What comes to your mind when you think about or even celebrate Halloween? Scary decorations, crazy costumes and lots of sweets.
Nevertheless, there is more history to Halloween than many realize.
What is Halloween?
Halloween, according to records, dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
The Celts who lived in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland celebrated Halloween 2,000 years ago at the end of October.
Halloween marked the end of summer. The Celts believed that the night before the new year, the boundary between the world of the living and dead became blurred, and ghosts returned to the earth.
Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year, and it’s also one of the oldest. By the 20th century, it became renowned as a pumpkin-carving, candy-eating and costume-wearing holiday.
As we look forward to the Halloween festival, I have decided to recommend the best Halloween destinations worldwide to visit this season and have fun.
So, grab your spooky costume and let’s explore the fascinating Halloween destinations around the globe.
So what are the the 7 fascinating Halloween destinations you need to visit?
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Halloween has been around in Scotland for a long time. It is because, like Ireland, Scotland has Celtic roots and many traditions, like Halloween, are related to Samhain is celebrated here.
It has been such a fundamental part of Scottish culture that it was the theme of many poets.
Edinburgh has many places to see and do in Scotland during Halloween. One of the good places to explore is Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
From fables, witches and lost bagpipers to spooky places, you will find a ghost story tied to every location here. Take a tour around Edinburgh’s dungeon.
The haunted vaults were once home to witches, criminals, prostitutes and a hellfire club. You can also take a ghost bus or ride on its Ghost and Gore walking tour.
Keep your wits about you for sightings of the haunted un-dead.
Torture Museum Czech Republic.
Although Halloween is not native to the Czech Republic, it is becoming popular due to the high mumber of Americans and foreigners in the country. The Czechs didn’t always celebrate Halloween until recently, and they had ancient traditions of vampire lore that fit into Halloween.
If you plan on visiting the Czech Republic this Halloween, visit the Torture Museum in Prague. It’s on Celetna 558, 1100 Stare Mesto, Czechia. It opens from 10 am to 10 pm.
Be warned. This place is not for the faint-hearted. You will be intrigued by the history of this place. It has a comprehensive collection of torture equipment, and the content can be gruesome.
Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
Salem is another place you can visit this Halloween. You have heard of this place because of its infamous history of the witch trials in the 17th century.
There are so many things to do and places to see in Salem.
Start from the Salem witch village, where you be guided by a practising witch. You will learn about witches, their craft and the legend behind Salem.
If you want an eerie Halloween experience, visit the Witch Mansion. It’s delightfully scary, paintings drop, and creatures appear from nowhere.
You will enjoy it. Take part in Salem Voodoo, vampire and ghost tours, and Salem witch trial tours, to name a few.
Transylvania, Romania.
Transylvania is famous thanks to Dracula or Vlad the Impaler, the infamous ruler Bram Stoke’s novel based.
Thanks to that, Transylvanians love Halloween with a burning passion, and it has become famous for its parties.
Start your Halloween celebrations by visiting Dracula’s castle in Bran. After that, go to Sighisoarand explore the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler.
It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another spooky place to see is Poenari Castle.
it was a temporary residence of Vlad and his wife. It is where she committed suicide during the invasion in the 1400s.
The castle is said to be haunted by her. Be prepared to climb over 1,000 steps to get there, but the views make it worth it.
You can also attend the Dracula film festival. They showcase horror and fantasy movies. The event holds from October 13th to 17th. In addition to screenings, free photography and acting workshops take place.
Isla de la Munecas, Mexico.
Isla de la Munecas, which translates as the island of the dolls, is a place that will send shivers down your spine. It was listed by CNN as one of the strangest places in the world.
The island is full of hundreds of dolls on trees that look terrifying at night if you walk through the forest.
Legend has it that a hermit named Julian Santana Barrera lived on the island. His niece drowned just off the island. Driven by grief, he started collecting dolls and hanging them on trees to appease her soul.
When that didn’t help, he started to dismember them. In 2001, he was found dead, some say close to where his niece drowned.
The island is 29 kilometres from Mexico City on Teshuito Lake. To get there, take a boat from Trajinera to the island.
Corinaldo, Italy.
If you are looking for something more light-hearted, visit Corinaldo. It’s a charming Italian town located in the province of Anaconda, a few kilometres from Senigallia in Le Marche.
This quiet village comes alive during the Halloween season. It’s considered the country’s capital of Halloween.
Corinaldo transforms into a dark bloodcurdling place among cobwebs, pumpkins, candles and scary characters.
Explore the tunnel of fear, watch a fire show, workshops and a beauty contest called Miss Witch. Corinaldo is one place you will love to visit.
New Orleans, U.S.A.
Nee Orleans is famous for being one of the most haunted cities in the United States. New Orleans is full of spooky places.
Its penchant for bizarre costumes and deep connection to the occult makes it a fun place to visit on Halloween. There are so many events to attend this season.
Start with taking a ghost tour of the Historic French quarters, then attend the voodoo music festival etc.
It is your chance to dress up in your craziest Halloween costume and enjoy yourself.
Sleep Hallows, New York.
If you haven’t visited Sleep Hallow before, add it to your bucket list this Halloween. This city caters to the taste of everyone ranging from the downright spooky to light-hearted fun activities.
Sleep Hallow is also famous thanks to the legend of Sleepy Hollow. Explore the city by taking a night lantern bus tour to see the grave of the famous author Washington Irvine. Other events to attend are haunted street fairs, parades and hayrides.
Family-friendly places to visit are Jay Ghouls House of Curiosities.
London, England.
Visit here if you are up for scary and historic activities. After all, we are talking about a place that produced the most famous serial killer in the world, Jack The Ripper.
There are so many places to see in London during the Halloween season. Discover London’s dark and gruesome history with the Ghost Bus tours.
Then take a ghoulish Ghost walking Tour of Royal Maritime Greenwich and learn about the lingering spirits of the Royal Family.
What’s your favourite Halloween destination?
Halloween isn’t largely celebrated in where I live, but these are a list of fun places to visit for sure!
Great post!
Thank you.
Ooh these sound so much fun! We visited Pendle in Lancashire which is famous in the UK for having witches and it was great. I love Halloween!
My best friend makes an annual trip to explore places every Halloween – she’ll love this list!
This would be a super fun Halloween bucket list! I really want to visit Salem and Sleepy Hallows.
Tell me how it goes.
Thanks for sharing a brief post about Halloween
I like the variety of places in this list. I’d definitely love to visit the Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Thanks for the awesome resource!
I didn’t know the history behind it so this is pretty cool 🍂
Halloween is my favorite holiday so this article was very interesting to me! I have saved it to reference for my future travels. The island of dolls is particularly intriguing to me. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good compilation! Although spooky though they don’t really celebrate Halloween in Scotland or Transilvania, no? I love Halloween, I bet Sleep Hallow and Salem must be cool to see on Halloween!
these sound like so much fun! I especially want to go to Salem!
So many great suggestions! I loved learning about Halloween inspired destinations outside of the US!
Fascinating post! So enjoyed it!
great information on Halloween. Thanks for sharing
I like watching halloween themed shows