10 Hauntingly Spooky Castles in Europe

No list of Europe’s spookiest castles is complete without Bran Castle—aka Dracula’s Castle, also rumored to be the former crash pad of Vlad the Impaler. Unsavory former (fictional and non-fictional) residents aside, this medieval fortress serves up scary movie–worthy visuals thanks to its craggy clifftop perch and Transylvanian backdrop.

Halloween is, unsurprisingly, a prime time to visit. Book tickets to attend Bran Castle’s annual haunted happening (or embark on a full-day excursion from Bucharest at other times of the year).

Related: Know Before You Go: Celebrating Halloween at Dracula's Castle

There are creepy castles all over the continent, but only one supposedly prompted Mary Shelley to pen her most celebrated horror story. That would be Germany’s Frankenstein Castle, now largely in ruins.

Its infamous former resident, Johann Konrad Dippel, was known for his creepy experiments (and theorized about transferring souls from dead bodies). If that doesn’t wig you out, it’s worth exploring on a day out in Darmstadt (or attending the castle’s blood-curdling Halloween parties).

Looming over the Scottish capital atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is gray, sprawling, ominous ... and dates back to the 12th cenutry. As such, it’s both one of the city’s best-known sights and one of its creepiest, famous for being the most besieged castle in Britain.

Thanks in no small part to all that conflict and bloodshed, today, it’s supposedly besieged by an army of ghosts, so keep an eye out for spirits such as the Grey Lady and a headless drummer boy. You can explore Edinburgh Castle on a guided tour or learn more about its haunted history on a ghostly excursion.

Leap Castle certainly looks the part of a spooky fortress straight out of central casting, thanks to its crumbling towers and weatherbeaten facade (the castle suffered a devastating fire in the 1920s). Today, Leap Castle (which is roughly equidistant between Dublin and Limerick) is a private residence that’s opened by the owners to only the bravest of visitors. Expect to hear plenty of macabre tales of its bloody history and be on the lookout for paranormal encounters when you visit.

Related: 15 of the Scariest Ghost Tours Around the World

The former stomping grounds of the Hapsburg dynasty, Austria is home to numerous fairy tale–worthy castles—but Moosham Castle, in all its spooky, imposing glory, certainly isn’t one of them.

Situated some 80 miles (129 kilometers) south of Salzburg, this foreboding fortress was built on Roman foundations but its dark reputation dates to the 17th century, when the Zaubererjackl Witch Trials saw more than 100 young victims tortured and executed here. Today, the castle’s threatening ambiance is still palpable—as are, according to visitors, plenty of resident specters. (And did we mention the werewolf lore, that led people to believe the residents turned into hairy beasts after dark?)

The aptly named Chillingham Castle offers plenty of fearsome frights. This Grade I listed 13th-century fortress is located north of Newcastle and is supposedly the most haunted castle in England. For a country that’s seen millennia of gruesome executions, bloody battles, and royal intrigue, that’s saying something. On a paranormal tour, you’ll go hunting for apparitions in its dungeons, torture chambers, gardens, and staterooms—and will learn why poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about its phantoms.

In many ways, the grand Château de Brissac looks emblematic of its Loire Valley counterparts. Boasting plump turrets and soaring heights—it is France’s tallest castle—the château has been owned by the same noble family since 1502.

What sets it apart from its grand peers, however, is its supernatural lore. In 1477, former resident Charlotte de Brézé was murdered by her husband within the château’s walls. Today, her ghost, known as La Dame Verte (The Green Lady), is said to haunt its hallways.

Related: 10 of the Top Castles in the Loire Valley (and How To Visit)

Located right on the Oslofjord in the heart of the Norwegian capital, the 13th-century Akershus Fortress looks picturesque enough by day. But as darkness descends, the castle's true character comes out.

Formerly a residence for Norway’s royal family, the fortress was later used as a prison and was known for its brutal treatment of inmates. Many who visit the castle today report unexplained phenomena and supernatural encounters. Look out for them while on a myths and legends–themed Oslo tour.

It’s hard to out-horror Houska Castle. Located just an hour north of Prague but tucked away in a dense forest, this 13th-century castle was, according to legend, built to cover a deep pit that was considered to be one of the gates to hell.

Its grisly reputation continued into the 20th century when it was reportedly used by the Nazis. Today, the castle’s occult artworks and lingering spirits scare off many visitors, though if you're a hardy soul you can explore on a haunted castle tour from Prague.

Related: Where To Find the Gates of Hell Around the World

You don’t need an expert to tell you that something sinister’s afoot at Slovenia’s Predjama Castle. In addition to its medieval architecture, there’s also the fact that the castle is built halfway inside a huge cave outfitted with dripping stalactites.

Then there are the stories of its former robber baron resident, Erasmus Luegg, who was killed in the castle, as well as its torture chambers. If you dare, embark on a tour of the castle and its bat-filled cavern system. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.