35 Most Haunted Places in the World—Spooky Castles, Creepy Islands, and Eerie Hotels Included

Raynham Hall in Norfolk, United Kingdom

This English country home may be gorgeous, but it also has a dark past. The mysterious “Brown Lady” who haunts its halls is rumored to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, who was trapped in an unhappy marriage and found solace in the arms of a fellow British aristocrat. Stories say it was either her enraged husband or the scorned wife of her lover who locked her in her room at Raynham Hall, where she eventually died in 1726. Her ghost, nicknamed for the color of her dress, was reportedly captured on film in the December 1936 edition of Country Life. The manor itself is only open to the public on select dates throughout the year, but you can explore the rest of the grounds, where there are glamping yurts, culinary events, and other experiences.

Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan, India

Located in a valley roughly an hour and a half outside of the city of Jaipur, this long-abandoned fortress is considered one of the most haunted places in Asia. According to one story, a dark wizard cursed the city after the princess Ratnavati rejected his affections. Another version says that it was the work of a sadhu, or holy man, who ordered the king to build the fort without casting shadows over the sadhu’s house. The king’s grandson ignored the warning and built a towering addition, dooming the town to the holy man’s curse. Now, the ghosts of former residents wander the desolate settlement. Today, guests can still visit the fort’s impressive ruins, though the entire area is closed to the public between sunset and sunrise—perhaps to give the ghosts some space.

Poveglia in Venice, Italy

Sitting just offshore from the Lido in Venice, the beautiful island of Poveglia was once a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague, and it was used as a psychiatric hospital after World War II. Paranormal investigators claim the island is haunted due to the estimated thousands of people who perished here, but Venetian locals say otherwise. Haunted or not, it’s a place with a dark and troubled past, and is officially closed to the public. However, you can still charter a boat to sail by for a glimpse, or seek permission from the municipality for an authorized visit.

“Time and again, Poveglia Island has found itself up for sale at dirt-cheap prices; the owner(s) no longer wanting to be responsible for its upkeep or for the active, often physical spiritual entities that reside there. Some claim they number in the hundreds. Whether that be true or not, it’s an island so feared the world over that it may never see its crumbling structures brought back to life again,” said Gossel.

The Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton-under-Edge, United Kingdom

Said to be one of the oldest inns in the Western world, this 12th-century hostelry in the Cotswolds has accumulated quite the collection of supernatural guests over the years. It was built atop what is believed to have been an ancient pagan burial ground, and it’s supposedly haunted by a number of spirits, including several children, a monk, and a black cat. Fearless travelers can book a ghost tour at the inn in hopes of experiencing the specters firsthand.

“Travelers be warned: One of the most prominent spirits said to reside inside the home is a succubus, a demonic entity often characterized as a seductress,” said Gossel, adding that this spirit alone is “a good reason to be fearful of shutting your eyes for too long while here.”

Port Arthur in Tasmania, Australia

British colonialists founded Tasmania’s Port Arthur as a penal colony in the 1830s. After arriving from the United Kingdom, the settlement’s prisoners endured solitary confinement, hard labor, and both physical and psychological abuse. Many died before operations ceased in 1877. We imagine any tortured soul would find it hard to rest after all that, and visitors to the site have reported everything from hearing the disembodied laughter of children (both convicts and staff were permitted to have their families on-site) to glimpsing ghosts dressed in 19th-century clothing.

The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California

This beautiful ocean liner, launched by Cunard White Star in 1936, spent more than 30 years in service before permanently docking in Long Beach and becoming a hotel and tourist attraction. Ever since, visitors and staff alike have reported seeing or hearing countless ghosts on the ship. These include the “Lady in White,” often spotted clad in a pale evening gown and dancing by herself in the lounge; Jackie, a young girl who drowned in the swimming pool; and Grumpy, a disgruntled ghost who growls in people’s ears.

And the ghosts aren’t shy, either. While staying on board, Gossel recounted being awoken throughout the night by the sound of frantic knocking on his door. “As you can imagine, nobody was there!”

