The world is full of fascinatingly eerie and spine-tingling places, from abandoned and haunted buildings to cursed forests and ancient tombs.
If you’re brave enough to venture into the deep, dark unknown, here are 50 places you should not visit alone.
The Catacombs of Paris – Paris, France
Paris often elicits images of the Eiffel Tower, crispy baguettes, and tourists backpacking. But lurking below this picturesque city is something more sinister: an underground burial chamber containing the exposed skeletal remains of over six million people.
Why It’s Scary
In the 18th century, cemeteries became overcrowded due to the high mortality rate. People who have visited the Catacombs of Paris reported hearing strange noises or sightings of ghostly figures roaming around in its shadows, so if you visit, remember the way you came in.
The Door to Hell – Darvaza, Turkmenistan
The Door to Hell was opened in 1971 by Soviet engineers drilling for natural gas. Unfortunately, they tapped into an underground reserve of methane gas, causing an unstable sinkhole. To prevent the spread of this toxic gas, they decided to light the crater on fire and contain it – believing it would only burn for a few days. But it’s still going strong 40 years later.
Why It’s Scary
The Door To Hell has been burning for over 50 years. The legend states that the portal to the underworld was accidentally released by Soviet scientists, who were drilling for gas but instead unleashed an ancient and uncontrollable force.
Aokigahara Forest, AKA “Suicide Forest” –Yamanashi, Japan
Aokigahara is known as ‘The Sea of Trees’ due to its dense vegetation. This haunted forest is located at the base of Mount Fuji. Many people claim to have seen ghosts wandering in the forest’s darkness or heard mysterious voices echoing through the trees.
Why It’s Scary
It’s the final resting place of many people who go into the forest to take their own lives. It’s been a common practice in the woods since the 19th century. Legends warn visitors to stay away.
The Tower Of London – London, England
Home to many gruesome executions, dark secrets, and haunted tales, the Tower of London is one of England’s eeriest places. Prisoners held here in the past reported hearing strange noises and even seeing ghostly figures walking around in the shadows.
Why It’s Scary
Many say that the spirits of those whose lives ended abruptly are still trapped within its walls. From Anne Boleyn to Countess Margaret Pole, these haunted souls continue to haunt this haunted castle’s cold, dark corridors. And they wouldn’t mind using your curiosity against you by luring your warm body closer to theirs.
Island Of Dolls – Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico is one of the world’s best places to visit, but there’s another reason to visit. If you want to be creeped out, you should see the hundreds of haunted dolls occupy this mysterious isle south of Mexico City.
Why It’s Scary
A young girl supposedly drowned in the canal many years ago. Julian Santana Barrera, a local man, found her body and carefully hung dolls near the spot to appease her spirit. According to witnesses, the little girl’s spirit manipulates the dolls, which creates a feeling of being watched. Some visitors have claimed the dolls move, whisper secrets, and even laugh or cry.
Hoia Baciu Forest – Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This forest’s energy is unsettling. Individuals have seen strange lights hovering around their heads. In contrast, some have even experienced physical sensations like burns or rashes when entering the forest.
Why It’s Scary
Some believe that the forest is located above within a vortex, making it a destination for haunting. While others believe extraterrestrials cause unexplainable phenomena.
Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Philadelphia is one of the US’s best places to visit, but just outside the city is the Eastern State Penitentiary, which held thousands of criminals from 1829 to 1971. Its most famous inmate was Al Capone, but Eastern State Penitentiary’s residents committed some of the most sinister murders in the world.
Why It’s Scary
It’s said that prisoners who died while confined still haunt the prison. Visitors report hearing eerie noises like screams and laughter from within the jail’s walls late at night. Several have even caught glimpses of shadowy figures walking the halls.
Poveglia Island – Venice, Italy
An isolated island between Venice and Lido, this haunted outpost was once used as a quarantine zone for plague victims in 1793. Then, to make it creepier, it became an asylum for the mentally ill until it closed in 1968.
Why It’s Scary
Thousands of people perished here. Their unimaginable pain and suffering trapped them on the island. So be careful when you visit–they’re not used to having living beings around them.
Houska Castle – Blatce, Czech Republic
Located near Prague, this haunted castle is said to be so haunted that even the devil refuses to visit.
Why It’s Scary
Legend has it that its property once contained a giant pit. Supposedly, people unwittingly fell to their death. Will you be the unlucky soul who rediscovers its location?
Hill Of Crosses – Lithuania
Legend says a woman mourning her son planted the first cross into the hill. After that, countless crosses sprouted from the ground, creating an eerie graveyard.
Why It’s Scary
Aside from its unsettling appearance, it is also home to the spirits of deceased Lithuanian warriors and revolutionaries, who haunt the grounds in search of justice.
Château de Brissac – Brissac-Loire-Aubance, France
Another entry from France is this eerie and mysterious castle, which is the tallest in the country. But just like the Catacombs, its hauntedness is unsurprising given its dark and sinister history.
Why It’s Scary
The Château de Brissac is believed to be haunted by the “Green Lady,” the ghost of Charlotte de Brézé. According to legend, Charlotte was stabbed to death by her husband in a rage. However, it is believed that her spirit still lingers in the castle, unable to find peace after her untimely death.
Sedlec Ossuary – Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
This ossuary in Prague is filled with bones from over 70,000 people who died during a plague many centuries ago.
Why It’s Scary
Another unsettling element is the story of František Rint. He was a renowned 19th-century Czech woodcarver, and carpenter commissioned to arrange the bones into designs in the late 1800s.
Castle Of Good Hope – Cape Town, South Africa
Don’t let its name fool you. Behind the walls of this former fortress lies inexplicable phenomena. Constructed as a fort in 1666 by Dutch settlers, this castle is the home to many spirits.
Why It’s Scary
Visitors have observed seeing activity in a particularly creepy hallway lined with paintings of long-dead Dutch governors. If watching their faces move doesn’t scare you enough, wait until you hear the eerie laughter of men’s voices coming from the haunted corridors.
Stirling Castle – Stirling, Scotland
Sterling Castle, perched high atop a rocky crag in Scotland, was constructed in the 15th century. It still stands as a proud testament to Scotland’s history and culture, but it has a dark past, as many castles do.
Why It’s Scary
Legend has it that Sir William Sterling, the former owner of the Sterling Castle, haunts its grounds. During his lifetime, Sir William was a cruel and unjust ruler who abused his power to oppress the area’s people. His vengeful spirit continues to haunt the castle as a punishment for his misdeed. If you visit, you might hear his eerie laughter echoing through its empty corridors.
Myrtles Plantation
Myrtles Plantation is believed to be one of the most haunted locations in America. The house was built in 1796 and has become a popular tourist attraction due to its mysterious legends and creepy atmosphere.
Why It’s Scary
Supposedly, there are twelve bodies buried on the grounds. Visitors report strange sounds, apparitions, and cold spots throughout the residence. It’s a beautiful house during the day, but if you visit after sunset, keep your wits about yourself. You wouldn’t want to run into Chloe, a woman who died in the house many years ago.
Alnwick Castle – Alnwick, England
Don’t let this castle’s touristic popularity mislead you. If it looks familiar, it’s because it was a filming location for two Harry Potter films. But it’s long been believed to be haunted.
Why It’s Scary
Visitors have reported strange noises and sightings of ghosts or apparitions inside the castle walls for centuries. The headless ghost of Lord Dacre, who was mysteriously murdered in 1541, is said to roam the grounds at night. However, visitor accounts say he’s not as jolly as Nearly Headless Nick.
The Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey
Originally a Greek Orthodox church since 360 AD, the mosque changed to its current form when Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453.
Why It’s Scary
Legends tell of strange occurrences that have taken place within the Hagia Sophia. Many have witnessed unexplained paranormal activity within these walls, from eerie shadows and lights to cries coming from seemingly empty hallways. Many believe that spirits linger in the building, trapped after centuries of religious devotion, war, and controversy.
Dragsholm Castle – Hørve, Denmark
Photo Credit: Tomtsya – stock.adobe.com
Constructed in the 1200s, Dragholm Castle is a popular hotel. But don’t let its innocuous elegance fool you. These walls have seen horrors, and three spirits haunt its grounds.
Why It’s Scary
The White Lady, The Gray Lady, and The Black Knight. If you are brave enough to spend the night, you might encounter each of them on different parts of the castle grounds at night. Suppose you’d prefer to hide under the sheets. In that case, I recommend wearing an eye mask and earplugs.
Villa de Vecchi – Bindo, Italy
Located near Lake Como, this villa, also known as the Red House, is the stuff of nightmares.
