Whether you're looking for the best places to travel for Halloween or you want to enjoy spooky vibes all year round, we've curated a list of the top 10 most haunted places in the world. From the eerie Stanley Hotel in Colorado to a serial killer's rumoured go-to pub in London, visit places with a dark history. Adventure at your own risk!
1. The Stanley Hotel – Colorado
Visit the hotel in Colorado that inspired The Shining, Photo by Padraig O'Flannery from Unsplash
Start your haunted exploring in the US at The Stanley Hotel, one of the most haunted places in America. It inspired Stephen King's The Shining and has gained a reputation for ghosts, and the hotel has even made appearances in The Shining's mini-series adaptation and on shows like Ghost Hunters. Many report unsettling experiences there, like mysterious footsteps or faucets turning on without explanation. You can even join a ghost tour to learn more about its history and hauntings.
Pro Tip: Book room 217 to get the experience that inspired Stephen King’s hit novel.
2. The Fairmont Banff Springs – Canada
Enjoy Canadian wilderness and paranormal activity, Photo by Teerapat Mahingsa from Unsplash
Take your ghost exploration to Canada. The Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta is known for its beautiful surroundings, but it has also earned a reputation for the paranormal. Amongst the ghostly apparitions reported is the ghost of a bride who is said to have slipped on the hotel's stairs and passed tragically on her wedding day.
These sightings and the Canadian wilderness make The Fairmont Banff Springs the perfect spot for travelers who love nature or anything spooky.
Related Read: Plan Your Banff Adventure: Weather, Accommodation, & More
3. La Recoleta Cemetery – Argentina
Visit this iconic Argentinian cemetery, Photo by anvmedia from iStock
Take your spooky trip further south by heading to Argentina. Nothing screams "haunted" more than a cemetery. Many Argentinian celebrities are buried at La Recoleta, which makes it a significant attraction. It's also known for its ghost sightings and goosebump-worthy tales. The Lady in White, or "La Dama de Blanco," is one of its most popular and is known to roam the cemetery’s entrance. Legend says she went on a date with a man who only realized she was a ghost later on.
4. The Island of the Dolls – Mexico
Spooky fans will love the Island of the Dolls in Mexico, Photo by spanglish from iStock
If you're a pop culture fan, you might recognize this spot from Lady Gaga's Dead Dance video. The Island of the Dolls is located south of Mexico City in the channels of Xochimilco. Legend says Barrera, the island's former reclusive owner, began collecting dolls and hanging them around the island after he found a girl who had drowned in the canals.
It's also said that Barrera drowned in those same canals and that the dolls on the island have been seen moving. After Barrera passed, his family opened the island to tourists, so you can visit the island and see if the lore holds.
Pro Tip: Book your spot on a trajinera, a gondola-like boat to get to the island in style.
5. The Catacombs of Paris – France
Explore the depths of the Paris Catacombs, Photo by Warren Dowling from iStock
When you think of Paris, you might think of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and high fashion, but Paris has hidden depths that might surprise you. Twenty meters below the surface, you'll find Paris's darker side, the Catacombs. In the late eighteenth century, major public health issues led to the city's cemetery contents being transferred to an underground site, thus creating the Catacombs. Fans of horror or anything dark will love this spot.
Pro Tip: Bring layers, as it can be very humid down there, and wear proper walking shoes with a good grip; you'll have to take 131 steps down and 112 up.
6. The Ten Bells Pub – London
Check out the pub Jack the Ripper and his victims frequented, Photo by Marco Piunti from iStock
Grab a pint at this famous London bar and discover its history. The Ten Bells Pub is one of the East End's oldest surviving pubs and is rumoured to be a pub Jack the Ripper and his victims frequented. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer active in 1888, and his legend still survives today and is part of many true crime podcasts.
7. Aradale Lunatic Asylum – Australia
Catch a guided tour of this creepy Australian asylum, Photo by Nils Versemann from iStock
Nothing screams horror like an abandoned asylum. The Aradale Mental Hospital, in south-west Victoria, Australia, resembled a small village and was in operation for over 120 years. Around 13,000 people are said to have died there, adding to its dark reputation. Ghost sounds are often reported, and visitors are known to faint.
Pro Tip: Book a paranormal investigation tour, so you can visit and experience them yourself.
8. Frankenstein Castle – Germany
Visit the castle that likely inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Photo by Andreas Freund from iStock
If you're a book lover or if you enjoyed the movies, you'll appreciate the Frankenstein Castle. Some claim Mary Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein by this castle and its inhabitant, Johann Konrad Dippel, an alchemist who shared many similarities with Victor Frankenstein. The castle is also said to be haunted by said alchemist, who supposedly performed strange experiments on cadavers. Ghost Hunters was filmed there in 2008, reinforcing the paranormal reputation.
9. Kiyotaki and Inunaki Tunnels – Japan
Discover the lore of one of Japan's haunted tunnels, Photo by Cheng Feng Chiang from iStock
Dive into Japan's lore around haunted tunnels. If you're an anime fan, the Kiyotaki and Inunaki Tunnels are rumoured to have inspired the popular Mob Psycho and Dan Da Dan series. The Inunaki tunnel is now sealed off for safety reasons, but the Kiyotaki is still accessible.
The Kiyotaki tunnel had a history of forced labor during its construction. Its length is also 444 meters, a number associated with death in Japan, leading to its haunted reputation. On the other hand, the Inunaki tunnel is known for a horrific murder that took place in 1988. Urban legend says a village that refuses to accept the Japanese constitution exists near the old tunnel, and mysterious phone calls from that village are made every night to a phone booth by the bridge.
Related Read: Kyoto Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
10. Castle of Good Hope – South Africa
Discover the dark past of the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, Photo by Juanhdez from iStock
The Castle of Good Hope is over 350 years old and a National Heritage site. It was built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company as a refreshment base for ships. The castle has a dark history of executions, tortures, and other atrocities. Workers and visitors mention hearing mysterious footsteps or the bell tower bell ringing on its own. Whether you visit for the history or the ghost sightings, Cape Town is worth a visit.
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FAQ
What is the most haunted place in the world?
There isn't a definitive location that can be called the "most haunted" in the world. However, many places have dark histories and local lore associated with them. Among them are the Island of the Dolls in Mexico, the Kiyotaki Tunnel in Japan, and the Ten Bells Pub in London.
What is the most haunted place in America?
The most haunted locations in America are subjective. However, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado is definitely a strong contender. This hotel inspired Stephen King's iconic The Shining and has hosted many paranormal investigators due to its ghostly reputation.
Are there real haunted places?
There are many places in the world reported as haunted. However, there is no scientific proof to confirm or deny the existence of ghosts. Whether you believe they are "real" depends on your interpretation of events like strange sightings or noises.
