The spooky season is creeping closer, and Halloween on October 31 is the perfect excuse to mix travel with a touch of fright! As pumpkins glow, witches take flight, and trick-or-treaters fill the streets, why not pack your bags for a ghostly getaway? If exploring eerie towns, haunted castles, and mysterious cemeteries sounds thrilling, these seven Halloween destinations should be on your travel bucket list this year.
1. Derry, Northern Ireland
Often called the Halloween Capital of the World, Derry hosts Europe’s biggest Halloween celebration. This four-day festival attracts over 100,000 visitors each year with its spectacular “Awakening the Walled City Trail.” Expect giant puppets, firelight parades, and towering skeletons marching through the streets. Guildhall Square transforms into the “Heart of Samhain,” while Bishop Street becomes a spooky playground for zombies and wailing nuns. Don’t miss the glowing pumpkins and live performances on Pump Street—it’s a hauntingly fun experience for everyone.
2. Transylvania, Romania
Home to the legendary Dracula, Transylvania is every horror lover’s dream. The region’s fog-covered forests, gothic castles, and eerie mountain views create the perfect Halloween backdrop. Visit Bran Castle, famously associated with Bram Stoker’s vampire tale, and explore its shadowy halls and secret chambers. During Halloween, the town comes alive with vampire-themed parties, tours, and folklore-inspired festivities that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Gothic novel.
3. Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, Salem embraces its dark past with a month-long celebration called Haunted Happenings. The Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, fireworks, psychic fairs, and ghost tours turn the city into a spellbinding Halloween hub. Visit landmarks like the Charter Street Cemetery and the Witch House, once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin. Salem is the ultimate destination for anyone who loves magic, mystery, and history with a twist.
4. Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA
Welcome to the town that inspired The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! This charming New York village celebrates Halloween like no other. Stroll through the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where author Washington Irving rests, or take a ghostly walking tour through the Old Dutch Church and nearby woods. The Irvington Woods and candlelit trails make this destination an enchanting (and eerie) autumn escape.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
With its gothic architecture, voodoo culture, and mysterious energy, New Orleans is one of the best cities to celebrate Halloween in the U.S. The French Quarter bursts to life with haunted tours, masquerade parades, and eerie performances. The city’s famous funeral parades and voodoo rituals add a uniquely spooky charm. For thrill seekers, stay at the legendary Hotel Monteleone, rumored to be the most haunted hotel in town.
6. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s cobbled streets and gothic architecture make it an ideal Halloween getaway. The city’s haunting beauty is unmatched—especially when you visit its Torture Museum or centuries-old cemeteries. Halloween in Prague also means lively fests, street carnivals, and eerie events across the Old Town. As night falls, the flickering lanterns and misty river views create a spine-chilling yet magical atmosphere.
7. London, England
Few cities carry as much dark history as London. From Jack the Ripper’s gruesome tales to the ghosts of the Tower of London, the city offers countless ways to explore its sinister side. October transforms London into HorrOctober, featuring film screenings of horror classics like The Shining and Nosferatu at the Prince Charles Cinema. You can also join guided night walks through Hampstead Heath or the city’s haunted pubs for a chilling end to your Halloween adventure.
