If you’re a fan of all things spooky, Halloween is the perfect time to travel! Whether you’re looking for haunted history, ghost tours, or festive celebrations, some destinations take the Halloween experience to a whole new level. Here are the 5 best destinations to visit for Halloween that offer a mix of eerie fun, historical intrigue, and supernatural thrills.
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
No Halloween travel list would be complete without Salem. Known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, Salem fully embraces its spooky past during October. The entire town becomes a Halloween wonderland with the Haunted Happenings Festival, which includes parades, ghost tours, seances, and witchcraft history tours. Visit the Salem Witch Museum to dive into the city’s dark history or wander through the eerie Old Burying Point Cemetery for an authentic haunted experience.
Take a Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour. Discover the cemeteries, buildings and homes where paranormal activity has taken place.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Known for its mix of voodoo legends and haunted history, New Orleans is an amazing destination for Halloween lovers. The city comes alive with haunted tours, voodoo ceremonies, and spooky cemetery walks. The French Quarter is filled with ghost stories, haunted hotels, and eerie mansions, such as the infamous LaLaurie Mansion. For a more lively celebration, catch the Krewe of Boo Parade, which showcases the city’s vibrant Halloween spirit with elaborate floats and costumed performers.
Join on a guided tour through New Orleans’ French Quarter. Hear tales of ghosts and the stories that made them, vampires, Voodoo, and more.
Edinburgh, Scotland
With its medieval streets, ancient graveyards, and mysterious underground vaults, Edinburgh is an incredible Halloween destination. The city’s rich past, filled with dark tales of witch trials, body snatching, and ghosts, makes for a truly spooky atmosphere. Take a ghost tour to explore the underground vaults or visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, a cemetery known for ghost sightings. Edinburgh also hosts the Samhuinn Fire Festival, a celebration of the ancient Celtic holiday, featuring fire performances and costumed parades.
Explore Edinburgh’s dark past as you visit Canongate Kirkyard, learn about the Black Death, and visit the sites of 19th-century serial killers on this chilling guided walking tour.
Transylvania, Romania
For the ultimate Dracula experience, head to Transylvania, the legendary home of Count Dracula. Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, this region is known for its medieval castles and misty landscapes, perfect for Halloween. A highlight of any trip is a visit to Bran Castle, which is often associated with Dracula and hosts an epic Halloween party every year. With costume contests, traditional music, and eerie castle tours, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those fascinated by vampire lore.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a city steeped in history and filled with gothic architecture, making it an atmospheric destination for Halloween. Its winding, cobblestone streets and medieval buildings create the perfect backdrop for spooky experiences. The city has a dark past, with legends of alchemists, ghostly figures, and hidden chambers beneath its surface. During Halloween, you can join ghost tours that explore Prague’s haunted spots, like Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, and the Charles Bridge.
One of the city’s highlights is the Sedlec Ossuary (the Bone Church) located just outside Prague in Kutná Hora, where the interior is decorated with the bones of 40,000 people, creating a chilling yet fascinating sight. More about Sedlec Ossuary in my post.
Get the shivers on this atmospheric walking tour through Prague’s ghostly history.
These destinations offer diverse and unforgettable Halloween experiences. Whether you prefer historical hauntings in Salem, the voodoo-filled streets of New Orleans, or the ancient Celtic celebrations in Edinburgh. So pack your costume and prepare for a spooky and fun-filled holiday!