Why It’s Scary
The house reportedly has a strange connection to Aleister Crowley, who slept there for a short time. One legend is that his followers and devil worshippers have conducted satanic rituals within its walls. So if you decide to visit, you might be cursed for eternity.
Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is a beloved part of Scottish history. It has been a royal fortress since the 12th century and is one of its most iconic landmarks.
Why It’s Scary
The castle has existed for more than 1,000 years. There are said to be spirits walking through its many rooms. Supposedly, tunnels under the city lead to secret passageways in the castle.
The Forbidden City – Beijing, China
The Forbidden City in Beijing is intertwined with China’s rich history, having seen the rise and fall of 24 Ming and Qing dynasties’ emperors.
Why It’s Scary
These walls have absorbed centuries of human suffering, pain, and fear. Many spirits roam its grounds, including a mysterious figure dressed in yellow, which appears on the grounds at night. It is whispered that these spirits are so powerful they can bring instant death upon those who cross their path.
Melbourne Gaol – Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Gaol has a longstanding reputation as a terrifying location. It was built in 1845 to house the city’s criminals. It housed many of its most notorious inmates, including the murderer Ned Kelly.
Why It’s Scary
Visitors to the gaol report hearing strange noises, feeling an icy chill, and witnessing ghostly figures roaming the cells and corridors. It is said that anyone who spends any length of time inside these walls can sense the despair that lingers within them over a century later.
Bhangarh Fort– Rundh Bhangarh, India
Bhangarh Fort in India is a place of legend. However, many visitors feel uncomfortable stepping on its grounds, even during the day.
Why It’s Scary
A tale of curses and black magic has been passed down through generations, claiming that anyone who enters the fort at night will not live to tell the tale. The stories tell of dark forces still inhabiting this former kingdom, making it an incredibly eerie place after dark.
Chillingham Castle – Northumberland, Chillingham, England
This terrifying place is steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. It is one of the most haunted castles in Europe, with tales dating back to the 13th century.
Why It’s Scary
Visitors have reported hearing inexplicable noises, seeing strange mists, and even sighting mysterious figures lurking among the shadows. The “Blue Room” is the most haunted in the castle and is where visitors often report encountering the paranormal.
Sloss Furnaces – Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, is a chilling sight to behold. Once a thriving iron mill, it now remains an eerie reminder of America’s industrial past.
Why It’s Scary
Aside from its unsettling name, it has been abandoned since 1971. Still, visitors and locals claim to have encountered various paranormal activities over the years. One of its many ghostly residents is James ‘Slag’ Wormwood, an ironworker killed when a tank exploded in 1906.
Queen Mary – Long Beach, California, USA
The former ocean liner was once described as the most luxurious ship ever built and is now docked in Long Beach, where it serves as a floating hotel.
Why It’s Scary
While the majestic vessel still stands proudly, it is a paranormal hot spot. Room B340 is the most haunted on the ship, and visitors brave enough to spend the night have reported feeling hands touch them and hearing inexplicable noises.
Leap Castle – Roscrea, Ireland
Leap Castle has a long, bloody past filled with tales of inner family wars, witchcraft, and murder.
Why It’s Scary
Its horrific dungeons are said to even today, contain the remains of victims tortured and killed there by the ruling O’Carrolls. Allegedly, a terrifying ghost called ‘’The Elemental’ resides within its walls. It is an unseen figure whose presence can be felt through sudden drops in temperature, loud knocking or thumping sounds, and strange whispering voices.
Himeji Castle – Himeji, Japan
This stunning medieval fortress and an iconic landmark of the country.
Why It’s Scary
While the castle is already a marvel, it holds a chilling secret. On its grounds roam those who perished during its long and violent history.
Screaming Tunnel – Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
The Screaming Tunnel is a narrow limestone passageway in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It is situated beneath a formerly Grand Trunk Railway line.
Why It’s Scary
Legend has it that a young girl was burned alive in the tunnel years ago, and now if you stand near the tunnel entrance, you can still hear her screams echoing through its depths. During full moons, visitors to the Screaming Tunnel have reported feeling an oppressive force pushing them out.
Greyfriars Kirkyard – Edinburgh, Scotland
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the final resting place of many notable figures in Scottish history, including poet Robert Burns and philosopher David Hume.
