Fall is here, and that means Halloween is just around the corner. It’s the time to dress up, eat candy, and get spooked! If you want a real scare, forget the fake haunted houses and pumpkin patches.
Even if you’ve never seen a ghost or don’t believe in them, you might still be curious about them. So why not explore that curiosity?
Luckily, no matter where you live, there’s a place in almost every part of the world with a scary story that makes it spooky all year round. From spooky hotels, houses, and restaurants to even entire towns, Some places are famous for having more ghosts than living people.
Here are the 50 most haunted places in the world you’ll want to visit any time of the year, not just on October 31.
Table of Contents
1) Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts)
The Lizzie Borden House is the site of one of the most infamous murders in American history. In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered with an axe inside this home. Andrew’s daughter Lizzie was the prime suspect but was controversially acquitted. Many believe that the ghosts of Andrew and Abby Borden still haunt the home. People have reported hearing voices whispering and heavy boots walking upstairs when no one is there.
2) Aokigahara Forest (Aokigahara, Japan)
At the base of Mount Fuji lies Aokigahara Forest, also known as the “Sea of Trees.” With over 100 suicides taking place here annually, many troubled souls are believed to haunt this forest. Visitors have reported encountering ghostly figures wandering the woods at night. The dense trees are so thick that they block out wind and noise, giving the forest an eerie silence.
3) Poveglia Island, Italy
Poveglia Island has a long, brutal history of death. It was used as a plague pit during the Bubonic Plague and later became a mental hospital. Rumor has it that the disturbed souls of plague victims and people with mental health conditions still roam the island. Visitors have reported encountering ghosts of wailing men and women. The island is off-limits to visitors due to its haunting stories.
4) Island of Dolls (Xochimilco, Mexico)
Just south of Mexico City sits the creepy Island of Dolls. The island is filled with countless mutilated and decaying dolls hung from trees. Legend has it that the dolls are possessed by the spirit of a little girl who drowned nearby. Visitors to the island report the dolls whispering to them or moving their heads. The island’s haunting scenes are enough to give anyone nightmares.
5) Casa Loma (Toronto, Canada)
Constructed in the early 1900s, Casa Loma is famous for its rumors of ghosts. Some believe the mansion is haunted by Sir Henry Pellatt, who died after going bankrupt constructing it. The most haunted spot is the tower, where a mysterious woman in white has been seen wandering at night. Strange sounds and cold spots are frequently reported here.
6) Château de Brissac (Brissac-Quincé, France)
Dating back to the 11th century, Château de Brissac is the tallest castle in France. It is also home to the legendary “Green Lady.” This ghost is said to be the spirit of a woman who was murdered after having an affair with the castle owner. Her ghost wanders the castle, particularly the tower room where she was killed. Many guests have reported seeing her supernatural glow.
7) The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
Famous for inspiring Stephen King’s novel “The Shining,” the Stanley Hotel certainly lives up to its haunted reputation. Guests have reported seeing ghosts in formal attire wandering the lobby and piano music echoing from the ballroom late at night. In-room 418, the ghost of a small child has been seen playing. The paranormal activity makes this hotel a popular spot for ghost hunters.
8) The Haunted Vicarage (Borgvattnet, Sweden)
The small Swedish village of Borgvattnet is home to this vicarage that dates back to 1876. A priest purchased the vicarage after the chapel’s clergy experienced violent paranormal activity. After moving in, the priest reported being physically attacked by ghosts. Today, visitors report getting grabbed by an angry spirit in the chapel and seeing grey shadows moving about.
9) Hoia Baciu Forest (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Dubbed the “Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania,” the Hoia Baciu Forest is considered Romania’s most haunted forest. People have reported UFO sightings, faces appearing in the trees, and feelings of nausea when entering here. Visitors frequently get rashes, scratches, and burns, which are said to be caused by ghosts. The forest’s ghosts are believed to be peasants who died a gruesome death here long ago.
10) Corvin Castle (Hunedoara, Transylvania)
Built in the 14th century, Corvin Castle contains some chilling ghost stories. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of Vlad the Impaler’s wife, who was killed after jumping from the castle tower to escape invading Turks. Her troubled spirit can be heard screaming from the tower at night. Some have also reported seeing Vlad the Impaler riding his ghostly horse carriage inside the castle walls.
11) Skulls Catacombs (Paris, France)
Below the streets of Paris lie vast underground catacombs containing the remains of over 6 million people. As one can imagine, rumors swirl that the catacombs are haunted by the souls of those buried here. Visitors report hearing ghostly whispers and screams echoing in the tunnels. Occasionally, human bones are arranged in patterns believed to have been left behind by occult groups performing rituals.
12) Monte Cristo Homestead (New South Wales, Australia)
Dating back to 1885, the Monte Cristo Homestead has a horrific history plagued by many untimely deaths. Tragic events like the murder of a cottage caretaker are believed to have left tortured souls behind. Visitors have reported encountering the ghost of a young girl, the sound of rattling chains, strange lights, and unseen forces grabbing them. The activity is enough to make even skeptics uneasy.
13) The Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town, South Africa)
Built-in the 1600s by the Dutch East India Company, the Castle of Good Hope sits on land once inhabited by native African tribes. Their tortured spirits are said to haunt the castle to this day. The bell tower is believed to be haunted by the “Lady in Grey” ghost who wanders the tower steps late at night. Disembodied screams are also often heard here.
14) Ancient Ram Inn (Gloucestershire, England)
Built around the 12th century, the Ancient Ram Inn is believed to have been the site of countless murders and human sacrifices. Ghostly children have been seen, and spectral figures have been known to attack visitors in the darkness. The most haunted area is said to be a room in the attic where a satanic cult committed ritual killings. Many refuse to sleep here overnight due to the intense activity.
15) Banff Springs Hotel (Alberta, Canada)
Rising majestically over Banff National Park, the Banff Springs Hotel has captured tourists’ imaginations for over a century. According to local legends, a bride named Veronica once died here on her wedding day. Guests report regularly seeing Veronica’s ghost wandering the hotel in her wedding dress on the staircase where she fell. Her connection to the hotel has earned her the nickname “The Bride of Banff Springs.”
16) Old Changi Hospital (Changi, Singapore)
Operating from 1935 until 1997, Old Changi Hospital has a gruesome past as a prison camp and torture site during World War II. The ghosts of Japanese soldiers and their victims are said to wander the abandoned hospital corridors to this day. People have reported seeing blood stains appear and disappear on floors, and hearing screams echoing through the building. Many also feel a strong sense of being watched inside.
17) Mary King’s Close (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Underneath the famous Royal Exchange Building lies Mary King’s Close, a series of narrow streets and passageways dating back to the 1600s. The close was abandoned and sealed off after the Black Death swept through this area in the 17th century. Since then, supernatural encounters have been reported here. Shadowy figures, ominous voices, and ghostly children haunt this claustrophobic series of tunnels.
18) Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was one of America’s most notorious prisons. The ghostly voices of inmates can be heard at night here, along with shadow figures darting across cell blocks. One of the creepiest spots is “Death Row” beside the gallows, where prisoners were hanged. The energy here is so dark that some visitors flee in terror after entering.
19) Hashima Island (Japan)
Hashima Island was once a bustling coal mining facility off the coast of Japan. After closing in 1974, the island was abandoned. Exploring today, you can find deserted apartments, schools, and shops left exactly as they were decades ago. Many believe the ghosts of former Hashima residents still inhabit the island. Visitors have reported appliances turning themselves on and shadows moving in the school hallways.
20) Augustine Lighthouse (St. Augustine, Florida)
The St. Augustine lighthouse opened in 1874 and earned a reputation early on for being haunted. Visitors report hearing the cries of children coming from the lighthouse, believed to belong to the daughters of a lighthouse keeper who tragically died during its construction. The girls are said to have been trapped inside while bringing supplies to their father. Staff often report the girls playing with toys inside.
21) Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)
After her husband and daughter died, Sarah Winchester fearfully believed she was cursed by the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles. She began building the Winchester Mystery House, with its doors leading to nowhere, stairs to the ceiling, and bizarre architectural features. To confuse spirits, the number 13 is repeated throughout the home. People say Sarah Winchester still haunts the massive mansion today.
22) Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (Weston, West Virginia)
Constructed in 1864, this asylum once held over 2400 psychiatric patients at its peak. After allegations of brutal conditions and lobotomies, the asylum closed in 1994. Tales of violent deaths and torture here fueled rumors that ghosts wander the asylum’s halls. People report being chased by spirits, hearing screams at night, and seeing unexplained apparitions and shadows. The asylum offers historical and ghost tours.
23) Hotel Monte Vista (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Opened along Route 66 in 1927, the Hotel Monte Vista attracted many famous guests passing through town with its upscale rooms and lively bar. However, violent incidents like murder have given the hotel a darker reputation. Guests report witnessing a ghostly cocktail waitress carrying drinks, a phantom bellboy knocking on doors, and a rocking chair that rocks itself. The hotel’s neon sign is also supposedly haunted.
24) Poinsett Bridge (Greenville, South Carolina)
Built-in 1820, the Poinsett Bridge is the oldest bridge in South Carolina. An old local tale claims that a worker fell into the river during construction and died. People have reported seeing his ghost pacing along the top of the bridge on moonlit nights. Strange splashing sounds are also heard near the bridge despite the water being still. Some think he is still trying to find the body he fell in with.
25) Ledge Lighthouse (New London, Connecticut )
Sitting on a treacherous reef since 1909, the New London Ledge Lighthouse has long been home to lonely lighthouse keepers. In the early 1900s, two keepers got into a fight in the kitchen, which ended in one keeper being killed. Visitors say the ghost of the murdered keeper still haunts the lighthouse kitchen today. His blood-curdling screams can be heard coming from the kitchen at night.
26) Villisca Ax Murder House (Villisca, Iowa)
In June 1912, eight people were brutally murdered with an axe here while they slept, including six children. The house was never occupied again and has stood empty for over a century. Guests who have stayed overnight report hearing children cry, and bloody axe marks mysteriously appearing on walls. Cameras and recorders also malfunction due to unknown forces inside the home.
27) The Myrtles Plantation (St. Francisville, Louisiana)
Considered one of America’s most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation dates back to 1796. At least 12 ghosts are said to inhabit the plantation grounds, the most famous being Chloe, a slave girl who was killed for spying on her master. Visitors report seeing handprints mysteriously appear in mirrors, beds shaking violently, and odd cold spots throughout the home. Ghost tours are offered nightly.
28) Gettysburg Battlefield (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
The site of the largest Civil War battle, Gettysburg Battlefield, saw over 50,000 soldiers killed here in 1863. Their ghosts are said to still roam the fields and town to this day. Visitors report seeing phantom soldiers marching, hearing gunshots, and smelling smoke near battle sites. Soldiers’ ghosts have also approached people, asking if the battle has finished before vanishing into thin air.
29) Moundsville Penitentiary (Moundsville, West Virginia)
From 1876 until 1995, the Moundsville Penitentiary imprisoned the worst of society, including some of America’s most violent and depraved criminals. After many deaths inside the prison walls, some believed tortured spirits were left behind. Guests have reported being choked by an unseen force, unseen hands grabbing them, and objects mysteriously being thrown across cells.
30) Amityville House (Long Island, New York)
Made infamous by the 1979 horror movie “The Amityville Horror,” this large Dutch colonial home has a terrifying history. In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family inside the home. A year later, the Lutz family moved in and claimed to be tormented by violent paranormal activity for 28 days before fleeing in terror. Many believe demons haunt the home due to its history of violence.
31) Toowoomba, (Australia)
The site of a reformatory for boys, a sanatorium, and the Baillie Henderson Hospital, Toowoomba, is considered Australia’s most haunted town. Strange lights, ghostly figures, and unexplained sounds have been reported all over town. At the Royal Bull’s Head Inn, people have reported being pinned down in their beds by an angry spirit. The hauntings stem from the town’s history of suffering and death.
