There's nothing like a good ghost story, and our planet is full of them: UFO sightings in Transylvania, murders on luxury cruise ships and spirits roaming the corridors of British castles. Wherever you travel, you're sure to find some sort of haunted place, as well as a ghost tour to go with it.
But even if you're not a fan of paranormal activity, some of the spookiest places are worth a look, whether for their beautiful architecture, breathtaking sights or fascinating history.
Here are the 45 most haunted places in the world that you'll want to visit at any time of year, not just on 31 October.
Top 45 most haunted places in the world
In America
Isla de las Munecas, Mexico
Despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved examples of Aztec life, the district of Xochimilco has achieved some notoriety on the internet for its Island of the Dolls. Hidden among the region's many canals, the site is famous for the hundreds of dolls - and doll parts - hanging from trees and scattered across the grass. Although it looks more like the setting for a horror film, Chinampa (a sort of artificial island) was once the home of a man who is now deceased, Julian Santa Barrera. After finding the body of a dead girl in a nearby canal, Barrera collected and displayed the toys in the hope of warding off evil spirits, reports National Geographic. Daring souls can hire their own boat and see the island safely from the water.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel's majestic Georgian architecture has attracted travellers to Estes Park since it opened in 1909, but the hotel reached a new level of fame after inspiring Stephen King to create the fictional Overlook Hotel in his novel The Shining. This strange association aside, numerous other ghost sightings and mysterious piano music have been linked to the hotel, and the Stanley Hotel builds on its reputation by organising nightly ghost tours and psychic consultations with Madame Vera.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
Built in 1829, the castle-like Eastern State Penitentiary took solitary confinement to new heights. Prisoners lived alone, exercised alone and ate alone; when an inmate left his cell, a guard covered his head with a hood so he couldn't see or be seen. The prison had to abandon its solitary confinement system due to overcrowding in 1913, but the forms of punishment did not become any less severe (chaining an inmate's tongue to his wrists is one example) before it was finally closed in 1970. The site now welcomes thousands of visitors every year, both for its museum and its Halloween celebrations. Disembodied laughter, shadowy figures and footsteps have been reported as paranormal phenomena.
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
The entire city of Savannah is one giant ghost story, with mysterious tales surrounding everything from public parks to breweries. But few places in the city evoke as much reverence as Bonaventure Cemetery, brimming with Spanish moss and timeworn Victorian monuments. Many famous people are buried here, such as singer Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken, but it's Gracie Watson's grave that dark tourists should visit en masse. She died aged six and her grave is marked by a life-size marble statue with her hand resting on a tree stump, symbolising her shortened life. Many visitors leave toys on her grave, and some have reported seeing Gracie's ghost near the site. Other spooky accounts of the cemetery include inexplicable noises, such as babies crying and dogs barking, and - most frightening of all - statues that suddenly smile when people approach them.
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is visited by more than 216,000 people every year, but it's just as famous for its otherworldly guests. Several tragic events at this now historic site have contributed to the alleged paranormal activity. The ghost of a lighthouse keeper who fell to his death while painting the tower has been spotted watching over the site. And since the horrific deaths of three young girls, who drowned when the cart they were playing in broke apart and fell into the ocean, visitors claim to hear the sounds of children playing in and around the lighthouse.
Oriental Theatre, Chicago
Ghosts are said to haunt the Oriental Theater (formerly the Iroquois Theater) in Chicago's downtown Loop district, where nearly 600 people perished after a famous fire in 1903. Although the theatre has been completely rebuilt and renamed, the spirits of the dead have remained: apparitions have been seen in 'Death Alley', the street behind the theatre where bodies were piled after the disaster (and a common stop on many Chicago ghost tours).
Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires
La Recoleta Cemetery boasts thousands of statues, fairytale grottoes and intricate headstones, as well as the remains of Argentina's most iconic figure, Eva Perón. The stone walkways and maze of mausoleums are as beautiful as they are eerie, and Recoleta has its own haunted legends. One of the most famous stories concerns David Alleno, a former gravedigger and caretaker who worked at the cemetery for 30 years before committing suicide. Today, people say they can hear Alleno's keys rattling as his ghost walks the aisles at dawn.
