18 Creepy , Haunted or Abandoned Places in Europe

Love watching horror films or reading up spooky stories? If you are in the mood for adventure and some thrill, here is a list of places considered abandoned, creepy and in some cases, even haunted! Now, I  haven’t visited all of these, but I asked people who have, and here are their experiences. Know of more abandoned places in Europe? Would you be brave enough to go explore? Comment below to let me know and share this post with your adventurous friends!

St. Briavel’s Castle, England

St. Briavel’s Castle in Gloucestershire is said to be one of the most haunted castles in England and a ‘magnet for ghost hunters’. Built in the 12th Century, it was used as the Royal Hunting Ground for a while, followed by its usage as a court and then a prison. Today, you can stay in a youth hostel located in the Edwardian Castle.  A secret dungeon, an old prison with 16th-century graffiti by prisoners and a candlelit banquet hall that hosts medieval feasts-  your weekend at YHA St Briavels is sure to be memorable! Check out this video by Forest Paranormal if you don’t believe this.

Check out more unusual stays in UK here .

Buzludzha, Bulgaria

If you visit Bulgaria, a day trip to Buzludzha has to be on your list.

The Buzludzha monument is an abandoned building listed among the creepiest and beautiful abandoned monuments on Earth.

The monument was once home to the Bulgarian Communist Party. Nowadays, Buzludzha is heavily damaged and closed to the public although enthusiasts still can get in at their own risk.

Yet to visit Bulgaria? These are the places you can visit and things you can do!

Buzludzha, Bulgaria

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine

When the sirens rang out across Pripyat Nursery, following the Chernobyl nuclear explosion, there was no opportunity to collect belongings. Houses, schools and supermarkets lie abandoned – a moment frozen in time.

Due to the dangerous nature of entering long-abandoned buildings, there are few places within the exclusion zone that are safe to explore, one exception being an old nursery. Books lie scattered across the floor, furniture upended, and most shockingly, dolls turned ghostly by the passing of time greet visitors with vacant stares and give this place an altogether eerie chill to the air.

-Andrew and Emily, Along dusty roads. Check out their experience visiting Chernobyl.

Abandoned nursery at Chernobyl. Picture:AlongDustyRoads.com

Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the beautiful and vibrant capital of Sweden. But, could the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world, be having special visitors from time to time? The Palace is said to be frequented by ghosts like the ‘White Lady’ and the ‘Grey Man’ and the Queen referred to them as ‘friendly ghosts’ in a documentary!

While the ‘White Lady’ is said to be the harbinger of death, the ‘Grey man’ is supposed to have appeared before every ruler started his reign and some people say he is the ghost of the founder of Stockholm- Birger Jarl.

Check out this guide to walking around in Stockholm.

For more ghost stories of Stockholm, join the Stockholm Ghost Tour and have a fun-filled 90-minute experience. I joined their tour last summer, which is how I found out about these stories.

Stockholm at night

Sudeley Castle, England

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, visiting somewhere that is supposedly haunted is most definitely a spooky experience. Haunted buildings are often old and draughty, with dark dungeons and dingy cellars inside.

Found deep within the Gloucestershire countryside in England is Sudeley Castle, which is supposedly haunted by a number of different ghosts. Each Halloween, the team at Sudeley hold a ‘Halloween & Halloweek’ Event, which allows you to embark on spooky ghost tours and listen to scary stories.

During the ghost tour last year, we heard multiple tales of ghost sightings. From moans and wails that are frequently heard coming from the dungeons to ghost children seen skipping through the vast castle gardens or even ghost Queens gliding along the corridors inside.

Sudeley Castle was actually a home of Katherine Parr (Henry VIII’s sixth wife) and is in fact buried in the castle’s church today. Legend says that she is often seen gliding along the corridors as if she’s still alive today and wandering around her castle home.

During the ghost tour, the Sudeley team had employed an actress to pretend to be Katherine Parr. Initially, a woman was looking out of the window across the gardens (I was convinced she was a statue or a model), and then suddenly she came to life, tapping on the window and giving us all a little spook on October 31st.

In my opinion, Sudeley Castle is a great Halloween or year-round spooky destination!

-Justine Cross, Wanderer of the World. Check out her experience celebrating Halloween in a haunted castle here.

