Halloween traditions originate from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which – in Ireland, way back in the day – marked the end of the summer harvest and the beginning of winter.
According to pagan tradition, the Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing the spirits of the dead to cross over into the world of the living. Spooky.
But in the last century, Halloween has become a more playful holiday on both sides of the Atlantic.
Late October has become an increasingly popular time for families to get away. Haven, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, recently reported a rise in bookings that coincide with Halloween festivities.
The so-called ‘dark tourism’ trend has also taken off in recent years, as what is said to be a growing number of travellers continue to be compelled to visit places with murky and intriguing pasts.
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And if that’s your bag, many of Europe’s most haunted destinations are just a short flight away.
Pack warm clothes and courage — these places promise history, culture and who knows, maybe even a glimpse of the afterlife.
Offaly
Ok, so rural Offaly might seem a strange suggestion for an autumnal holiday. But that’s where you need to go if you want to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most haunted castles.
Where to go to feel the fear
Hunched over an outcrop of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland’s midlands, Leap Castle has a long and bloody history.
The stories take root in the castle’s Irish name, Leim Ui Bhanain, which literally translates to Leap of the O’Bannons — a clan that built the castle for the ruling clan, the O’Carrolls, in the early 1500s.
The most shocking is that of the Red Lady, who is said to be the ghost of a woman captured and raped by the O’Carrolls. Legend has it that the chieftains killed the baby, and in despair, she took her own life.
Many claim to have encountered the Red Lady in the ruins of the castle, along with several other documented hauntings, scariest of all: The Elemental.
This is one of the most intriguing spirits said to reside in the grounds. No one is really sure who or what The Elemental is, but one belief is that it was put there by druids to protect a sacred site used for initiations.
The castle burned to its shell in 1922 and is now part of an ongoing restoration effort by the Ryan family.
It’s open for visitors Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free, but donations are requested to fund restoration work.
While you’re in Ireland, why not pull a destination detour and spend a night in Dublin, home to the authors of many of the world’s scariest horror stories. We’re talking Charles Maturin (Melmoth the Wanderer) and Bram Stoker (of Dracula fame).
There’s also the Hellfire Club, an abandoned hunting lodge with a history of dark rituals, Kilmainham Gaol, a prison where the British Army executed many of Ireland’s most famous rebels, and The Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub said to be haunted by the ghost of a nationalist leader.
Getting to Leap Castle from the UK
Fly to Dublin, then rent a car (the drive takes around 90 minutes) or catch the bus.
You’ll need to take the airport express or the 16/41 from the airport into Dublin city centre, then take the 845/847 from Wellington Quay to Birr (it shouldn’t cost more than £10). From there, it’s a 10-minute taxi to the castle.
Hoia Forest, Romania
Transylvania is often described as the world’s premier Halloween destination. You’re probably familiar with its bloodcurdling vampire myths, werewolves, castles and curses, but have you heard of its haunted forest?
Where to go to feel the fear
Described as the creepiest forest on Earth, the haunted forest of Hoia Baciu sits just outside Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s second city.
Deep in the depths of Transylvania, it attracts witches, sword-wielding vampire hunters and scientists, all desperate to cleanse the forest of evil (none have been successful).
Named after a shepherd who disappeared in the forest with his flock of 200 sheep, Hoia Baciu came to international attention in 1968 when military technician Emil Barnea photographed what he claimed was a UFO hovering over a clearing.
Unlucky for Barnea, Romania’s communist government at the time viewed belief in the paranormal as state-sabotage. He was sacked.
Today, whether real or imagined, visitors to the forest report strange symptoms: nausea, anxiety, failure of phones and electronic devices.
Enter at your own risk.
Getting to Hoia Forest from the UK
Fly to Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) in Romania. Direct flights run from London Luton with Wizz Air.
From the airport, take a bus or taxi to the forest. The journey should only take around 15 minutes.
Prague
Prague has long been known as one of Europe’s most haunted cities.
Beyond the grand Baroque architecture and the beauty of the Vltava River, the city’s Gothic spires and narrow alleyways hide a sinister history.
With a past marked by wars and executions, Prague is full of eerie legends. Perhaps the most famous is the tale of the Headless Templar, who is said to wander the lanes of the Old Town near the Church of Saint Martin, forever searching for his missing head.
