Where to celebrate Halloween 2026 in Europe: Spooky cities, haunted hotels and scary events

Halloween is nearly upon us, and the festival has become so popular that it’s nearly impossible to escape it throughout the entirety of October. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The month is peak spooky season, as temperatures drop across much of Europe and things start getting a bit darker and, in some cases, eerier. If you’re a big fan of Halloween, there’s no shortage of things to do across the continent, from the best cities to experience the creepy vibes to haunted hotels and events, which will be over once November comes. These are the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit, European-style this year. Destinations Transylvania, Romania Starting, of course, with the most obvious destination, some might argue that a visit to Romania’s Transylvania region is the ultimate way to do Halloween. It’s forever linked to Dracula and the imposing Bran Castle, but there’s far more to its spooky appeal, with atmospheric villages, medieval citadels, striking churches and more than 100 castles scattered across the region. October is also the perfect time to see the beautiful autumn colours which fill the forests of the Carpathian Mountains and to explore Brașov, a beautiful city with plenty of atmosphere of its own. Bruges, Belgium Bruges may be known for its canals and romantic medieval streets, but come Halloween, the Belgian city takes a much darker turn. Hear the story of the water ghost said to haunt the Lake of Love, or join a night-time tour through the city’s legends, myths and more sinister tales. The Historium gets a spooky makeover too, with pumpkins, cobwebs and bats, and a Halloween Virtual Reality Experience. There’s also the Torture Museum, if you’re feeling brave enough. Paris, France Paris is more than just romance and lights – and has plenty of spooky sights to go with its usual glamour. Start underground in the Catacombs, where the bones of some six million people line the dimly lit tunnels. Afterwards, wander through Père Lachaise Cemetery, where winding paths and elaborate tombs are the final resting place of figures including Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Molière, and Édith Piaf. There are countless themed parties throughout the city but, if you prefer a bit of light relief rather than gore, head to Disneyland Paris, which extends its park hours until 11 pm on the night itself. Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh’s dark history and atmospheric old town make it a natural fit for Halloween. Each year, the Samhuinn Fire Festival brings the Scottish capital’s ancient Celtic traditions to life, with colourful costumes, fire performers and a lively procession through the cobbled streets. It’s a dramatic way to mark the holiday, with plenty of local folklore thrown in. Derry, Northern Ireland Derry puts a more festive spin on Halloween, making it a good option for families and groups who want plenty of atmosphere without too many scares. Each October, the city hosts Derry Halloween, billed as one of Europe’s biggest Halloween festivals, with light shows, acrobatic banshees and Celtic circus performers taking over the streets. During the day, visitors can pick pumpkins or try a craft workshop, before live music and performances take over after dark. Hotels The Haunted Bedroom at Talliston, Great Dunmow, England What was once a normal house in the Essex market town of Great Dunmow has been transformed into something far stranger. Talliston House and Gardens is a maze of rooms, each designed to transport visitors to a different time and place, with elaborate details that make the property feel more like stepping into a story than visiting a home. For a proper fright, book a stay in the Haunted Bedroom. It recreates the bedroom of a seven-year-old Edwardian child in unsettling detail, complete with old-fashioned toys, books and furniture. Castello Dal Pozzo, Piedmont, Italy Now a hotel, this Italian estate on the shores of Lake Maggiore has a tragic story that has given it a distinctly spooky reputation. Set in its own hillside grounds, the property is a quick drive from Arona on the lake’s southwestern shore. Its ghostly tale dates back to 1467, when a young woman named Barbara fell in love with an army captain, Matteo. The pair planned to elope, but Barbara’s father discovered their romance and locked her in the estate’s tower, while Matteo was sent into exile in France. Barbara never knew what had happened to him and died waiting for him to return. According to local legend, she never quite left. Guests have reported seeing Barbara at the tower window, still watching and waiting for her lost love. Ballygally Castle Hotel, Northern Ireland Ballygally Castle has a ghostly tale dating back to the 1600s, when Lady Isabella Shaw, wife of the castle’s builder, is said to have died after being locked in a tower room. Legend has it she either jumped or was pushed to her death, and her ghost is now said to haunt the castle. Guests have reported knocking sounds, sudden cold spots and sightings of a woman in period dress, particularly around the tower stairs and Room 421, known as the Ghost Room. The four-star hotel embraces the story without overplaying it, with historical exhibits in the tower and Room 421 available to guests brave enough to request it. The Haunted Chamber Apartment, York, England Dating back more than 600 years, this atmospheric apartment feels like stepping straight into York’s spookier past. Overlooking York Minster, it is filled with original character, including timber panelling and historic details that give the property a suitably eerie feel. The city itself adds to the spooky setting, with its winding medieval streets, ghost stories and centuries of dark history. Nearby, York Dungeons and the Halloween thrills of Hallowscream at York Maze offer plenty more scares after dark. Hotel U Prince, Prague Right on Prague’s atmospheric Old Town Square, Hotel U Prince combines luxury with centuries of history. The building’s foundations date back to the 12th century, giving it plenty of old-world character – and some suitably spooky stories. Guests have reported unexplained noises, cold spots and shadowy figures in the corridors, while Prague’s Gothic architecture, alchemical legends and long history of ghost stories add to the eerie atmosphere. After dark, the city’s winding streets and medieval buildings make the setting feel even more mysterious. Events Bran Castle Halloween Party, Transylvania, Romania On 31 October, the legendary ‘Dracula's Castle’ in Bran hosts a Halloween party, combining a special night-time tour with interactive characters, horror screenings and a party in the Royal Park. The 2026 event includes DJs, costumes and theatrical touches, with festivities running until 4 am. Bram Stoker Festival, Dublin, Ireland Taking place from 23-26 October, the Bram Stoker Festival brings four days of Gothic-inspired events to venues across Dublin. Expect immersive outdoor theatre, dark storytelling and literary events celebrating the Dracula author, who was born here. Tivoli Gardens Halloween, Copenhagen, Denmark From 2 October to 1 November, Copenhagen’s historic Tivoli Gardens gets a spooky autumn makeover, with more than 20,000 pumpkins, atmospheric decorations and seasonal market stalls. Families can also enjoy Halloween-themed rides and entertainment throughout the park Halloween Horror Festival at Movie Park Germany, Bottrop, Germany From September 26 to November 8, Movie Park Germany transforms into a full-blown horror experience, with more than 300 roaming monsters, terrifying scare zones and haunted mazes. It’s aimed firmly at thrill-seekers, with plenty of jump scares and creepier attractions after sunset. Halloween at Little Kook, Athens, Greece October and Halloween is the best time of year to visit Little Kook in Athens. The fantasy-themed café goes all out for scary season, transforming its buildings and surrounding streets with elaborate seasonal decorations. Expect giant pumpkins, skeletons, witches, ghosts and cobwebs spilling across colourful façades and balconies, creating theatrical street scenes that feel like a Halloween film set. Visit after dark, when the illuminated displays make this atmospheric corner of central Athens even more dramatic.