8 eerily beautiful cities (not just) for Halloween
Scottish-spooky Edinburgh
Magical, mystical, spooky: in Edinburgh, ghost tours and spooky pub crawls are a year-round tradition and have brought more than a few undead creatures back to life. After all, Edinburgh's history dates back to 854, so there's a lot to discover – even below the surface: a descent into the
und reveals the hidden side of this pretty city and is a must-see for all fans of the macabre.But it's in October in particular that the Scottish capital, with its medieval streets, becomes a veritable Halloween town.
Those who crave planned horror will get their money's worth at the various shows of the
On the evening of Samhuin (31 October 2025), the
brings the spirits of Halloween to life with its fire procession through the streets of the city. A fiery highlight event!Those who don't want to sacrifice comfort while being scared can take the
s jet-black ghost bus through the dark night. Following in the footsteps of long-forgotten horror stories, the mysterious conductor leads all restless souls to Edinburgh's most haunted places at midnight! The immersive comedy horror sightseeing show aboard an elegantly restored old double-decker bus is perfect for anyone who appreciates a dark atmosphere, traditional ghost stories and a dash of Scottish humour.
Prague: On the trail of ghosts in the city of alchemy
When the mornings become foggy and the nights darker, Prague's winding alleys and old walls reveal their particularly atmospheric side. As a visitor, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your dark adventure: you can immerse yourself in the city's alchemical past at the
or at the . Ghost and haunted tours are a dime a dozen in the city. Theatre lovers will find cultural gems in special horror plays and readings, immersing themselves deeply in the world of Gothic horror. And who knows, maybe you'll soon have your own ghost stories to tell when you venture out into Prague at night?For those who like it a little livelier, numerous bars and clubs in the Old Town offer exuberant Halloween parties with themed drinks in a unique setting. But even outside the spooky season, there are pubs in Prague that are like gateways to another world:
Ever tried absinthe? Artists brought the inspiring ‘green fairy’ from France to Prague back in the day – and even today, many feverish dreams come true at the
Dublin: in the home of Count Dracula
Every year, on the last weekend in October, Dublin turns into a great cabinet of horrors. The
is a tribute to the Irish writer Bram Stoker, who became famous for his novel Dracula. The first years of Stoker’s life were plagued with serious illness and he became fascinated by the supernatural and the dark. Inspired by Stoker’s life and work, the festival has something for all fans of the spooky: in addition to concerts and theatre performances of Schauer classics such as Nosferatu, there are discussions and comedy shows in nightclubs.If you want to dial up the gruesome factor, you should join a guided
and learn all about the city’s dark and brutal past: from legends to witches, to murderers and cannibals, Dublin is THE place for Halloween lovers. Another must-see is St. Michan’s Church near Dublin’s old town. Here, you can admire the mummified remains of a wealthy family from about 300 years ago.
Mystery & Halloween-Highlights in London
In October, London shows its mystical side: fog-shrouded streets and gloomy corners of the metropolis are particularly atmospheric in autumn, making the city the perfect destination for fans of mystery, crime stories and magic.
