Europe is known for their towering fortresses, beautifully decorated castles (some which were even used as inspirations in Disney), and gorgeous gardens and courtyards. But amongst these sparkling windows and golden gates lie some that are more sinister than history alone can explain. These haunted castles in Europe have been witnesses to dark pasts and evil deeds that has caused souls to linger around as per travelers’ accounts.
Beneath these halls and museum displays lie cellars that once held prisoners, tunnels that never led back to daylight, and chambers whose walls bear traces of blood and bodies. For archaeologists and historians, these sites offer more studies in how legend grows from evidence.
Excavations have uncovered weapons, skeletal remains, and ritual objects that give weight to tales once dismissed as myth. Whether it’s the isolated towers of Chillingham Castle or the cliff-carved fortress of Predjama, each location reveals how Europe’s haunted past still lingers, not just in whispers, but in the very earth beneath our feet.
Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, England
Perfectly preserved with a rich history and sitting on the misty hills of Northumberland, Chillingham Castle began as a 12th-century monastery before being fortified in 1344 to guard England’s northern border.
Its walls have seen multiple royalties visit it in including King Henry III, Charles I, and Kings Edward I. Archaeological remnants, from thick stone walls to hidden chambers, reflect its turbulent past, while the surrounding grounds now shelter the famous “Chillingham Wild” cattle, hinting at centuries of transformation.
While it looks beautiful on the outside, Chillingham’s history is stained with blood and cruelty, particularly under the infamous executioner John Sage, known as “The Butcher of the Scots.”
Sage tortured hundreds of prisoners in the castle’s chambers, employing devices like the Rack, Iron Maiden, and impaling barrels. Many victims were killed in the courtyard and King Edward’s Room, leaving behind restless spirits. In the end, he met with a similar fate when publicly hung and the townsfolk started tearing him to bits and pieces while he was still alive. His ghost is said to haunt the castle today.
Similarly, the Pink Room reveals the tragic tale of the “Blue Boy,” a child bricked into the wall whose kind spirit now roams the space. A blue light is said to appear before the ghost shows himself, while Lady Mary Berkeley roams the halls in mourning for her adulterous husband.
Even the castle’s quieter spaces like the chapel, the Still Room, the gardens, and the lake are said to be haunted. Skeletons found beneath floorboards and in garden grounds tell stories of executions and neglected burials.
Apparitions of monks, soldiers, and the Pantry Ghost interact with visitors, and strange phenomena such as sudden cold drafts, drained batteries, and unexplained footsteps are common.
What makes Chillingham truly “chilling” is that the apparitions and ghosts that visitors claim to see has some sort of dip in archaeological evidence. It is said that people started seeing the ghost of Blue Boy before the body of the child was even found in the wall with a blue ribbon around him.
You can take a guided Chillingham castle tours while along with other spots in the area. The castle also gives ghost hunts and ghost tours for families and thrill seekers.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Few places in Europe layer history and hauntings quite like Edinburgh Castle. Perched atop Castle Rock, the site has been occupied since at least the Iron Age. Archaeological digs have revealed hillfort remains and Roman artifacts beneath the current fortress. Over the centuries, it’s seen sieges, executions, and imprisonments, giving rise to countless ghost stories.
One of the most famous is that of the headless drummer boy, whose phantom drumming is said to warn of impending attack. Another tale centres on a piper sent into the tunnels below the castle centuries ago to map their path. He vanished mid-song, and only the faint sound of his pipes has ever returned.
Modern visitors and staff have reported sudden drops in temperature, shadowy figures, and the distinct feeling of being watched.
For travelers who want to experience this haunting blend of legend and archaeology firsthand, private guided tours through Edinburgh Castle and the city’s old town offer an unforgettable way to experience the spooky hauntings.
You can also join this highly rated Edinburgh Castle only tour where tickets are included so you can skip the waiting line and go straight into the centuries of ghostly history where expert guides unravel its most mysterious corners.
Scotland also has other haunted must-see spots to see all over town and even underground!
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Built dramatically on a 123-meter-high cliff face, Predjama Castle seems like something out of a knight’s tale – half fortress, half cave. The original structure dates back to the 13th century and became famous as the stronghold of Erazem Lueger, a rebellious knight who defied the Habsburgs.
Predjama is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s largest cave castle with a network of secret tunnels that Erazem used for his expeditions. The castle has a unique design where man-made architecture merges with the natural cave surrounding, making it a unique defensive structure.