Sudeley Castle, England

Lennox Castle Hospital near Glasgow, Scotland

The abandoned Lennox Castle Hospital sits hidden in a wooded estate outside Glasgow, Scotland.Opened in 1936, it was built to house people with mental and learning disabilities.There are many sad stories of patients being starved, drugged, physically punished and emotionally abused.  Intended to house 1200 people, at its peak, it was
overcrowded with 1700 patients. The conditions were so bad that in 1986 even the hospital’s medical director commented that he had never worked in “a worse pit”.
The hospital has been disused since 2002 and although many of the buildings that made up the original complex have been demolished, much of the main mansion house building still stands.  A fire in 2008 caused a lot of damage to the interior which is now fenced off for safety reasons although it is still possible to access the inside if you are determined enough.

I’ve explored a few abandoned places and Lennox Castle Hospital is particularly eerie.  Carved stone faces look down from beside the windows and the dark rooms have a really spooky feel.  Some of the original features can still be seen and the whole building emits a sad energy.

From what I’ve read this would have been an awful place to be a patient!

– Susanne Arbuckle, Adventures Around Scotland

Lennox Castle and Hospital.Picture: Susanne Arbuckle

Deteniche, Czech Republic

Small neighbourhood houses with boarded windows lined the street as we turned into the seemingly abandoned town where we were spending the night. “Welcome to Detenice. If you get scared easily…” our tour guide began to warn, but I was distracted by the medieval hotel ahead of us.

A peasant woman with an eerie smile greeted us at the entrance in Czech before handing us our key and motioning down the candlelit hallway ordained with dead animal carcasses.

“Dinner will be served soon,” our tour guide called out.

Starving after a long bus ride, we hurried to our room, put our bags down beside our cots before walking over to the adjacent building for supper. The air became hot and thick as we descended the stairs into the large space, filled with raucous people and performers weaving from table to table. We took our seat at a long wooden table and a belly dancer came over to welcome us by stepping onto the table and offering her hand to our group members to dance with her. A loud voice booms out in Czech, I turn to see what was going on as a man breathes fire onto a torch and waves his torch in a grand fashion. The belly dancer steps down from our table and plates filled with chicken, veal, lamb and steak replace her. I look down at the plate, not sure where to begin. Something brushes my shoulder. I turn to see a man with a snake around his shoulders brushing past, offering it to passers-by. And this was only the beginning of my nightmare.

Back to our rooms after dinner, I fell asleep instantly in my cot. When, at midnight, a shot rang out. I jolted from my sleep, my eyes glancing around the room at my two roommates in a quiet cry of “What was that?” A soft cackle and a howl filled the room.

“Hush shh shh hush shh shh” a voice whispered from overheard, followed by whispered words in Czech and cackles.

All of a sudden, voices yelling out in Czech began running up and down the hall way, testing the doorknobs as they ran. But as quickly as it happened, it was all over. Unsure of what to do, I laid back down in my cot. I laid there until about an hour later when a gun shot went off. And the dance happened again.

– Deni, The Full Time Tourist

Cairndhu House, Ireland

The grand, gothic Cairndhu House sits among the rolling fields of Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast and is, according to the expert “ghost hunters” at Paranormal Ulster, the most haunted house in Northern Ireland. The house, built in 1875, was originally a grand stately home but was later gifted to the county who turned it into a convalescence home before it was finally shut down and fell into disrepair in the 1980s.

Numerous caretakers and security guards have reported strange noises and banging coming from within the various rooms, and the local people try to avoid the area at night. The house itself now sits boarded up and is difficult to access, except via one open window on the top floor which beckons the curious inside…

On the day of our visit we only walked around the perimeter of the house, but even down a back alley behind the house, we saw what looked like a smeared, dried bloody handprint dragged down the wall. We thought it must’ve just been a prank played by local youths… We certainly hoped so!

– Ryan Platten and Erin Hardie, Down Bubble

Cairndhu House, Ireland- picture: Erin Hardie

Varosha, Cyprus

Varosha is an abandoned ghost town in Northern Cyprus. The city used to be a popular beach resort town for the Cypriots to travel to. That was until the mid-1970’s when the Turkish invaded and it has been under their control ever since. The whole city is falling into decay and visitors are not able to visit. We were only able to see the completely dark city by going to the border near Ayia Napa on the Cypriot side. Seeing the ruins of this one thriving beach town was eerie. Now, nature has taken over and slowly the trees and vegetations are engulfing Varosha.

