30 Most Haunted Places in the World

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While some haunted houses can seem a little hokey — filled with actors dressed as ghouls, goblins, and mad scientists — there are several spots around the globe with reputations for being truly haunted.

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Some of these places are shrouded in mystery, with legends passed down for centuries. Others are much newer, but are steeped in their tragic pasts. Whether these spots are from the 12th or 20th century, each has an interesting history, with plenty of ghost sightings and creepy experiences.

Ghost hunters everywhere are always trying to catch a glimpse of a spirit wandering a haunted hallway, hear mysterious voices in an empty room, or even feel a chill as they're investigating a dark corridor. Luckily enough, there are numerous reportedly haunted places that are open for public tours or even overnight stays.

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No matter where you are in the world, there's probably a haunted house, hotel, or old historical site that's waiting for you to visit. Not only are there plenty of places in the U.S. to send a chill up your spine — from the Winchester Mystery House in California to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania — there are lots of eerie destinations across the pond, too.

Ghosts, strange sounds and lights, and even UFO experiences have been reported at these famous places in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Romania, and as far as Australia and China.

Here are 30 of the most haunted places in the world.

01 of 30

Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England

This gorgeous country home also has a dark past. The mysterious "Brown Lady," rumored to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, was reported to be one of the apparitions captured on film in the December 1936 edition of Country Life. Guests can visit the home on Open Days throughout the year.

02 of 30

Poveglia, Venice, Italy

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A short trip from Venice, the beautiful island of Poveglia was once a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague. In addition, the island was used as an insane asylum in the early 20th century. Ghost hunters claim this spot is a hotbed of paranormal activity, but visits are currently prohibited.

03 of 30

Bhangarh Fort, India

Two hundred miles from Delhi, this abandoned fortress sticks out in the middle of the desert. Legend has it that a sorcerer cast a curse on the area after being rejected by a local princess. Guests can still visit the fort's impressive ruins today.

04 of 30

Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, England

ancient ram inn england haunted — Matthew Bigwood / Alamy

This 12th-century inn is one of the oldest in the Western world. It is believed to have once been a pagan burial ground, and boasts that it is haunted by more than 20 spirits, including ghost children and a pagan high priestess. Fearless travelers can book a ghost hunt at the inn in hopes of experiencing the spirits themselves.

05 of 30

Port Arthur, Australia

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There are many ghost tours around Port Arthur to satisfy worldly ghost hunters. Formerly an 18th-century convict settlement, the Tasmanian town is now a hotbed of paranormal activity.

06 of 30

The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

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This beautiful ocean liner spent 30 years at sea before permanently docking in Long Beach and becoming a tourist attraction. During her tenure, she logged more than 50 deaths, which makes her a truly haunted ship.

07 of 30

Burg Wolfsegg, Wolfsegg, Germany

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This 800-year-old castle in the municipality of Wolfsegg, Germany, is apparently haunted by a woman who scares off any visitors who pass. She is rumored to be the ghost of Klara von Helfenstein, who was reportedly murdered by her jealous husband. The castle is open for visitors on weekends and holidays from May through mid-October.

08 of 30

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

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This allegedly haunted bed-and-breakfast is the sight of a gruesome and highly publicized murder that occurred in 1892. Although she was acquitted, Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in the unassuming home. Since then, guests have reported all manner of strange sightings in the house. Ghost tours and overnight stays are available for intrepid travelers who want to experience the notorious home for themselves.

09 of 30

Casa Loma, Toronto, Canada

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Completed in 1914, this Gothic Revival-style house is filled with corridors and secret passageways. Tales of ghosts have been whispered around the property for decades, and you can still take a tour of it today. The home hosts several events throughout the year, and there are two restaurants on the grounds, too.

10 of 30

Château de Brissac, Brissac-Quincé, France

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This towering building is famously known as the place where Charlotte de Brézé was murdered. According to the legend, Charlotte, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, was killed by her husband after discovering her affair. Visitors claim to have seen a "Green Lady," named for the color of her dress, roaming the halls. You can still visit the stately castle (and the architecture alone is worth the trip). Check the website for opening times.

11 of 30

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

This famous Rocky Mountain destination is known as one of the inspirations for Stephen King's "The Shining," but it also has its own spooky past. Allegedly, staff members have encountered ghosts, such as a maid from Room 217 who is known to pack away guests' clothing when they aren't looking. The hotel now offers four different styles of accommodations, and it's a great home base if you want to explore Rocky Mountain National Park.

12 of 30

Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Canada

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Ever since it was completed in 1888, this hotel has been associated with paranormal activity. One of the most famous legends is of the "Ghost Bride," a woman who reportedly awaits people in the hotel ballroom. The postcard-perfect hotel still welcomes guests to the heart of Banff National Park.

13 of 30

St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida

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This lighthouse became infamous during the Civil War when the light was removed to disrupt Union shipping — just part of the structure's long, and sometimes tragic, history. However, visitors have reported seeing the friendly ghost of a lighthouse keeper there. Today, you can visit the lighthouse during the day or take a ghost tour at night.

