The Spookiest Destinations to Celebrate Halloween in Europe

Outside of the United States, people tend to dismiss Halloween as just another Americanised commercial event designed to sell us things we don’t really need, or get it mixed up with Day of the Dead. And it’s true that, for many, Halloween is just an excuse to eat sweets and have a party.

But its origins are fascinating. The European Halloween holiday traces its origins to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in what is now Ireland over 2,000 years ago. This festival marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter, a time when it was believed that the spirits of the dead could cross over into the world of the living. It became customary to light bonfires and wear costumes, like animal skins, to ward them off.

As Christianity spread through Europe, Samhain became intertwined with All Hallows’ Eve, the precursor to modern-day Halloween. When Irish immigrants brought the holiday to the United States, it evolved into the lively and playful tradition that many of us know today.

While Halloween remained primarily an Irish and American celebration for many years, the concept of Halloween in Europe has surged in popularity in recent decades. The rise of globalization, American pop culture, and increased travel have all contributed to making Europe one of best places to do Halloween. From haunted houses to costume parties, Europe has embraced the spooky fun, making it an exciting Halloween travel destination.

Celebrating Halloween in Europe offers a unique twist on the holiday, blending spooky traditions with rich history and ancient sites. Imagine celebrating in Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, or attending one of the biggest costume parties in Germany. For Americans traveling abroad or living as expats, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore how different cultures celebrate, while still enjoying familiar Halloween traditions in Europe. In fact, many European cities go all out with elaborate festivals, ensuring that the Halloween spirit is alive and well.

For those wondering where to celebrate Halloween in Europe, here’s a look at some of the best destinations.

Did you know that the tradition of pumpkin carving comes from the Celtic Irish tradition of carving turnips?

It’s no surprise that Ireland tops the list of places to celebrate Halloween Europe style. In modern Ireland, the ancient traditions are honored with bonfires, festivals, and spooky events. One of the best places to experience Halloween in Ireland is the Púca Festival, which takes place in County Meath and County Louth. This festival blends history, music, and folklore, offering a deep dive into the origins of Halloween.

Dublin is a fantastic place for Halloween travel. There are Halloween parades and all kinds of traditions, and you can warm up with a tour of a whisky distillery, or head for the Guinness brewery to learn about the black stuff.

For those visiting Dublin, the city hosts its own haunted tours, ghost walks, and costume parties in various venues. If you’re looking for an authentic Halloween experience in Europe, Ireland is where the magic began!

As we now know, Halloween all started with the Celts. So, it would make sense to celebrate it in the strikingly Gothic Scottish city of Edinburgh, one of the best places to go for Halloween.

Edinburgh puts on a great show at this time of year, and you can immerse yourself in the spookiness, go on a ghost tour or just meander from old-fashioned pub to old-fashioned pub.

The United Kingdom has long had a connection to Halloween through its ancient Celtic roots, but the holiday has evolved to blend old customs with modern celebrations. London is one of the best places to experience Halloween, with events ranging from spooky ghost tours to elaborate costume parties in some of the city's trendiest nightclubs. Attractions like the London Dungeon and Tower of London also offer eerie tours and fright-filled experiences for those seeking a scare.

The English capital is a great place to go for Halloween as it has rather a spooky history and is a fantastic place for ghost tours. Explore some of the creepy dungeons or learn about Jack the Ripper in what might well be the most haunted city in Europe.

The United Kingdom has long had a connection to Halloween through its ancient Celtic roots, but the holiday has evolved to blend old customs with modern celebrations. London is one of the best places to experience Halloween, with events ranging from spooky ghost tours to elaborate costume parties in some of the city's trendiest nightclubs. Attractions like the London Dungeon and Tower of London also offer eerie tours and fright-filled experiences for those seeking a scare.

The English capital is a great place to go for Halloween as it has rather a spooky history and is a fantastic place for ghost tours. Explore some of the creepy dungeons or learn about Jack the Ripper in what might well be the most haunted city in Europe.

Galicia, a northern region of Spain, might be the best place to celebrate Halloween for anyone who wants to get off the beaten track. You might not be aware that Galicia also has Celtic roots, and on the 31st they celebrate the Night of the Pumpkins. They do all of the normal things, with bonfires and costumes, but then they drink an alcohol called “quemada” out of pumpkins after reciting a spell to offer protection against evil.

Whether it’s a haunted walk through the city streets or an all-night party, Spain is becoming one of the best places to do Halloween in Europe.

- For a Galician Halloween getaway, Vigo is a great base for exploring the region and experiencing its traditions.

- Stay near the Malasaña district to participate in the best Halloween parties in Madrid.

- In Barcelona, a hotel located in the Raval provides easy access to the mysterious, winding streets of the oldest parts of the city.  

Halloween has taken off in Germany, particularly in cities like Hamburg and Berlin where there are large American and expat populations. Stay in Hamburg to experience some of the best Halloween parties in Europe, where nightclubs pull out all the stops for a ghoulishly good time.

In Ludwigsburg, visit the world’s largest pumpkin exhibition at the Bloom Palace Gardens (Blühendes Barock). The celebration boasts over 600 varieties of pumpkins, breathtaking pumpkin sculptures, and pumpkin-based delicacies to keep you warm on a crisp autumn day.  

If you’re looking for a party, stay in Prague to see how the Europeans do Halloween! Known for its lively nightlife, the city fully embraces the spooky season with costume contests, club nights, and themed events. The Prague Halloween party scene is especially vibrant in the Old Town, where locals and tourists alike don their most creative costumes for a night of fun.

Prague is also home to some of the most haunted places in Europe, including Sedlec Ossuary and Houska Castle, where the eerie atmosphere makes for a perfect Halloween backdrop. Whether you want to party all night or take a haunted tour, Prague is a top destination for Halloween celebrations in Europe.

Though Portugal traditionally celebrates All Saints’ Day, the rise of Halloween in cities like Lisbon and Porto is hard to miss. Costume parties, horror-themed events, and haunted tours have become increasingly popular, especially among younger generations and expats. Bars and nightclubs in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto district are known for their creative and spooky parties.

Travelers in Portugal can also explore some of the country's haunted sites, such as Almourol Castle or Sintra, which are believed to be among the most haunted places in Europe. Whether you’re looking for a ghostly experience or a lively costume party, Portugal is becoming a great Halloween travel destination.

Italy may be famous for its ancient ruins and cultural history, but during Halloween, the country reveals its spooky side. Cities like Rome and Florence host a variety of Halloween events, from ghost walks through ancient streets to lively costume parties. One popular destination is the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, known for its eerie displays of human bones, making it a fitting place to visit around Halloween.

For travelers wondering where to celebrate Halloween in Europe, Italy offers a combination of history, culture, and haunted fun, making it a unique destination. Base yourself in a hotel in Rome to experience parties, atmospheric sites, and all the haunted old buildings. 

Bulgaria is a newer player in the European Halloween scene, but the holiday is gaining popularity, particularly in Sofia. Expats and younger locals have embraced the tradition, with costume parties and themed nights becoming common in clubs and bars. While Bulgaria has a strong tradition of observing All Saints’ Day, Halloween is quickly becoming an exciting part of the autumn season.

For those planning a stay in Bulgaria, keep an eye out for haunted tours or themed events that are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.

A Transylvania Halloween is one you’ll never forget. Again, the festival wasn’t traditionally celebrated here, but it’s world-famous for being the land of vampires and all things spooky, so it’s still one of the best places to go for Halloween.

Visit the birthplace of the legendarily blood-thirsty (but not actually blood-sucking) