Five Spookiest Places to Visit in October

October is the perfect time of year for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters to explore the world’s spookiest places. As Halloween approaches, eerie legends, haunted histories, and dark tales take centre stage, drawing in those who love a good scare. From haunted castles to ghostly cities, here are five of the spookiest places to visit in October:

1. Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Known for its infamous witch trials in 1692, Salem has long been synonymous with the supernatural. During October, the entire town transforms into a celebration of all things spooky, hosting the month-long Salem Haunted Happenings festival. Ghost tours, re-enactments of the witch trials, haunted houses, and witchcraft demonstrations bring the town's dark history to life. Must-visit sites include the Witch House, the Salem Witch Museum, and the Old Burying Point Cemetery, where some of the trial’s figures are laid to rest.

2. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is steeped in ghost stories and paranormal activity, making it one of the most haunted cities in Europe. Beneath the city lies a labyrinth of ancient vaults and tunnels, such as the Edinburgh Vaults and Mary King's Close, where tales of murder, plague victims, and restless spirits abound. The towering Edinburgh Castle is also believed to be haunted, with sightings of ghostly pipers and former prisoners. Come October, the city’s atmospheric cobblestone streets and medieval architecture add to its already eerie charm.

3. The Catacombs of Paris, France

Deep beneath the romantic streets of Paris lies a network of tunnels that house the remains of over six million people, known as the Paris Catacombs. In the 18th century, bones were transferred here from overcrowded cemeteries, and the skull-lined walls have since become one of the most macabre sites in the world. Visitors can walk through a small section of this subterranean maze, but it’s the eerie silence and dark history that make the experience unforgettable—and spine-chilling.

4. Bran Castle, Romania (Dracula’s Castle)

Perched atop a cliff in Transylvania, Bran Castle is famously associated with Vlad the Impaler, the real-life figure behind Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula. Though Vlad never lived in the castle, his ruthless legacy combined with the Gothic architecture has cemented it as the setting for many vampire myths. In October, especially around Halloween, the castle hosts spooky tours and Dracula-themed events, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in one of the most famous horror legends of all time.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans has a rich history of voodoo, ghosts, and the supernatural, making it one of the spookiest cities in America. October is the perfect time to explore its haunted past, from the eerie St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where voodoo queen Marie Laveau is said to rest, to the infamous LaLaurie Mansion, where horrific crimes were committed in the 1800s. The city’s French Quarter is filled with haunted bars, ghost tours, and eerie legends, and its vibrant culture blends a love of the macabre with a festive Halloween spirit.