14 of 30

One If by Land, Two If by Sea, New York, New York

one if by land two if by sea new york restaurant — Courtesy of One If By Land, Two If By Sea

This West Village establishment is a New York City treasure, but some of the guests who frequent it may not be totally of this plane. The restaurant was once the carriage house of Aaron Burr, and it is rumored that his ghost still haunts the place.

15 of 30

Tower of London, London, England

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Many historic people have called the Tower of London their final resting place. The infamous fortress has been steeped in tragedy for over 900 years, and it's home to many ghostly sightings of English royalty, including Anne Boleyn and Mary, Queen of Scots. This tower is a must for anyone visiting London, but ghost hunters will also want to look out for any apparitions during their visit.

16 of 30

The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana

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One of America's most haunted sites, this plantation is reportedly home to at least 12 different ghosts, including that of William Winter, who was murdered in the house.

17 of 30

Tao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Over 24 acres of gardens make Tao Dan Park look like a paradise, but at night, locals have reported that the space takes on a different feel. Rumors say that the ghost of a young man who was killed in an attack still wanders the park, looking for his lost love.

18 of 30

The Old Vicarage, Borgvattnet, Sweden

haunted vicarage borgvattnet sweden — Johannes Hansen / Alamy

Borgvattnet is a small village in northern Sweden, known for having one of the most haunted houses in the country, the old vicarage. Inhabitants of the home have reported a number of sightings, including a lady in gray, as well as unexplained sounds and moving objects. The house now serves as an inn and restaurant.

19 of 30

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

After the death of her husband, rifle magnate William Wirt Winchester, Sarah Winchester commissioned this dizzying labyrinth of a house in order to keep safe from vengeful spirits killed by her husband's guns. The home has four stories, 160 rooms, 10,000 panes of glass, and 47 stairways — some of which go nowhere at all. There are several house tours available, including a spooky All Hallows' Eve tour.

20 of 30

The Driskill, Austin, Texas

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Many big-name celebrities have stayed at this old hotel since 1886, so there's bound to be a ghost haunting the hallways. Some of the most famous tales surrounding the property include two honeymooning women who took their own lives in the same room 20 years apart. The downtown Austin hotel still welcomes guests today.

21 of 30

Akershus Fortress, Norway

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This medieval castle served as a defensive stronghold for the city of Oslo, and it is rumored to be the most haunted place in Norway. The most popular sightings include a demon dog named Malcanisen, who is said to guard the gates to the castle, and the ghost of a woman with no facial features, named Mantelgeisten. It's free to visit the castle, so ghost-chasing travelers will want to check it out when they're in Oslo.

22 of 30

Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa

This giant fortress originally served as a replenishment station for ships in the Dutch East India Company. Some of the most famous ghosts to wander the grounds include a tall man seen walking the ramparts and a "Gray Lady" seen crying in the halls. Visitors can still tour the fortress to learn more about South African history.

23 of 30

Catacombs, Paris, France

The Paris Catacombs are truly spooky, with the remains of more than six million people located in the underground tunnels. You can still tour some of the tunnels today, but be warned, as they're not for the faint of heart.

24 of 30

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

This 12th-century fortress has seen a lot of history over the years. Many different experiences have been reported, including unexplained music echoing through the halls. Some guests believe the music is from the ghost of a piper who died in the castle. You can tour the castle on your next trip to Scotland's capital city.

25 of 30

Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Many people would not assume the Forbidden City, located in the center of modern Beijing, is haunted, but ghost hunters who are interested in local lore know better. One apparition that was first reported in the 1940s is of a woman in white who can be heard sobbing in the halls of the palace. The impressive Forbidden City is a must-visit for travelers in Beijing, whether or not you believe in ghosts.

26 of 30

Hoia Baciu Forest, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Image of the Hoia Baciu forest, one of the most haunted forest in the world in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania — Getty Images

This forest, located in northwestern Romania, is considered the most haunted in the world. Visitors often report intense feelings of anxiety and the sense of being watched while traveling through the area. Some of the most common sightings include ghosts, unexplained apparitions, faces appearing in photographs that were not visible with the naked eye, and even some UFOs.

27 of 30

Kehoe House, Savannah, Georgia

This beautiful home was completed in 1892 by William and Anne Kehoe. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family when two of their 10 children died in the house. Since the home was turned into a bed-and-breakfast, guests have noted mysterious sounds of children playing. Ghost-chasing guests visiting Savannah — a notoriously haunted city — might want to make this hotel their home base.

28 of 30

Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War, so it's no wonder the area seems to be teeming with paranormal energy. Many visitors have reported seeing apparitions of Civil War soldiers wandering the fields — you can take a ghost tour to learn more about the area's tragic history.

29 of 30

Corvin Castle, Hunedoara, Romania

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If you're looking for the inspiration for the original vampire myth, look no further than Vlad the Impaler. The bloodthirsty ruler was kept prisoner in Corvin Castle, where many strange sightings have been reported. Find details about visiting the castle, including opening dates and times, on its website.

30 of 30

Lawang Sewu, Semarang, Indonesia

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The former railway building (and World War II prison) is believed to be the most haunted place in Indonesia. Among the many ghosts that have been reported here, the most popular include a Dutch woman, headless spirits, and a kuntilanak (a female vampiric ghost in Malaysian and Indonesian mythology). Visitors can check out the historic building to see if they spot anything out of the ordinary.

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