Kilkea Castle, Ireland

We visited numerous castles during our 10 days in the Emerald Isle, but Kilkea Castle in Kildare was easily our favorite. The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Ireland, Kilkea was built by Sir Walter de Riddlesford in 1180. After his granddaughter married Maurice Fitzgerald, the 3rd baron of Offaly, Kilkea Castle remained in the Fitzgerald family for over 700 years.

Some people consider Kilkea the most haunted castle in Ireland. Legend has it that the castle went through a dark period when it was owned by the 11th Earl of Kildare, a 16th-century nobleman with an interest in the dark arts. He was rumoured to use magic to turn himself into a word or beast at will.

One day his wife urged him to demonstrate this fantastical ability, but he warned her that if she showed any fear while he was in animal form, he would disappear. She assured him she wouldn’t, so he changed into a Blackbird and perched on her shoulder. Unfortunately, a black cat came along and took a swipe at the bird, the Countess swooned, and the husband disappeared, never to be seen again. Some locals say his ghost, known as the Wizard Earl, still haunts the castle once every 7 years.

We didn’t see any ghosts. But we did stay in their Ernest Shackleton Suite (named after Kildare’s famous explorer), and it was as posh and luxurious as any medieval castle could possibly be. We’ve travelled all over the world, and Kilkea Castle ranks among our favourite places we’ve ever stayed!

–Bret Love & Mary Gabbett, Green Global Travel

Check out their travel tips here.

Kilkea castle, ireland. Picture by GreenGlobalTravel.com

Abandoned hotel in Azores

High above the striking Sete Cidades lake on São Miguel Island in the Azores lies a peculiar structure. Upon first glance, it looks like it could have once been a large, unfinished construction. However, a closer look reveals a former five-star hotel, abandoned many years ago and left to the elements.

Built in the 1980s, the Hotel Monte Palace was, for a short time, a full-service hotel. However, after just a few years, it shut down, leaving this massive structure behind. When I drove by the hotel for the first time, I was curious to go inside. So, when I passed by again, I decided to have a look for myself. Inside the ‘lobby’ lie remnants of beautiful hallway lighting and gold-embellished decor. I imagine it was extremely beautiful before it fell to ruin.

The hotel’s staircases are intact, and you can see inside some of the hotel rooms. Although the furniture is no longer there, many of the rooms boast stunning views of the lake below. While there, I couldn’t help but take a few self-portraits in this unique place.

Despite the amazing surrounding landscape, something about the place left me totally spooked. Exploring this once-iconic symbol of grandeur that had now fallen into a state of abandonment was definitely a haunting experience.

-Kay Rodriguez, Jetfarer.com

The former 5* Hotel is impressive indeed as it has the best view on the emblematic volcanic lakes of Sete Cidades. I arrived at the ruins after a long hike and the feeling while entering the hotel was daunting indeed. The local population says that the place is haunted…. maybe there are still some guests whose spirits didn’t want to leave this remote palace?

-Paulina, Paulina On the Road

Abandoned Hotel in Azores- off the coast of Portugal. Picture:Paulina on the Road

Chiajna Monastery, Romania

This monastery, located in Bucharest, Romania, was built in the late 1700s. Since construction, it’s suffered bombing from the Turks, abandonment from the locals, and an increase of spooky stories about ghostly inhabitants and missing visitors. As a place of worship, it no doubt received its cursed reputation from not only wartime violence but also plague-stricken patrons.

Visiting the monastery nowadays is a haunting and historical experience, considering the turmoil surrounding the building. Despite the possibility of more building collapse, visitors often walk through and pose for pictures. The local legend has it that many people have gone missing in the monastery, so be sure to go in pairs lest you become the next victim!

-Scott Hornberg, International Hot Dish

The Real Mary Kings Close, Edinburgh

Just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, you will find The Real Mary Kings Close. Now a ghostly underground tour, the Close was previously an open and busy market street. Sealed off when the architects for the Edinburgh Town Hall decided, the lower 3-4 levels of the houses on the lane would be used as foundations for the government building above. The street was sealed and forgotten. It wasn’t until the Second World War that the close was reopened and used as a bomb shelter and later opened to tourists.

