The 10 most haunted places on the planet, according to experts
If you love haunted houses, spooky places with f*cked up histories, listen up.
As the holiday for thrills and chills are almost upon us, ditch the local creepy haunt and stick these on your bucket list.
For a real scare, Holiday Guru has hooked us up with some of the most terrifyingly haunted places on the planet.
1. Island of the Dolls, Mexico
First up is one you might be familiar with, chilling on a small island outside Mexico City is probably one of the most freakish tributes to a young girl.
A man named Don Juliano Santana Barrera was the caretaker and lone inhabitant of the island, and legend tells that he found a young girl's body who had drowned in the canals
In the 1950s, he hung her doll to a tree to remember her little life, and supposedly many believe the man was then possessed by the girl's spirit – JUST, NOPE.
He began decorating the place with more and more dolls, turning it into a bizarre wonderland of cracked, dirty toys.
If you want to see this little hellish island, grab a boat and get ready to see one of the weirdest collections of dolls in the world.
2. Poveglia, Venice
If creepy dolls ain't your thing, why not try the bubonic plague?
This island in the Venetian lagoon was home to imprisoned people suffering from the disease in the late 18th century, which means there are thousands of pissed off souls lurking here.
Get out your ghostbuster gear, as the island also hosted a mental asylum in 1922, and the doctors were reportedly d*cks, as they tortured patients.
The story goes that they would perform crude lobotomies and using hammers and drills as surgical instruments. – which is probably why the island is said to have a morbid atmosphere.
Tourists have reported screams and if your travels aren't entertaining enough, why not risk becoming possessed, as some people say visitors to the island have been – joyous.
3. Aokigahara, Japan
At the base of Mount Fuji, forget the compass as the paranormal activity is rife.
Aokigahara, is better known as Japan's ‘suicide forest’. The forest has sadly become known as the world’s second most popular place to take one’s life.
The forest’s malevolent energies are said to swallow up unfortunate visitors and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else.
And, if you do frequent the forest, just don't make a Youtube video about it – *cough, cough*
4. Centralia – Pennsylvania Ghost Town
Don't fall for the pretty colours in the image, this used to be a high way and there's a very good reason why nature is reclaiming this city.
The town of Centralia, Pennsylvania is a modern-day ghost town because they suffered a coal mine fire in 1962 – which is still burning today.
It's a real-life horror story as people began to fall ill as lethal levels of carbon monoxide billowed towards the surface.
Sinkholes literally appear in people’s back gardens – one of which nearly killed one young boy. Fewer than 10 people live here today.
While the town isn’t necessarily haunted, it does get an influx of curious, seek-thrilling tourists around Halloween.
5. The witches of Salem, Massachusetts
In the late 17th-century, the children of Salem Village, Massachusetts experienced something rather baffling. Cue the young ladies going into fits, making strange noises, throwing objects and contorting their bodies.
Instead of looking for a logical explanation, witchcraft was the obvious cause.
Hysteria erupted which led to the infamous Salem Witch Trials when over a dozen people were executed.
The judges involved in the trials and future sheriffs died under mysterious circumstances and today, strange noises and mysterious floating lights have been reported at the local cemetery.
6. Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
You couldn't pay me enough money to visit this place. Why I hear you scream? – Well, only controlled visits at night for ghost tours are allowed – which sends alarm bells ringing.
Would you actually risk being abused? Visitors often leave with bruises, scratches, bite marks and burns and fainting is a regular occurrence – that's some serious head rush.
But why is this place so locked with a dark aura? Well, it is said that the hundreds-year-old graveyard is protected by the ghost of George McKenzie, a ruthless judge who imprisoned and starved over 1,000 Scottish Presbyterians in the 1600s – So don't f*ck with him.
7. Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland
This tale involves one evil husband and the male ego. Lady Isabella Shaw was unfortunately wed to James Shaw and couldn't produce a male heir – it's your swimmers, mate.
When she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, James snatched the child and locked Lady Shaw in the room, leaving her to stave.
In a bid to escape, some say she fell from the window, others say she was pushed – either way, it's a grim way to die.
She has remained in the hotel ever since, gently knocking on bedroom doors and walking the corridors, looking for her child. Today, you can lap up luxury in the hotel and visit the “Ghost Room”.
8. Lawang Sewu Semarang, Indonesia
A truly spooky place, Lawang Sewu translates to “a thousand doors”.
During WWII, the Japanese used its basement to imprison, torture and kill Indonesian nationalists and Dutch colonials.
Among the ghostly residents, there's one badass b*tch, a Dutch woman who supposedly committed suicide inside as well as the beheaded rebels who were killed by the Japanese.
9. Château de Brissac, France
You really couldn't get more cliche than this: in 1477, Lady Charlotte de Breze was caught doing the dirty on her husband with Jacques de Breze.
In a fit of rage, her husband murdered her and since the incident, guests have reported seeing the ghost through the window of the tower room of the castle’s chapel, with holes where her nose and mouth should be.
Her moans are said to be heard throughout the chateau early in the morning.
10. Bhangarh Fort, India
Last but not least, we meet an abandoned 17th-century fort, known as one of the most haunted places in India. So much so, tourists and locals under government orders are forbidden to enter the fort after the sun sets.
As the tale goes, a magician, Singhia fell in love with the beautiful Princess Ratnavati. The tantrik attempted to use magic to win her over, but the Princess learned of his plan and sentenced him to death. Before Singhia died, he cursed the fort's residents to die and for the surrounding houses to remain roofless forever.
Nowadays, the surrounding village is abandoned and Bhangarh Fort attracts plenty of curious tourists who have reported hearing the screams of ghosts and seeing strange lights.
You couldn't offer me enough to get me to willingly go to any of these places.
But if you're brave, adventurous and curious, these are a definite in the travel plans, but remember – BE RESPECTFUL.
If restrictions exist, they're for your own safety – don't be that person.
Feature image credit: Josh Perrett/Instagram
