From ghost towns to abandoned islands, the world is full of some pretty creepy spots. Whether you’re interested in ghosts, an adrenaline junkie, or just plain curious, these eerie places are sure to captivate you, and possibly give you goosebumps. With an exciting mix of the paranormal, mysterious, and historical, this list of 40 spooky destinations from around the world is sure to be an entertaining read. Some of the stories behind them may scare you, and others just might surprise you, but all of them are bound to leave you curious to find out more.
#1 Paris Catacombs, France
In the 1700s, when the city’s cemeteries became too crowded, the remains of over six million people were moved to underground tunnels known as the Catacombs. Lined with real skulls and bones, these tunnels have become popular with over 550,000 guests visiting each year. While the catacombs are certainly haunting, they’re a fascinating and historically significant place to visit.
Report
19points
#2 Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
This infamous former prison was once the largest and most expensive building ever erected in the United States at the time of its completion. Before closing down in 1971, the prison was home to many notorious criminals, such as Al Capone, but now its ominous halls have become a popular destination for spooky explorations. Named a U.S. National Historic Landmark, the prison currently operates as a museum open to the public.
Report
18points
#3 Hill Of Crosses, Lithuania
While the true history of placing crosses on the hill in Northern Lithuania isn’t exactly known, over generations, it has become a major Catholic pilgrimage site in the country. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, cross-crafting has been an important part of Lithuanian culture, which is why the Hill of Crosses is nationally recognized as a cultural monument. With over 100,000 crosses on the hill, the site is quite haunting, but mysteriously beautiful.
15points
#4 Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, Devon, England
Once a 13th-century Cistercian monastery and home to Sir Francis Drake, Buckland Abbey is now a popular tourist attraction due in part to the haunting legends surrounding it. One such myth is the presence of Drake’s spirit in the halls of the house and the woods nearby. Because it's over 700 years old and has an eerie feel to it, the residence is both captivating and quite haunting to visit.
Report
15points
#5 Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Believe it or not, although this lush forest may look like an incredibly beautiful place to visit at first glance, it’s quite possibly one of the scariest places in the world. What most people don’t know is that it has earned the title ‘suicide forest’ due to the many suicides that occur there each year. Despite this reputation, hikers and tourists aren’t deterred from exploring the creepy forest.
Report
13points
#6 Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California, USA
Belonging to Sarah Winchester, widow of rifle magnate William Wirt Winchester, this sprawling 160-roomed mansion with endless staircases draws many curious visitors due to the legend behind it. It’s said that Winchester spent close to four decades building the maze-like home to escape the vengeful spirits of those who lost their lives at the hands of her husband’s rifles.
13points
#7 Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, England
You might find it ironic that a place called Chillingham is considered one of England’s most haunted castles. This is because it’s home to many unsettling legends, such as the ‘Radiant Boy’ haunting the pink room and the tale of a frail-looking spirit begging for water. Along with these terrifying stories, many visitors have reported cold spots and even strange sounds throughout the castle.
Report
11points
#8 The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Known as one of the world’s most haunted ships, the 1936 Queen Mary spent more than three decades at sea before becoming a hotel and tourist attraction in Long Beach. Allegedly, it’s home to several ghosts, such as the “Lady in White”, a woman in an evening gown who entertains herself in the lounge, and many more. Adding to the chilling atmosphere, both staff and guests have reported strange disturbances and cold spots on the ship.
Report
11points
#9 Corfe Castle, Dorset, England
With over a thousand years' worth of history, it isn’t surprising that Corfe Castle would end up on this list. Previously a royal palace, a Saxon stronghold, and a Norman fortress, this 11th-century mansion now stands as just haunting ruins. It’s said that the spirits of soldiers who passed away defending the castle continue to haunt it, causing strange paranormal activity, such as flickering lights and creepy apparitions.
Report
11points
#10 Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, Beechworth, Victoria, Australia
Previously operational as a psychiatric facility between 1867 and 1995, the Beechworth Asylum is now a popular site for ghost tours due to its reputation as a haunted location. It’s believed that the spirits of ex-patients who were treated savagely and passed at the facility now haunt its hallways. Some visitors have reported hearing strange sounds, feeling chills, and even catching glimpses of apparitions.