Then there are the Alchemists of Prague Castle, who, during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, worked in secret laboratories on Golden Lane attempting to recreate the Philosopher’s stone. (Seriously, look it up.)
And if creepy tales aren’t enough to send a chill down your spine, the city is also home to a vast network of underground tunnels, crypts and cemeteries.
Where to go to feel the fear
Houska Castle
On the outskirts of Prague is Houska Castle, a Gothic building shrouded in mystery. Now owned by Skoda and restored to its former grandeur, the castle is open for tours for those brave enough to enter one of the most haunted places in Czechia.
Legend has it that a pit hidden in the lower levels of the castle is the gateway to hell itself.
Local folklore claims that the castle walls were built not to keep intruders out, but to trap dark spirits and demons who tried to enter the city.
It’s said that should the foundations ever be disturbed, all manner of other-worldly spirits would be unleashed into the mortal world.
No one has ever reached the bottom of the pit, perhaps for the best?
Visitors can tour the castle’s halls, widely considered the closest place to hell, and toe the line between history and supernatural. Entry is £6.
Charles Bridge
Originally called the Stone Bridge, the iconic Charles Bridge was completed in the early 15th century, linking Prague Castle with the Old Town across the Vltava River. By day, it’s one of Europe’s most popular spots, by night, its beauty takes on a macabre tone.
The bridge has witnessed centuries of bloodshed and rebellion. Once the grounds for the heads of executed nobles, there’s no lack of superstition here. Today, the bridge’s balustrades are lined with statues that visitors rub for good luck.
Some claim to see the headless ghosts of the executed wandering the bridge after dark.
Others speak of a more chilling legend: the one about how the bridge’s builder came face to face with the devil himself.
On the night of their meeting, his pregnant wife and child mysteriously died, and for centuries after, passersby reported hearing the faint cries of an infant echoing above the river.
Open year-round with music and markets, as one of Prague’s most beloved landmarks, Charles Bridge is an unsuspecting spot for haunted pasts. But for those who wander after dark, you might just catch a glimpse of someone long passed.
Getting to Prague from the UK
Fly to Prague from several UK airports with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. Direct fares start from as little as £75 return.
From the airport, you can get to the city centre via public transport (either bus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín to metro line A) taxi, or airport express shuttle, which goes straight to the main train station.
Darmstadt, Germany
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of the world’s most popular gothic novels — it’s a horror classic, but few realise that the story’s origins may lie in a real castle.
Where to go to feel the fear
Perched on a hill at Langenberg, Frankenstein Castle stands on the western edge of the Odenwald. Shrouded in mystery, it’s said that Shelley once visited the castle to draw inspiration from its eerie legends.
There are stories of an alchemist desperate to discover the secret of immortality, and of a monstrous Frankenstein creation that lured young girls in to play, never to be seen again.
Today, Frankenstein Castle welcomes visitors year-round for tours and events, offering sweeping views and chilling stories.
And if you’re seeking the ultimate Halloween event, you’ll find it here, the castle hosts Germany’s ‘most iconic’ halloween celebration, where you can dance among ghosts. Entry is free.
Getting to Darmstadt from the UK
Fly to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the closest at around 20km away. Ryanair, British Airways, and Lufthansa all operate direct routes from London.
From there, you can get to Darmstadt by bus, train or taxi in around 30 minutes.
Madrid
While it’s not an obvious choice for a spooky city break, Madrid has its fair share of ghosts, many of which are said to reside in the city’s most famous tourist attractions and government buildings.
Where to go to feel the fear
One is the Ministry of Finance, which was used as a prison during the bloody Spanish civil war, and a burial site for those who perished.
There have been many reports of strange voices and doors banging in the night.
The Reina Sofia Museum (one of the Spanish capital’s most popular sites) is said to be haunted by patients of a former hospital, while Linares Palace is home to the spirit of the murdered daughter of a noble family who once lived there.
And you thought Madrid was only good for tapas.
Getting to Madrid from the UK
Fly to Madrid with Ryanair or Wizz Air from London for as little as £38 one-way.
You can get to the city centre via train, bus, or taxi, in 20-40 minutes (depending on traffic).
