Every destination has its own stories and legends, and some are spookier than others! From haunted castles to mysterious landmarks, there are plenty of fascinating places with eerie histories to discover. So, are you brave enough to visit some of the scariest places around the world?
Haunted Places, Eerie Legends & Mysterious Landmarks
1. Transylvania, Romania
A visit to Romania isn’t complete without exploring Bran Castle, linked to the legend of Dracula. Sighișoara is often associated with Vlad the Impaler, who was born here and is believed to have partly inspired Bram Stoker's famous character. From Bucharest, you can visit Snagov Monastery, where Vlad is traditionally believed to be buried.
2. Valley of the Kings, Egypt
Legend has it that anyone who disturbs the tomb of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh will be cursed and suffer an early death. One of the most famous stories surrounds the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter and his team, which was funded by Lord Carnarvon. On our Egypt holidays, step back in time and discover the country's fascinating ancient history, including a cruise along the Nile. In our other blog post, learn more about the top places to visit in Egypt.
3. Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
The “Church of Bones” is a small Roman Catholic chapel, not far from Prague, which contains the remains of an estimated 40,000 people. Many of the bones have been arranged into elaborate decorations and furnishings. Perhaps on your free day during our Prague City Break, you can venture out to see this unusual, but fascinating site.
4. Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada
Since the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel opened in 1888, it has become famous for its ghost stories. One of the best-known legends tells of a bride who supposedly fell down the stairs in the 1920s after tripping on her wedding dress. It's said that her ghost can still be seen dancing in the ballroom. You could say the hotel looks similar to the Overlook Hotel, the infamous setting of the horror film The Shining. Fortunately, we won't be staying in this supposedly haunted hotel on our Canada holidays, but we will get to explore the spectacular Banff National Park! Plus, there are plenty of other fascinating places to visit in Canada!
5. Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
On our Baltic Highlights Tour, including Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn, including Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, we'll discover the three incredible Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Hill of Crosses is located just outside the Lithuanian city of Šiauliai, and its exact origins remain a mystery. Although this is an important pilgrimage site with thousands of crosses, it's certainly an eerie sight, especially after dark!
6. Fuente del Ángel Caído, Madrid, Spain
On our Madrid City Break, you can visit the Fuente del Ángel Caído, a fountain in Buen Retiro Park depicting the fallen angel Lucifer. Madrid is one of the highest capital cities in Europe, and the fountain is famously said to stand 666 metres above sea level, a number traditionally associated with the devil! Browse all our holidays to Spain,, including the Madrid City Break, and discover more of this fascinating destination.
7. Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, Italy
On our Sicily holidays, we'll explore the island's capital, Palermo, home to the fascinating but rather eerie Capuchin Catacombs. Here, hundreds of mummified bodies are on display, making it a place that's certainly not for the faint-hearted. Originally, the Capuchin monks only embalmed friars, but over time, burial in the catacombs became a status symbol. One of the most famous residents is Rosalia Lombardo, who died of pneumonia in 1920 at the age of two. Her remarkably preserved body rests in a glass coffin, earning her the nickname "Sleeping Beauty". If that doesn't sound like your thing, you can browse more holidays to Italy!
8. Castle of Good Hope, South Africa
One of the highlights of our South Africa holidays is a guided tour of Cape Town. Here, you'll find the Castle of Good Hope, a 17th-century fortress and one of South Africa's oldest surviving colonial buildings. Built using enslaved labour, the castle has a long and sometimes dark history, with plenty of ghostly tales, including the legend of a mysterious black dog said to haunt the grounds.
9. Höfði House, Reykjavik, Iceland
Höfði House is famous for being the location of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit, where US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met for historic talks. However, the building also has its share of ghost stories! It once housed the British Consulate, and a former British consul reportedly believed the house was haunted by the spirit of a young woman. Enjoy a short break in Iceland, where you can explore the Golden Circle and relax in the Blue Lagoon.
10. The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
On our China holidays, we'll explore the Forbidden City, one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks. Situated in the heart of the city, this vast palace complex was home to Chinese emperors for almost 500 years, during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With centuries of imperial history, it's no surprise that the Forbidden City has inspired plenty of ghost stories. Some visitors have even claimed to see a mysterious woman dressed in white wandering the grounds!
11. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
On our Brazil & Argentina holiday, you can enjoy free time to explore Buenos Aires, including the fascinating La Recoleta Cemetery. You could spend hours wandering among its elaborate tombs and mausoleums, many of which have their own intriguing stories. Here you will find the graves of Eva Perón and Guillermo Brown, the Irish-born founder of the Argentine Navy.
12. Alcatraz, San Francisco, USA
If you're visiting California on a USA holiday why not take a ferry to Alcatraz, also known as 'The Rock'? This notorious former prison is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and its dark history has inspired plenty of eerie tales. During your visit, you can learn about some of its most infamous prisoners, including Al Capone.
13. The Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan
Deep in the Karakum Desert lies the Darvaza Gas Crater, better known as the 'Door to Hell'. Measuring approximately 69 metres wide and 30 metres deep, this enormous crater has been burning for decades. It's commonly believed that the fire was started in the 1970s to prevent the release of dangerous gases, although its exact origins remain uncertain. It's so scary, we don't even go there...yet!
Looking for a Fang-tastic Holiday?
For some less spooky travel inspiration, check out our recommendations on the Top Romantic Destinations in the World. And remember, when you book a guided holiday with Travel Department, it's all treats and no tricks!
