Halloween is a popular holiday around the world, and for many people, it is all about haunted houses, dressing up in costume, and eating candy. If this spooky day has a special place in your heart, why not experience it away from home? There are plenty of destinations around the world that fully embrace Halloween and go all out on this special day. So, here are 5 of the best places on earth to celebrate Halloween.
1. New Orleans, USA
When it comes to awesome places to spend Halloween, Crescent City has got to be at the top of the list. New Orleans is hailed as the most haunted city in the United States, and it is a place that has inspired vampire stories over the years. During Halloween, there are plenty of costume shops to help you play dress up, and you can visit stores dedicated to the supernatural, such as vampires and voodoo. Local folklore suggests that the undead residents of New Orleans lurk in the city cemeteries and the areas in the Garden District and the French Quarter. You can even take a haunted tour through the most haunted areas. Besides Halloween-related activities, there are plenty of things to do in New Orleans. It has fantastic nighttime culture, and there are many bars and clubs for late-night revelers to explore. Not to mention, New Orleans is packed with cultural sights, beautiful architecture, and fantastic eateries.
2. Derry, Ireland
Did you know that Halloween is a tradition that originates from Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival? The Celts believed that on October 31, the ghosts of the dead would return to the earth, and they celebrated with scary costumes and bonfires to keep the undead at bay. With the origins lying in Ireland, it is no wonder they play host to some of the most spirited festivities in Europe. Every year thousands of people flock to Derry Halloween, the biggest Halloween festival in Europe. Key events include tasty food markets, guided tours with street performances, animated projections and bizarre characters, and a parade complete with fireworks on the big day.
3. Transylvania, Romania
When it comes to tales of the unknown, the story of Count Dracula springs to mind. Vlad the Impaler, a bloodthirsty prince of Romania who was known to be ruthless, was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Halloween isn’t a particularly big deal in Transylvania, but the fact that it is home to Bran Castle makes it a destination worth visiting. Although historians suggest that Vlad the Impaler probably did not live in this 14th-century castle, it’s eerie aesthetic makes it appealing to fans of vampire folklore. On Halloween, visitors can explore the castle by day or by night, and there is even a Vampire Gourmet Dinner and a party in the evening. Teleki Mansion and Hoia Baciu Forest are other places of interest in Transylvania due to the speculation that they are haunted. Corvin Castle is a beautiful Transylvanian site that is said to have held Vlad the Impaler as a prisoner for a few years.
4. The Island of Dolls, Mexico
The Island of Dolls, also known as La Isla de la Munecas, is a frightful island in the south of Mexico City that has mutilated dolls scattered all over the place. It is said that in the 50s, a recluse named Don Julian Santana Barrera began taking care of the island. One day he found a little girl’s corpse washed up on the island along with a doll. He buried the girl and hung the doll close to the body on a tree as a sign of respect. Following this act, Barrera began hearing voices, and eerily, the doll began appearing on other trees around the island. Believing the spirit of the girl was haunting the island, he began searching for dolls in local communities to appease the spirit. Barrera was reportedly found close to where he discovered the girl’s body. There is no doubt that the Island of Dolls is one of the spookiest places to visit at Halloween. Visitors can hop aboard a trajinera to experience this spine-chilling island. Some even take a doll with them to hang on a tree.
5. The Catacombs of Paris, France
Paris might seem like an unlikely place to visit during Halloween, but it is home to the creepy Catacombs of Paris. A visit to the Catacombs entails walking 20 meters down a spiral staircase until you reach an underground labyrinth filled with the remains of former residents of Paris. The maze goes on for around a mile, and it is estimated that over 6 million people were buried at this grave site. A visit to the Paris Catacombs is dark tourism at its finest, and it is certainly one to remember for Halloween.
