Europe’s castles aren’t just beautiful—many are downright terrifying. Centuries of wars, executions, and mysterious deaths have left their mark, and locals swear these stone walls still echo with the past.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these 5 haunted castles offer spine-chilling stories and atmospheric tours that will make you think twice about wandering their corridors after dark.
1. Bran Castle, Romania 🇷🇴
The Legend: Dracula’s Castle
While Bram Stoker never actually visited Bran Castle, it perfectly matches his description of Count Dracula’s lair. The real history is just as dark—Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) may have been imprisoned here briefly.
The Hauntings:
- Visitors report sudden cold spots in the Queen’s chambers
- Unexplained footsteps in empty corridors
- A sense of being watched in the torture chamber
Visit: Open year-round. Night tours available in October for the brave.
2. Leap Castle, Ireland 🇮🇪
The Legend: Ireland’s Most Haunted
Leap Castle has earned its reputation through centuries of bloodshed. The most infamous incident: a priest was murdered by his own brother during mass in the “Bloody Chapel.”
The Hauntings:
- The “Elemental”—a foul-smelling entity described as half-human, half-beast
- The Red Lady, seen carrying a dagger
- Workmen discovered an oubliette (dungeon pit) filled with human skeletons
Visit: Private tours by appointment only. Not for the faint of heart.
3. Moosham Castle, Austria 🇦🇹
The Legend: The Witches’ Castle
During the 17th century, Moosham Castle was the site of some of the most brutal witch trials in Austria. Hundreds of women were tortured and executed within its walls.
The Hauntings:
- Screams heard from the former torture chambers
- Apparitions of women in medieval dress
- Objects moving on their own in the dungeon
Visit: Guided tours available. The torture chamber is particularly unsettling.
4. Predjama Castle, Slovenia 🇸🇮
The Legend: The Defiant Knight
Built into a cliff face, this castle was home to the knight Erazem, who was killed by a cannonball while using the toilet during a siege (seriously). He’s said to still haunt the castle, angry about his undignified death.
The Hauntings:
- The sound of horses in the empty courtyard
- Erazem’s ghost seen in the secret passages
- Unexplained banging sounds
Visit: Open daily. Cave tours beneath the castle add extra atmosphere.
5. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland 🏴
The Legend: Scotland’s Haunted Fortress
One of the most haunted places in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has seen countless battles, executions, and plague deaths over its 900-year history.
The Hauntings:
- The Headless Drummer, seen before disasters
- A phantom piper who vanished in the tunnels
- The ghost of a French prisoner from the Seven Years’ War
Visit: Daily tours available. Ghost tours run nightly.
Tips for Visiting Haunted Castles
- Go in the off-season - Fewer tourists mean a more atmospheric (and spookier) experience
- Book night tours - Many castles offer special after-dark tours in October
- Respect the history - These are real places where real tragedies occurred
- Bring a camera - You never know what might show up in your photos
Dare to visit? These castles prove that Europe’s most beautiful buildings often have the darkest secrets.