Whaley House, San Diego
Thomas Whaley built this family property in 1857, on the former site of San Diego's first public gallows. Shortly after moving in, he reported hearing the heavy footsteps of "Yankee" Jim Robinson, a drifter and thief who was hanged on the site four years before the house was built. Whaley's family history ended up being filled with tragic deaths and suicides - many of which occurred inside the house itself. According to the Whaley House Museum, some family members still haunt the place, running up and down the stairs and turning the lights on and off.
RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Apart from a brief stint as a warship during the Second World War, the RMS Queen Mary served as a luxury liner from 1936 to 1967. During this period, it was the scene of at least one murder - a sailor crushed to death by an engine room door - and the drowning of children in the swimming pool. The city of Long Beach bought the ship in 1967 and turned it into a hotel, which it still is today, although the ghosts of deceased passengers can stay there free of charge. (For an extra dose of thrills, try visiting the ship's engine room, considered by many to be a 'hotbed' of paranormal activity).
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
Built in 1888 to encourage tourism and sell train tickets, this castle-style hotel is located near the Rockies in Canada's Banff National Park. But it gets a little more gothic once you get inside, and we're not talking about the architecture. The Calgary Herald reported several resident ghosts, including a bride who allegedly fell down the stone staircase during her wedding. But there's also a less tragic spirit: Sam the bellboy, who worked at the hotel until 1975 and claimed to have returned to haunt the place. His spirit is said to have gone on guard duty to help people pack before disappearing.
Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, Myrtles Plantation is considered one of the most haunted sites in America. The house is said to stand on an Indian burial ground and to house at least 12 different spirits. Legends and ghost stories abound, including that of a former slave named Chloe, who had her ear cut off after being caught eavesdropping. She took revenge by poisoning a birthday cake and killing two of the plantation owner's daughters, but was later hanged by her fellow slaves. Chloe now walks around the plantation wearing a turban to hide her severed ear.
Xunantunich, Belize
In the heart of the Belizean jungle, less than a kilometre from the Guatemalan border, Xunantunich is an ancient Mayan ruin that has been abandoned for a thousand years. An earthquake caused the collapse of the original civilisation, but the complex was rediscovered by explorers in the 1890s. Since then, Xunantunich has become an important archaeological site, a low-key tourist attraction and a hotbed of ghost sightings. The ancient city is said to be haunted by a female ghost: a woman with black hair and bright red eyes. She was first spotted by one of the first research teams in 1893 and has been seen near El Castillo (the tallest building in the complex) many times since. No one knows exactly who the "Lady of Stone" is, but many believe that it could be a human sacrifice whose death ritual was performed at the top of the El Castillo pyramid.
Teatro Tapia, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is known for its natural beauty and rich history, the latter of which lends itself well to strange experiences. One of the island's most famous landmarks is Teatro Tapia, a theatre in San Juan known for its plays, concerts and paranormal activity. According to urban legend, an actress who fell to her death during a performance at the theatre came back to haunt the place. Some visitors have claimed to have seen her ghost wandering around the theatre, while others have reported mysterious footsteps, doors opening and closing, and an invisible chorus of voices coming from the stage. Teatro Tapia still frequently stages ballet and musical performances, so buy a ticket to see some local shows - and maybe a local ghost while you're at it.
Dock Street Theatre, Charleston
Renovated in 2010, Charleston's Dock Street Theatre is a beautiful downtown venue that hosts plays and concerts throughout the year. But the site has a rather tumultuous history. As well as the fire that destroyed the original theatre in 1740, the building was damaged by an earthquake in 1886 and fell into disrepair in the early 20th century. To make matters even spookier, a woman named Nettie Dickerson was reportedly struck by lightning while standing on the balcony in the mid-1800s, and her ghost is said to be hovering on the second floor of the theatre.
