Are you brave enough to explore the haunted and creepy places? Do you hear your soul summoned by spirits in abandoned asylums, eerie castles and ghost towns to come, visit them? Alright then grab a flashlight, tighten your shoelaces and get ready for an adventure that will give you goosebumps. Let’s take a walk through the 10 creepiest haunted places to visit around the world. From the chilling corridors of haunted hospitals to the darkest corners of forgotten mansions, these haunted places to visit are not for ones with a faint heart.
Poveglia Island – Venice, Italy
Many would argue that this sinister island is the most haunted place in the world. Poveglia was once a quarantine zone, a mental asylum and now considered a ghost-infested no-go zone with its creepy abandoned buildings. Visitors to this place claim to hear tortured screams and see phantom figures drifting through the decaying buildings. Even ghost hunters hesitate before stepping foot on this scary land.
Tourism board avoid promoting Poveglia directly, so the public is not allowed there officially. But a few daring private operators offer boat views and storytelling tours from the lagoon which makes this place a potential hotspot for adventurous photographers and paranormal vloggers.
Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, USA
This prison which is crumbing down is the definition of scary haunted and abandoned places. Visitors speak of whispers, shadowy figures and an overwhelming feeling of dread. Completed with themed tours and heart-pounding scares, this is one of the most iconic haunted places to visit for Halloween.
Al Capone, one of the most notorious American gangsters in history has been imprisoned here and his ghost is said to pace his former cell to this day. The echoing footsteps and ghostly moans are documented at this place for years proving that they are not just Halloween theatrics. Yet this is one of the best-developed haunted attractions where they offer daytime historical tours and nighttime ghost tours such as `Terror Behind the Walls’ during Halloween. A must-visit for fans who love the spooky season.
Hashima Island – Japan
This eerily isolated coal mining facility nicknamed Battleship Island is one of the most creepy abandoned places around the world. Towering ruins, rusting machinery and empty buildings make it a ghost town. This isle is used as a backdrop in films like Skyfall while its ghostly silence and twisted wreckage give the feeling that something or someone is still lingering around.
This abandoned island is now part of UNESCO heritage tours. You can go on a guided walk tour which explains its tragic past while exploring eerie, crumbling structures. This place is much popular with urban explorers and documentary filmmakers.
The Catacombs – Paris, France
Paris, the romantic city hides over six million skeletons under its ground. That sure doesn’t sound that romantic! Wandering through these catacombs is like stepping into another world and is one of the most haunted places to visit if you dare confront your deepest fears.
Strange sounds, lost tourists and apparitions have been reported for centuries here. These endless tunnels have become an adventurous labyrinth for both history enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike and it is also one of Paris’s eeriest tourist stops, with well-organized entry, multilingual guides and audio tours.
Pripyat – Ukraine
Pripyat which was abandoned after the Chernobyl disaster, is the perfect example for abandoned places on Earth. The haunting silence of this place is broken only by the echoes of the past and paranormal investigators often list this city among the most haunted places to visit. Creepy dolls, silent amusement parks and radioactive ruins makes up the landscape here. The atmosphere makes the visitors unsettled hinting of something dark that took its place many years back.
Tourism here surged post-HBO’s Chernobyl and this place became popular with adventurous millennials. Licensed operators now offer safe and guided day tours from Kyiv that includes visits to the Ferris wheel, schools and apartments that stand still in silence.
Hoia Baciu Forest – Romania
Often called the “Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania,” this forest is well-known for strange lights, voices and disappearances. This is a must visit for Halloween fans and is a scary abandoned place which looks like it is straight out of a nightmare. Locals believe the forest is cursed and say even the most experienced hikers lose their way in minutes.
Trees in this forest grow in unnatural patterns and electronics mysteriously fail inside its depths. The forest which is located near Cluj-Napoca attracts paranormal enthusiasts, UFO seekers and Halloween tourists. Some local guides offer full moon hikes and folklore-based storytelling walks.
The Myrtles Plantation – Louisiana, USA
Believed to be built on a Native American burial ground, this mansion is one of the haunted places you must visit in America. According to the stories, it is believed that the ghost of a slave girl named Chloe is roaming there and ghostly figures in the windows have been often captured.
The staircase, mirror and children’s bedrooms are said to be hotspots for ghosts sightings. It is believed that over a dozen alleged murders took place here and some spirits have not moved on. This mansion is a popular haunted B&B with ghost-themed accommodations. Guests can sleep in rooms thought to be haunted and join evening tours. This is a great place for romantic adventurous couples or history-loving ghost chasers.
Bhangarh Fort – India
This 17th-century ruin, which is said to be the most haunted fort in India is strictly closed after sunset. According to legend, a wizard had cursed the town, leading to its eerie isolation. Visitors often feel watched and report an oppressive energy that becomes stronger at dusk at this fort, located between Delhi and Jaipur. Entry is legally prohibited at night and even the authorities refuse to patrol the area.
Aokigahara Forest – Japan
This dense woodland at the base of Mt. Fuji which is also known as the “Suicide Forest” is covered with dark energy. Known for its deep silence and ghost sightings, it is considered as one of the most haunted and tragic places to visit around the world. Signs persuading visitors to reconsider their actions cover the forest and lost souls are believed to be roaming among the trees. This is a place of both mourning and mystery due to suicides reported here and tourism here is very sensitive. Travelers are encouraged to take guided hikes to learn about the forest’s ecology and legends.
Humberstone – Chile
This old nitrate mining town in the Atacama Desert is an original ghost town. Creaky playgrounds and crumbling homes create an unsettling atmosphere, making it one of the creepiest abandoned places around the world for bold explorers. Ghost sightings date back decades while unexplainable footsteps are still heard. This town is a part of UNESCO ghost town tours and is a favorite spot for photographers and architecture lovers.
Dare to Enter?
At times you may find facing what we fear the most has a certain thrill. There are scary abandoned places, spooky legends or haunted forest are waiting to be discovered. You will find ghostly destinations around the world that will send chills down your spine. So, grab both your courage and the camera and set out to explore the haunted places around the world to add some novel and thrilling experience to your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people really see ghosts at these locations?
Reports of paranormal activity are common at many haunted sites. People describe feeling cold spots, seeing shadows, hearing voices, or even capturing unexplained figures in photos.
Is it safe to visit haunted or abandoned places?
Yes — if you go with a licensed guide or follow safety rules. Many haunted locations are in decaying or remote areas, so wandering alone or without permission can be dangerous. Stick to designated paths, wear proper gear, and travel in groups.
Are these places open to the public?
Most haunted sites are open to tourists, often with guided tours or special access hours. However, some like Poveglia Island or certain parts of Chernobyl may require special permits or licensed tour operators.
When is the best time to go on a haunted tour?
October, especially during Halloween season, is peak time for haunted tours. However, many destinations offer year-round ghost walks, night tours, and special events. Nighttime tours are usually the most spookiest!