Report
11points
#11 Crenshaw House, Gallatin County, Illinois, USA
Also called the ‘Old Slave House’, this 19th-century mansion was at the center of the infamous Reverse Underground Railroad, an illegal network responsible for kidnapping, torturing, and selling free people into slavery. While this terrible history is widely known, most probably haven’t heard the ghost stories associated with the slave quarters. In 1978, a reporter named David Rodgers had an unsettling experience in the attic, later reporting that he captured strange voices on his recorder that he couldn’t hear while in the house at the time.
Report
11points
#12 Peoria State Hospital In Bartonville, Illinois, USA
This psychiatric facility, founded in 1907, is notorious for its ghost stories. One of the most well-known legends is that of Manuel Bookbinder, a patient and gravedigger, whose spirit was seen by several nurses and patients crying under an elm tree at his own funeral. This and many other paranormal stories were investigated by The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) on the TV show Ghost Hunters in 2010.
11points
#13 Bran Castle, Bran, Romania
Ever since shows like The Vampire Diaries took the world by storm, thousands of people have developed an obsession with the mysterious creatures of the night. And because Bran Castle has been associated with Dracula and Strigoi from Romanian folklore, it has become a popular place to visit for vampire enthusiasts. With its medieval design and the unsettling myths surrounding it, the castle certainly offers a chilling experience.
Report
10points
#14 The Tower Of London, England
Over centuries, the Tower of London has been home to royalty, a prison, and even a place where notable figures like Anne Boleyn met tragic ends. Because of this dark history, the tower has its fair share of ghost stories. From a phantom bear stalking the Jewel House to a headless figure seen walking around near the chapel, these hauntings make the fortress an eerie destination.
Report
10points
#15 Chateau De Brissac, Brissac-Quince, France
Dubbed “The Tallest Castle in France”, this 11th-century mansion is home to many eerie legends, and surprisingly remains the Duke of Brissac’s family residence. One of the most popular tales is that of the ghost of Charlotte de Brézé, an eyeless woman dressed in green who met an untimely end at the castle. Besides the spooky stories, guests and even tour guides have reported feeling cold spots, hearing bizarre sounds, and catching glimpses of the ‘Green Lady’.
10points
#16 La Recoleta Cemetery, Argentina
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that a cemetery would make it onto the list of spooky destinations to visit. However, La Recoleta isn’t just creepy, it’s one of the world’s most haunting burial grounds, housing the remains of some of Argentina’s most prominent figures. Along with the chilling silence visitors often describe, legends such as that of Rufina Cambaceres, a woman who was allegedly buried alive there, make exploring the cemetery quite an eerie experience.
Report
10points
#17 Loftus Hall, County Wexford
Loftus Hall, arguably the most haunted house in Ireland, has an interesting history. According to legend, the ghost of a woman named Anne haunts the halls of the house. And it doesn’t end there; it’s also alleged that the mysterious devil that led her to insanity flew through the roof and left an irreparable hole that’s still visible today. While the house hasn’t been open for tours since 2020, curious visitors can still catch a glimpse of its exterior.
Report
9points
#18 Hoia Forest, Romania
As it turns out, these chilling curved trees aren’t the only unsettling things about the Hoia-Baciu forest. In 1968, a photo of a supposed UFO hovering over the forest circulated throughout Romania, fueling tons of public speculation and adding to the mysterious atmosphere of the forest. And it doesn’t end there; some visitors have reported experiencing strange physical phenomena while within the woods, like nausea, anxiety, and even malfunctioning electronic devices.
9points
#19 Bannack Town, Montana, USA
From a string of capital punishments against outlaws in the 1860s to the 1916 drowning of a young woman named Dorothy Dunn, Bannack has quite a violent past. Now a preserved ghost town and state park, there have been many claims that Dunn’s ghost and the vengeful spirits of the outlaws still haunt the area to this day.
Report
9points
#20 The Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Long abandoned and standing in ruins, this 17th-century fort is said to have been cursed by an evil wizard who couldn’t handle the princess’s rejection. Another curse adding to the city’s chilling reputation is that of an angry holy man, who doomed the fort, and as such, the spirits of former residents reportedly roam the streets. What makes the fort even more haunting is that although the area is open to the public to visit, it’s closed between sunrise and sunset.
8points