Dark Tourism

Explore dark tourism locations worldwide, such as the plague village of Eyam or places where innocent men and women were executed as suspected witches.
Check out all dark history and spooky travel posts listed by country here.Want to spend Halloween in Edinburgh? Edinburgh is the most haunted place in Scotland, so it is the perfect place to spend the spooky season. There is a ghost story tied to the location, no matter where you are in Edinburgh. From tales of ghosts, witches, and lost bagpipers, you can explore them all on Halloween. So, if you are
Calling all history lovers! Head to Savannah to step back in time to the Civil War. Savannah is one of the only towns that survived the Civil War and is still standing today – with locations, buildings and graves that played a massive part in the Civil War. Did you know that Savannah was gifted to Abraham Lincoln in 1864?
If you like to sip delicious cocktails and locally brewed beer with a side of spooky history, you must spend an evening taking a Savannah haunted pub crawl. Grab a drink at one of Savannah’s atmospheric taverns while you learn about the city’s haunted and spooky history. One of the best things about taking one of Savannah’s pun crawls is
Wander through Savannah’s historic cemeteries, filled with beautiful monuments dedicated to some of Savannah’s most famous figures. Take one of the best cemetery tours in Savannah and stroll among the gothic graves and incredible monuments under the cover of moss-draped oak trees that line the cemeteries. With so many cemeteries in Savannah, which one do you visit? From the Victorian
Are you considering staying the night at one of the most haunted hotels in Salem Mass? The Witch City is known for its dark history and haunted locations. From the witch trials to the history of pirates taking hold of Salem, there are undoubtedly many haunted locations around the city. Salem is home to more than just haunted hotels and
Spend the night on a haunted pub crawl in New Orleans on your next visit to the Big Easy. Walk around the streets of the French Quarter with the dead that roam the dark streets. New Orleans is perfect for people who love dark history, ghost stories, vampires and drinking the best tasting cocktails in the world. Wander around New
Are you spending Halloween in Boston and looking for the best Halloween events, parties and activities? If you wish to take a ghost tour, attend a haunted Halloween party on a yacht or explore the Halloween decorations on Beacon Hill. Check out the things to do on Halloween in Boston, Massachusetts. 17 Things to do in on Halloween in Boston
New Orleans is known for its spooky atmosphere with tales of ghosts, pirates and vampires. New Orleans is said to be the home to North America’s first vampires and still home to living vampires. Take one of the best vampire tours in New Orleans and discover what stories are legend, lore, and the truth behind New Orleans’s vampire history. From
Do you love graveyards? Why not take one of the best cemetery tours in Edinburgh to fuel your love of exploring Gothic tombstones that line several of Edinburgh’s most history cemeteries? Edinburgh is known for its incredible architecture and history, cobblestone streets, gorgeous cemeteries, and graveyards. From the dark history of an open-air prison in a graveyard to the haunting
Galveston Ghost Tours takes you to the most haunted historical sites around Galveston, Texas. The city is among one of the most haunted cities in the United States. With many haunted sites around Galveston, taking a ghost tour is the best way to discover all of the lore and history surrounding these locations. Whether you are up for a haunted
The medieval English city of York has a dark history, from suffering through the Black Death to being bombed in WWII to the heads of enemies being displayed on spikes at the entrance to the city. York has everything for fans of history, especially those looking for dark history sites and haunted places in York, England. When I visited York,
Updated September 1, 2023 Charleston is known for being one of the most haunted cities in America. It is hard to find an area of the “Holy City” that doesn’t have some ghastly haunted tale associated with it. With so much dark history, you will be surrounded by haunted places. You will not be in short supply of spooky and
Updated September 1, 2023 If you want to spend the evening with the ghosts of Gettysburg, check out the list of the 11 best ghost tours in Gettysburg. Whether you are looking for a Gettysburg ghost hunt or spending the evening learning about the history of the very haunted Gettysburg, there is a tour for you. The ghost tours in Gettysburg are a good mix
Dublin is one of the most haunted cities in the world. With loads of dark history, including body snatching, run-ins with the old Hellfire Club and the history of witches in Ireland. From paranormal encounters, haunted houses or just dark history and true crime – the Dublin Ghost Tours on this list have something for everyone. So, if you are
Chicago’s history is filled with mobsters, speakeasies, fires and the horror house owned by H.H. Holmes. But, with so much darkness comes the tales of the supernatural entities that stay behind. If you are planning on visiting Chicago and want to learn about the spooky history of the “Windy City,” be sure to see some of the city’s iconic and