Tour guides take on the persona of previous residents of the Close and lead visitors through the well-preserved remains of the lodgings. Telling stories of plague ravaged families, murderous mother in laws and ghosts that remained trapped for eternity.

– Kaylie Lewell , Happinesstravelshere.com

Edinburgh. Picture : Kaylie Lewell

Doel, Belgium

To me, it is still weird to think that there is an almost abandoned little village in a Western country like Belgium just across the border of Holland. The little village of Doel only counts a handful inhabitants now (they must be creepy as hell) but once was a normal village. When the government 40 years ago revealed its plans to build a nuclear plant in their back garden people started moving away. Nowadays the village turned into a spooky place with ramshackle houses that seem like they have been left in a rush. Some abandoned house still contains its 40-year-old furniture, curtains are dancing in the wind of broken windows and doors are halfway open. So now and then there are some tourists passing through taking photos but as the sun starts going down you definitely want to make sure you left this creepy place. Damn who are those very few people that still live here? Can you imagine….

–Tom Grond, Travel TomTom 

Bone Chapels in Faro, Portugal

The Capela de Ossos in Faro is just one of several bone chapels that exist across Portugal. Built from thousands of human skulls and bones, it’s both awe-inspiring and incredibly spooky at the same time. It may look like the work of some death-obsessed Satanist, but the bone chapel was actually built by Carmelite monks. These monks wanted a visual reminder of death, and how it’s a reality that we all have to face.
In fact, that’s exactly what the inscription above the door reads: “Stop here and think of the fate that will befall you” – words that could have been written by death himself.
If you’re in the Algarve for Halloween and are looking for somewhere spooky to visit, take a trip to Faro’s Capela de Ossos.

– James Cave, Portugalist

Bone chapel in Faro, Portugal. Picture: James, Portugalist

Patarei Prison, Tallin (Estonia)

Many spooky places just feel that way and weren’t actually the place of anything sinister. That’s not the case with Patarei Prison in Tallinn, Estonia. The Soviet era was often brutal for Estonians, especially those unfortunate enough to be imprisoned, tortured, and executed here. Time & the cold wind blowing off the sea have turned Patarei Prison to ruins, but visitors can still explore several of the buildings. There are dark passageways to explore at every turn, and when all falls quiet except for the rustling of leaves & the wind, you can hear the ghosts of those who met their untimely demise at Patarei.

– Jonathan Sacks, everybodyhatesatourist.net

Teufelsberg, Berlin, Germany

Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain) is a 120-meter high, man-made mountain, located in Berlin’s Western district, Grunewald. The name itself derives from Teufelssee (Devil’s Lake). Back in the days, the hill was made of rubble in order to cover an under-construction Nazi military-technical college. During the Cold War, however, the U.S.  listening station was located on the hill. “The Hill”, as it was known colloquially by the many American soldiers who worked there around the clock and who commuted there from their quarters in the American Sector, was located in the British Sector. Until today, you’ll find the former buildings that have been used by the USA. Teufelsberg is still open for visits. However, today you can only visit with a formal tour and local guides that will show you around. It’s a spooky place as it is empty and covered in graffitis. Come here for sunset and enjoy the view over Berlin before you get lost in the listening station – what will you listen to?

-Anne Steinbach & Clemens Sehi , Travellers Archive

Teufelsberg- Abandoned site in Berlin,Germany.

Bay of Abandoned Hotels, Kupari, Croatia

At a stunning Croatian beach near Dubrovnik, you’ll find an uncanny set of buildings in dire state. Kupari used to be a major holiday resort of the Yugoslavian military elite, but now it’s abandoned. While you’re walking through the rotting and overgrown lobby of the Goričine complex, you might still hear the faint voices of children excited to go on holidays – but there are no people here anymore.

The collapse of communism and the following independence wars have torn this place apart. A bundle of hotels sits at the bay and are open to anyone daring enough to enter at their own peril. I chose to squat the night at the Grand Hotel for their excellent views of the empty boulevard and quietly shores. It’s the best kind of spooky the Mediterranean has on offer.

–  Iris Veldwijk , Mind of a Hitchhiker 

Enjoyed this post? Please share it on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or whichever way you prefer! Here’s a Pinterest friendly image for you.

Pin me please

Stay curious and explore more 🙂