Since everyone loves reading about ghostly locations, here are, according to the site Conde Nast Traveler, 43 of the most haunted places in world. And plus, since it's getting close to Halloween, who doesn't love a good ghost story?
By the way, if you want to read about these locations in a little more detail, here is a book to read. Quite a few of the locations mentioned here are in this book, in far more detail about the history
1. Hoia-Baciu Forest, Romania
-Romania is home to all sorts of haunts. So it's only natural that this country will have spooks and specters as far as the eye can see. This forest is no different. This forest is home to UFO sightings, beginning in 1968 to being home to a supposed "portal" causing visitors to disappear. Other occurrences include visitors who have not been taken to another realm being afflicted with rashes, nausea, anxiety. It's been dubbed "The Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania"
2. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
-This beautiful mountain hotel inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. This hotel has a resident in house psychic named Madame Vera, who conducts psychic sessions. This hotel is haunted by mysterious piano music and specters from the past. Also included are the spirit of an autistic child who plays with guest's hair and hearing children's laughter when no one is there
3. Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia
-A haunted graveyard is usually the number one suspect in haunted locations. The names and histories of so many buried there snowball into massive haunts. This graveyard, 50 feet underwater, is among the scariest of graveyards. It once served as a base of operations for the Japanese during WWII. It was attacked by US forces during a three day bombing campaign in 1944. Warships, planes, tanks, railroad cars all sank to the bottom of this beautiful lagoon. Known as the "Ghost Fleet of Chuuk Lagoon", scuba divers go deep to explore this eerie army, that's now been taken over by the sea to form new habitats for sea creatures. It's said that the souls who went down with these planes, warships, railroad cars also haunt this place, which has been dubbed "one of the best wreck diving destinations on the planet"
4. St. George's Church, Czech Republic
-Built in 1352, this church, which sits about 125 miles east of Prague, has quite a history behind it. The building was nearly destroyed by fire multiple times, it's roof collapsed during a funeral service in 1968. The congregation was fully convinced it was haunted. They refused to enter as such. Resulting from the building sitting vacant and abandoned, thieves made off with a lot of the valuables and people entered only to vandalize. Luckily, in 2012, someone came to its rescue. An art student from the University of West Bohemia had an idea to bring visitors back. A collection of 30 ghost sculptures now sit in the chairs once inhabited by living people. These statues have bowed heads, as if in prayer. People now come to the church in large groups to witness spectral beings while actually praying
5. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
-Located in the country's capital, this rambling castle is said to be spookiest when the sun is setting and shadows form on the battlements. Dating back more than 900 years, this castle has hosted sightings of Colonial-era prisoners from the American Revolutionary War and French prisoners from the Seven Years War. There are even reports about a spectral dog haunting the dog cemetery
6. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
-This location has been investigated by every ghost hunting group you can think of, both nationally known and locally known. This rambling castle in the City of Brotherly Love took confinement to new levels in 1829, when it was built. Prisoners would live alone, exercise alone and eat alone. All done in the name of having time to reflect upon the actions that brought them there, thus inspiring the name "penitentiary", meaning "to reflect, to be penitent". When inmates left their cells, their heads were covered in hoods and they were forbidden to speak to one another. It's solitary system was thrown out in 1913, but the punishments did not go out with the solitary system. Punishments included chaining an inmate's tongue to his wrist. It closed for good in 1970. The site is now a museum that welcomes visitors and educates them on the history of the locale, both for history and Halloween celebrations. Occurrences here include disembodied laughter, the sounds of pacing footsteps, shadowy figures
7. Isla de la Munecas, Xochimilco, Mexico
-Translating into "The Island of the Dolls", it's believed that the little island this location inhabits was once inhabited by a man named Julian Santa Barrera who wanted to placate the spirit of a little girl who drowned in one of the canals. He thought that by bringing her a doll, she would leave him alone. Not likely. She kept haunting him and so, he kept bringing her every doll he could find, even if it was in pieces.
