In a few days, thrill-seekers will gather to celebrate the scariest night of the year: Halloween. For children, this holiday is mainly the opportunity to roam the neighborhood in search of treats, shouting the traditional “Trick or treat!”. The older ones, meanwhile, can also enjoy the evening by getting scared, whether watching a horror film, in a theme park overrun by monsters, or at a friends’ gathering where stories are scarier than the last one.
Others, however, prefer to take advantage of the occasion to explore haunted places and embark on a mystery-filled getaway, without necessarily going very far from home. According to a recent study by lastminute.com, the Halloween week, from October 26 to November 1, is the autumn period in France with the strongest demand for getaways, rising 7.7% compared to last year. In response to this enthusiasm, the travel booking site unveiled a list of six especially spooky destinations, all reachable in less than three hours by flight from Paris.
Prague, Edinburgh, Dublin… cities where Halloween is experienced to the fullest
Among the destinations where the thrill is on display on October 31, Prague in the Czech Republic stands out, just about 1 hour and 40 minutes by plane from Paris. It is moreover among the European cities best known for celebrating Halloween. A visit to Vyšehrad Castle and its historic lanes promises to plunge you into a particularly chilling atmosphere. And to extend the experience, night tours also allow you to discover the secrets hidden behind its medieval buildings and its dark local legends.
Edinburgh, in Scotland, is also an ideal destination for thrill-seekers. There you can, in particular, attend the Samhuinn Fire Festival, which celebrates the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain through fire performances, ritual dances, and historical reenactments. The city also houses haunted catacombs that hold centuries of dark stories, as well as the notoriously haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery, considered one of the most haunted places in the world.
If Ireland tempts you more, head to Dublin, just under two hours by plane from Paris. There you can explore the haunted ruins of the Hell Fire Club’s former hunting lodge or visit Malahide Castle, which is said to house a “White Lady” as well as the ghosts of former members of the royal family.
Sicily, Seville, Transylvania… destinations where mystery is on the menu
Traveling to Sicily for Halloween is rather unusual but promises a fascinating getaway, between spectacular landscapes and millennial myths. From the whispers of the old monks at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina to the frozen silhouettes of the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, each place seems to harbor the secret of a haunted story or an ancient legend.
Seville, located in southern Spain, also allows for an extraordinary October 31 thanks to numerous events that plunge the city into a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere. Among them, the Festival de las Ánimas which notably offers theatrical performances, ghost stories and guided tours that uncover the city’s darkest secrets.
Enfin, la Transylvanie, en Roumanie, est une destination particulièrement adaptée aux amateurs de vampires. La région abrite notamment le château de Bran, souvent associé à la légende de Dracula. Un lieu idéal pour ceux qui souhaitent vivre un Halloween à l’ambiance gothique.
