If you had some amazing Halloween parties yesterday and now you’re craving more encounters with skeletons, zombies, or haunted places, we’ve got a list that could either give you chills or inspire you to pack your bags. The world is full of spooky and haunted spots, and we’ve selected 10 of them for you to explore, if you’re brave enough.
1. Paris Catacombs (France)
Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lie the remains of about 6 million people. Back in the 18th century, the city’s cemeteries became overcrowded, so authorities decided to move the deceased beneath the city. If Paris doesn’t draw you in as a romantic city, perhaps seeing it as a city of the dead will. Keep in mind, not all parts of the catacombs are open to visitors.
2. Suicide Forest in Aokigahara Jukai (Japan)
Imagine getting lost in a place where each year around 100 bodies are found. This forest is the most popular spot for suicides in Japan. While there are signs offering psychological help, many still choose this location to end their lives.
3. Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado (USA)
At first glance, this hotel may not seem frightening, but it has earned a reputation for being haunted. Stephen King, the master of horror, was inspired by the creepy vibe here to write “The Shining.” Stories also mention a ghost named Eddie, who strokes women’s hair and kisses them on the cheeks.
4. Hill of Crosses, Šiauliai (Lithuania)
This haunting place started to see its first crosses appear in the early 19th century. Despite attempts by the Soviet government to demolish it, crosses kept reappearing. Today, there are believed to be around 200,000 crosses here. It’s not a place for those uncomfortable being surrounded by crucifixes.
5. Island of the Dolls, Mexico City (Mexico)
Over 50 years ago, Julian Santana Barrera found a dead girl and her doll floating in a canal. He took the doll to his isolated island and later claimed to hear the girl’s cries and footsteps, so he hung the doll on a tree. The haunting continued, prompting him to hang dozens more dolls. In 2001, he drowned in the same spot where he found the girl. If you’re not spooked by this place, probably nothing can scare you.
6. Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco, California (USA)
Alcatraz has had various roles over the years—Civil War fortress, bird sanctuary, and famously, a prison. Known for being almost impossible to escape from, six prisoners nearly succeeded in 1946. Now, cell D is rumored to be haunted, and some claim you can hear Al Capone playing his banjo.
7. North Yungas Road (Bolivia)
Commonly known as Death Road, this terrifying path has almost no safety measures to prevent you from falling off its narrow edges. It was reported that 200-300 people died on this road every year in the 1990s.
8. Ilha da Queimada Grande (Brazil)
If you’re terrified of snakes, you might want to steer clear of this place. Better known as Snake Island, it’s home to 2,000-4,000 venomous endangered snakes called golden lancehead pit vipers. Because of the danger to both humans and snakes, visitors are not allowed on the island.
9. Bran Castle (Romania)
Famed for its association with Count Dracula, who was based on the real ruler Vlad the Impaler, Bran Castle could be the setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Is there a more perfect place for a Halloween visit than wandering the halls of Count Dracula’s castle?
10. Highgate Cemetery, London (UK)
With around 170,000 people buried here, including notable figures like Karl Marx and Douglas Adams, Highgate Cemetery is more than just a burial ground for celebrities. Since the 1970s, locals have reported seeing a ghostly figure known as the Highgate Vampire. Would you dare to visit and see for yourself?
What are the creepiest places you’ve visited? Let us know in the comments!