8. Al Madam, United Arab Emirates
-Ghost towns have a certain eerie beauty to them. You can view how the residents lived and worked. Al Madam is no different. Located 40 miles east of Dubai, the village was built in the 1970s and abandoned shortly later. The possible reason for leaving so quickly is a spirit known in Middle Eastern culture as a djinn (a sort of poltergeist-like figure that can also shape shift). It was believed that this djinn was scaring people out. This beautiful desert home is surrounded by miles of desert
9. St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida
-Florida is said to be one of the ghostly states in the US for its high number of haunted locations. This is one of them. It's known for both its living guests and its dearly departed guests. It's visited annually by 216,000+ people. There were several tragic events that occurred at the site. The ghost of a lighthouse keeper fell to his death while painting the tower. He's believed to continue keeping watch over the grounds. Three young girls playing in a wagon on the loading ramp went crashing into the water, where the wagon overturned, keeping the girls underwater, thus drowning them. Visitors claim to hear child's laughter in and around the lighthouse
10. Gunnuhver, Reyjkavik, Iceland
-Iceland is the last place you would think would have paranormal occurrences. But it does. This geothermal pool is named after a woman named Gunna, who lived there on that part of the Reykanes Peninsula over 400 years ago. She starved to death, and her spirit returned to murder, in the most violent manner possible, her former landlord and his wife. The local townspeople called upon a priest to exorcise her spirit. This was solved by casting Gunna into a boiling hot mud pool. It's said that visitors can see, from time to time, Gunna's ghostly figure rising from the pool
11. Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
-Savannah is one of the most haunted cities in the United States. There are tons of haunted locales in this steamy Southern city. But, one thing to keep in mind is that sometimes haunted locations can also demand reverence and respect. One location known for that is Bonaveture Cemetery. This cemetery is thick with Victorian-era statues and Spanish moss. There are multitudes of well known names buried here, such as singer Johnny Mercer, poet Conrad Aiken. The grave that gets the most notoriety is that of Gracie Watson, a 6 year old who died from, most likely, one of the epidemics that swept the Savannah area. Her monument is marked by a life size statue of her resting her hand on a tree stump. This is almost to suggest her life was cut short. Visitors will place toys on her grave out of respect and some have even reported seeing Gracie near her monument. Other spooky occurrences include hearing crying babies and barking dogs, statues smiling at them as people approach them
12. The Forbidden City, Beijing
-This imposing red palace is a major tourist draw. During the 600 years it operated as an ornate palace, girls as young as 12 or 13 were brought here to learn the art of lovemaking and thus, become concubines to the then emperor. Over the years, there have been ritual murders, suicides, poisonings. The most common ghostly event here is seeing a woman in white with black hair, said to be one of the old emperor's most prized concubines. You can see her walking around and hear her sobbing
13. Leap Castle, Ireland
-This rambling structure was built between the 13th-15th centuries and has seen violent deaths than an episode of Game of Thrones. As the legend suggests, this castle was the item which two members of the same clan fought over. It was the O'Carroll clan. One member killed his brother, who was a priest holding mass in the castle's chapel by running a sword through him. That room is now called The Bloody Chapel. There's also a room, more like a pit, that once held iron stakes in which enemies would be thrown upon. This is called the oubliette. It's said that a vengeful force called the elemental lurks here. When people look into this oubliette, a strange unseen force overwhelms them with an urge to throw themselves in
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14. Oriental Theater, Chicago, Illinois
-Formerly the Iroquois Theatre, ghosts of all sorts are said to haunt this legendary theater in the Loop area of Chicago. When a fire broke out in 1903, 600 people burned in the fire. Despite being completely rebuilt and renamed, spirits from this fire remain. Behind the theater is "Death Alley", where the bodies of the victims were stacked like wood after the fire burned out
15. Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy
-This spooky island is off limits to visitors. This island in the middle of a serene lagoon was once a home to victims of bubonic plague, a storage depot for Napoleon's weapons and an insane asylum in the early 20th century. The asylum had a doctor famous for performing horrific experiments on the patients. It finally closed for good when the doctor threw himself off of the bell tower. He didn't die on impact; instead a strange mist came up and asphyxiated the doctor to death. Locals still claim they hear bells in the tower. It's off limits to visitors and you can see it safely from the beaches of Lido
16. Castle of Good Hope, South Africa