Carl Beck House, Canada
Built by lumber magnate Carl Beck in the late 1800s, this Penetanguishene house is known as one of the most haunted houses in Ontario. According to legend, Beck and his family lived in the house together; after his wife died, the eldest daughter, Mary, was entrusted with raising the youngest children. Years later, when Carl died, he inexplicably left Mary a dollar in his will. Today, an angry female ghost - presumably Mary - is said to appear in the upstairs windows. For all you travellers curious about Victorian architecture with a paranormal twist, you can actually rent the Carl Beck House on Airbnb, from €119 per night.
Lizzie Borden's house, Fall River, Massachusetts
This allegedly haunted bed-and-breakfast is the scene of a horrific, high-profile murder. Although she was eventually acquitted, Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in this unassuming house in 1892. Since then, visitors have reported all sorts of strange sightings in the house. Guided tours and overnight stays are available for intrepid travellers who wish to discover the famous house for themselves.
In Oceania
Old Parliament House, Canberra, Australia
Like Savannah, the whole city of Canberra seems to be a paranormal hot spot, especially when it comes to the buildings of the Parliamentary Triangle. The Kurrajong Hotel, a four-star hotel whose corridors are frequented by notorious ghosts, is said to house the ghost of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley, who died on the night of 13 June 1951 after suffering a heart attack in room 214. His ghost in a grey suit has been known to appear in the same room from time to time, writes the Canberra Times. And then there's the old Parliament House itself, where security guards and cleaning staff have reported hearing their names whispered in the night.
Larnach Castle, New Zealand
This extravagant house was built between 1871 and 1887 as the residence of William Larnach, a prominent New Zealand politician. Most notable is the 3,000 square foot ballroom, which Larnach had built as a birthday present for his favourite daughter Kate, who later died of typhoid at the age of 26 and is said to still haunt the ballroom. Don't leave those taps on your shoulder and whispers in your ear to the imagination: the building has been visited by paranormal investigators and featured on Ghost Hunters International.
Port Arthur, Tasmania
Port Arthur began life as a penal colony in 1833, housing British convicts until it was abandoned in 1877. Over the decades, the island - described as "inescapable" - focused on correcting the morals of its inmates, using methods such as solitary confinement and compulsory religious services. Since its abandonment, the establishment has been a destination for curious tourists, and was officially preserved as a historic site in 1979. Today, you'll find what the New York Times describes as "an impressive commemorative facility, complete with a ferry, an interactive exhibit for children and well-trained guides". Guided tours are available of the ruins and the open-air museum, as well as the nearby Isle of the Dead, which houses the bodies of convicts who died in unmarked graves.
In Europe
Church of St George, Czech Republic
Originally built in 1352, St George's Church (about 125 miles east of Prague) has quite a history. The building was almost destroyed by fire several times over the centuries, and its roof partially collapsed during a funeral service in 1968. After this event, the congregation was convinced that the church was haunted and refused to enter; as a result, the building was robbed by thieves and fell prey to vandalism. That all changed in 2012, when an art student from the University of West Bohemia came up with the idea of attracting visitors back to the church: a collection of 30 sculptures of ghosts sitting in the pews with their heads bowed. Today, tourists flock to the "Ghost Church" (which opens its doors to the public every Saturday afternoon) to take photos and even sit among the motionless spectres as they pray.
Hoia-Baciu forest, Romania
Since a military technician took a photo of a 'UFO' hovering over the forest in 1968, Hoia-Baciu has gained paranormal notoriety around the world, with some believing it to be a portal that makes visitors disappear. Those who have passed through the forest without being propelled into another world have reported skin rashes, nausea and feelings of anxiety, according to The Independent. Known as the 'Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania', the winding trees that populate the forest only add to the eerie atmosphere.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
One of the Scottish capital's greatest attractions is also considered one of its most haunted. With sections dating back over 900 years, the ancient dungeons of the historic fortress have led visitors to report sightings of colonial prisoners from the American War of Independence and French prisoners from the Seven Years' War, and even the ghost of a stray dog in the castle's dog graveyard.