Burg Wolfsegg in Wolfsegg, Germany

Dating back to the 13th century, this Bavarian fortress has its own “Lady in White.” In life, she was married to the lord of the castle, whose military duties often kept him away from home for long stretches. Upon learning of an affair between his wife and one of his soldiers, the husband killed them both. Now, so the story goes, the woman’s ghost spends eternity climbing Burg Wolfsegg’s stairs and wandering its hallways. The castle is typically open on weekends and public holidays from May to early October.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts

The 1892 murders of businessman Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby, in this unassuming home made headlines across the country. Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie, was accused of killing her father and stepmother, but she was eventually acquitted in the much-publicized trial that followed. Since then, guests have reported all sorts of strange sightings in the house, now a bed-and-breakfast. Ghost tours and overnight stays are available for intrepid travelers who want to experience the notorious residence for themselves.

Casa Loma in Toronto, Ontario

For decades, both staff and visitors at this Gothic Revival castle have reported seeing apparitions and hearing strange voices, footsteps, and closing doors around the property. The “Lady in White” is thought to be the ghost of a maid who died of influenza in the early 20th century, while the spirits of Casa Loma’s original owners, Sir Henry Pellatt and his wife Lady Mary, are rumored to still haunt the grounds. Tour the home and gardens during the day or visit in October for its annual Legends of Horror event, when guests can wander a trail through some of the castle’s creepiest tunnels.

Château de Brissac in Brissac-Quincé, France

While visiting this stately château in the Loire Valley, you may hear strange groans in the night or come face-to-face with an eyeless woman dressed in green. That would be the “Green Lady,” the ghost said to haunt this 11th-century castle. Legend has it that former owner Jacques de Brézé killed his wife, Charlotte, and her lover after catching them en flagrant délit in one of the castle’s towers. Now, her specter roams the halls, spooking guests with her holes-for-eyes and eerie cries. You can try to find her yourself on a visit; the castle is open to the public at select times (the Duke of Brissac and his family are still in residence) and has several guest rooms for overnights.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

Not only is this popular destination near Rocky Mountain National Park famous for inspiring Stephen King’s classic horror novel “The Shining,” it also has its own spooky past. Multiple apparitions are said to haunt the premises, including a maid who survived an explosion in Room 217, and F.O. Stanley and his wife, Flora, the original owners. The Stanley Hotel offers a variety of accommodations and ghost tours of the property if you’re feeling brave enough.

Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta

This postcard-perfect château, open since 1888, has long been associated with paranormal activity. One of the best-known stories is of the “Ghost Bride,” the spirit of a woman who died during her wedding at the hotel. She is sometimes seen still dressed in her white gown, descending the staircase or waltzing alone in the ballroom. Another is of Sam the Bellman, an old porter at the hotel who vowed to come back and haunt the place after he died. He apparently kept his word, as numerous guests over the years have reported being helped by a bellman matching his description.

St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida

This white-and-black-striped beacon has guided mariners through St. Augustine Inlet since 1874. It’s also drawn a host of seaside specters. Keepers have heard the patter of footsteps around the lighthouse—believed to be the ghosts of several young girls who tragically drowned. If you smell a cigar, it may be the spirit of a former keeper, who continues to take care of the lighthouse even from beyond the grave. During the day, climb the spiral staircase to the top for beautiful views of Anastasia Island, the Matanzas River, and the Atlantic Ocean—or take a ghost tour at night, if you dare.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea in New York City

The owners of this legendary Greenwich Village establishment claim that it occupies a former carriage house once owned by Aaron Burr—yes, the same Aaron Burr who infamously shot Alexander Hamilton—and that his ghost still haunts the place. He’s not the only one, either; several other specters are allegedly in residence, including his daughter Theodosia and the ghost of a Ziegfeld Follies dancer. Given that One if by Land has a reputation for being one of the dreamiest restaurants in the city with its chandelier-filled dining room, it seems everyone wants to soak up the ambience, even in the afterlife.

The Tower of London in the United Kingdom

The Tower of London complex became the final resting place for many people of historical significance. The site of imprisonment and executions for hundreds of years, it’s known especially for its ghostly sightings of English royalty. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, is said to haunt the Tower Green where her beheading took place in 1536. Lady Arbella Stuart, imprisoned for following her heart rather than the rules, starved herself to death in 1615 and has been seen in the King’s House. There’s also allegedly a phantom bear that once materialized before the Keeper of the Crown Jewels. Said to be one of the most haunted places in Europe, it’s a must-visit for seekers of the supernatural.

Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina

Originally built as the Planter’s Hotel in 1809 and converted into a theater in 1935, this famous playhouse in the city’s French Quarter continues to host performances. Theaters are famously haunted places, and Dock Street is no exception; patrons have claimed to see ghosts up in the rafters, as well as on the stage. Its best-known apparitions include Nettie, a former sex worker who plied her trade at the hotel and can be seen still wearing her red dress, and Junius Booth, the thespian father of the man who shot Abraham Lincoln and a onetime guest at the hotel.

