7 Haunted History Tours to Thrill Your Whole Family

We know Halloween’s right around the corner when kids head back to school, and pumpkin spice everything takes over supermarkets and cafes. A noticeable chill fills the air, inspiring us to dust off sweaters, jackets, and boots cast aside during summer. Travel can feel exhilarating during this time of year as foliage changes color and cozy bookstores hold newfound allure.

What are some ways to embrace these seasonal changes? By taking a walk on the paranormal side with one of the planet’s many haunted history tours.

Here are some ideas to engage your whole family in unforgettable history lessons steeped in a good dose of skin-crawling spookiness.

1. Old Edinburgh Ghost Stories and History Tour

Edinburgh, Scotland, has long boasted a reputation as one of the world’s spooky destinations. Author and native son Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “Only a few inches separate the living from the dead.” And he’s not alone in this stance. As early as the 1840s, newspapers had declared the nation “more infested with ghosts than any other part of Europe.” Considering the continent’s bloody history, that’s quite an achievement!

Your family can decide for yourselves just how haunted Scotland is on Context Travel’s Old Edinburgh Ghost Stories and History Tour. During the experience, your guide will weave a rich tapestry of supernatural tales against the real-world backdrop of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Dive into Scottish history and cultural identity as you explore incredible locations like Greyfriars Kirkyard, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and the National Museum. This tour is recommended for children 12 and older.

2. Ghost Tour of Old Corfu Discovery Tour

On a trip to the sun-splashed Greek Isles, mystery awaits on the island of Corfu. Travelive’s Ghost Village of Old Corfu Discovery Tour starts with a scenic drive along the breathtaking northeastern coastline of Corfu. Along the way, you’ll pass the spectacular resorts of Dassia, Ipsos, Barbati, Nissaki, Agni, and Kouloura. But your final destination is far more secluded.

A hill passage leads to the ancient village of Old Perithia, enveloped in stunning views of the Greek mainland and the mountain ranges of Albania. The ghost village of Old Perithia remains a mystery of Greek history. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Pantokrator, it boasts a reputation as the oldest permanent settlement on the island. Dating to the 14th century, much of the city has fallen into ruin, giving it the spooky feel of a location where the lines between the past and present are blurred.

3. The London Bridge Experience

Another location renowned for dark secrets and an infamous history is London. During The London Bridge Experience, your family will delve into the ghoulish side of the metropolis, exploring some of its most shocking episodes from the past. This interactive walk-through located beneath the London Bridge transports you back nearly 2,000 years. And let’s just say it gets mighty bone-chilling from there!

Despite the tour’s focus on the most sensational and eerie aspects of the city’s heritage, there are no age restrictions. But all those 15 and under must be accompanied by a supervising adult. For families with younger kids, we recommend daytime shows, designed to be especially educational and family-friendly.

4. Legendary Paris, the Catacombs

Visit a veritable city of the dead beneath Paris with Deluxe France’s Legendary Paris the Catacombs tour. During this two-hour experience, your family will descend into the subterranean city, exploring its hidden depths. The Catacombs date to the 18th century and were born out of gruesome necessity. Because of overuse, the Innocents Cemetery near St. Eustache church in the commercial area of Les Halles became a site for infection and decay, threatening those living and working in the vicinity.

So, the State Council stepped in, evicting the deceased from the ancient graveyard. Officials relocated their bones to underground quarries beneath the city, designated the municipality’s new cemetery. Soon, the Catacombs housed bones from graveyards across Paris, accepting new “citizens” to the necropolis between 1786 and 1814. In 2005, the Paris Catacombs opened to the public, and they remain a top-rated attraction for haunted places to visit.

5. Ghosts, Mysteries, and Legends of Rome

When it comes to the scariest places in the world, Rome, Italy, has a dark underbelly worth exploring. After all, the city has seen the rise and fall of the Roman Republic and Empire, the Middle Ages, the Inquisition, two world wars, and thousands of years of organized crime exemplified by the Italian mafia. Dark Rome’s Ghosts, Mysteries, and Legends of Rome tour offers a compelling take on this haunted history.

During your visit, you’ll discover the Italian capital’s unsavory underworld. You’ll visit spots where heretics burned at the stake, creative executioners lived, and serial killers worked. If that isn’t enough to leave hairs standing on the back of your neck, you’ll also hear tales of supernatural exploits and activity. These include anecdotes about the Ponte Sisto bridge, where legend says visitors may get charged by a phantom carriage at sunrise.

6. Halloween in Transylvania

Transylvania, Romania, is one of the most atmospheric destinations you can visit during Halloween. This spooky location is steeped in local superstition and centuries of bloodcurdling legends. It’s no coincidence that Bram Stoker chose it as the epicenter for his 1897 novel Dracula!

Intrepid Travel’s Halloween in Transylvania is the perfect way to explore Eastern Europe’s most infamous history. You’ll get introduced to the stunning ancient city of Bucharest. Next, it’s on to 12th-century Sighisoara, where you’ll soak up creepy mythology. You’ll also learn about the city’s claim as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (a.k.a. Dracula). Next, head to Brasov and Bran Castle, the blood-soaked former residence of Stoker’s eponymous character, Count Dracula.

7. Mexico’s Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

For adventurous families who want to get out of the Halloween paradigm, consider a Day of the Dead tour in Mexico. You’ll find countless options, allowing you to experience the vibrant culture of this nostalgic holiday. One fantastic option is G Adventures’ Mexico’s Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.

During this experience, you’ll get up close and personal with one of Mexico’s most unusual and fascinating festivals. The tour begins at the end of October and carries into early November. It provides a tantalizing window into pre-Hispanic traditions. Along the way, you’ll scope out spectacular street dances, elaborate costumes, and ornate altars commemorating those who have gone before (and who, according to legend, return annually for a visit).

Haunted History Tours

Whether you want to add a thrill to family travel plans already in the works or you’re looking to plan something new, incorporating haunted history is a great idea. It brings your destination’s heritage to life. And even kids and teens who roll their eyes at lessons from the past will be engaged and entertained by these thrilling explorations involving the long-departed.

Which of these destinations is right for your family? We’re here to help. Contact us now to learn more about where to go for haunted history tours and much more.