Halloween falls during school break this year, making it the perfect opportunity for an extended weekend getaway to a destination that’ll send shivers down your spine. From Transylvanian castles to Celtic festivals, Europe offers places where the spirit of Halloween still lingers. Here are five experiences that’ll give you goosebumps in the best way possible.
Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania
Perched high in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle (our featured photo) hosts a spectacular celebration every October 31st. Visitors explore the fortress completely transformed for the occasion, far from its usual austere appearance. Expect encounters with Vlad the Impaler and his court, nighttime tours through illuminated corridors, then the party kicks into high gear in the gardens below the castle. Live music, DJs, and entertainment continue until dawn under a massive tent. While the historical Vlad never actually set foot in these walls, this is indeed where author Bram Stoker set his Gothic novel. The medieval atmosphere of surrounding villages like Sighisoara, birthplace of the historical figure, completes the immersion into this legendary Transylvania.
Europe’s Largest Halloween Festival in Derry
The walled city of Derry in Northern Ireland has hosted the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival for four decades, recognized as the continent’s largest Halloween festival. From October 28-31, 2025, the 400-year-old ramparts transform into a giant theater. The Awakening the Walled City Trail features three nights of illuminations, aerial performances, and pyrotechnics that bring Celtic Samhain legends back to life. The highlight remains the October 31st parade: 40,000 costumed participants march through the streets behind monumental floats, culminating in a finale fireworks display over the River Foyle. Street performers, acrobats, storytellers, and artists take over the old town in a festive atmosphere suitable for all ages.
Rome’s Catacombs in a Different Light
Beneath the Italian capital’s cobblestones lies a fascinating underground network. The Catacombs of San Sebastiano, ancient volcanic stone quarries, reveal their dark galleries and mausoleums decorated with stucco. The chambers that once housed martyrs’ tombs exude a solemn atmosphere, enhanced by the guide’s stories about medieval pilgrims. This secret Rome, far from the surface chaos, offers a dive into the depths of time where every corner seems still inhabited by echoes of the past. An experience that takes on particular significance as All Saints’ Day approaches.
Europa Park’s Halloween Festival
The German theme park in Rust deploys 180,000 pumpkins to transform its 17 themed areas into a terrifying autumn universe. From October 25 to November 9, 2025, modified attractions, professionally-acted haunted houses, and pyrotechnic shows on the lake fill the days. The Halloween village welcomes families with children, while the more daring tackle frightening mazes where creatures emerge from the shadows. The park has designed the event for all thrill levels: some zones remain accessible to younger visitors while others promise guaranteed cold sweats. The carefully crafted settings, mixing chrysanthemums, hay bales, and wandering ghosts, create an ambiance that oscillates between autumn enchantment and unapologetic terror.
The Amsterdam Dungeon and Its 500 Years of Macabre History
Beneath Amsterdam’s peaceful canals, the Amsterdam Dungeon plunges visitors into the Netherlands’ darkest hours. Interactive performances with professional actors, recreations of witch trials, torture chambers, and haunted houses follow one another in a journey where each visit becomes unique. The actors portray torturers, judges, and the accused in a production that alternates chilling moments with nervous laughter. The experience plays on total immersion into an era when swift justice and superstitions reigned supreme. A must-see for anyone wanting to discover the most unsettling face of the canal city.
So, what will you dare to experience?
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights.
As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.