Erazem was eventually betrayed by his servant and killed when he was struck by a cannonball that blasted through the walls. The bizarre story alone is enough to make Predjama unforgettable, but locals insist his spirit never left.
Visitors claim to hear heavy footsteps echoing through the stone corridors and the sound of chains rattling deep in the cave passages.
Through this Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle tour from Trieste you’ll get seamless transport, entrance to both the cave system and the castle, and a guide who connects the archaeological fabric and the ghostly legends into one unforgettable journey.
Moosham Castle, Austria
Known as the “Witches’ Castle,” Moosham in Salzburg is infamous for its role in the 17th-century witch trials. Dozens of women accused of witchcraft were imprisoned, tortured, and executed here under the Archbishopric’s decree. Excavations in the surrounding grounds have uncovered medieval shackles, human remains, and instruments of confinement. A grim proof of its bloody past.
Today, visitors report cold gusts, whispering voices, and the sound of chains echoing through the stone corridors. Some claim to see the spirits of the accused, others speak of a “Werewolf of Moosham” said to prowl its dungeons — a tale that dates back to animal maulings in the 1800s. The blend of documented history and folklore makes Moosham one of Austria’s most chillingly authentic haunted sites.
If you want to experience the chill and are brave enough to spend a full moon here, you can book a stay at Moosham Castle and find out if you have what it takes to come face-to-face with witches and werewolves.
Château de Chillon, Switzerland
Overlooking Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon may look idyllic, but its dungeons tell another story. Built in the 12th century, it served as a fortress, residence, and prison. Chateau Chillon tickets can be purchased in advance to skip waiting lines.
During the Savoy period, political prisoners were chained to its damp walls — most famously François Bonivard, whose captivity inspired Lord Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon. Byron’s signature is still carved into the dungeon pillar today.
Visitors report moaning sounds, cold gusts, and faint candlelight flickering where no torches burn. Guides recount seeing a hooded monk walk the corridors at dawn, only to vanish mid-step.
You can reach Chillon Castle as a day trip from Geneva. This group tour is highly rated for taking visitors from Geneva to Chillon along with other must see spots in the area and also includes a boat ride.
For those that want a more private experience that’s customized to your interest, this tour gives you just that.
Castello di Bardi, Italy
High above the Ceno Valley, Castello di Bardi or Bardi Castle was built in the 9th century as a Lombard fortress. Its haunting comes from a tragic love story: a knight named Moroello fell for Soleste, the lord’s daughter. When Moroello was mistakenly believed to have died in battle, Soleste threw herself from the ramparts. Upon his return, Moroello found her body and took his own life. Locals say the two lovers never left — and even Italian paranormal investigators have recorded apparitions and unexplained heat signatures in the upper halls.
Archaeological digs have revealed the fortress’s early medieval origins, and researchers note that its natural echo chambers intensify even the smallest sounds, possibly explaining some “ghostly voices.” But when the castle goes quiet and a soft whisper carries through the courtyard, even skeptics hesitate.
Getting to Bardi fortress can be a bit of a challenge by yourself which is why taking guided tours are the best way. This guided experience includes Bardi fortress entrance ticket along with stopovers to must see nearby sites and even cheese and wine tasting.
Leap Castle, County Offaly, Ireland
Leap Castle stands in County Offaly as one of Ireland’s most infamous strongholds and is said to be one of, if not, the most haunted castles in Europe.
The castle is said to have been built in the 1500s by the O’Bannon clan. Some theories suggest it might even be bult earlier towards the 1200s over an already existing castle. It was later taken over by the O’Carrolls and the castle has never been the same since.
The O’Carrolls were known for their violent rivalries, and legend says that in the chapel above the great hall, a fratricidal murder took place. During Mass, Teige O’Carroll drove a sword through his brother, a priest, in front of the entire family. The room became known as the “Bloody Chapel.” According to the castle’s website, visitors claim to see the ghost of the priest wander through the chapel and exit through the west door.
Centuries later, workers renovating the castle discovered an even more sinister space in the Bloody Chamber- the oubliette. The oubliette is a small space in the Bloody Chamber where hundreds of skeletons were found impaled on spikes.
If that wasn’t eerie enough, visitors report a sulfuric stench followed by dizziness. A dark shapeless entity known as the “Elemental” as well as others such as the “Red Lady,” a tall specter carrying a dagger, and two ghostly children is said to play in the halls. For some, these are tales born from violent history; for others, they’re proof that Leap’s past never left.
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