Chicago is one of the best cities in the US for people who love dark history. But, at the same time, Chicago is known for its music scene, stunning art deco architecture, delicious deep-dish pizza and the bean! However, Chicago is also known for its dark past during the prohibition and is tied to some of the most infamous mobsters
Have you ever wondered if Edinburgh Castle is haunted? With over 900 years of history, surely there have been at least one or two ghosts spotted on the grounds, right? Or weird whispers could have been heard from the stone walls. Or could it just be gusts of wind mistaken for whispers and cold spots throughout the castle? The Edinburgh Castle
On September 2nd, 1724, a young woman named Margaret Dickson faced a crowd of onlookers booing her, excited to see her fall to her death, hanged on a gibbet in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. However, about an hour after Maggie was declared dead and lying in a coffin, making her way to Musselburgh to be buried by her family –
Salem, Massachusetts, is well known for the witchcraft hysteria in 1692. While many of the buildings standing during the witch trials are long gone, the dark history still lingers through the streets of the Witch City. If you want to learn more about Salem’s witch history, be sure to take one of the best Salem Witch Tours to find out
Explore the haunted history behind the Most Wicked Town in the US by going on a ghost tour in Jerome, AZ. Jerome is known for being the largest ghost town in America. The ghost town is full of history, from true crime to abandoned mines to the ghosts that linger through the historic buildings scattered around the town. Why not
Make Halloween in Edmonton extra spooky in 2023 by spending the spooky season going on ghost tours, exploring Halloween Alley or attending some of the creepiest haunted houses in Edmonton. Whether you want a family-friendly Halloween or a scary event for you and your friends, there is something for everyone in Edmonton. 20 Spooky Ways to Spend Halloween in Edmonton
Looking for the best ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia? Savannah is known for being America’s most haunted city, and there are many different ghost tours to choose from. If you are looking for unique Savannah GA Ghost tours, Savannah ghost tours for Halloween, the best Savannah haunted pub crawl or want to know what is the scariest ghost tour in
Spend an evening exploring the most haunted places in Chattanooga by taking one of the best ghost tours in Chattanooga. From haunted pub crawls to going on a ghost hunt in a graveyard, Chattanooga ghost tours can make anyone’s night a little extra spooky. Whether you are into dark history or want nothing but ghost stories, there is a tour
Are you looking for the best Edinburgh vaults tour and unsure which one is for you? Do you want to make your Edinburgh underground tour extra spooky with tales of ghosts and dark history? Or would you prefer a tour that only focuses on Edinburgh’s history? Whether it is your first visit to Edinburgh’s underground vaults or your tenth visit
Do you want to explore all of Asheville’s most haunted locations? Then, why not visit Asheville’s historic sites by going on one of the many spooky Asheville ghost tours? From haunted hotels to spirits spotted at Helen’s Bridge, dark history is lingering in every corner of Asheville. So, whether you are looking for an evening of spooky stories or want
Are you visiting Colonial Williamsburg and want to explore the historic streets where some of the most important history in America took place? From important battles to pirates’ arrival, Williamsburg is a hot spot for history and paranormal activity. Visit the most haunted locations in Virginia by going on one of the best ghost tours in Williamsburg. The 5 Best
Why not spend an evening going on one of the best ghost tours in Boston? The city is full of so much history, from the arrival of Puritan colonists to the American Revolution. Not only is Boston full of dark history, but it is also home to one of the best American writers – Edgar Allan Poe. So it is
New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America. Ghost hunters, dark history fans and people who love great jazz flock to the Big Easy every year. Is it to spend time enjoying Mardi Gras? Or to visit the Jazz festival? Or is it because they want to spend time with ghosts in New Orleans? While there are
Looking for the best ghost tours in London? With so much history in the United Kingdom, London is the perfect place for people looking for dark history sites in England. From tales about Jack the Ripper to visiting some of London’s most historic and haunted locations, your evening will be filled with the scariest, spookiest and most gruesome tales. No
A visit to New Orleans isn’t complete without a cemetery tour. There is so much history and beauty in the many cemeteries located around the city that you should at least visit one cemetery. If you are looking at taking one of the best cemetery tours in New Orleans, look no further. Whether you want to learn about voodoo history,
