Every European nation is riddled with mystery. If you know where to search, you’ll find it. Ghosts, hauntings, and unsettling encounters await the most courageous souls in Europe’s dark corners. Get beneath the covers, turn out the lights, and explore some of Europe’s spookiest, scariest, and most enigmatic locations.
1. Ireland
According to many, it all begins in Ireland, the most haunted place in Europe. The palace on Hook Peninsula, known as Loftus Hall, is where the legend of Ireland’s haunted castles begins. A demonic ghost is supposed to have been lost in a card game and has since haunted the eerie mansion’s beginnings. The Victorian-era jail Crumlin Road Gaol, Kilkenny’s Ghost River, and the medieval fortification Malahide Castle, all haunted by clowns, are additional options in Ireland if evil spirits are too frightening for your European holiday.
2. Luxembourg
Other spooky spots in Europe may be found all around Central Europe. The tunnels under the medieval Luxembourgish fortification of Bock conceal a trove of information. The wife of Luxembourg’s founding Count Siefried, Melusine may be heard calling out in the night sky. You may try your hand at magic in Poland’s Sabathowka mystical realm. Witches have assembled at the spot to fly their brooms and concoct potions. As a result, it has evolved into a location where everybody can have a good time.
3. Hungary
There are so many exciting things to do in Hungary that your hair will stand on end. Take a lantern-lit tour through the Buda Castle Labyrinth in Budapest. During World War II, the tunnels were used as a hospital and are said to contain ghosts that date back much longer. One of the world’s most haunted locales, Derenk, is also an excellent spot for a good scare in the daytime. Since the 1940s, no one has lived in the town, yet you’re likely to believe it’s still populated.
4. Slovakia
To get a glimpse of the ghost of Levoca’s Old Town Hall, you’ll need to make a pit stop in Slovakia. Even if you miss seeing the phantom, the UNESCO World Heritage site still offers a lot.
5. England
There’s something sinister about a beautiful rural mansion that looks like a haven for spirits in Norfolk. There is a legend that the hall is the last resting place of Lady Dorothy Walpole, who died over three centuries ago. Since then, Raynham Hall has been haunted by a shadowy figure in brown clothing. George IV, the king who lived here in the 19th century, was only one of several notable visitors.
6. Romania
Finally, no haunted European tour would be complete without a stop at the Bran Castle in Romania, one of the eeriest sites on the planet. Dracula’s castle, a 14th-century fortress in Transylvania, is still one of Europe’s most visited and bizarre destinations. Visit the fabled castle where Bram Stoker’s character lived to view the spires and turrets for yourself. If you dare, come in after dark. In addition to Sighisoara and Brasov, the Dracula trail includes other historic towns in Transylvania.
