Gruesome wars, mysterious witchcraft, infamous killers, eerie underground crypts, and horrific exorcisms: let Europe's dark past send chills up your spine as you uncover the legends that haunt the cities at night. Descend into dark catacombs with walls entirely made of human remains. Hear accounts of medieval methods of torture, body-snatchers, beheadings, vampires, and cannibals. The ghost stories and disturbing legends are endless, so get ready to discover some of Europe’s most spectacular specters! And even if you don’t have a ghostly encounter at one of these destinations, you’ll still get a fascinating history lesson out of your trip.
EDINBURGH: HAUNTED WALKING TOUR—MYSTERIES, MURDER AND LEGENDS
Feel the hair stand on the back of your neck as you experience what many consider the most haunted city in Europe: Edinburgh. With ghostly cemeteries and tales of vampires, a walk on the dark side of the Scottish capital includes corners where murders and bedlam have become legendary. Real-life tales of witches, body-snatchers, vampires, and cannibals will keep you up at night.
PARIS: CATACOMBS SMALL-GROUP WALKING TOUR
Discover what lurks in the Catacombs of Paris, an extensive underground labyrinth with walls composed entirely of human remains. The Paris catacombs were originally dug as limestone quarries during the building of some of the city’s famous monuments. Beginning in the late 18th century, remains from Paris’ overcrowded cemeteries were exhumed and transported to the tunnels for storage, creating the thousands of bones neatly arranged into piles along the walls.
PARIS: GHOSTS, MYSTERIES AND LEGENDS NIGHT WALKING TOUR
Challenge your romantic vision of Paris with this frightful tour of the city’s most sinister spots. Walk the streets at night and learn about the murders, executions, and rampant diseases that have permeated this historical city since the French Revolution.
LONDON: JACK THE RIPPER TOUR AND LONDON GHOST WALK
Heard of Jack the Ripper or Sweeney Todd? Discover the gory details of infamous killers who preyed on the citizens of London in this spine-tingling tour. Creep down gas-lit alleys and secluded streets and discover London’s gory history.
PRAGUE: GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR
Visit Prague and be transported to a time with restless spirits, alchemists and dark arts. Learn about the ghosts and ghouls of Prague as you walk through the cobbled lanes and intimate squares of the Old Town.
ROME: CRYPTS AND CATACOMBS
Tour the Roman Catacombs, the Eternal City’s underground burial chambers where long winding passages unfold history, taking you to a time when Christianity was considered a cult whose members were executed as pagans and buried as martyrs.
BARCELONA: GUIDED GHOST NIGHT WALKING TOUR
Stories of Barcelona's exorcisms, witchcraft and bewitched convents will give you chills. After the Spanish sun goes down, the restless souls of Barcelona begin to roam the serpentine streets, allowing you to discover the spooky secrets of Barcelona.
VENICE: GHOST WALKING TOUR
As night falls on Venice and the crowds disappear, discover the city’s darkest secrets. Wander through narrow alleys past blackened, vacant canals to uncover Venice’s haunted history, including the haunted Bovolo Staircase, underground cemeteries, and tragic figures, some of which are believed to still wander the passageways as restless spirits.
We all love a good ghost story, and if you’re one of the braver ones and would enjoy one of these spooky European tours, Lake Zurich Travel (847.438.5551, LZTravel.com) can provide guidance. And if experiencing the darker side of Europe isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of non-haunting excursions we can recommend.