6 spellbinding haunted destinations for Halloween

From Salem to Sedlec, discover the most terrifying haunts to travel to this spooky season

Where the spirits roam...

Discover the world’s most bone-chilling Halloween getaways with our ultimate guide to haunting destinations for 2025. Whether it’s ghostly castles, eerie towns, or spine-tingling festivals, these locations deliver the ultimate fright factor, perfect for travellers who want more than just the usual cobwebs and pumpkins.

Sedlec Ossuary, Czechia

Dublin St Patrick parade

Flight time: 2 hours 5 mins

Just outside Kutná Hora, the Sedlec Ossuary continues to intrigue tourists with its chapel adorned with ornate sculptures made from the bones of 50,000 people; it is known as one of Eastern Europe’s eeriest sites. A chandelier fashioned from every bone in the human body dangles overhead, a stark reminder of mortality and history that gives chills year-round.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Flight time: 3 hours

Towering above the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle is a stronghold of haunted tales and sinister dungeons. Ghostly drummers, chilling whispers, and a legendary past of torture make October nights here particularly atmospheric. Why not fill your itinerary with a visit to one of the city’s infamous underground vault tours for extra shivers.

Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Flight time: 10 hours 30 mins

In October, Salem transforms into one big supernatural carnival. The month-long 'Haunted Happenings Festival' features everything from ghost tours and cemetery walks to the Official Witches' Annual Ball. The Judge Jonathan Corwin House (pictured above), also known as The Witch House, is Salem’s last intact residence linked to the infamous 1692 witch trials, and it's a must-see for visitors interested in dark history. Judge Corwin presided over several of the trials in this very home, which now serves as a museum offering original period rooms, chilling witch trial artifacts, and insights into Puritan life.

Paris Catacombs, France

Flight time: 1 hour 20 mins

Descend beneath the bustling city to a labyrinth where over six million Parisians have found a final resting place. With mist curling around the bones, flickering candlelight, and the echoes of the French Revolution, you'll find a uniquely macabre Parisian Halloween experience only enhanced by seasonal candle-lit tours and exclusive museum exhibits.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Flight time: 12 hours 45 mins

Halloween in New Orleans is a supernatural celebration unlike any other, blending voodoo rituals, haunted French Quarter bars, and citywide costume parades. Why not join a ghost tour, waltz through a vampire masquerade, or visit the city’s historic cemeteries for an electric, eerie ambiance.

Transylvania, Romania

Flight time: 5 hours 5 mins

Good morning, Dracula! Wrap up a haunted Halloween abroad with a masquerade ball in Dracula’s own domain: Bran Castle. October sees thematic parties, candle-lit ghost tours, and a palpable vampire legacy among the foggy forests and crumbling towers.

Ready to plan your haunted adventure?

For 2025, haunted holidays are bigger, bolder, and more immersive. Whether you're seeking the comfort of history or the thrill of the truly unknown, these destinations deliver unforgettable stories and shivers for even the bravest travellers. So, make this Halloween legendary and book your spine-tingling trip today.

Pre-book FastTrack

12 city breaks when you're on a budget

Top travel tips for city breaks that won't break the bank

Make 2025 your best travel year yet

It's the year to turn your travel dreams into a reality!