Tao Dan Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The gorgeous gardens of Tao Dan Park may look lush and relaxing during the day, but some say the space takes on an entirely different feel at night. That’s when, according to urban legend, the ghost of a young man who was killed in an attack still wanders the park, looking for his lost love.

The Old Vicarage in Borgvattnet, Sweden

This former vicarage, built in 1876, is considered one of Sweden’s most haunted houses. Over the years, residents and visitors have reported oddities like unexplained footsteps and music, apparitions of a woman dressed all in gray, and a rocking chair that seemed to move without any earthly assistance. The Old Vicarage currently operates as a cafe and an inn, so brave souls can stop for a bite or spend the night.

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

This architectural marvel is said to be one of the most haunted houses in the United States. After rifle magnate William Wirt Winchester died in 1881, his widow, Sarah, moved into an eight-room farmhouse on the still-rural outskirts of San Jose. She spent the next 38 years expanding the modest structure into this dizzying 160-room labyrinth, which has 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, 13 bathrooms, six kitchens, and seemingly endless stairways—some of which lead to nowhere. Rumors swirled that Winchester built the maze-like mansion to evade the vengeful spirits of those killed by her husband’s guns. Is the home haunted today? Take a tour and decide for yourself.

The Driskill in Austin, Texas

Many big-name celebrities have stayed at this popular downtown Austin hotel since it opened in 1886. More than a few phantoms have checked in permanently, making it one of the most haunted hotels in the U.S. One of the most notorious tales involves two women, each jilted at the altar, who took their own lives in Room 525. Founder Jesse Driskill’s ghost is sometimes spotted roaming the property as well. Some guests claim to have also seen the ghost of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who went on a first date with his future wife here in 1934 and frequented the hotel throughout his life.

Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway

This medieval castle once served as a defensive stronghold for the city of Oslo, and it is rumored to be the most haunted place in all of Norway. The best-known supernatural sightings include a demon dog that’s said to guard the gates to the castle, and the spirit of a woman with no facial features. It’s free to visit, so ghost-hunting travelers will definitely want to check it out.

Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, South Africa

The Dutch East India Company built this pentagonal fortress in the late 17th century to protect its burgeoning Cape Colony. During the Second Boer War, it also served as a prison and torture center. Several ghosts reportedly wander the grounds, including that of a tall man walking along and falling from the ramparts, and that of Lady Anne Barnard, who once entertained important visitors to the fort. The bell in the bell tower also sometimes rings of its own accord, despite being sealed off hundreds of years ago. Visitors can tour the fort and learn more about South African history in The Cape Heritage Museum.

The Paris Catacombs in France

The Paris Catacombs are truly spooky, with the remains of more than six million people located throughout the vast system of underground tunnels. While you can tour some of the tunnels today, be warned, as they’re not for the faint of heart. And don’t even think of venturing down there after midnight. According to urban legend, that’s when strange voices (supposedly belonging to those who are buried there) will try to convince you to wander deeper and deeper within the tunnels until you get lost.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

This clifftop fortress, which is one of Europe’s oldest fortified castles, has seen a lot of action over the years. Many different eerie experiences have been reported, including unexplained music echoing through the halls. Some believe it comes from the ghost of a piper who died while investigating a series of tunnels under the castle—they were later resealed, but his tunes can still sometimes be heard. There’s also a headless drummer, a ghostly dog, and a weeping lady dressed in gray.

The Forbidden City in Beijing, China

You may not necessarily think of the Forbidden City as haunted, but ghost hunters know better. Though crowded with visitors during the day, the ancient complex closes every evening—and that’s when things get interesting. More than a few night watchmen have reported the apparition of a woman dressed in white, sobbing as she wanders the grounds. Others claimed to have cornered a woman dressed in black and ordered her to turn around, only to see an intruder with no face. Still not convinced? Take a tour and ask your guide why the thresholds are all so high. (Spoiler alert: ghosts can’t jump.)

Hoia-Baciu Forest in Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Many aficionados of the paranormal consider this spot—with its eerily crooked trees and a barren patch of land rumored to be a supernatural hot spot—one of the most haunted forests in the world. Visitors often report intense feelings of anxiety and an overwhelming sense of being watched while traveling among the trees. Some of the most commonly reported supernatural occurrences here include unexplained apparitions, photographs showing faces that were not visible to the photographers when the pictures were taken, and UFO sightings.

