Buzz
Some cities are known for their fascinating history, picturesque sights, and vibrant attractions. Others, however, have earned their eerie reputation with haunted houses, eerie graveyards, and sinister legends about ghosts, vampires, and unsolved murders. Curious to know whether your city might be among the world's most haunted, or if it's time to change your vacation plans? Grab a crucifix or a pentagram, and join us as we explore the ten most haunted cities on the planet.
10. Estes Park, Colorado
At first glance, Estes Park, Colorado might seem like any ordinary town. But if you’re planning to visit, be wary of its many haunted hotels. Among them, the Stanley Hotel stands out. Famous for inspiring Stephen King's novel, *The Shining*, this hotel offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. During his stay, King reported seeing eerie ghostly children and strange, unearthly figures at a party in the ballroom.
Built in 1909, the Stanley was the first hotel in Colorado to have electricity. During a thunderstorm in 1911, the power went out, and a chambermaid was sent to light the gas lamps. However, a gas leak led to a massive explosion when she entered room 217. Miraculously, she survived and continued to work at the hotel until her passing. Now, it's said that her spirit haunts room 217, often folding guests' clothes and neatly stacking them away.
9. Prague, Czech Republic
Known for its stunning architecture and rich history, Prague is often regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. However, this picturesque city also harbors a dark side, with its own collection of eerie legends and ghostly tales. One of its most notorious spirits is the Mad Barber, a tortured soul cursed to roam the streets at night. Consumed by grief after losing his wife, he lost his sanity and began slashing at unsuspecting passersby with his razor until he was eventually beaten to death by soldiers.
Another of Prague's infamous ghosts is the Begging Skeleton, a friendly yet tragic figure who begs for money from intoxicated people. Once a tall, handsome young man who lived in poverty, he was approached by a medical professor who asked if he would sell his skeleton. The man agreed but met an untimely death in a bar fight shortly after. His skeleton now wanders the streets of Prague, hoping to gather enough money to buy his freedom.
8. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, another city steeped in history, is home to its fair share of eerie legends and haunted locations. Not only is Connolly Station rumored to be haunted by a poltergeist, but the infamous Hellfire Club also looms in the city. Originally intended as a hunting lodge for the wealthy, whispers of dark rituals, including black masses and animal sacrifices, quickly spread. A chilling discovery of a dwarf’s skeleton in a shallow grave nearby only added to the unsettling atmosphere surrounding the club.
Kavanagh’s Pub, also known as Gravedigger’s, located near the Glasnevin Cemetery, is frequented by the ghost of a distinguished old man dressed in tweed. He is said to enjoy his drink at the bar before vanishing into thin air. It is believed that this spirit is a former gravedigger. At St. Michan’s Church, the crypt houses bodies that have been preserved for over 800 years. The stacked coffins and oddly positioned limbs of the dead create a creepy atmosphere, with visitors often reporting unsettling whispers, voices, and the chilling sensation of cold hands gripping them.
7. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, often referred to as ‘the city built upon its dead,’ is a place where houses and public squares stand atop mass graves from the Revolutionary War. It comes as no surprise that this historic city is home to a multitude of haunted sites, each with its own dark and eerie past.
The Lucas Theatre first opened its doors in 1921, closed in 1976 after screening *The Exorcist*, and remained closed until it reopened in 2001. During the theater’s restoration, workers reported strange occurrences, such as hearing applause from nowhere and finding tools that mysteriously vanished.
The Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750, is believed to be a common location for Voodoo rituals. Visitors and mourners have often discovered remnants from these ceremonies before the cemetery began closing its gates at night.
6. Athens, Ohio
The Athens Lunatic Asylum, constructed in 1874 and also known as the Ridges, treated patients with methods such as ice water baths, electric shocks, and lobotomies. Along with the mentally ill, the asylum housed the elderly and unruly teenagers. The facility also contains two haunted cemeteries. One of these cemeteries is particularly eerie, with headstones arranged in a circle, a formation allegedly used by witches for their rituals.
One of the spirits said to haunt the Ridges is that of Margaret Schilling, a patient who vanished without a trace in 1978. Her body was discovered a month later, and the spot where her body had lain was forever marked by a stain in the ground. Despite attempts to remove it, the outline of her shape would mysteriously reappear.