Crime fiction fans take note: London is a paradise for detective stories and amateur sleuths! From thrilling Jack the Ripper tours in the East End to the famous Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street, here you can follow in the footsteps of real and fictional investigators. A highlight for fans of the BBC series ‘Sherlock’ are the
– a must for all puzzle fans!Magical London for Harry Potter fans:
Enchanting: London served as a source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling for many locations, and some of the filming locations are located right in London. Especially in autumn, you feel like you're strolling through the pages, either on your own or on a guided tour. Particularly impressive: the
Whether you're following in the footsteps of serial killers or wizards, a little afternoon tea afterwards can never hurt. Of course, many
also offer themed afternoon tea for the spooky season, with terrifyingly delicious treats
Scary autumn fun in Copenhagen
The tranquil city of Copenhagen can be really scary. And in an otherwise cheerful place – the
. The park was founded in 1843 by George Carstensen and is considered one of the oldest in the world. While the park usually enchants visitors with its fast-paced rides and nostalgic carousels, it turns into its own creepy twin around Halloween. Everything is adorned with pumpkins, ghosts and cobwebs. In keeping with the season, there are roasted chestnuts, raclette and other autumnal specialities. No one will forget the Halloween experience at the Villa Vendetta haunted house, which awaits its visitors with ghastly surprises.Another grisly highlight in Copenhagen is the
. Built in 1850, the underground water reservoirs now serve as exhibition spaces. The dark corridors, impressive vaulted ceilings and the damp, musty smell create an eerie, mysterious atmosphere. If that’s not enough, you should pay a visit to the , where preserved human organs, foetuses and skeletons can be examined. The dimmed lights throughout the museum give the exhibition an eerie character reminiscent of the horror novel Frankenstein.Paris: Disney rogues and catacombs
Paris – the city of love? Not at Halloween! At this time of year,
on the outskirts of Paris is conquered by Disney’s dark characters and villains. A creepy and eerie atmosphere fills the entire theme park, and everything is decorated with gruesome lanterns and menacing pumpkins. Even Mickey and his companions slip into new outfits to scare visitors out of their skin. An absolute must are the Halloween parade and the evening performance at Sleeping Beauty’s castle, which are designed to suit the spooky season. The particularly brave should pay a visit to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride or the Phantom Manor haunted house.Even if you aren't interested in the magic of Disney, fans of scares won’t be disappointed in Paris. The
can be visited throughout the year. The former quarries from the 15th century were later used as a cemetery and today contain the remains of more than six million people. The result is a labyrinth of human bones and skulls, carefully arranged into eerie patterns – not for the faint of heart. Nowadays, you can still learn a lot about the dark past of Paris.
The Day of the Dead in Barcelona
While many Western cultures celebrate Halloween on the last day of October, Spain traditionally celebrates the Día de Todos los Santos, or All Saints’ Day, commemorating the souls of the deceased. As part of this celebration, people visit the graves of relatives, decorate them with flowers and the whole family comes together for what’s known as the Castañada. This centuries-old culinary tradition includes eating roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes or panellets, a sweet dish made from almonds, sweet potatoes and pine nuts. Back then, the bells were rung in honour of the dead until the early hours of the morning. To warm up, seasonal dishes were eaten by a fire together with family and neighbours. During the autumn season, these traditional delicacies can be enjoyed at many street stalls in Barcelona.
If you’re looking for a touch of the spooky, the
amusement park is just an hour’s drive away. During the Halloween season it turns into a spooktacular El Dorado: from captivating Halloween shows to musicals, horror junkies are sure to find something to entertain them.Berlin & Hamburg: creepy all year round
Don’t want to wait until Halloween? Then head to Berlin or Hamburg. In the
, you can be transported into the world of horror all year round by professional actors, special effects and exhilarating rides. At the same time, you’ll get fascinating insights into the dark past of each city: from the gloomy atmosphere of the Peststrasse in Berlin to the big fire in Hamburg, the dungeons are not for the faint-hearted. At Halloween, the visit is doubly worth it, because at this time of year the dungeons often put on exclusive Halloween shows.Anyone who’s interested can learn even more about Berlin’s dark history on a
. Whether it’s a bunker from the Second World War or an escape tunnel under the Berlin Wall – there’s something for every horror fan. For those who are looking for even more goosebumps, it’s worth taking a trip from Berlin to the near Potsdam. Normally, the park opens its doors to film and television enthusiasts to provide behind-the-scenes insights. But at Halloween, the park turns into a place of shocks and spooks with labyrinths, monster zones and eerily disguised actors.For fans of a good fright in Hamburg who want to get out in the fresh air, we have the perfect destination:
in the north of Hamburg. The walk through the nature reserve is especially recommended at dusk, when an eerie fog covers the moor.Plan your Halloween now – and start your next adventure at Motel One!
From mystical fire festivals and night-time ghost tours to sweet chestnuts in the autumn breeze, Europe has countless spooky yet beautiful destinations to offer in October.
With Motel One, you can always stay in a central, stylish and comfortable location while immersing yourself in the continent's most mysterious stories.
