9 Spooky Tours for Halloween and Beyond

Boo! It's Halloween, that spooky time of year when the idea of scaring ourselves silly becomes weirdly appealing. Halloween gives us a fun and safe way to indulge our inner thrill-seekers, so bring on the ghosts and ghouls!

Looking for a ghost tour, a walk through local legends or a closer look at a city’s darker history? These nine private tours explore stories tied to the places you’re visiting, from Venice’s mysterious disappearances to New York’s Mafia past. Along the way, local guides share the history, folklore and unanswered questions behind them.

London, England: A Black Cab Tour Through the City’s Dark History

Burnings at the stake, public hangings, plague pits, martyrs, a 12th Century church dedicated to a man who was flayed alive... The City of London is just crammed with all sorts of horrible historical happenings. Our guide Graham is just the person to take you on a ghostly romp through some of London’s more infamous neighbourhoods on his "London Horror!" black cab tour. Read more about London Horror Tour

Venice, Italy: Ghost Stories and Mysterious Disappearances

See the darker side of Venice, away from the ethereal beauty of the canals, and into the city's dark past: pacts with the devil, a cursed hunchback, ghosts, murders and mysterious disappearances...Hearing tales of the city after dark will send chills down your spine, and leave you with a slew of ghostly and ghastly stories to take home. View Venice Ghost Tour

Turin, Italy: A Walking Tour of Mysteries, Alchemy and Unsolved Crimes

Did you know Turin is considered one of Europe's most magical and mysterious cities? Dark secrets, unsolved crimes and alchemy will be the focus of this thrilling walking tour through the medieval district of the city center, investigating traces of the most fascinating mysteries of Turin. Read about the Spooky Turin Private Tour

Transylvania, Romania: Dracula’s Castle and Vampire Folklore

The most famous of all of Europe’s ghost stories is without doubt the legend of Vlad the Impaler…known to most of us as Count Dracula. Transylvania is awash in folklore and synonymous with tales of the immortal vampire. Our guides in Bucharest will take you to Dracula’s Castle…if you dare. See the Transylvania Haunted Tour

Mexico City, Mexico: Ghost Stories in the Historic Downtown

Downtown Mexico City is a place of wonder and mystery, a place whose legends have grown, as it stood its ground for over 500 years. It's a city filled with history and stories, and its ghost stories are some of the most interesting! In this tour, as you walk along downtown's atmospheric alleys and markets, you'll discover how seemingly mundane spots are somehow imbued with supernatural belief... Read more about Mexico City ghost tour

Bridgetown, Barbados: A Graveyard Walk Exploring Restless Spirits and Local Legends

Experience Barbados' interment culture on this somewhat spooky heritage walk. Discover a unique burial site in the western hemisphere, off the beaten tourist path in Barbados. See the vault where the occupants seem to have liked shifting about; perhaps they are just restless... Your guide Victor will tell you stories about casting spells on wrongdoers and the unusual outcomes... View De Grave Yard Walk tour

New York City, USA: Tales from the Prohibition Era

You have to figure that the city that never sleeps probably has a few good ghost stories to share. New York City’s densely packed population has been living on the island of Manhattan for over 400 years - plenty of time for more than a few blood feuds to simmer. Explore hidden speakeasies, secret bars, and infamous gangster hangouts tucked throughout Manhattan’s streets. Learn the stories of bootleggers, underground parties, and NYC nightlife during Prohibition, and get an immersive experience of the city’s forbidden past. Read more about New York Prohibition Era Walking Tour

Charleston, South Carolina: Ghost Stories and Graveyard Legends

Head further south down the east coast and you hit Charleston, South Carolina, another famously “haunted” city with many a story to tell. Hear tales of ghosts and graveyards, the legends of an ancient city that have been passed on in a whisper from generation to generation, told by a master storyteller, local guide Al, who promises he "will also relate my own personal Ghost Encounter -- which happened when touring with a group!" Who knows, you might experience one of your own on this tour... View Private Charleston Ghost Tour

New Orleans, Louisiana: Ghosts, Vampires and Haunted History

New Orleans is considered the most haunted city in America. In describing his haunted tour, local historian Quay says that "the spirits of the dead roam around the streets of the French Quarter and Marigny Neighborhood at night. Be ready to see the most visited scariest ghost and vampire locations. Meet the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and I will share with you the horrendous stories of over 300 years of the dead..." Check out Haunted New Orleans Tour

So there you have it: a collection of unique experiences designed to scare and delight you, just in time for Halloween.

How to Choose a Ghost or Dark History Tour

A little planning can help you find a tour with just the right mix of history, mystery and suspense this fall. Here are a few things to consider before booking:

• Follow your curiosity. Are you drawn to ghost stories and supernatural folklore, or more interested in the history behind notorious crimes? Read the tour description to get a feel for the guide’s approach and the stories you’ll hear.
• Check the practical details. Look at the start time, walking distance and transport arrangements. An evening walk through cobbled streets offers a different experience from exploring London’s darker history by black cab.
• Bringing children? Ask the guide. Some stories involve unsettling historical events or gruesome details. Share your children’s ages and ask about the content so you can choose an experience everyone will enjoy.
• Make it personal. A private tour gives you room to ask questions and explore your own interests. Let your guide know what intrigues you, from burial customs and local legends to the facts behind a famous haunting.

Once you’ve found a tour that interests you, message the guide with any questions. It’s a useful way to get a sense of the experience before you book.