10 of the spookiest places to go for Halloween

For Halloween lovers or anyone who enjoys all things spine-chilling, spooky and Gothic, we’ve put together ten of the spookiest places to go for Halloween around the world.

Celebrating all things eerie, these destinations offer something for every type of Halloween-lover.

If you’re after one of the best places to visit for Halloween, be assured the town of Braşov is a great place to start. Deep in the historic region of Transylvania, you’ll find the home of Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula. 

Stoker hadn’t actually visited this region when writing the terrifying tale, but the eerie landscapes and folklore were enough to determine this ghostly setting.  This mysterious location is best known for its Gothic castles, medieval towns and mountainous borders. Book a night tour and celebrate Halloween by spending the evening in a historic castle.

Paris stands out for its extravagant Halloween celebrations – so, if you’re looking for a trick or a treat, the capital of France has it all.

Explore the extravagant Halloween displays at Disneyland Paris to ghostly tours and the catacombs that hide under the city.

If you visit during the period of Halloween, you’ll also be able to experience All Saints Day (a remembrance of the dead) on November 1.

New Orleans is largely known for its vibrant carnival celebrations. When it comes to Halloween, the city is just as electric as during Mardi Gras. 

New Orleans has a rich history full of haunted stories and legends. Experience a spooky guided tour of the French Quarter, voodoo shops and street parties like New Orleans' official Halloween parade – Krewe of Boo.

Although celebrated a little later than October 31, the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) makes Mexico one of the top places to go for Halloween. 

Taking place on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos is often characterised by sugar skulls decorated with colourful patterns.

The famous Mexican tradition is a celebration of departed souls returning to earth to visit their loved ones. 

Candles, flowers and favourite foods are placed on graves and people dress up in imaginative costumes to parade through the streets.

Visit the infamous village of Sleepy Hollow in New York and revel in the legend of the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving’s eerie novella – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

Experience haunted hayrides and Gothic mansions with Sleepy Hollow cemetery tours and street parades in the historic town. 

Immerse yourself in the spook and visit Washington Irving’s estate to really get a scare this Halloween.

Halloween in Northern Ireland is a big deal, thanks to Londonderry's bewitching Halloween four-day festival.

Thousands of people take part and hundreds parade through the city to celebrate the ghoulish festivities. 

It’s the biggest Halloween parade in Europe – having started in 1986, you can expect devilish fireworks displays, street parades and mythical mayhem.

Another North American town with a haunted history is Salem, Massachusetts. 

It became famous in the 17th century for the Salem Witch Trials and was the inspiration for American playwright Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. 

Today, the town is full of museums and memorials to the women who lost their lives during the witch hunts. 

If you’re after more light-hearted travels, make sure to visit the Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo that runs throughout October. This finishes with the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel.

These celebrations are a great opportunity to meet modern-day Wiccans, mediums, psychics and crystal ball readers.

Edinburgh is another one of the best places to go for Halloween if you’re after eerie landmarks and a chilling atmosphere. 

The capital of Scotland is home to Edinburgh Castle where you will hear the chilling tale of The Headless Drummer – one of the castle’s ghosts. 

If you’re after a walk through the chilling airs of Edinburgh, the city also has a variety of graveyards which locals and tourists venture into on Halloween. 

Experience one of the city’s various haunted tours, such as The Underground Ghost Tour, where you’ll get to discover ghosts and ghouls.

Halloween isn’t a huge celebration in the Czech capital, but the extraordinary Gothic architecture that defines the city lends itself to an eerie holiday. 

Also known as the City of a Hundred Spires, Prague’s cityscape is marked with looming towers, a 9th-century castle and cathedrals adorned with macabre gargoyles. 

Wander the winding medieval lanes of the Old Town, take a walk around the atmospheric Old Jewish Cemetery and stroll across the Charles Bridge for a view of the Vltava River.

It’s believed that Anoka was the first city in the US to put on a Halloween celebration in an attempt to stop children from getting up to any mischievous pranks.

So, it’s no surprise that this city in Minnesota is one of the best places to visit for Halloween. Here, you can explore everything from pumpkin patches to petrifying parades. 

If you want to do some exercise on your ghostly getaway, you can even take part in the city’s Ghost Run. This race started in 1985 and sees people in costumes run around the city.