As Halloween approaches, travelers who prefer eerie streets over sunny beaches can take advantage of October to immerse themselves in the darker side of tourism. From the history of witch trials in Salem to vampire legends around Bran Castle in Romania, places around the world utilize their mysterious history by offering ghost tours, autumn festivals, ancient cemeteries, and spooky attractions.
The travel agency Holafly released its Spooky Destinations Index 2026 to determine the most popular places for Halloween trips. This index evaluated destinations based on criteria such as dark history, October events, sinister atmosphere, flight accessibility, and search query popularity during the season.
According to the index, ten destinations ranked highest for Halloween travel in 2026. The city of Salem, Massachusetts, took first place with a perfect score of 100. It is closely linked to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and boasts a rich calendar of autumn holidays and events, allowing it to achieve a significantly higher score compared to other locations.
Edinburgh came in second place with 78.1 points. The medieval architecture of the Scottish capital, the historic Old Town, and its dark history create a fitting backdrop for Halloween, while the international airport ensures relatively easy access for foreign visitors. The city is also known for its underground spaces and ghost tours, allowing visitors to explore its dark stories after sunset.
New Orleans secured third place with 77.4 points. This Louisiana city is famous for its unique above-ground cemeteries, folklore, and Voodoo traditions, as well as a vibrant calendar of autumn events. Its distinctive architecture and long association with ghost stories make it a popular choice for those seeking a Halloween experience with a strong Southern American flavor.
The Edinburgh Vaults were awarded fourth place with a score of 75.8. These underground chambers, located beneath the city's South Bridge, have become a main attraction for those interested in the darker side of Edinburgh's history. Night tours recount stories related to these vaults, including legends of criminals, grave robbers, and other figures from the city's past.
Sleepy Hollow, New York, ranked fifth with a score of 72.4. This village is famous due to Washington Irving's work 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and its Headless Horseman. During the autumn period, this story is celebrated here through seasonal Halloween events and attractions, and its proximity to New York City facilitates travel for tourists visiting the region.
For lovers of vampire folklore, Transylvania remains a classic destination for Halloween. Bran Castle in the region took sixth place with a score of 61.3. Situated against the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains, the majestic castle and its connection to Dracula have made it one of Romania's most famous landmarks. The location also contributes to an atmospheric experience, although reaching the castle may require a longer journey than to some of the places listed.
The coastal town of Whitby ranked seventh with a score of 57.3. Its dramatic ruins of a Gothic abbey rise above the Yorkshire coast and gained fame for its connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula. The city's historic streets, coastal setting, and literary connections lend it a particularly atmospheric feel in the dark months of the year.
York took eighth place with a score of 55.4. This historic city is known for its medieval streets, Roman heritage, and long association with ghost stories. Its narrow alleys and centuries-old buildings provide a natural backdrop for walking tours exploring the city's dark history.
Dublin and Trim Castle placed ninth with a score of 52.3. Ireland has deep ties to the origins of Halloween, as the ancient Celtic festival Samhain is traditionally associated with the period that ultimately influenced modern Halloween celebrations. The combination of Irish folklore, historical sites, and autumn events makes Dublin another place worth considering for travelers interested in the origins and traditions of Halloween.
Concluding the list is Guanajuato, which scored 48.5 points. This colorful Mexican city offers a different perspective on Halloween travel, as Day of the Dead traditions are an important part of the seasonal experience. Visitors can explore the city's underground tunnels and the Mummies Museum, which houses naturally mummified remains discovered in the region.
The Holafly Spooky Destinations 2026 Index assessed destinations based on five factors: documented dark history accounted for 30% of the score, confirmed October festivals accounted for 25%, atmospheric spookiness accounted for 20%, ease of flights from major regional airports accounted for 10%, and popularity of seasonal search queries accounted for 15%. Holafly stated that it used information from conservation organizations, municipal tourism boards, airline databases, and Google Trends historical data before compiling the results into a final score out of 100.