Why It’s Scary
Visitors have reported hearing strange voices, seeing mysterious figures, and feeling an oppressive presence when walking through the ancient graveyard at night. One particularly famous apparition is known as ‘The Mackenzie Poltergeist.’ Many have felt its energies over the years. Some have seen objects flying around and ghostly apparitions appearing in photos.
Old Charleston Jail – Charleston, South Carolina, USA
This historic prison has been home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, including a serial killer who is said to roam the jail’s hallways after dark.
Why It’s Scary
Many believe that Old Charleston Jail developed an intense paranormal energy that continues to linger today due to its history of violence and oppression. The spirit of John Crouch, hanged at Old Charleston during colonial times, still haunts the property, trying to make amends for his wrongs.
Stull Cemetery – Stull, Kansas, USA
This burial ground is shrouded in mystery and legend. Stull is known as one of the seven gateways to Hell in the US and is a site of supernatural activity.
Why It’s Scary
According to legend, a powerful cult once held dark rituals at this ancient cemetery. These practices left behind remnants of occult power. Local folklore claims that an ominous black figure can often be seen walking the grounds at night or peeking through windows of nearby homes.
Bran Castle – Bran, Romania
This imposing medieval fortress is located near the Carpathian Mountains and has a long and dark history of death, torture, and secrets.
Why It’s Scary
Here, Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula, lived and brutally tortured his enemies and innocent people. Visitors report feeling cold spots when touring the castle; some claim they have seen apparitions of Vlad himself and his victims.
Stranahan House – Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Frank Stranahan, recognized as the founder of Fort Lauderdale, constructed the house in 1901.
Why It’s Scary
Since his mysterious death, the home has been home to unexplained paranormal phenomena. Many believe Frank still haunts the house, and visitors claim to hear eerie noises, cold spots, and objects moving on their own.
Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, Iowa, USA
Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa holds a dark and tragic history.
Why It’s Scary
On June 10, 1912, eight members of the Moore family and two visiting children were found brutally murdered in their beds with an axe. The crime has remained unsolved and is famously known as one of the most horrific murders in American history. Moreover, the murderer is suspected of being responsible for a slew of similar axe killings across the United States.
Highgate Cemetery – London, England
Highgate Cemetery in London is one of the most haunted places in England. Located on a hill with stunning city views, it has been the resting place for some of the world’s most famous historical figures.
Why It’s Scary
It is said that a 7-foot-tall phantom called The Highgate Vampire roams around at night, preying on unsuspecting visitors. Other eerie occurrences in the cemetery include cold spots and mysterious lights that appear during cloudy nights.
The Ram Inn – Gloucestershire, England
The Ram Inn, located in the village of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, England, is known for its dark history and is said to be haunted.
Why It’s Scary
According to locals, it was built on an ancient pagan burial ground and has been home to several ghosts and other supernatural events. It has also been featured on numerous television programs as one of the most haunted places in Britain.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
In the late 19th century, Canadian Pacific Railway opened the doors of a stunning grand railway hotel to the public, marking the dawn of an iconic era for hospitality in Canada. Bruce Price was the mastermind behind this five-story wooden edifice which held 280 guests in its original state. As time passed and the demand for accommodation increased, the hotel underwent expansion. Unfortunately, an April 1926 fire destroyed the original North Wing, but an even grander building was soon erected to fill its place.
Why It’s Scary
It is said that room 873 keeps an unsettling tale. Reports of an incident there one evening depict a man killing his family within the room’s walls. The hotel has covered up this chamber, sealing it off from view. However, some visitors assert they hear desperate cries of a mother and young children and spot signs of bloodshed on the walls.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia, USA
Opened in 1864, it was built to house 250 patients, but by 1950 the population had swelled to more than 2200, creating an atmosphere of overcrowding, neglect, and despair. The asylum has been closed since 1994 and now sits dormant.
Why It’s Scary
Haunting stories are told of the inmates that remain forever trapped within its walls, who experienced cruel experiments and treatments before finally succumbing to their mental illnesses.
St. Augustine Lighthouse – St. Augustine, Florida, USA
The St. Augustine Lighthouse has been an active navigational aid for ships sailing into the port of St. Augustine since 1824, making it the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States.
Why It’s Scary
The lighthouse is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who perished there in 1865. Legend has it that her spirit lingers around the lighthouse, walking the grounds at night and making strange noises near its tower.
St Michael’s Mount – Cromwell, England
Saint Michael’s Mount is one of the most mysterious islands in Europe, located off the coast of Cornwall, England.
