If you’re interested in all things macabre and supernatural, prepare for your preferred time of year, as Halloween is almost upon us. Between gorging on sweets and carving creepy pictures into pumpkins, why not take the time explore a notoriously haunted spot by heading to one of the best places to spend Halloween in Europe?
With France, Belgium, and Ireland on your doorstep, and their long and tumultuous history to discover, bloodcurdling landmarks are just a ferry ride away – but are you brave enough to conquer one of these seriously spooky landmarks this Halloween?
1. Devilish Dover Castle at Halloween
If you’re making the 21-mile journey across the Channel to Calais via ferry, be sure to stop a while at one of the most famously spooky spots in the UK. Standing proudly atop the White Cliffs, not only is Dover Castle one of the largest strongholds in England, it is also purported to be one of the most haunted, making a great place to spend Halloween in Europe.
This ancient fortress has played an important part in guarding Britain from invaders since 1066 – although some historians believe there has been some kind of fort on the site for over 2,000 years. With all those years of history, no wonder it’s rife with ghostly goings on! The most famous phantom is a headless drummer boy from the Napoleonic Wars. The gloomy lad was supposedly killed in the labyrinth of subterranean passages that lie beneath the castle. He reportedly shares his home – the tunnels of the old keep – with a chilling woman who stalks the passages in a flowing, blood-coloured dress and several World War II personnel.
Prepare for plenty of cold shivers…
2. Creepy Catacombs in Paris
It might be known as the City of Lights, but with Halloween around the corner, why not take the time to explore the darker side of Paris? While the romantic connotations of the French capital are familiar to all, not everyone is aware of the city’s deadly underground. Back in the 17th Century, Paris was a filthy, crime-ridden cesspool. The streets were caked in mud, with chamber pots regularly emptied out of windows, and on slaughter days, the sludge would turn red with blood. (Needless to say, it’s a bit grander these days.)
With no established police force or electricity, the disease-ridden city was especially dangerous after sun went down. Graveyards around the city began to overflow, with more and more people dying due to the horrific conditions. That’s when Archaeologist Alexandre Lenoir came up with the idea to send the bones underground, creating the Catacombs de Paris. Politician Louis-Etienne Hericart de Thury bizarrely decreed for the subterranean cemetery to be built into a work of art, arranging the skulls and bones on the walls. As you’d expect, the Catacombs are allegedly haunted by the spirits of the dead and buried.
3. Ghostly Ghent at Halloween
With its long and chequered history, Ghent, located in the Flemish region of Belgium, is famous for conjuring up stories of apparitions. Gravensteen Castle and Torture Museum, in particular, makes for one of the best spots for horror fans to spend Halloween in Europe. The fortress was used as a courthouse and prison until the 18th century, with the accused held in the dungeons beneath the castle. Executions happened inside or in front of the gatehouse. With a vast collection of weaponry and torturous material on display, it is truly one of the most chilling landmarks in Europe.
If you’re a would-be ghost hunter with an interest in abandoned villages and buildings, Ghent makes for something of a playground. Poesele, a tiny village near the city in East Flanders, is home to a strange legend. In the 1800s, a family from a farm named Goed ten Briele in Poesele complained that all their horses died inexplicably. Priests came to investigate the property, concluding the event was the consequence of evil forces. Today, the site is a magnet for visitors, who report that the area evokes a spine-chilling atmosphere.
4. Wicked Wicklow Mountains
Many people enjoy the tradition of carving pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns around Halloween. But did you know the ritual – most commonly practiced in America – originates from Irish folklore passed to the U.S. from Irish-American immigrants? Mysterious patches of light known as will-o’-the-wisp have frightened the people of rural Ireland for centuries. Spotted hovering above peat bogs at nighttime, flickering blue lights are said to move away from a person as they approach, leading them into danger. Will-o’-the-wisp is also tied to legend of Stingy Jack, a murderer who bargains with the devil, and is doomed to roam the bogs with only a hollowed turnip to light his way. In ancient times, Irish would carve turnips or other root vegetables as a way to ward off evil.
If you want to spend Halloween in Europe exploring eerie Ireland, the Wicklow Mountains are a great starting point. Extending into County Dublin, the spooky crags are home to ominous forces, especially around Montpelier Hill. The ruined building at the summit was supposedly a meeting place for the Hell Fire Club in the 1700s. Ramblers have complained of mysterious tugs at jewellery worn around their necks (especially crucifixes) and inexplicable screams. Enjoy! *Gulp*
If a spooky trip to the the hauntingly beautiful Wicklow Mountains sounds up your street, they can be found just an hour’s drive from the Irish capital – perfect for anyone taking our Liverpool to Dublin route.
Inspired to spend Halloween in Europe? Book your ferry crossing today and start planning your spooky break.