-Near Table Bay in Cape Town, South Africa sits the Castle of Good Hope. Dating back to 1666, this is the oldest Colonial-era building in South Africa. This was originally built by the Dutch East India Company as a refill station for ships, but also went into use as a military fortress and prison during the Second Boer War from 1899-1902. There have been many deaths on the site. In the 1700s Governor Pieter van Noodt condemned men to death here. One of the men put a curse on Noodt and later on that day, Noodt died of a heart attack. It's said that Governor van Noodt's spirit is the one haunting the battlements
17. RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
-This location has been featured on many a ghost show on television. It was used as a ferry ship during WWII to bring back German prisoners of war and also US infantrymen and soldiers. Prior to its use in war time, it was the top luxury liner from 1936-1967. During that time, a death occurred when a sailor was crushed to death by a door in the engine room. Children have also drowned in the pool. The city of Long Beach had docked the ship and turned it into a hotel, preserving the interesting art deco theme of the ship. Ghostly activity here ranges from EVP (electronic voice phenomena), orbs, feelings of being watched, an aggressive, menacing presence in the cargo hold, thought to be one of the German POWs, to spirits being seen walking around. Many paranormal investigators state the engine room, where the sailor was crushed, is a major hotbed of activity
18. Larnach Castle, New Zealand
-Built between 1871 and 1887 as the residence of William Larnach, a prominent New Zealand politician, this rambling house is an ornate structure. There is a 3,000 square foot ballroom built for the 21st birthday of his favorite daughter Kate, who died only five years later at age 26 of typhoid fever. She's said to haunt the ballroom. Taps on the shoulder are a common report here, along with EVPs such as whispers in your ear
19. Whaley House, San Diego
-Thomas Whaley built this house for himself and his family in 1857. It was built on the site of San Diego's former public gallows. Shortly after moving in, he stated he heard heavy footsteps. It was said to "Yankee" Jim Robinson, a thief hung on site prior to the house being built. Many deaths and suicides would occur here. One of Whaley's daughters committed suicide by the outhouse when her marriage ended after only 21 days. It's said the members of the Whaley family are still here, running up and down the stairs, turning the lights on and off and an overwhelmingly strong scent of lavender perfume, which is associated with Anna Whaley, Thomas' wife
20. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires
-There's no need to be religious to appreciate the beauty that is La Recoleta Cemetery. There are thousands of statues, ranging from Argentina's most famous figure Eva Peron to fairytale grottoes, intricate tombstones and more. The stone walkways and labyrinth of mausoleums are beautiful and eerie. One of the most well known stories involves a former grave digger and caretaker named David Alleno. He worked for 30 years at the cemetery before killing himself. Visitors to the cemetery report hearing the noise of keys jangling as his ghost is said to walk the paths at dawn
21. Crumlin Road Gaol, Northern Ireland
-This Victorian-era prison in Belfast is said to be one of the top spookiest and most haunted locations in all of Northern Ireland. It's referred to as "Europe's Alcatraz". During its 150 years in operation, it saw 25,000 inmates, all men, women and even children. They performed public hangings and deposited the bodies within the walls. It officially closed in 1996, but the ghosts don't seem to know that. It's said that the spirits of those who perished within these walls still walk the iron catwalks to this day. Crumblin Gaol offers daily tours, live concerts and even reasonably priced meals at its in house (in prison) restaurant. It can even serve as a venue for conferences, and more oddly, weddings
22. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
-This large hotel was built in 1888 to promote tourism. To help sell tickets, it was built right by the Rocky Mountains in Canada's Banff National Park. Once you step inside, you notice a certain Gothic glamor that is both spooky and awe inspiring. There are several specters that are said to haunt the site. Including a bride who fell to her death down a staircase during her wedding. And there's even a ghostly bell hop named Sam who will assist guests with their bags before disappearing
23. Haw Par Villa, Singapore
-This 1930s theme park is the complete opposite of Disneyland. It's entrance, marked by large, colorful Chinese arches, leads you into a false sense of security. It's only when you get past the gates that you start noticing odd statues, more than 1,000 of them, each stranger and more disturbing than the last. This place is perfect for all who love all things macabre because the main path leads to a series of 10 underworld-themed dioramas dubbed The Ten Courts of Hell. They depict ghoulish punishments as a way of teaching the younger generations about morality. It's said that, according to the newspaper Time Out Singapore, the "wax statues depicting condemned souls are said to come to life at night, filling the infamous Ten Courts of Hell exhibit with tortured screams!"
24. Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
-A popular destination for ghost hunters and those who are fascinated by ghostly history, this plantation was built in 1796 by General David Bradford. He was a slave owner and took one of his slaves, named Chloe, to his bed, thus making her his lover. One day, she was caught eavesdropping and her ear was chopped off as a result of her eavesdropping to see if Gen. Bradford favored another slave over her. She started wearing a green turban after that. To win back the general's favor, she mildly poisoned the general's to daughters with oleander, and would magically cure them, to save their lives. It didn't work and the general's daughters died. Fearing backlash from the general, it's said the slaves hung Chloe. At night, she is said to wander the property wearing a green turban to cover her severed ear
25. Bhangarh Fort, India
-Certainly not the first country you'd think would have haunted locations, but it is true. India does have a lot of haunted locations and supernatural occurrences. This is one of them. Sitting just 100 miles southwest of New Delhi, sits Bhangarh Fort. It's an oxymoron-the beautiful ruins of Bhangarh sitting against the gritty desert landscape of Rajasthan. To this day, this local remains uninhabited due to a curse put on the land by a sorcerer. He was enchanted by a beautiful local princess, who did not return his romantic advances. He then tried to curse her, but it backfired and instead put a curse on the land. You can visit this location to perform pre-dusk yoga. You are unable and thus forbidden to visit here during the early dawn and dusk hours
26. Tower of London, London, England
-A must for any traveler to London. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this rambling castle-like structure has served many functions over the course of its life. It's best known for the bloody history as a prison and execution site. Henry VIII is best known for ordering the execution of two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Two young princes were imprisoned here after the death of their father, King Edward IV. They disappeared in 1483 and their remains were not discovered until 1647. The ghostly occurrences here include the victims of those who were executed here
27. The Catacombs of Paris, France
-This macabre underground wonder came as a result of a grisly occurrence. Paris, when it was first built, didn't have a lot of options for burying the dead. Les Innocents Cemetery was overrun with heavy rains in the spring of 1780. It brought to the ground thousands of deceased Parisians and more, in various stages of decomposition. The entire city of Paris had unused limestone quarries that were no longer in use, so it was decided to move the bodies there. It was also decided to put the bones and remains in such a way as to create art of the bodies, thus giving some dignity back to those perished
28. Aokigahara Forest, Japan
-This largely wooded forest has been the site of many suicides. There are signs before you enter the forest asking you not to go in alone, to think of your loved ones. Despite the serenity of this forest at the base of Mount Fuji, it has a history that is anything but serene. Japanese poems can sometimes romanticize suicide, and that's a possible motive behind the high number of people taking their lives here. This forest has been the site of at least 500 reported suicides since the 1950s. Some also blame Japanese demons on the high number of deaths. People also blame large deposits of iron in the ground, which messes with compasses and aids people in getting lost. Hikers visiting the forest will mark their path with string or tape to make it easier to find their way out again
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| The sign before you enter warning you to think of your loved ones, not to go in alone |
29. Xunantunich, Belize