Gunnuhver, Iceland
If you already thought Iceland had a supernatural side, wait until you hear the story of Gunnuhver, the country's largest geothermal mud pool. The area is named after Gunna, a woman who lived on this part of the Reykjanes peninsula around 400 years ago. After starving to death, her spirit returned to her home to violently murder her former landlord and his wife. The townsfolk called in a priest to deal with their little ghost problem, which he solved by throwing Gunna into a pool of boiling mud. Although no further supernatural murders have occurred since then, some visitors claim to catch occasional glimpses of Gunna's ghostly figure through the mist of the pools.
Poveglia Island, Venice
Less than 800 metres from the canals of Venice, the island of Poveglia served as a quarantine area for victims of the bubonic plague, a storage area for Napoleon's weapons and the site of an insane asylum in the early 20th century. The asylum was the scene of horrific medical experiments, reports The Travel Channel, and finally closed its doors for good when a doctor threw himself from the top of the institution's bell tower. Locals still claim to hear chimes ringing around the island, even though the bell was removed decades ago. It is illegal to visit Poveglia today, but you can safely view the island and the decaying hospital from the beaches of nearby Lido.
Leap Castle, Ireland
Built between the 13th and late 15th centuries, this Irish castle has seen more gruesome deaths than a Game of Thrones wedding. Legend has it that during a power struggle among the O'Carroll clan (who used to poison guests), a member of the clan plunged a sword into the body of his brother, a priest, while he was celebrating mass in the castle chapel. The room is now known as "the bloody chapel" and the priest is said to haunt the church at night. The horror doesn't end there, at least not according to the macabre story described on the Leap Castle website. During renovations in the early 1900s, workmen discovered a secret dungeon in the bloody chapel, with so many human skeletons that they filled three carts when they were taken away. The dungeon was designed so that prisoners would fall through a trap door, have their lungs punctured by wooden spikes on the floor and die a slow, horrible death within earshot of the sinister clan members above.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Northern Ireland
Crumlin Road Gaol, a Victorian-era prison in Belfast, is reputed to be one of the most haunted sites in Northern Ireland. Often referred to as the Alcatraz of Europe, the prison has housed some 25,000 inmates (men, women and children) over its 150-year history. Many prisoners were hanged in public and their bodies buried within the prison walls. The prison officially closed in 1996, but the ghosts of deceased inmates are still said to roam the iron walkways. If this is the sort of place you'd like to spend some time, you're in luck: Derumlin Road Gaol offers daily tours, live music and reasonably priced meals in its in-house (prison?) restaurant. It even serves as a conference venue and, believe it or not, a wedding venue.
Tower of London, England
Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising fortress has served many functions. But it is best known for its bloody history as a prison and place of execution: Henry VIII ordered the execution here of two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. It was also here that two young princes were imprisoned after the death of their father, King Edward IV. They disappeared shortly afterwards, in 1483, and their remains were not found until 1647. Not surprisingly, ghost stories of the Tower's victims - and ghost tours of historic royal palaces - abound.
Catacombs of Paris, France
After a prolonged spell of heavy rain flooded and dug up the overcrowded Les Innocents cemetery in the spring of 1780, a wave of decomposing corpses washed over the neighbouring estate. According to Smithsonian Mag, this horrific event triggered a 12-year project to move the bodies from Paris' cemeteries to the city's ancient limestone quarries, eventually filling the underground tunnels with some 6 million bodies. Today, almost a kilometre of this underground labyrinth is open to visitors, who can tour the tunnels and the artfully arranged displays of bones.
Ponte Sisto, Rome
In a city as ancient as Rome, virtually every brick in every building has a story behind it. In some cases, these stories are downright frightening. One such story concerns the Ponte Sisto, a romantic bridge spanning the Tiber near Rome's city centre. According to local legend, if you go to the bridge at sunrise, you'll see a carriage driven by the ghost of Olimpia Maidalchini, adviser to Pope Innocent X (hence the nickname 'Pope's wife'). This spectral phenomenon is thought to be Olimpia's attempt to flee the city with the church's gold, as she did after the death of Pope Innocent X in 1655. Although the Ponte Sisto is closed to pedestrian traffic, you can visit the bridge as part of Dark Rome's daily night-time walk entitled 'Ghosts, Mysteries and Legends of Rome'.