32) Akershus Fortress (Oslo, Norway)
Built-in 1299, Akershus Fortress has a long history of violence, torture, and death as a medieval castle and prison. Many troubled ghosts are believed to roam here, including a demonic dog named Malcanisen, who guards the gates at night. Visitors also report being grabbed by a ghostly hand from an unoccupied prison cell known as the “Mad Cell.” Phantom soldiers have also been seen marching within the tunnels below.
33) Xunantunich, (Belize)
Rising out of the jungles of western Belize, Xunantunich is an ancient Mayan archaeological site dating to 600-900 AD. Several ghost stories originate from here, including a phantom woman dressed in white who has been seen wandering the site at night. People also report hearing strange, unexplained noises coming from the stone structures late at night. Many have felt an ominous presence here during their visit.
34) Highgate Cemetery (London, United Kingdom)
Opened in 1839, Highgate is the final resting place for many notable figures like Karl Marx and Douglas Adams. However, the cemetery’s labyrinth of dark paths between grave sites has also given rise to many ghost tales. According to legend, a vampire haunts the cemetery grounds along with the ghosts of those buried here. Visitors report feeling cold spots, seeing mysterious lights, and even encountering a floating ghostly cyclist gliding through.
35) Sloss Furnace (Birmingham, Alabama)
Constructed in 1882 as a pig iron-blasting furnace, Sloss Furnace has a long history of deadly working conditions. After closing in 1971, many believed the spirits of those killed in industrial accidents haunted the old furnace. Guests have reported hearing screams and being touched by an unseen presence. Allegedly, the ghost of a former manager, Melvin, who died in the furnace, still wanders the site at night.
36) Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (San Francisco, California)
Known as “The Rock,” the foreboding Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary held some of America’s most hardened criminals when it opened in 1934. Isolated on a cold island, prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions and even torture. Former prisoners claimed evil entities would scream and create cold spots in their cells. According to people, eerie voices and unexplained sounds can still be heard in the empty cell blocks today.
37) Bhangarh Fort (Bhangarh, India)
Built in 1573, the Bhangarh Fort is considered India’s most haunted place. According to legend, a dark sorcerer cursed the fort and everyone in it after being rejected by a princess. Soon after, the fort was mysteriously abandoned. Visitors describe hearing strange screams, music, and stones being pelted at them from empty halls. The fort is legally off-limits after dark due to its feared curse.
38) Rose Hall Plantation (Montego Bay, Jamaica)
The Grand Rose Hall Plantation is said to be haunted by its former mistress, Annie Palmer. Annie was believed to be a sadistic slave owner who murdered three husbands. According to legend, she was killed by a slave and now haunts the grounds, particularly her old bedroom. Guests report feeling cold spots, seeing blood appear on walls, and hearing screams from her vengeful spirit at night.
39) The Fairmont Empress (Victoria, British Columbia)
This century-old grand hotel provides luxurious accommodations overlooking inner Victoria Harbor. However, its refined setting hides a more sinister ghost story. Staff and guests report regularly seeing the ghost of a thin older woman wandering the hallways at night. She is believed to be the spirit of a guest who died mysteriously here many years ago. Her desperate plea for help can also be heard echoing at night.
40) Strater Hotel (Durango, Colorado)
Constructed in the 1890s, the Strater Hotel consists of 93 historic rooms and suites in downtown Durango. However, legend claims that a spectral, nameless chambermaid still makes her ghostly rounds inside the hotel, continuing her duties long after death. Guests report seeing her making beds and cleaning rooms before vanishing before their eyes. Her connection to the hotel remains a mystery.
41) Union Cemetery (Easton, Connecticut)
Established in the 17th century, Union Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in America. Within its gnarled trees and weathered gravestones, visitors report encountering a glowing white ghost affectionately named the “White Lady.” According to legend the spirit of a young woman who died tragically in the late 1800s wanders the gravesites in search of her lost infant child. Many have also reported hearing her weep and sing lullabies into the night.