-Less than a mile from the Guatemalan border sits this jungle ruin. Harking back to the days of the ancient Mayans, an earthquake caused the original building to crumble. It was rediscovered in the 1890s by explorers. Since then, the site has turned in to an archeological site, a visitors attraction and a regular hotbed of paranormal activity. The ghost seen here most often is a black haired lady with glowing red eyes. She was first seen in 1893 and is most often seen near El Castillo (the tallest building in this complex). Many suspicions are that this woman, dubbed "The Stone Lady" is the victim of a human sacrifice ritual that was performed on top of the El Castillo pyramid
30. Borgvattnet House Vicarage, Sweden
-Built in 1876, paranormal activity has been occurring in this old house since the 1960s. Now serving as a bed and breakfast, this house offers local activities such as snowmobiling, fishing. Guests at this charming B&B report hearing music, the sound of three ladies crying. The owners will even present you with a certificate that says you stayed through the night
31. Himeji Castle, Japan
-This well known black and white fortress is a highly visited location in Japan. It dates back to 1333, around the time of when Japan had emperors. The ghostly activity here concerns a young woman named Oikiku. She was a servant whose job it was to polish gold plates presented to the emperor. One day, one of the assistants to the emperor stole of these plates and Oikiku was blamed. She was raped and killed and thrown into the well. She now haunts this castle, counting the dishes she washed and cared for. If you feel her ghost behind you, simply say "ten" and she will not bother you. She will return to her well
32. Ponte Sisto, Rome
-Rome is an ancient city. So it's no surprise to find out there are some ghosts lingering around. Some of those ghost stories are sad, mournful. Some are downright creepy and macabre. One ghost story surrounds the Ponte Sisto, a bridge running over the Tiber River near Rome's city center. Local lore has it that if you visit the bridge at sunrise, you'll see a carriage charging towards you, being driven by the ghost of Olimpia Maidalchini. She was an advisor to Pope Innocent X. It's said her ghost is fleeing the city with the church's gold, as she was said to have done after Pope Innocent X's death in 1655. While pedestrian traffic is prohibited on the bridge, Rome offers a tour of all things ghost and paranormal called Dark Rome
33. Port Arthur, Tasmania
-Beginning as a penal colony in 1833, this fortress-like building housed prisoners of the British Empire until it was closed in 1847. During those years, the island, which was described as "inescapable", focused on trying to correct the behavior of the inmates. Methods such as solitary confinement and mandatory church services were issued. It has been a popular destination for visitors who love all things historical and paranormal. It was officially considered a preservation site in 1977. Ghost tours are available for the prison and open air museum. The nearby Isle of the Dead is a sort of museum showing the bodies of deceased convicts in unmarked graves
34. Teatro Tapia, Puerto Rico
-Known for natural beauty and rich cultural history, Puerto Rico also has ghosts. One of the spookiest sites in this tropical wonderland is the Teatro Tapia. Located in San Juan, this local theater plays host to paranormal activity. Local lore suggests a local actress fell to her death while performing at the theater. Visitors claim to see her ghost wandering the grounds. Visitors also claim to hear footsteps, see doors swinging open, hearing an unseen choir of voices performing on stage
35. Ancient Ram Inn, England
-It's no surprise that with a country as old as England, there are going to massive amounts of old and spooky buildings. The Ancient Ram Inn is one of those. It was built in 1145 and is located in the quaint village of Wotton-under-Edge. It has served many purposes over the years, including a priest's residence, housing for slaves and masons, an inn and a public house (bar for those who don't know this term). It's also highly haunted. According to Architectural Digest "With ghostly children, a high priestess, and even an incubus wandering the halls, guests have reportedly leapt from the windows in a frenzy to escape."
36. Parador de Jaen, Spain
-This 18th century Arab fortress overlooks the Andalusian landscape. And it's haunted. On the hotel's website, they give the history of the building. A guest in Room 22 was rudely awakened one night by the sound of a woman crying and someone knocking on the door. In the 1980s, a team of paranormal investigators invested the Parador de Jaen and even confirmed Room 22 was haunted. They said it was the spirit of a young woman who had died of a broken heart several centuries ago. Since the investigation, activity has all but ceased. This fortress is also haunted by "Terrible Lizard", the nickname of a prisoner who died of starvation while locked up here
37. Lawang Sewu, Indonesia
-Built in the early 20th century by Dutch colonialists, this red-tiled building is not typical of the architecture of Indonesia. It's name means "Thousand Doors". It served as the headquarters for the Dutch East Indian Railway Company before being taken over by the Japanese in WWII. The Japanese turned it into a detention camp. During the war, interrogations took place, many of them harsh and brutal, tortures and even violent executions took place on the grounds. It's said to be one of Indonesia's most haunted locations. Tourists can visit this rambling structure
38. Dock Street Theatre, Charleston
-The Southern states all have a deep history and all have massive amounts of haunts. The Dock Street Theater in Charleston, South Carolina is no different. This theater was renovated in 2010 and is located in the downtown business district. It has a rather chaotic history. The original theater burned to the ground in 1740. The building that was built on that site was damaged from an earthquake in 1886 and fell into disrepair during the early 20th century. A woman named Nettie Dickerson was struck by lightning while standing on the balcony during the mid-1800s and her ghost is said to traverse the theater's second floor
39. Old Parliament House, Canberra, Australia
-Almost exactly like Savannah, Georgia, which seems to be overrun with spooky activity, Canberra, Australia is the same. This city seems to have an overwhelming number of spooky occurrences. One such location is the Parliamentary Triangle. The Hotel Kurrajong is said to be haunted by the spirit of former Prime Minster Ben Chifley, who died on June 13, 1951 after having a massive heart attack in Room 214. His gray suited spirit is said to appear in that room from time to time. As for the Old Parliament House, this building has ghosts as well. Security guards and cleaning crew report hearing their names whispered softly throughout the night
40. Carl Beck House, Canada
-Built in the 1800s by lumber baron Carl Beck, this house, located in Penetanguishene is one of the most haunted houses in Ontario. Legend states that Carl Beck lived in the house with his family; after his wife passed away, his eldest daughter Mary was put in charge of raising her younger siblings. When Carl died, he left Mary only $1 in his will. Today, an angry female ghost is said to appear in the upstairs windows. It's said that spirit is Mary. Airbnb actually offers stays in the Carl Beck house, starting at $119 a night. Perfect for lovers of Victorian architecture
41. Lord Milner House, South Africa
-South Africa is known not only for its game reserves, but also its ghosts. In addition to being home to the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa is also home to the Lord Milner House. This hotel is located on the edge of the Great Karoo in Matjiesfontein Village. This town was command headquarters during the South African War at the turn of the 20th century. It also seen plenty of war crime hearings. Given the intense history surrounding this village, it's not surprising to find a few ghosts lingering around. On the hotel's website, they do mention the paranormal activity. There are ghostly guests here, including "Lucy", who is a specter seen wearing lingerie making noises behind closed doors occasionally
42. Burg Eltz, Germany
-This Gothic-looking castle dates back to 1157. The most commonly known paranormal tale coming from here surrounds a young countess named Agnes. She was betrothed to a local noble but broke the engagement off after meeting him. The nobleman, angered his to-be wife denied their marriage, laid siege to the castle. Agnes died defending her castle. Her mournful spirit is most often seen in her bedroom, where, on display, is her battle axe and battle armor
43. Eden Brown Estate, Nevis, St. Kitts
-This location is often overshadowed by the beautiful island of St. Kitts. Nevis offers plenty of tropical fun and plenty of fun for those who are morbidly inclined. The example: The Eden Brown Estate. It's a former plantation now in ruins. Originally owned by a wealthy businessman, he intended to give the property to his daughter as a wedding present. But a duel broke out between the groom and the best man. Both died on the day of the wedding. The daughter remained alone and unmarried since. It's said the woman's spirit can be seen roaming the property
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