Updated September 1, 2023 If you are visiting New Orleans and want to learn the history and lore behind New Orleans Voodoo, you must take a New Orleans Voodoo Tour. Many tours that cover voodoo history may also cover ghosts, vampires and more. Other tours are guided by real Voodoo Priestesses and Priests. So keep reading if you are searching
If you are looking for the best ghost tours in San Antonio and want to find the best tour for you, you are in the right place. San Antonio is known for being one of the most haunted places in the United States. With historical events like the Alamo, one of the most famous battle sites in American history, the
Heading to Florida and want to take one of the best ghost tours in Key West? Known to be one of the most haunted cities in America, Key West is full of spooky locations and eerie history that will have you shaking in your shoes. Whether you love theatrical tours, family-friendly tours or want to hop from pub to pub,
If you are looking to take one of the best ghost tours in St. Augustine and you aren’t sure which one to take, I can help you choose the best tour for what you are looking for. St. Augustine, Florida, is known as America’s oldest city. With over 450 years’ worth of history, some of it will contain grim stories and
Get ready to be whisked away to the beautiful Scottish landscape and historical cities with these 13 books set in Scotland. From stories dating back to the Jacobite Rebellion. From stories of accused witches to stories of travelling throughout time in Scotland. These books about Scotland will transport you to the hauntingly beautiful hills and valleys of Scotland. 13 Books
Deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile sits a dark secret. Once rife with the plague, a narrow alleyway is buried underground in Edinburgh’s City Chambers. Mary King’s Close was located in the center of Edinburgh’s Old Town during the 17th century. The close was named in 1630 after Mary King, a fabric merchant who built her own business after her husband’s
I’m an avid fan of old cemeteries, and Scotland has them in abundance. Edinburgh, Scotland’s compact and hilly capital, is home to magnificent historical cemeteries you shouldn’t miss during your visit. Such as the world’s most haunted graveyard, which inspired the creation of several Harry Potter characters and is known for its connection with one extraordinarily loyal dog. One of
England is drenched in a dark and macabre past. With a history dating back to gruesome events such as the Black Death, cruel Witch Trials to grisly serial killer murders – there is no shortage of places to visit with a dark history in England. Eyam – England’s Plague Village In the English county of Derbyshire sits a village that
The 17th-century witch trials in England that swept across the country resulted in a wealth of historical witchcraft sites which you can still visit today. What sparked the horrific witch trials and ongoing torture in England? The answer is King James I. He was the initial perpetrator of Scotland’s witch hunts. Following his involvement, witch trials were held throughout the
Dark history sites you can visit virtually? Yes, please! With more people staying home, tourist sites around the world have been creating virtual tours that you can visit while sitting on your couch. Museums, catacombs and dark tourism sites from around the world are producing online exhibits and tours filled with educational information for everyone who cannot travel right now.
Follow the trail of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killing duo and explore the real sites of their murders on a Burke and Hare Edinburgh tour. The infamous duo used to prowl the city’s streets in search of their next victim they could transform into a corpse to sell to anatomy students for their next dissection in exchange for a bit
Have you ever sauntered around Edinburgh and wondered how old some of the buildings and structures were? What about the seemingly unimportant walls that line Greyfriars Kirkyard? If you’ve explored the ancient gravestones in Greyfriars Kirkyard, you may have happened upon a towering 24ft-tall wall. Known as the Flodden Wall, this structure was a medieval defence that surrounded Old Town
Fantoft Stave Church was originally built in 1150 in the village of Fortun in western Norway. It was celebrating its 842nd year when it met its doom and was devastated into little more than a pile of ash. This was after the church had already survived the threat of demolition and was ultimately saved by being moved piece-by-piece to Fana,
Dark history is everywhere at Holyrood Park. If you’ve ever walked around Edinburgh, you’ll know that no matter where you go, you’re going to be walking through history. The Dark History at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh will be all around you. With buildings that have survived the dreadful plague, horrendous wars and terrifying serial killers almost everywhere you look, you
Scotland is a land of dark history, with some spooky and dark stories from times past. It’s a place where mystical landscapes and abandoned castles have been left to ruin. The country is perfect for a dark history fan and lover of dark tourism in Scotland. If you want a glimpse into the country’s sinister past, want to find haunted
