From haunted houses to eerie ghost towns, the world is filled with creepy places that send chills down your spine. For those who love a good scare, visiting these locations can be an unforgettable experience. Here are 19 creepy places you can actually visit.
1. The Catacombs of Paris, France
Beneath the streets of Paris lie the Catacombs, a network of tunnels lined with the bones of over six million people. This macabre ossuary is open to the public and offers a chilling glimpse into the city’s past.
2. The Island of Dolls, Mexico
Located in the canals of Xochimilco, near Mexico City, the Island of Dolls is adorned with hundreds of decaying dolls hanging from trees. The island’s caretaker, Don Julian Santana, collected the dolls to appease the spirit of a drowned girl he believed haunted the island.
3. Pripyat, Ukraine
Pripyat is a ghost town that was evacuated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. The abandoned buildings, decaying amusement park, and eerie silence make it a haunting place to visit.
4. Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Known as the “Suicide Forest,” Aokigahara at the base of Mount Fuji is infamous for the number of suicides that occur there. The dense forest and its association with death create an unsettling atmosphere.
5. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado, USA
The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining,” is said to be haunted by numerous spirits. Guests and staff have reported hearing piano music, seeing apparitions, and experiencing other paranormal activities.
6. Poveglia Island, Italy
Poveglia Island, located between Venice and Lido, was used as a quarantine station for plague victims and later as a mental asylum. The island is believed to be haunted by the tormented souls of those who died there.
7. The Winchester Mystery House, California, USA
The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is famous for its bizarre architecture, with staircases leading to nowhere and doors opening into walls. Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle magnate, built the house continuously to appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles.
8. The Tower of London, England
The Tower of London has a long and bloody history as a royal palace, prison, and execution site. It is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, and other famous figures.
9. The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
The Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is decorated with the bones of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people. The macabre decorations include a chandelier made of bones and skulls arranged in intricate patterns.
10. Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania, USA
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia was once one of the most famous and expensive prisons in the world. Now a historic site, it is rumored to be haunted by former inmates, and visitors have reported hearing eerie sounds and seeing ghostly apparitions.
11. The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana, USA
The Myrtles Plantation is said to be one of the most haunted homes in America. Stories of ghostly children, a murdered slave girl named Chloe, and other spirits have made it a popular destination for ghost hunters.
12. Bran Castle, Romania
Often referred to as Dracula’s Castle, Bran Castle in Transylvania is linked to the legend of Vlad the Impaler. While the connection to Dracula is tenuous, the castle’s dark history and Gothic architecture make it a creepy place to visit.
13. The Ancient Ram Inn, England
The Ancient Ram Inn in Gloucestershire is considered one of the most haunted buildings in England. Built on an ancient pagan burial ground, the inn is believed to be haunted by ghosts, demons, and other supernatural entities.
14. The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai is a pilgrimage site covered with thousands of crosses, crucifixes, and statues. The sheer number of crosses and the site’s history of religious defiance give it an eerie atmosphere.
15. The Alcatraz Island, California, USA
Alcatraz Island, home to the infamous former prison, is said to be haunted by the spirits of former inmates. Visitors have reported hearing unexplained noises, footsteps, and even ghostly apparitions.
16. The Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland
The Edinburgh Vaults, or South Bridge Vaults, are a series of underground chambers built in the 18th century. They were used for storage, workshops, and as living quarters for the city’s poorest residents. The vaults are now known for their paranormal activity.
17. The Riddle House, Florida, USA
The Riddle House, originally a funeral parlor, is now located in Yesteryear Village, a historical park. It is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a former employee who committed suicide, and visitors have experienced unexplained phenomena.
18. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including a bride who fell down the staircase and a bellman who still helps guests with their luggage. The hotel’s remote location and grand architecture add to its eerie allure.
19. The Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania
The Hoia Baciu Forest, known as the “Bermuda Triangle of Romania,” is famous for its paranormal activity and unexplained phenomena. Visitors have reported seeing UFOs, ghostly apparitions, and strange lights, making it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts.