10 haunted places you can drive to this Halloween

Halloween has a way of making old places feel a little more fascinating. Across the world, historic towns, ancient castles, underground passages and forgotten sites have stories that have stayed with them for generations.

Some are rooted in well-documented history. Others come from local legends, folklore and reported hauntings. Even the name Halloween has a story of its own - October 31 was originally known as “All Hallow’s Eve” before the name was shortened to Halloween. Either way, it makes for an interesting excuse to see somewhere new when October rolls around.

We have picked 10 haunted places around the world that you can reach by car, whether you are flying in and picking up your rental, already in the city and collecting your vehicle, or adding a spooky stop to a longer journey.

Along the way, we will learn about what you can explore on foot, when having a car is useful and what’s worth seeing nearby. So, ready to see where the stories lead? Let’s go.

10 haunted places to visit this Halloween

From medieval streets and mysterious castles to underground tunnels and historic settlements, each stop on this list offers a different kind of Halloween experience. Some are perfect for a short visit, while others are worth building into a longer road trip.

Here are 10 places around the world worth visiting this Halloween.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Where the old city keeps its ghost stories

Edinburgh’s spooky side

Edinburgh’s Old Town is full of narrow streets, old buildings, underground spaces and historic graveyards. With centuries of stories around crime, disease, and local legends, it is no surprise that the city has developed a strong ghost-story tradition.

The Royal Mile is a good place to start. Around it, you will find places such as Greyfriars Kirkyard and The Real Mary King's Close, where you can learn more about the city’s history through guided tours and local stories.

For Halloween, Edinburgh is not just about ghost stories. It is a golden opportunity for travelers to walk through one of Europe’s most historic city centres after dark and experience a different atmosphere.

Getting to Edinburgh by car

Edinburgh is easy to reach by car, whether you are flying in, coming from another Scottish city or adding it to a longer road trip. Here are some useful routes and approximate drive times:

What to explore on foot

There are plenty of places to visit around Edinburgh by car, but before you hit the road, let’s know about the few spots that are worth discovering on foot.

• Royal Mile: The main historic street through the Old Town.
• Greyfriars Kirkyard: An old cemetery with plenty of local ghost stories.
• The Real Mary King's Close: Historic underground spaces beneath the Royal Mile.
• Victoria Street: One of the Old Town's most recognizable streets.
• Grassmarket: A historic area below Edinburgh Castle.

Places to drive to around Edinburgh

Edinburgh works well as a starting point for short drives. This is where having a car makes more sense. Once you have explored the Old Town, you can head out of the city and see more of the surrounding area.

Salem, Massachusetts, USA: Where Halloween history runs deep

The history behind Salem's Halloween

Salem’s Halloween reputation is closely tied to a very real and much darker chapter of its history. In 1692, the Salem witch trials led to the accusations and executions of people of witchcraft. The events have shaped the city’s identity for centuries and continue to influence its museums, historic sites and Halloween traditions.

Today, Salem tells that history through places like the Salem Witch Museum, The Witch House and the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. The city also has historic streets, waterfront areas and museums that make it more than just a Halloween destination.

Getting to Salem by car

Salem is easy to reach by car from Boston and works well as a stop on a wider New England road trip. Here are a few useful routes and approximate drive times:

Salem's historic and spooky sights

Salem’s witch-trial history is the real story behind its Halloween identity, while the supernatural elements belong largely to later folklore and popular culture. As you walk through the city, you can explore the places that tell that story.

• Salem Witch Museum: Learn about the 1692 witch trials and their lasting impact.
• The Witch House: The only building in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials.
• Salem Witch Trials Memorial: A memorial to those accused and executed during the trials.
• Old Burying Point Cemetery: One of Salem’s oldest burial grounds.
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site: Explore Salem’s maritime history along the waterfront.
• Essex Street: A pedestrian-friendly area close to several historic attractions.

What else can you drive to nearby

Once you have explored Salem, the car gives you a chance to see more of the North Shore and turn a short Halloween visit into a wider road trip.

Bran Castle, Romania: A castle wrapped in Dracula’s legend

Beyond the Dracula legend

Bran Castle is one of Romania’s best-known landmarks, but its connection to Dracula is much more complicated than what people actually think.

The castle dates back to the 14th century and was built as a fortress and customs point. Its dramatic and medieval appearance later helped connect it with Bram Stoker's fictional Dracula.

Today, the castle combines medieval history, royal connections and the Dracula legend, making it a natural stop for a Halloween trip.

Driving to Bran Castle

Bran Castle sits within easy driving distance of Brasov and makes a natural stop on a Transylvania road trip. Here’s how long some of the main drives take:

Inside Bran Castle and around Bran

Inside the castle, you can explore its rooms, courtyards, narrow stairways, and historic displays. The castle is also associated with Romania’s royal family, especially Queen Marie, adding another chapter to its history beyond the Dracula story.

Around Bran, you can take your time exploring the village and the mountain scenery. If you are looking for more than the castel itself, the area is a good place to slow down and enjoy the Transylvanian landscape.

Extend the drive to Brasov and beyond

Bran Castle is easy to include in a wider Transylvania road trip. Here are a few popular nearby stops you can add to your route.

Prague, Czech Republic: Medieval streets and dark legends

Prague's Medieval legends and darker history

Prague’s medieval streets, old churches, historic squares and narrow lanes have given the city plenty of stories over the centuries. Some are rooted in real history, while others have become part of Prague’s legends and folklore.

Charles Bridge is one of the best-known examples. Built in the 14th century, the bridge is surrounded by stories of mysterious events, magical symbols and supernatural figures. Its statues and towers can feel atmospheric after dark.

The Jewish Quarter adds another spooky touch to Prague’s darker folklore. The Old-New Synagogue has stood here for more than seven centuries and is closely connected with the city’s famous Golem legend.

For Halloween, Prague offers a good mix of real medieval history, old legends and atmospheric streets without needing to turn the city into a ghost story.

Getting to Prague by car

Whether Prague is your starting point or one stop on a longer Czech road trip, getting here by car is fairly straightforward. A few common routes include:

Prague's spooky side on foot

Prague is one of those cities where the atmosphere is part of the experience. Once you have parked the car, take some time to wander through the historic centre and discover the places connected with its legends.

• Old Town Square: The heart of Prague’s historic centre with centuries-old buildings and landmarks.
• Charles Bridge: One of Prague’s most famous sites with statues, towers, and a long history of local legends.
• Jewish Quarter: Known for its historic synagogues, old streets and the stories surrounding the Golem legend.
• Old-New Synagogue: One of Prague’s oldest surviving Jewish monuments and a key part of the city's Jewish history.
• Lesser Town: Popular for historic streets, churches, and old buildings beneath Prague Castle.

Where to drive outside central Prague

Now that you have had the experience of Prague's Old Town, this is where having a car becomes more useful. The surrounding region has castles, historic towns and countryside that are a must to explore during Halloween.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: Cemeteries, legends, and ghost stories

New Orleans’ haunted reputation

New Orleans has more than 300 years of history, and its spooky reputation is closely tied to that past. Above-ground cemeteries, historic buildings, voodoo traditions, ghost stories and local legends have all become part of the city's identity.

The French Quarter is at the centre of many of these stories. Its historic streets, old buildings and courtyards provide the setting for ghost tours and tales that have been passed down through generations. The city is also known for its unique above-ground cemeteries, sometimes called the "Cities of the Dead."

For Halloween, New Orleans offers something different from a traditional haunted attraction. You can learn about the city's real history, visit historic cemeteries and then hear the legends that grew around them.

Driving from New Orleans Airport

New Orleans works well as both a road-trip starting point and a stop along a wider Louisiana journey. Here are some drive times worth knowing:

Ghost tours

A ghost tour is one of the easiest ways to experience New Orleans' spooky side after dark. Tours through the French Quarter often combine local history with stories about hauntings, voodoo, vampires and other legends.

Cemetery tours offer a different experience. New Orleans' above-ground burial grounds are part of the city's history and architecture, and guided tours can explain the traditions behind them as well as the stories connected to people buried there.

When a car is useful in New Orleans

You can spend several days in New Orleans without needing to drive between every attraction, because the French Quarter, CBD, Garden District and other popular attractions are closely located.

The car becomes more useful when you want to see places outside the central neighborhoods or continue your journey through Louisiana.

London, England: A city with centuries of ghost stories

London's long history of ghost stories

London has centuries of history, and some of its oldest streets and buildings have collected plenty of darker stories along the way. Tales of executions, prisons, plague and unexplained events have become part of the city's folklore.

The Tower of London is one of the best-known examples. The fortress dates back to the 11th century and has served as a royal palace, prison and place of execution. Its long history has also made it one of London's most atmospheric historic sites.

Other stories are connected to old churches, cemeteries and hidden corners of the city. Highgate Cemetery, for example, is one of London's famous Victorian cemeteries, with elaborate tombs and Gothic architecture that have long attracted visitors.

Driving to London

London has several major airports and well-connected roads leading into the city, making it accessible by a rental car from different directions. For a rough idea of journey times, see the routes below:

London's spooky sights

London has plenty of historic places where the city's darker stories come to life.

• Tower of London: Explore nearly 1,000 years of history, including its former prison and the stories surrounding the Bloody Tower.
• Highgate Cemetery: Wander among Victorian tombs, mausoleums and Gothic architecture in one of London's best-known historic cemeteries.
• St Paul's Cathedral: A historic landmark that features on several London ghost and dark-history walking tours.
• The Clink Prison Museum: Learn about the history of one of London's oldest prisons and its darker past.
• Old Town and hidden streets: Go for an evening walking tour to hear stories about historic crimes, hauntings and local legends.

Places worth driving to outside central London

Once you have spent enough time in central London, having a car becomes more useful for exploring beyond the capital. There are historic towns, castles and countryside within easy reach for a day trip or as a next stop on a longer journey.

St. Augustine, Florida, USA: Old streets and haunted history

America's oldest city and its haunted history

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established city in the United States. Its centuries of Spanish, British and American history have left behind old streets, cemeteries, forts and historic buildings along with plenty of ghost stories.

Some of the city's darker stories are connected to documented events and tragedies, while others have become part of local folklore. The result is a city where history and haunted legends often sit side by side.

St. Augustine's narrow historic streets are atmospheric after dark, which is one reason ghost walks and evening tours are such a popular way to experience the city.

Driving from Jacksonville to St. Augustine

If you are traveling around Florida by car, St. Augustine is easy to work into the itinerary. These are some of the routes you are most likely to use:

Historic and Haunted Places to Explore

St. Augustine's Historic Downtown is small and walkable, with many historic buildings and attractions close together. For Halloween, an evening ghost tour is an easy way to hear the stories connected with these places while walking through the old city after dark.

• Castillo de San Marcos: The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, with centuries of military history and ghost stories surrounding the site.
• Old City: Wander the narrow streets, historic buildings and courtyards around the heart of St. Augustine.
• Tolomato Cemetery: One of the city's historic cemeteries, with centuries-old burials.
• St. Augustine Lighthouse: A historic landmark that features in local ghost stories and evening paranormal tours.
• Aviles Street: One of the city's oldest streets, lined with galleries, shops and historic buildings.

Where to Drive Beyond the Historic Centre

Driving a car makes more sense once you leave the historic district. You can reach coastal areas, nearby historic sites and other stops along Florida’s northeast coast.

Paris, France: Beneath the city, another story

The darker side of Paris

Paris is known for grand boulevards, museums and famous landmarks, but there is another side to the city beneath its streets.

The Catacombs of Paris are perhaps the most striking example. Around 20 metres below ground, the underground ossuary contains the remains of several million Parisians and offers a very different perspective on the city's history.

Above ground, Paris also has centuries-old churches, cemeteries and historic neighborhoods where darker stories and local legends have become part of the city's folklore.

Getting to Paris by car

Paris can be reached from several airports and nearby French cities, so the drive will depend on where your journey begins. Here are some useful routes to give you an idea of the distances:

Exploring the catacombs and historic Paris

Discover Paris at its spookiest, from its underground tunnels and historic cemeteries to old streets and places with centuries of stories behind them. Here are a few places to add to your Halloween itinerary:

• Catacombs of Paris: The city's famous underground ossuary.
• Pere Lachaise Cemetery: A large historic cemetery known for its elaborate tombs and famous residents.
• Ile de la Cite: One of the oldest parts of Paris, with centuries of history around the Seine.
• Conciergerie: A former royal palace and prison with connections to the French Revolution.
• Montmartre: Historic streets, old buildings and a different atmosphere from central Paris.

Where to drive beyond Paris

Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia: Where history still lingers

The history behind Port Arthur

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania's most significant historic sites and was once a major convict settlement. Established in 1830, it became one of the largest and most important penal settlements in Australia. Today, the preserved site offers a look at convict life and Tasmania's colonial history.