Haunted Vicarage of Borgvattnet, Sweden
Originally built in 1876, strange occurrences have been recorded in this vicarage since the 1960s. The grey wooden structure is now used as a bed and breakfast in a rural area of northern Sweden where people enjoy snowmobiling, fishing and... not much else. Guests at Borgvattnet have reported hearing footsteps, music and the sound of three crying women coming from the hostel. The owners will reward you with a certificate stating that you have stayed overnight.
Parador de Jaén, Spain
Set in an 18th-century Arab fortress overlooking the Andalusian landscape, the Parador de Jaén has some spooky stories lurking behind its imposing walls. According to the hotel's website, a guest in room 22 was rudely awoken one night by a woman crying and banging on the door. A team of paranormal investigators were called in to check everything out in the 1980s, and they concluded that the room was in fact haunted by the spirit of a young woman who had died of heartbreak in the fortress centuries ago. The room has remained quiet since the investigation, but this isn't the only ghost story in the area. The hotel is also said to be haunted by the spirit of 'The Terrible Lizard', the nickname of a prisoner who starved to death while locked up in the fortress.
Ancient Ram Inn, England
Built in 1145, the Ancient Ram Inn at Wotton-under-Edge has played many roles over the centuries: a residence for priests, accommodation for masons and slaves, an inn and a public house. It is also a seriously haunted place. Architectural Digest writes: "With ghostly children, a high priestess and even an incubus (Google it, but don't say you weren't warned) roaming the corridors, patrons have reportedly jumped out of windows in a frenzy to escape."
Burg Eltz, Germany
Eltz Castle dates back to 1157. So the list of myths surrounding it is pretty long. The most fascinating story is that of a young countess named Agnes, who was engaged to another nobleman but called off her engagement after meeting him. The despised nobleman laid siege to the castle and Agnes perished after taking up arms to defend her castle. Her spirit of mourning can still be seen today, particularly in her old bedroom, where her pierced armour and battle axe are on display.
Eden Brown Estate, Nevis
Often overshadowed by neighbouring St Kitts, Nevis has just as much to offer travellers - in fact, it offers even more for the more morbid. Such is the case with the Eden Brown Estate, a former plantation now in ruins. The estate originally belonged to a wealthy businessman who intended to give it to his daughter as a wedding present. However, a mysterious duel between the groom and the best man resulted in the death of both men on the wedding day, and the daughter was left single and alone for the rest of her life. Today, many visitors claim to have seen the spirit of the recluse wandering around the property.
In Africa
Castle of Good Hope, South Africa
A sprawling building located near the shore of Cape Town's Table Bay, the Castle of Good Hope dates back to 1666, making it the oldest colonial building in South Africa. Originally built by the Dutch East India Company as a refuelling station for ships, the site was also used as a military fortress and prison during the Second Boer War, from 1899 to 1902. Today, you can visit the fort's many rooms and buildings (including the gruesome torture chamber), but you'd better be prepared to see a ghost. In the 1700s, Governor Pieter van Noodt sentenced several men to be hanged to death; one of the men cursed the governor from the gallows, and van Noodt died of a heart attack later that day. According to the official website of Good Hope Castle, his ghost has haunted the battlements ever since.
Lord Milner Hotel, South Africa
South Africa may be best known for its wildlife reserves, but it also has its fair share of charming and haunted hotels. One such establishment is the Lord Milner Hotel, located on the edge of the Great Karoo in the village of Matjiesfontein. The town served as a command headquarters during the South African War in the early 20th century, as well as the site of subsequent (and controversial) war crimes hearings. Given the village's intense history, it's not surprising that the Lord Milner Hotel is the scene of paranormal activity. According to the hotel, some of its guests are ghosts who have never left the premises, including 'Lucy', a ghost in a negligee who sometimes makes noises behind closed doors.