If you think a haunted asylum and two haunted cemeteries are all that make Athens, Ohio, a city filled with ghosts, think again. The town’s cemeteries are arranged in the shape of a pentagram, the university stands atop a Native American burial ground, and ghost towns like Mt. Nebo can be found scattered around.
5. Rome, Italy
Rome is a city rich with ghost stories, and it’s easy to see why. The entire city sits upon ancient catacombs, and throughout its long history, countless dark events have unfolded. One such tale is that of Beatrice Cenci, a 22-year-old woman who was imprisoned in Castel Sant’Angelo for killing her abusive father and later executed. It’s said that her ghost haunts the Sant’Angelo Bridge every year on September 11, carrying her head beneath her arm.
Among the many eerie locations in Rome, the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchins stands out as the creepiest. This crypt is adorned with the skeletons of over 400 monks. Chandeliers crafted from human leg and arm bones hang from the ceiling, and skulls are embedded into the walls. A haunting sign at the entrance reads: “What you are we once were; what we are you will become.”
4. Paris, France
While Paris is widely known for its catacombs, the city also harbors many other chilling sites. At Le Musee des Vampires, you can explore the world’s only real vampire hunter’s collection. Alternatively, venture to Rue Chanoinesse to find the ghost of a man who inspired the character of Sweeney Todd. This former barber lured his victims, killed them, boiled their bodies, and then served their meat in savory patties.
The Eiffel Tower is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl who had intended to break up with her boyfriend on the night he planned to propose. When he proposed to her on the tower, she rejected him. In a fit of rage, he threatened to throw her off the tower. She laughed, not believing him—and he pushed her. It’s said her laughter can still be heard, and her spectral figure occasionally appears near the tower.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, known for its rich history and mysterious past, is one of the most haunted cities in the world. Founded in 1718, it has witnessed a tremendous amount of bloodshed and tragedy. This city is perhaps the only place where a supposedly haunted house can cost more than a regular one.
As the heart of Voodoo, New Orleans is home to the resting place of Voodoo queen Marie Laveau, located in St. Louis Cemetery, regarded as one of the most haunted cemeteries in existence. Marie Laveau is said to roam the cemetery every year on St. John’s Eve (June 23). The spirits of yellow fever victims and fallen Civil War soldiers are frequently reported by visitors to the cemetery.
The infamous house of Madame Delphine LaLaurie, located in the French Quarter, is one of the most haunted mansions in the city. After a fire ravaged the house, a horrific discovery was made: a hidden torture chamber in the attic. Madame LaLaurie tortured slaves, performing unspeakable acts, including vivisection and mutilation. It is said that the spirits of those tortured still haunt the mansion to this day.
2. London, England
London is renowned as one of the world’s most haunted capitals, with a history steeped in ghostly tales. One chilling encounter took place in 1907, when a man was strolling along the London Wall. Suddenly, a hand emerged from the wall, blocking his way. He quickly turned away in shock, and when he dared to glance back, he saw a figure dressed in dark clothing walk straight into the wall and vanish.
Among London’s most famous specters is the Highgate Vampire. The Highgate Cemetery, abandoned in the 1960s, became a crumbling, forgotten place. In its prime, it was the final resting place of the city's wealthiest families, who sought to outdo one another with extravagant graves and crypts. Many eerie reports come from this cemetery, including sightings of the Highgate Vampire. Imagine walking along a dark street near the cemetery gates, when you suddenly see a tall, shadowy figure with glowing red eyes. Such encounters were so frequently reported that a vampire hunt was conducted in the 1970s—but it was unsuccessful.
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, carries a haunting legacy filled with bloodshed and misery. One of its most notorious sites is the South Bridge Vaults. Originally constructed in the 18th century to house businesses like taverns and cobblers, the vaults became a place of horror after a flood in 1975 claimed numerous lives. These vaults were forgotten until the rise of homelessness, which was then punishable by death. Desperate souls took refuge there, and illegal activities flourished, including several brothels. Infamously, body snatchers Burke and Hare are said to have hunted for victims within these vaults, selling their remains to medical schools.
Paranormal events are an almost daily occurrence in Edinburgh Castle, where staff frequently hear music, footsteps, and voices from unseen sources. Another notorious ghostly site is Greyfriars Kirkyard, where many renowned figures are buried. Part of the cemetery is said to be haunted by a poltergeist, and visitors often leave with mysterious bruises, scratches, and cuts from their time there.