42) Fort Delaware (Delaware City, Delaware)
Sitting on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, Fort Delaware was once one of the largest Union POW camps during the Civil War. Over 2,500 Confederate soldiers died here due to the harsh conditions. Today, their ghosts are said to still inhabit the fort’s tunnels and casements. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadowy figures darting about, and feeling unseen hands grab at them from the darkness. The energy here is heavy and dark.
43) Old Idaho State Penitentiary (Boise, Idaho)
After opening in 1872, the Old Idaho Penitentiary operated for over a century before closing in 1973. During its long history, brutal violence, deaths, and even executions took place within its walls. People exploring here describe being overcome with feelings of dread and nausea. Cell doors are heard slamming shut, echoing voices fill the air, and visitors have even captured ghosts on film.
44) Waverly Hills Sanatorium (Louisville, Kentucky)
Open from 1910 until 1961, Waverly Hills was originally built to house tuberculosis patients. Thousands died here before a cure was found for tuberculosis, and their tormented spirits are said to still linger. Footsteps can be heard echoing down empty halls at night, and shadows dart around within rooms. It’s rumored the ghost of a nurse even haunts room 502, where she committed suicide.
45) Forbidden City (Beijing, China)
Built in 1420, the Forbidden City served as the palace for Chinese emperors for over 500 years. With over 800 buildings and an extensive network of tunnels below, tales of ghosts spread over the centuries. Guards and visitors report hearing a weeping woman who is believed to be the ghost of a concubine murdered here for infidelity. Her crying is most often heard from the Star Chamber.
46) Deserted Village (Achill Island, Ireland)
On Ireland’s Achill Island sits a haunting abandoned village that was deserted during the Great Famine in the 19th century. According to locals, the crumbling stone cottages and buildings stand empty, except for the ghosts of their former inhabitants. Phantom faces peer from old windows, and spectral figures have startled hikers passing through this once thriving village. The misty, desolate setting only adds to the ghostly atmosphere.
47) Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
This retired British ocean liner served as a luxury cruise ship from 1936 to 1967 before becoming permanently docked as a hotel in California. After countless deaths on board over the years, some believe ghosts moved with the ship to its new home. People report seeing specters of sailors and women in vintage gowns wandering the decks at night. Knocking sounds and children’s laughter are also commonly reported.
48) Lawang Sewu (Semarang, Indonesia)
Built by the Dutch in 1907, Lawang Sewu is a grand colonial building that served as the headquarters for the Indonesian railways. During World War II, it was the site of prisoner torture and gruesome beheadings by Japanese soldiers. Their ghosts are believed to haunt the basement today, along with their headless victims. Strange orbs and ghosts are commonly photographed here. The energy shifts to a heavy, foreboding feeling once inside.
49) Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (Trenton, New Jersey)
Constructed in 1848, this psychiatric hospital was the site of controversial procedures like lobotomies and electric shock therapy to treat patients with severe mental illness. After numerous patient deaths and mistreatment allegations, the hospital closed in 1996. Screams are said to echo from the abandoned hallways, and ghosts of former patients aimlessly wander the grounds, unable to leave their tortured pasts behind.
50) Hotel Alex Johnson (Rapid City, South Dakota)
The historic Hotel Alex Johnson opened in 1928 on the corner of Main Street and Seventh Street in downtown Rapid City. However, one of its early guests is believed to have never left. The ghost of a young woman named Lady in White haunts the hotel, particularly room 812, where she once stayed. Guests report strange sounds, electronics turning on, and seeing her throughout the hotel.
Final words:
In this journey through the 50 Most Haunted Places in the World, We’ve explored the secrets and spooky stories that surround these places. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these stories show how we’re always curious about the unknown.
All these places have their own interesting and spooky pasts, attracting those who want excitement or just love mysteries. If you visit these haunted places, be careful and respect the profound history within their walls.