Its buildings, ruins and surrounding landscape also give Port Arthur a naturally atmospheric look. The site's history has inspired stories of unexplained experiences, and evening ghost tours add another layer for visitors interested in its darker side.

Driving from Hobart to Port Arthur

Most road trips to Port Arthur begin in or around Hobart, with the Tasman Peninsula coming next as you drive further. Here’s a quick look at some useful routes:

What to see at Port Arthur

The Port Arthur Historic Site covers a large area, so allow time to explore beyond the main buildings.

• Penitentiary: One of the site's most recognizable ruins and a reminder of the former convict settlement.
• Separate Prison: Built around a system of solitary confinement and isolation.
• Church: One of the site's most recognizable historic structures.
• Memorial Garden: A place of remembrance connected to the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy.
• Harbour and grounds: The surrounding landscape adds context to the settlement and its former isolation.

Explore more of the Tasman Peninsula by car

This is where having a car becomes useful. Port Arthur is only one part of the Tasman Peninsula, and several natural and historic stops can be combined into the same driving day.

Dublin, Ireland: Folklore, legends, and haunted history

Dublin's history, legends and folklore

Dublin has more than a thousand years of stories, and some of them have a distinctly darker side. The city's folklore has been shaped by Viking history, conflict, disease, executions and Ireland's long association with Halloween, which has roots in the ancient festival of Samhain.

That history has produced plenty of legends. Some places are associated with reported hauntings, while others are better known for the historical events that took place there.

Kilmainham Gaol, for example, has a serious historical story connected with Irish political history, while Glasnevin Cemetery and the Hellfire Club have become part of Dublin's wider collection of ghost stories and folklore.

Driving from Dublin Airport

Dublin is a convenient starting point for an Ireland road trip, with several coastal and countryside stops within easy driving distance. These routes give you a rough idea of the journey times:

Dublin's spooky side

Dublin's central sights are close enough to explore. You can discover historic buildings, old streets and places connected with the city's darker stories.

• Kilmainham Gaol: A former prison with a major place in Irish history and stories of its own ghostly reputation.
• Glasnevin Cemetery: Ireland's largest cemetery and the place for several local ghost stories.
• The Brazen Head: A historic pub with a long association with Dublin's past and local legends.
• Trinity College: Founded in 1592 and linked to several historical and ghost stories, including legends surrounding the Rubrics.
• Hellfire Club: The ruins of a former hunting lodge in the Dublin Mountains surrounded by centuries of local folklore.

Places to drive outside Dublin

Once you have explored central Dublin, having a car makes it easier to reach coastal villages, mountains, historic sites and ancient monuments outside the city.

Where will the road take you this Halloween?

Halloween can be a good excuse to take the road somewhere different. Follow old legends through medieval streets, discover historic castles, walk through forgotten cemeteries or wander beyond the city to places with stories of their own.

Whether you are planning a short Halloween escape or adding a spooky stop to a longer road trip, having a car gives you the freedom to shape the journey around the places you want to see.

So, where will the road take you this Halloween? Find a ride for your journey with VIP Cars and let the road set the mood.

Spooky questions travelers ask

• Is Halloween a good time for a weekend escape?

  Halloween can be a fun time for a short weekend escape, especially if you enjoy historic towns, evening events, seasonal activities and spooky attractions. A rental car makes it easier to travel between places, making Halloween adventures more fun.

• What should I pack for a Halloween trip?

  Think about your destination and planned activities before packing. Comfortable walking shoes, layers, a light jacket or rainwear are generic and useful items to carry. If you are planning outdoor activities, check the local weather before you travel and pack things accordingly.

• Can I rent a car for just one day for Halloween?

  Many car rental suppliers offer one-day rentals. You can put in your travel details at our ‘search’ bar to get redirected to available deals from top suppliers. You can browse through those deals and book the ride that you find suitable.

• Can I extend my rental period if I decide to stay longer?

  You may extend your rental, depending on the supplier and vehicle availability. Contact the rental supplier as soon as possible for more information about the same.

• Can I pick up a rental car in one city and return it in another?

  One-way rentals are available on many routes, you can choose from the available deals that match your travel plans. Availability and applicable one-way fees depend on the pickup and drop off locations as well as the supplier's rental terms.