5 must-visit haunted places in the world that will send chills down your spine – one of them is in India

For those drawn to the eerie and unexplained, the world is filled with locations known for paranormal activity. Beyond private residences, spirits and supernatural entities are often believed to linger in various public places, attracting those who seek a spine-chilling experience. The allure of the unknown, the rush of adrenaline, and the thrill of encountering something otherworldly have contributed to the growing popularity of ghost tourism, aka dark or haunted tourism. This unique form of travel involves exploring sites linked to tragedy, death, or mysterious occurrences.

If you're eager to step into the world of the supernatural, there are numerous haunted destinations worth visiting. According to Conde Nast Traveller, these 5 places offer more than just ghostly legends—they also boast fascinating histories and stunning architecture, making them intriguing spots to explore any time of the year.

Bhangarh Fort, India

Bhangarh Fort in India is a must-visit for paranormal enthusiasts. Situated 100 miles from Delhi, its striking ruins contrast with Rajasthan’s arid terrain. Legend claims a sorcerer’s curse left it abandoned after a princess rejected him. For a peaceful experience, visitors can practice pre-dusk yoga amidst its mystical surroundings.

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Beijing’s Forbidden City, now a museum, is famed for its imperial history and eerie legends. Once home to emperors, it witnessed murders from palace intrigues and executions. Since opening to the public in the 1940s, visitors report ghostly encounters, including a weeping woman in white wandering its historic grounds.

Catacombs of Paris, France

In 1780, relentless rain caused Paris’s overcrowded Les Innocents cemetery to overflow, sending decomposing bodies onto neighboring land. This led to a 12-year effort to transfer remains into underground limestone quarries, creating catacombs holding six million bodies. Today, visitors can explore a mile of these eerie, bone-lined tunnels.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada

Established in 1888 to boost tourism and train ticket sales, this grand chateau-style hotel in Canada’s Banff National Park offers more than scenic beauty. Ghostly legends linger inside, including a bride who tragically fell on her wedding day and Sam the bellman, who still mysteriously assists guests before vanishing.

Poveglia Island, Venice

Just a short distance from Venice’s canals, Poveglia Island has a dark past as a plague quarantine site, a weapons depot under Napoleon, and later, a notorious mental asylum. The facility was infamous for gruesome experiments before closing after a doctor’s tragic suicide from its bell tower. Though the bell was removed long ago, eerie chimes are still reported. While visiting is illegal, the island is visible from Lido’s shores.