant once served as the carriage house of Aaron Burr — yes, the same Aaron Burr who infamously shot Alexander Hamilton — and it’s rumored that his ghost still haunts the place. We can’t help but wonder what he thinks of the musical.
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The Tower of London: London, England
The Tower of London complex became the final resting place for many people of historical significance. Steeped in tragedy for more than 900 years, the site is known especially for its ghostly sightings of English royalty, including Henry VIII’s former wife, Anne Boleyn, and Lady Arbella Stuart, a cousin of Elizabeth I. While it’s a must-visit for anyone traveling to London, history buffs and lovers of all things paranormal will appreciate seeing it in person — and should keep an eye out for apparitions as they tour the storied grounds.
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Dock Street Theatre: Charleston, South Carolina
Originally built as a hotel in 1809 and converted to a theater in 1935, this famous French Quarter theater continues to stage musicals and plays today, despite the horror lurking within its walls: Patrons have claimed to see ghosts up in the rafters, as well as on the stage. Its most well-known apparitions include Nettie, a former sex worker who can be seen still wearing her red dress (stories say she was struck by lightning during a storm in the 19th century), and Junius Booth, the father of the man who shot Abraham Lincoln, who is rumored to have once performed here with his acting troupe.
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Tao Dan Park: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The gorgeous gardens of Tao Dan Park may look lush and relaxing during the day, but some say the space takes on an entirely different feel at night. That’s when, according to urban legend, the ghost of a young man who was killed in an attack still wanders the park, looking for his lost love. The only death that has reportedly happened there occurred in the 1980s when a man was killed while attempting to sell his motorbike (which was then stolen by his murderer). Either way, keep an eye out if you’re visiting.
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The Old Vicarage: Borgvattnet, Sweden
Borgvattnet is a small village in northern Sweden that’s known for being home to one of the most haunted houses in the country — The Old Vicarage, which dates back to 1876. Inhabitants of the home have reported multiple sightings, including a lady dressed in gray, as well as other oddities like unexplained sounds and objects that seem to move without any earthly assistance. It currently operates as a cafe and a hostel, so brave souls can stop for a bite or spend the night.
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The Winchester Mystery House: San Jose, California
After the death of her husband, rifle magnate William Wirt Winchester, Sarah Winchester commissioned this dizzying labyrinth of a house in order to stay safe from vengeful spirits killed by her husband’s guns. The home is seven stories tall, with a whopping 160 rooms, 10,000 panes of glass, and 47 stairways, some of which lead to nowhere at all. There are several house tours available, including an hourlong ghost tour.
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The Driskill: Austin, Texas
While many big-name celebrities have stayed at this popular downtown Austin hotel since it opened in 1886, few are as famous as the ghosts that haunt its hallways. One of the most notorious tales surrounding the property involves two women, each jilted at the altar, who took their own lives in the same room several decades apart. The spirit of its founder, Colonel Driskill, is sometimes spotted roaming the grounds, smoking his cigar. The sound of a ball bouncing and muffled laughter can still be heard long after four-year-old Samantha Houston, the daughter of a prominent Senator, fell down the grand staircase in 1887. Guests have also seen the ghost of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who went on a first date with his wife here in 1934 and frequented the hotel throughout his life.
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Akershus Fortress: Oslo, Norway
This medieval castle once served as a defensive stronghold for the city of Oslo and it is rumored to be the most haunted place in all of Norway. The most popular supernatural sightings include a demon dog that’s said to be guarding the gates to the castle, and the ghost of a woman with no facial features. It's free to visit, so ghost-hunting travelers will definitely want to check it out.
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Castle of Good Hope: Cape Town, South Africa
This giant fortress originally served as a replenishment station for ships in the Dutch East India Company, but also operated as a prison with a torture chamber. Several ghosts reportedly wander the grounds, including a tall man who can still be seen walking along and falling from the ramparts, and Lady Anne Barnard, whose job it once was to entertain important visitors to the fort. Another curiosity: The bell in the bell tower sometimes rings all by itself, despite being blocked off by bricks hundreds of years ago. Visitors are welcome to take a tour and learn more about South African history in its Cape Heritage Museum.
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The Catacombs: Paris, France
The Catacombs of Paris are truly spooky, with the remains of more than six million people located throughout the vast system of underground tunnels. While you can tour some of the tunnels today, be warned, as they’re not for the faint of heart. And don’t even think of venturing down there after midnight. According to urban legend, that’s when strange voices (supposedly belonging to those who are buried there) will try to convince you to wander deeper and deeper within the tunnels until you get lost.
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Edinburgh Castle: Edinburgh, Scotland
This 11th-century fortress has seen a lot of action over the years. Many different eerie experiences have been reported, including unexplained music echoing through the halls. Many believe it’s coming from the ghost of a piper who died in the castle while investigating a series of tunnels that had been discovered — they were later resealed but his tunes can still be heard on quiet nights. A ghostly drummer has also been spotted along the battlements and was known to appear prior to an attack. Be sure to tour the castle on your next trip to Scotland’s capital city.
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The Forbidden City: Beijing, China
While you may not necessarily think of the Forbidden City, located in the center of modern Beijing, as haunted, ghost hunters who are interested in local lore know better. First reported in the 1940s, an apparition of a woman dressed in white who was heard sobbing within the halls of the palace is one of its most well-known ghosts. The impressive Forbidden City is a must-visit for travelers in Beijing, whether or not you believe in ghosts.
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Hoia Baciu Forest: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This spot in northwestern Romania is considered by many to be the most haunted forest in the world. Visitors often report intense feelings of anxiety and an overwhelming sense of being watched while traveling among the trees. Some of the most common supernatural occurrences here include unexplained apparitions, faces appearing in photographs that were not visible to the naked eye when the pictures were taken, and UFO sightings.
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Kehoe House: Savannah, Georgia
This beautiful Savannah home was completed in 1892 by William and Anne Kehoe, who lived there with their 10 children. It also served as a funeral home for most of the 20th century. The house was eventually turned into a bed-and-breakfast, and guests have noted mysterious sounds of little ones playing, among other creepy occurrences. Ghost-chasing guests visiting Savannah — a notoriously haunted city — might want to make this hotel their home base.
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Gettysburg Battlefield: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War, so it’s no wonder the area seems to be teeming with paranormal energy. Many visitors have reported seeing the spirits of Civil War soldiers wandering the fields, and you can take a ghost tour to learn more about the area’s tragic history yourself.
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Corvin Castle: Hunedoara, Romania
If you’re a fan of vampire lore, you’re probably familiar with Vlad the Impaler, who famously inspired the title character in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” In real life, the bloodthirsty ruler was kept prisoner at Corvin Castle (also called Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle), where many strange sightings have been reported since. You’ll just have to plan a visit to see if the legends are true.
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Lawang Sewu: Semarang, Indonesia
This former railway building and World War II prison is believed to be the most haunted place in Indonesia. Among the many apparitions that have been reported here, the most popular include a Dutch woman, various headless spirits, and a kuntilanak (a female vampiric ghost known throughout Malaysian and Indonesian mythology). Visitors can check out the historic building or go on a haunted heritage tour to see if they spot anything else out of the ordinary.
—Dear, I brought you here ‘cause I need to tell you something that no one ever said to you and I can’t hold it any longer… —Say it, my love —Your breath stinks.
