These Are the Most Haunted Cities in the World

The world can be a terrifying place. It seems that everywhere you go, the locals want to tell you about all of the city’s haunted locations. However, some cities have more ghosts than others. Below, read about a few of the most terrifying locations in 10 of the most haunted cities in the world.

10. Most Haunted Cities in the World – Sighisoara, Romania

Few the of most haunted cities in the world have a history quite like this Romanian town. Sighisoara’s claim to fame centers around one individual: Vlad the Impaler – the real-life inspiration for Dracula. This city was his birthplace, and visitors can now go on tours of his childhood home, which features a nearby torture museum. Some say you can hear the pained screams of some of Vlad’s victims piercing the dead of night.

Visitors can also hope to spot one of the town’s resident ghosts while climbing the eerie “Scholar’s Stairs,” a covered outdoor staircase that is part of the Biserica din Deal or the Church on the Hill. Near the staircase rests a creepy cemetery that is the final resting place to several important people, such as Senator Friedrich Müller. Many believe that the graveyard’s residents tend to walk the Scholar’s Stairs in the dark of night.

9. Canberra, Australia

Way down under in Australia, you may be surprised to find one of the most haunted cities in the world. Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is full of terrifying ghost stories sure to thrill any supernatural enthusiast. For example, visitors to Canberra’s Blundell’s Cottage may want to leave their jewelry at home. Teenager Flora Blundell died in a fire in this cottage. Because she was wearing a necklace at the time of her death, wearing a necklace seems to attract her spirit.

One of the most interesting of Canberra’s haunted sites is the Hotel Kurrajong. In 1951, former Prime Minister Ben Chiffley was working in a room at the hotel when he died suddenly of a heart attack. According to numerous staff and visitors, the room where Chiffley’s life ended has retained the former statesman’s spirit.

8. Most Haunted Cities in the World – Salem, Massachusetts, United States

Salem, Massachusetts is well known as one of the most haunted cities in the world. The site of the famous Salem Witch Trials, the small town in Massachusetts has more than its fair share of ghosts. For example, visitors to the historic Ropes Mansion are often surprised to see a light kept on in the attic at all times. This light burns to appease the resident ghost, who attempted to burn the house down three times before caretakers figured out how to keep her calm. Her form is often visible in the attic’s window and even in the mansion’s garden.

Salem is also home to at least two haunted cemeteries. The Howard Street Cemetery, for example, is the home of a spirit who appears as an omen of bad things to come.

Salem’s most gruesome ghost story takes place in a small alley just off the town’s main street. There, a pregnant young woman was killed by her lover and local minister to keep the pregnancy a secret. Visitors to this lonely alley often report seeing a mysterious woman in a pale blue dress that doesn’t appear to be from this century.

7. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and one of the most haunted cities in the world. Visitors to Cape Town’s Table Mountain should be wary of encountering the Ghost of Verlatenbosch. This spirit is said to be that of a man who angered the governor and was forced into exile on the mountain. Visitors can still hear the mournful sounds of his flute echoing through the air.

In addition, visitors to the coast might spot the ghostly image of the doomed Flying Dutchman sailing the waters. This ship sank during a terrible storm off the coast and allegedly continues to sail the waters searching for safety.

The oldest building in Cape Town, the Castle of Good Hope, also has a variety of ghosts to tempt supernatural tourists. A ghostly black dog is said to walk the grounds along with the spirit of Lady Anne Barnard, a noblewoman who still appears when important dignitaries visit. In addition, visitors often hear the sound of the bell in the castle’s tower being rung, even though the tower was walled off centuries ago when a soldier hanged himself with the bell rope.

6. Most Haunted Cities in the World – Beijing, China

Beijing ranks high as one of the most haunted places in China and one of the more haunted locations is Gongwangfu, or Prince Gong’s Mansion. The prince was well-known for his dishonesty and was said to keep at least 80 concubines. The mansion is now haunted by the spirit of his wife. In addition, the Huguang Huiguan is said to be home to several ghosts. It was built as a house for the poor, but unfortunately was set atop an old graveyard. Apparently, anyone who throws a stone in the courtyard will get a lecture from a ghostly voice.

In the heart of Beijing lies the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace. The city was once home to the emperor and his family and hundreds of concubines, guards, servants, and soldiers. Visitors to the Forbidden City frequently report ghostly animals running about, crying women in the concubine quarters, and other melancholy women roaming the grounds. As the site of frequent murders and executions, it is unsurprising that the Forbidden City would be rife with ghosts.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

New Orleans in the southern United States is known as one of the most haunted cities in the world primarily because of its history of voodoo. For example, tourists are likely to spot the ghost of the former voodoo mistress at Marie Laveau’s home. However, the infamous queen of voodoo is not always keen on having visitors. Some have felt vicious scratches on their arms, felt their clothing being tugged and have even been pushed by a mysterious unseen force.

The Lady of Guadalupe Church is another haunting locale. Here, victims of the yellow fever epidemic were held while they awaited burial, and it’s said that many of their spirits still linger inside the church’s walls.

One of the most terrifying hauntings in New Orleans can be found at The Gardette Le Prete House, also known as the Sultan’s Palace. Here, the brother of a Turkish Sultan was brutally murdered. Today, those who spend the night there are apt to spot the man’s dark figure standing at the foot of their bed in the dark of night.

4. Most Haunted Cities in the World – Prague, Czech Republic

In the Czech city of Prague, ghosts are known to wander the town’s famed cobblestone streets. For example, visitors may encounter the Golem of Prague, an anthropomorphic being made of mud or clay that was created to protect the city’s Jewish citizens during the reign of Rudolph II.

In addition, if you hear the clattering of a horse’s hooves on the cobblestones, keep an eye out for the spirit of a headless Templar Knight. This spirit is known to challenge those he encounters to a fight, hoping to be released from his eternal imprisonment.

Within the Prague Castle complex is the Daliborka Tower, a former prison for noble citizens accused of crimes. The tower was named after its first prisoner, a knight who learned to play the violin while imprisoned. To this day, visitors to the tower can hear the mournful sounds of Dalibor’s violin.

3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

The Battle of Gettysburg during the United States Civil War was one of the bloodiest battles in history. This carnage makes it unsurprising that the city is now a supernatural hotspot. Ghost hunters are often drawn to the Doubleday Inn, which was built on the site of Iverson’s Pit: the location of a brutal massacre of hundreds of soldiers whose spirits still roam the area. Visitors also see ghosts at Devil’s Den, the site of another brutal massacre. Here, a Texan soldier is regularly seen wandering the battlefield in full Civil War regalia.

However, one of the most haunted locations in Gettysburg is the Sachs Covered Bridge. Here, numerous Confederate soldiers were killed as they attempted to desert the battle. Visitors frequently feel cold spots and photograph orbs at the bridge. Many who visit after dark are terrified to hear the sounds of a raging battle and see the bloodied spirits of the soldiers who died there.

2. Most Haunted Cities in the World – Edinburgh, UK

Graveyards are a common spot for hauntings. One of the most haunted in the world is Greyfriar’s Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland. There, a violent poltergeist is known to viciously attack visitors. There have been over 500 recorded incidents of physical abuse from the spirit. Injuries have ranged from scratches and bruises to broken limbs.

Tourists can also hope for a ghostly encounter at Edinburgh Castle. The castle is connected to the Royal Mile: a massive set of underground tunnels. A piper who was sent to explore the tunnels years ago disappeared without explanation. Visitors still hear the faint sound of pipe music in the castle. The castle is also home to a ghostly drummer. However, it is said that this ghost only appears as a warning of imminent disaster.

1. Poveglia Island, Italy

Not many people have heard of Poveglia Island off the coast of Venice, Italy. However, many call it the most haunted place in the world.

At the height of the bubonic plague, citizens who showed symptoms of the diseases were sent to the island to be quarantined from the healthy. Most never returned, making the island one massive grave. Many of the victims still haunt the island. It is believed that as many as 100,000 restless spirits wander there.

Years after the plague, a mental hospital was built on the island. Because of its distance from the mainland, the doctor who ran the hospital performed cruel experiments on the patients. The ghosts of these patients remain, and they are angry. It is believed that some of these spirits were responsible for the death of the doctor who carried out the experiments. Few people are brave enough to visit the island today, fearing the wrath of the tortured souls who linger there.