If you want to embrace dark history and immerse yourself in a spooky atmosphere, the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh is a must-visit. Here you can grab some unique Scottish pub grub like a Warlock Pie or a Tolbooth Haggis Tower and wash it all down with your favourite pint. Built in 1591, the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh was formerly part
Spend a day reliving medical and surgical history at the Surgeons Hall Museum in Edinburgh. The medical museum is one of the most unusual things to do in Edinburgh. It is filled to the brim with a collection of curiosities, rarities and oddities that will both educate and shock you. The Surgeons’ Hall Museum, owned by the Royal College of
As the panic of witchcraft swept over Northern Europe, witches in Scotland were not something to be feared. Scotland had its fair share of healers and herbalists. However, these people (who were also known as witches in Scotland) weren’t seen as evil beings working with the devil. Many of them were sought out to help people alleviate their ailments or,
Boston is home to boundless intriguing history, from being the birthplace of the macabre mystery writer Edgar Allan Poe to being a city where so many political events took place that shaped the way America runs today. Because of its fascinating past, there are many interesting archival places to visit, including colonial cemeteries, such as the Central Burying Ground and
Salem in Massachusetts is famous for the dark history which fell upon the city over 300 years ago when Puritans ruled the land with their strict authoritative rules. The dark tourism that surrounds The Salem Witch Trials has been an intriguing topic of conversation for more than three centuries, due to the intense wave of hysteria they caused throughout the
The witch city of Salem, Massachusetts, holds a piece of history plucked straight out of the 17th century. Visiting The Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts, is like stepping back into history. Standing on the corner of North Street and Essex Street, the striking black Witch House is the only remaining structure from the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Luckily,
The Old Burying Point Cemetery, also referred to as the Charter Street Cemetery, is located right next to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. Teeming with a history that overflows between the weathered tombstones that are collapsing due to the ravages of time. The Old Burying Point is Salem’s oldest graveyard and one of the three cemeteries with ties to the
Romania is full of haunted spots and spooky historical places notorious for its creepy vibes and eerie atmospheres. For these reasons, Romania is a haven for lovers of everything supernatural, legendary and folkloristic. Romania has some of the most haunted places in the world. Known for being home to Transylvania, a mysterious place that inspired the creation of monsters such
“This seems close enough,” I said to Chris, as we got off the bus onto a rural road in Romania. We were searching for Dracula at Bran Castle in Transylvania. I could see the top of what I assumed was Bran Castle, so I thought we must have been close by at that point, right? Always panicking when I travel
Looking for haunted and spooky things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland? The capital of Scotland and Europe’s most haunted city, Edinburgh bears a grim and horrible past just waiting to be discovered. Edinburgh showcases its haunted, scary and spookiest places through gruesome supernatural stories and outright terrifying attractions. With a history burdened by brutal witch trials, the ghastly plague epidemic
In the late 19th century, Bergen in Norway had the highest concentration of lepers in all of Europe. To deal with the problem, the city constructed three separate houses for the diseased, where they could be cared for by doctors and researchers studying the epidemic in an effort to discover its cause. Now known as Hansen’s Disease, today leprosy is
New Orleans is a place where legends, folklore and scary stories flourish. Here the locals fully embrace the spooky scene, taking their superstitions and dark folklore seriously. In fact, there’s so much weight given to the dark side of the city that it’s common for landlords to mark their properties available for rent as being “Haunted” or “Not Haunted”, so
Nicolas Cage and I have a few things in common. We both love haunted houses, New Orleans and how The Big Easy is a place unlike any other. Nicolas Cage loves haunted houses so much that he briefly owned the LaLaurie Mansion! More on this below. To quote him in an interview with The Advocate, “New Orleans is not like
When I think of dark tourism, Canada is the last place that comes to mind. But when I really take a look around, I find there are way more sites historically associated with a tragedy here than I originally thought there were. I always think of Europe as a haven for dark tourists. Especially since this part of the world
As darkness falls, and as the sparkling lights of the city appear in the distance. I am in the Glasgow Necropolis – exploring the city of the dead. I’m encapsulated by a stunning silhouette of Victorian tombs, monuments, and mausoleums in the Glasgow Necropolis. A crisp winter breeze keeps me company as I quietly make my way through the “City