Unveiling the World's Most Haunted Locales
Each location listed below is steeped in history, often marked by tragedy and suffering. These events have, according to legend, left indelible marks on the very fabric of these places, creating hotspots for ghostly activity and unexplained phenomena. Get ready to explore the legends, the history, and the reported experiences that make these destinations the epitome of haunted.
Place Location Why It's Haunted Reported Phenomena Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh, Scotland Centuries of sieges, executions, and imprisonment. Phantom piper, spectral dogs, and disembodied footsteps. The Tower of London London, England Site of countless executions, imprisonments, and royal intrigue. Anne Boleyn's ghost, apparitions of former prisoners, and cold spots. Aokigahara Forest Mount Fuji, Japan Infamous suicide forest with a dark history. Restless spirits of the deceased, unsettling atmosphere, and navigational difficulties. Bhangarh Fort Rajasthan, India Cursed by a sorcerer according to local legend. Shadows, unexplained noises, and the feeling of being watched, leading to a government ban on visiting after dark. Monte Cristo Homestead Junee, Australia Tragic deaths and a history of mistreatment and neglect. Apparitions of former residents, unexplained lights, and the sound of crying babies. Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville, Kentucky, USA Former tuberculosis sanatorium with thousands of deaths. Shadow figures, disembodied voices, and cold spots, particularly in the "death tunnel." Eastern State Penitentiary Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Former prison known for its harsh conditions and solitary confinement. Shadowy figures, disembodied screams, and the feeling of being watched. The Myrtles Plantation St. Francisville, Louisiana, USA Site of multiple deaths and a history of slavery. Chloe, a former slave, is said to haunt the property. Handprints appear on mirrors and furniture moves on its own. Rose Hall Great House Montego Bay, Jamaica Legend of Annie Palmer, the "White Witch," who murdered her husbands and slaves. Annie Palmer's ghost, cold spots, and unexplained phenomena. La Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires, Argentina Home to elaborate mausoleums and the spirits of wealthy families. The ghost of David Alleno, a former gravedigger, and other unexplained occurrences. Island of the Dolls Mexico City, Mexico Dedicated to a girl who drowned nearby, and filled with hundreds of dolls. The dolls are said to move their heads and whisper to each other. The Ancient Ram Inn Wotton-under-Edge, England Built on a pagan burial ground and rumored to be the site of child sacrifice. Demonic activity, shadowy figures, and poltergeist activity. Lawang Sewu Semarang, Indonesia Former Dutch East Indies Railway Company headquarters and later used as a prison during World War II. Apparitions of headless figures, screaming, and the scent of decay. Château de Brissac Maine-et-Loire, France Home to the Green Lady, a woman murdered in the castle in the 15th century. The Green Lady's ghost, moans and groans, and cold spots. Akershus Fortress Oslo, Norway Medieval fortress and former prison with a long history of conflict. The ghost of a dog named "Malcanisen," unexplained whispers, and the feeling of being watched. Burg Wolfsegg Bavaria, Germany Legend of a murdered countess who roams the castle. The White Woman, strange noises, and cold spots. The Banff Springs Hotel Banff, Alberta, Canada Hotel with several reported ghostly encounters. The ghost of a bride who died on her wedding day and a former bellman who continues to serve guests. RMS Queen Mary Long Beach, California, USA Ocean liner with a history of accidents and deaths. Apparitions of sailors and passengers, unexplained noises, and cold spots. Whaley House San Diego, California, USA Built on a former graveyard and home to several deaths. The Whaley family's ghosts, unexplained noises, and the scent of cigar smoke. Raynham Hall Norfolk, England Home to the Brown Lady, believed to be Lady Dorothy Walpole. The Brown Lady's photograph, strange noises, and cold spots. Edinburgh Vaults Edinburgh, Scotland A series of chambers beneath the city, used for storage, businesses, and illicit activities. Apparitions, disembodied voices, and a generally oppressive atmosphere. Fort George Highlands, Scotland 18th-century fortress with a tragic past. The spirit of a young soldier, unexplained footsteps, and feelings of unease. Hellfire Club Dublin, Ireland Ruins of a hunting lodge with tales of devil worship and dark rituals. Shadowy figures, animalistic noises, and a sense of profound dread. Borley Rectory Essex, England Once dubbed "The Most Haunted House in England," now demolished. Apparitions of a nun and other spectral figures, poltergeist activity. Although the original building is gone, the area is still said to be active. Leap Castle County Offaly, Ireland Home to a gruesome history and a "bloody chapel." A shadowy elemental creature and other malevolent spirits. Monte Pellier Mansion Bowie, Maryland, USA Haunted by former residents and slaves. Apparitions, unexplained noises, and the feeling of being watched. Screaming Tunnel Niagara Falls, Canada Legend of a girl who was burned alive in the tunnel. Screams and a strange burning smell. Hotel del Salto San Antonio del Tequendama, Colombia Abandoned hotel near a waterfall with a history of suicides. Apparitions of people who jumped to their deaths, feelings of sadness, and unexplained phenomena. Banff Springs Hotel Banff, Alberta, Canada Hotel with several reported ghostly encounters. The ghost of a bride who died on her wedding day and a former bellman who continues to serve guests. Hoia-Baciu Forest Cluj-Napoca, Romania Known as the "Bermuda Triangle of Romania," with strange disappearances and UFO sightings. Unexplained lights, feelings of anxiety, and missing time. The White House Washington, D.C., USA Home to several presidential ghosts. Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and other former presidents have been reportedly sighted. Gettysburg Battlefield Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA Site of a major Civil War battle with thousands of casualties. Apparitions of soldiers, unexplained noises, and the feeling of being watched. Salem, Massachusetts Salem, Massachusetts, USA Site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. The spirits of those wrongly accused and executed, unexplained phenomena, and a sense of oppression. Queen Anne Hotel San Francisco, California, USA Former finishing school and home to the ghost of the school's headmistress. The ghost of Miss Mary Lake, unexplained noises, and cold spots. Villisca Axe Murder House Villisca, Iowa, USA Site of a brutal axe murder in 1912. Unexplained noises, shadows, and a generally oppressive atmosphere.