Kehoe House in Savannah, Georgia

This Renaissance Revival mansion was completed in 1892 for William and Anne Kehoe, who lived there with their 10 children. In the early 1900s, it became a funeral parlor. The house was eventually turned into a B&B, and guests have noted mysterious sounds of little ones playing, among other creepy occurrences. Ghost-chasing guests visiting the notoriously spooky Southern city should feel right at home in these haunted Savannah accommodations.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

More than 7,000 soldiers lost their lives here during the Civil War’s deadliest engagement, and their tortured spirits are said to still wander the town. Many visitors to the hallowed battlefield have reported seeing phantom soldiers—some on horseback, others marching in formation. Downtown, some people have reported hearing and seeing the ghosts of children in the building that once housed the National Soldiers’ Orphans Homestead. And the spirit of Jennie Wade, the Battle of Gettysburg’s only civilian death, is said to still haunt the home where a stray bullet took her life.

Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, Romania

If you’re a fan of vampire lore, you’re probably familiar with Vlad the Impaler, who famously inspired the title character in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” In real life, the bloodthirsty ruler was kept prisoner at Corvin Castle (also called Hunedoara Castle). Other prisoners included a monk bricked into one of the walls as punishment for spying. His ghost is thought to haunt the castle to this day. So too are the spirits of three prisoners promised freedom if they dug a well and found water. They did, but they were never freed. You’ll just have to plan a visit to find out whether the stories are true.

Lawang Sewu in Semarang, Indonesia

This former railway headquarters and World War II-era prison is believed to be one of the most haunted places in Indonesia. Apparitions that have been reported here include the ghost of a Dutch woman, various headless spirits, and a kuntilanak (a female vampiric ghost of Malaysian and Indonesian mythology). Visitors can check out the historic building on their own or take a tour with a local operator to explore this spooky spot.

Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina

While Recoleta Cemetery may be best known as the final resting place of former Argentine first lady Eva Perón, the labyrinthine necropolis is also famous for the stories of its many ghostly residents. One popular tale is about the “Lady in White.” One evening, a man encountered a woman near the cemetery; the meeting ended with a kiss. When the man tried to find where she lived, he was shocked to discover her tombstone instead. There’s also an eerie urban myth about a woman said to be mistakenly buried alive, who now wanders the cemetery.

Teatro Tapia in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Open since 1832, Teatro Tapia (officially Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera) is almost as famous for its hauntings as it is for its performances. Audience members have reported hearing strange voices and footsteps coming from empty rooms, and the building itself is said to be haunted by two specific ghosts. One is the spirit of a woman who dresses in red and still attends shows (keep an eye out if you’re seated in Box 105). The other is that of an actress who tragically fell to her death during a performance; she has reportedly been spotted on stage before disappearing into thin air.

Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia

It turns out that Australia’s legislature used to convene in one of the country’s most haunted buildings. It’s said that the ghost of former politician Thomas Ley—known as the Minister of Murder for being linked to some suspicious deaths and eventually being convicted of murder—still stalks his old place of work. Strange sounds, eerie sensations, and other phenomena have also been reported. The building is now the Museum of Australian Democracy, allowing you to visit the old chambers and halls and test the ghost theories yourself.

Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan

This 17th-century fortress consists of 83 buildings and a maze-like floor plan designed to confuse invading enemies. The tiles on its roof are decorated with images of onigawara, meant to keep evil spirits away. Despite that, the castle is said to be haunted by, among other ghostly creatures, a young servant woman named Okiku. According to local lore, she was accused of losing one of her master’s 10 porcelain plates, all part of a plan to trick her into becoming his mistress. When she refused, he pushed her down the well. Okiku still haunts it, returning every so often to count her plates and wail over the missing one. If this story sounds familiar, that’s because it inspired the film “The Ring.”

The Cuban Club in Tampa, Florida

A popular venue for weddings and cultural events since it opened in 1917, the Cuban Club is also reputedly home to about 300 ghosts, including a playwright said to haunt the theater, a young boy who drowned in the old pool, and a young woman who was pushed from the ballroom’s third-floor balcony after she refused to dance with someone. You can try to spot them yourself while attending an event or performance, and you can also join a ghost tour with Tampa Bay Tours to learn more about Cigar City’s haunted past.