Why It’s Scary
Many believe the island is cursed, with locals claiming that a powerful witch who was later banished once lived on the island – never to return. Others tell tales of sailors hearing strange voices calling for help, only to find no one when they arrived at the island. There are stories of boats being drawn toward the rocky shores as if by an unseen force.
Old Changi Hospital – Singapore
Built in 1935, the hospital served as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II where countless prisoners perished from mistreatment and disease.
Why It’s Scary
After its doors closed, stories circulated about strange figures roaming the corridors and voices calling out to those who dared to enter. Many believe that the spirits of those who lost their lives at the hospital remain trapped within its walls, unable to escape.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Constructed in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital, countless patients lost their lives to the ravages of this deadly disease.
Why It’s Scary
Their spirits are reportedly still trapped within these walls to this day. Visitors report hearing screams and laughs, and one legend claims that when workers tried to bulldoze part of the building, they were suddenly stricken with a mysterious illness that prevented them from finishing the job.
Pluckley Village – Kent, England
Pluckley Village is considered to be the most haunted village in England. It was once a thriving community in the Middle Ages, due to its location on the Pilgrim’s Way and its proximity to multiple rivers and streams. The village is also home to an old church that dates back as far as 1283.
Why It’s Scary
Built during the 13th century, Pluckley is said to have at least 12 resident ghosts. From an old schoolmaster seen prowling the corridors of a defunct schoolhouse to a highwayman who wanders the fields outside of town on dark nights; stories of mysterious phenomena and ghostly apparitions fill the air around this sleepy rural village.
Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado, USA
Built over 100 years ago by Freelan Stanley, Stanley made a name for itself as a luxurious and prestigious lodging establishment. But where it developed its worldwide reputation is from The Shining, which was filmed here.
Why It’s Scary
The hotel lives up to its terrifying name with guests reporting phantom music playing down empty hallways to unexplainable sounds coming from unoccupied rooms; something mysterious lingers around this grand hotel in the Rocky Mountains.
The Golden Fleece – York, England
The Golden Fleece in York is said to be one of the most haunted pubs in England.
Why It’s Scary
According to local legend, the ghost of a former landlord is said to haunt its premises. Witnesses have described seeing an apparition in period clothing wandering around the pub, as well as hearing strange creaks and bangs from empty rooms. In addition, some visitors claim to have seen a spectral man lurking beneath the stairs – adding to this historic pub’s mysterious atmosphere.
Akershus Fortress – Oslo, Norway
Akershus Fortress was built in the late 13th century and has since been a critical military fortification in Norway’s history, having played a crucial role in defending Oslo from Swedish forces during both world wars.
Why It’s Scary
Aside from witnessing hundreds of years of torture and murder leading up to the twentieth century, the Akershus Fortress was a strategic location in World War II. Norway’s fascist party, Nasjonal Samling, or National Gathering, occupied the fort and executed prisoners, adding spirits wandering its halls.
Corvin Castle – Hunedoara, Romania
Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle and Hunedoara Castle, was built in 1446 by John Hunyadi, voivode of Transylvania. It was initially erected as a fortress with a rectangular stone wall and towers designed to ward off Turkish invasions from the South. During the 16th century, the castle became the seat of power for the Corvin family who used it to protect their rule over Transylvania.
Why It’s Scary
Corvin Castle has been said to be one of Romania’s most haunted places, with reports of mysterious sounds in the night and a chilling presence that lingers throughout. The castle is also believed to be cursed, with some claiming that those who interfere with it will face dire consequences.
Lawang Sewu – Semarang, Indonesia
Lawang Sewu, which translates to “Thousand Doors” in Indonesian, was built sometime during the Dutch colonial period and served as the headquarters for Dutch East Indies Railways.
Why It’s Scary
Legend has it that the building was used by Japanese military personnel during World War II to torture and execute prisoners. Many people still report seeing eerie shadows and hearing voices from within the building’s walls.
Beelitz Heilstätten – Beelitz, Germany
The Beelitz Heilstätten in Germany is a sprawling complex of more than 60 abandoned buildings, once used as a military hospital. The site was established in the late 1800s and served as a medical facility for German soldiers during World War I and II.
Why It’s Scary
After the war, it was used as a Soviet military hospital before falling into disrepair following reunification. Today, Beelitz Heilstätten is an eerie and mysterious place full of ghostly stories and urban legends.