In Asia
Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia
Q
hat's scarier than a haunted cemetery? Probably a haunted graveyard 15 metres underwater. The lagoon at Chuuk (formerly Truk), Micronesia, served as a fortified base for the Japanese navy during the Second World War and was attacked by American forces during a three-day air raid in 1944. Dozens of warships, aircraft, tanks and railway wagons sank to the bottom of the lagoon, where they still lie today in what is known as the "Truk Lagoon Ghost Fleet". The ship graveyard is extremely popular with divers, with PADI calling it "one of the best wreck diving destinations on the planet". Underwater explorers can swim as close as possible to the warships, which are littered with weapons, gas masks and, according to some superstitious divers, a few waterlogged ghosts.
Al Madam, United Arab Emirates
There's something strangely beautiful about ghost towns, and Al Madam is no exception. Located some forty kilometres south-east of Dubai, the village was probably built in the 1970s and deserted shortly afterwards - a fact that local legend attributes to the djinns (shape-shifting spirits) who frightened people away from the city. No one knows if the spirits persisted or not, but Al Madam still has a haunted feel: the dunes encroach on the two rows of houses and the mosque, sand falls through broken windows like waves, and a seemingly endless sea of ochre desert stretches out in all directions.
The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
No trip to Beijing is complete without a visit to the Forbidden City, the former Chinese imperial palace that now serves as a museum. But what you may not know is that this popular tourist destination has quite a reputation among lovers of the supernatural. During its 600 years as a palace, the complex has seen its fair share of murders, from jealous concubines poisoning each other to executions carried out on the emperor's orders. Needless to say, many strange phenomena have been reported since the palace was opened to the public in the 1940s. The most common story involves a woman dressed in white (as in most good ghost stories) walking around the grounds sobbing.
Haw Par Villa, Singapore
Haw Par Villa is a 1930s theme park in Singapore, and is basically the opposite of Disneyland. Its colourful entrance of Chinese arches seems harmless enough, but once inside you'll find that the park is covered in over 1,000 statues, each stranger than the last. Fans of all things macabre should head straight for the Ten Courts of Hell, a series of dioramas depicting harsh modes of punishment to teach morality to young children. If the detailed depictions of dismemberment are scary enough, Time Out Singapore reports that "wax statues representing doomed souls come to life at night, filling the infamous Ten Courts of Hell exhibition with tortured screams". Bring your children!
Bhangarh Fort, India
Located just 160km south-west of Delhi, the lush ruins of Bhangarh Fort form a curious juxtaposition with the desert landscape of Rajasthan. To this day, the oasis remains largely uninhabited due to an alleged curse cast by a disgruntled sorcerer after his advances were spurned by a local princess.
Aokigahara Forest, Japan
This seemingly serene forest at the foot of Mount Fuji has a troubled past. Known as the "suicide forest", Aokigahara has been the scene of 500 suicides since the 1950s, reports the BBC. Some attribute this trend to the forest's association with demons in Japanese mythology. Others point to the large underground iron deposits, which interfere with compasses and make it easy to get lost. In fact, many hikers mark their way with tape or string to make it easier to find their way back.
Himeji Castle, Japan
Himeji Castle dates back to 1333 and is considered one of the greatest remaining examples of Japanese castle architecture. It is also associated with some rather strange folklore, notably the story of Okiku, a former palace servant who was falsely accused of losing some precious dishes. She was killed and thrown into the castle well. Her ghost now haunts the castle at night, counting the dishes in a mournful tone; she reaches nine dishes before screaming and returning to the well.
Lawang Sewu, Indonesia
Built in the early twentieth century by Dutch colonists, Lawang Sewu (or 'Thousand Gates') served as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Railway Company before being turned into a detention camp by the Japanese during the Second World War. During the war, numerous harsh interrogations, tortures and violent executions took place within the building's walls, contributing to its current status as Indonesia's most haunted site, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism. Tourists are free to visit the abandoned site today, perhaps to confirm whether the many ghost stories linked to Lawang Sewu that are circulating are true.
Tao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Spanning more than 24 hectares of gardens, Tao Dan Park looks like paradise, but at night, locals say the space takes on a different look. Rumour has it that the ghost of a young man killed in an attack still roams the park, searching for his lost love.