Skip the tricks and treat yourself to a holiday that’s got all the Halloween vibes this spooky season. Think foggy nights on cobblestoned streets, medieval squares lit by flickering lamps, and centuries-old ghost stories the locals love to freak the tourists out with… you did ask ? *evil laugh*
Think you love Halloween? Try these places that take it to a whole new level…
LA
You might think Los Angeles is all sun, palm trees and celeb-spotting – Kris Jenner’s not that scary is she? Well, the Americans LOVE Halloween… like, obsessed. In LA, there’s the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, Universal Studios do their Hollywood Horror Nights, and Knott’s Berry Farm theme park turns into Knott’s Scary Farm. You can do all the classic sightseeing bits, but the booky version. You can even do a haunted hayride in Griffith Park after you’ve ticked off the classic observatory and Hollywood sign.
One of our fave things to do, though, is the Haunted Hollywood exploration game and tour – all of our recs are easy to book on First Choice Experiences, ofc. This one’s a big scavenger hunt. POV: You’re a ghost searching for answers about your past and only have one clue to go off – a locket with a picture of Marilyn Monroe. You’ll use your phone to track down various Hollywood landmarks, unlocking more clues to lead you to the next place, where more secrets are revealed…
Stockholm
Sweden’s capital loves a pastry, but that’s as sweet as it gets in spooky season… The crisp October air and the city’s medieval architecture make Stockholm the perfect backdrop for some Halloween chills. Swedish folklore can be seriously creepy – from forest spirits and trolls to the ‘mylingar’, AKA the restless souls of unbaptised or improperly buried children said to wander the countryside… It’s proper stuff. You can also explore Stockholm’s Royal Palace, hop on a ferry to the islands of the archipelago, or cosy up with a cinnamon bun in a candlelit café.
For an added adventure, the guided horror history and dark folklore walk takes you deep into Gamla Stan, the city’s historic old town, where every winding alley and crooked building has a story. Your guide will tell you all about the blood-soaked history of the Stockholm Bloodbath, tales of public executions in Stortorget Square, and ghost sightings in centuries-old merchant houses.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is an iconic pick for Halloween. It’s celebrated with a three-day event, starting with the Day of the Witches on the 31st. Then, there’s All Saints Day and Day of the Dead, which you might have thought was only famous in Mexico. Halloween’s more about honouring your dead loved ones in Spanish culture, visiting cemeteries and sharing meals at graves – but trick-or-treating is also a thing. In Barcelona, locals head to Poblenou Cemetery, while tourists can dive into Halloween pub crawls and theme parks like Tibidabo and PortAventura Word, which get a spooky glow-up. You can also try traditional treats, such as panellets (small, marzipan cookies) and roasted chestnuts.
Book yourself onto the Barcelona Gothic Quarter ghosts and legends tour and get led through the city’s narrow, twisting streets, where Roman ruins meet medieval palaces. You’ll hear tales of the city’s darker chapters – from the execution sites of the Spanish Inquisition to legends of restless spirits that have wandered here for centuries. You’ll learn all about Count Arnau, a nobleman cursed to ride forever as punishment for his sins, and ghostly monks who appear near the city’s oldest churches.
Munich
Wait for the Oktoberfest crowds to leave and head to Munich for Halloween instead. The city never runs out of beer, so you can still sample the good stuff, but maybe not while listening to a ghost story – you didn’t pay for a stein just to spit it out… Germany’s also a land of folklore, so while Halloween is very much a foreign holiday here, it makes sense everyone joins in with the celebrations. In the day, you can climb the tower of St Peter’s Church for panoramic views, wander the grand halls of the Residenz palace, or take a daytrip to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle. Munich’s mix of history, legend and beaut buildings makes it a prime pick for Halloween lovers.
Definitely check out the walking tour of Munich’s spooky places by night. It starts in the heart of the city, where gothic churches cast long shadows over the cobblestones. Then, as you follow your guide through narrow lanes and past candlelit courtyards, you’ll hear about ghost sightings, medieval superstitions, and gruesome events from the city’s past. Expect to hear about the devil’s footprint in the Frauenkirche Cathedral and the mysterious ‘White Lady,’ said to appear before royal deaths.
Take fright night on tour and check out our Seasonal holidays – scroll down to find the Halloween picks, as well as Christmas markets and half-term trips.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen (she/her)
Last updated: 22/08/2025
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