Most Haunted Places in the World
October always brings out all the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins! And fun-loving LGBTQ+ folx are no different especially when it comes to donning creative Halloween costumes. And some queer travelers also have a strange curiosity and fascination for a chilling ghost tale or haunted destination. So, we pulled together this list of creepy catacombs, haunted hotels, and other grisly spots around the world if you enjoy traveling to find spine-tingling thrills. Take a look at our list of the 15 most haunted places around the globe.
The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado, US)
If you enjoy a good horror movie, like The Shining (1977), you have to add the Stanley Hotel to your to-do list. Stay a few nights at the main filming location for this classic movie. Next to actor Jack Nicholson, the hotel is the second biggest star and leading character of this famous frightening flick.
The Paris Catacombs (Paris)
Take a trip to the City of Light to visit the depths of the city to explore its creepy Les Catacombs de Paris. The underground tunnels hold the remains of more than six million people. Tourists can take a tour of the catacombs – an experience that’s sure to bring an eerie twist to the typical trip itinerary for Paris.
The Forbidden City (Beijing, China)
Several ghosts are known to be lurking in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! As early as the 1940s, a weeping woman in white in the palace is just one of several spooky tales about the popular tourist attraction. Ghosts or not, it’s still worth a visit if you’re in Beijing.
Old Adelaide Gaol (Adelaide, Australia)
Cited as one of the most haunted places in Australia, Old Adelaide Gaol is a former prison that operated from 1841 to 1988. Previous deceased inmates and officers are said to roam the halls. Book a self-guided or private tour and you may experience paranormal sightings as other visitors have claimed.
Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts, US)
The Lizzie Borden House is a bed and breakfast as well as a museum that’s home to one of America’s greatest unsolved murder mysteries. Lizzie Borden was acquitted but suspected in the axe murder of her father and stepmother. Although later found untrue, there were rumors that Borden’s parents found out about her secret affair with the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, triggering the alleged double hatchet murder.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Banff, Alberta, Canada)
Queers who enjoy a haunted luxury hotel should consider making a reservation at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel located in the heart of Banff National Park. It has been the scene for many murders, suicides, and accidents spanning over 100 years. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to stay in room No. 873 because it was permanently sealed after a murder-suicide, where a man allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life.
The Island of Dolls (Mexico City, Mexico)
If you’re making your way through Mexico City, you should add a haunted stop to the creepy Island of the Dolls, located in the channels of Xochimilco (south of the city). Former owner Julian Santana Barrera placed several dolls of all kinds around the island because he thought the dolls would chase away the spirit of a girl who drowned years ago.
Raynham Hall (Norfolk, England)
One of England’s famous ghost stories is about the “Brown Lady” at Raynham Hall. The mysterious “Brown Lady” apparition is said to be Lady Dorothy Walpole who was locked in a chamber below Raynham Hall, where she died from smallpox. If you’re interested in history, politics, and haunted tales – this is the perfect haunted destination for you!
The Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas, US)
In queer-friendly Eureka Springs, The Crescent Hotel isn’t just known for its five-star service. It is believed that the hotel holds a portal to “the other side”! Luckily you can hear all about this as well as the multiple ghost sightings when you take the hotel’s ghost tour.
La Noria, Chile
The Chilean ghost town La Noria and its cemetery attract travelers from around the world. Located in the Atacama Desert, the town was deserted after stiff competition from other mining towns in 1901. It is believed that former deceased residents roam freely around the town at night, and a walk through the cemetery is said to be “not for the faint of heart.”
The Old Candler Hospital & Forsyth Park (Savannah, Georgia, US)
Savannah is known to many for its serenity, however, the whispers of its dark past put a sinister lens on the city. It is worth visiting the Old Candler Hospital and a nearby underground tunnel below Forsyth Park, famous for its gruesome past following the yellow fever epidemic in 1820 and 1854 where more than 1,500 people died. Delve into the tragic history of the landmark and take a tour along the morgue tunnel where apparitions and paranormal activity have been spotted.
Hoia-Baciu Forest (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
If you know the history of the Hoia-Baciu Forest, then you probably believe that if you wander into the forest, you may never come out. There have been countless disappearances over the span of a century. Most notably, a man and his 200 sheep went missing and have never been found. only to never be found. Visitors have had an intense feeling of being watched while traveling through the area. Ghosts, unexplained apparitions, and even UFOs are a few common sightings here.
Pemuteran Underwater Temple (Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali)
Travelers looking for a water activity to pair with their interest in fright should explore the Pemuteran Underwater Temple. It was never really a downed religious site, but it was actually built by local businesses and artists. Snorkelers and divers usually avoid this area because of the low visibility – who knows what creatures lurk below?
East Martello Museum (Key West, Florida)
If you prefer to stay dry, visit the East Martello Museum in Key West. This museum holds a shocking artifact… Robert the Doll. It’s believed to possess supernatural abilities to move, make facial expressions, and even laugh. Be on your best behavior, as it is believed that joking around about the doll has led to car accidents, divorce, and other devastating incidents.
Aokigahara Forest (Honshu, Japan)
Last but not lucky if you end up here. Aokigahara, also known as the Sea of Trees, is a forest located near Mount Fiji. Upon entry, there are explicit warning signs for people who are potentially experiencing troubling thoughts because it’s known to be an unfortunate suicide destination in Japan. The trees block significant sunlight creating a very somber backdrop. Enter at your own risk.
Looking for more haunted travel destinations? Check out our list of chilling filming locations for some popular movies and TV shows.
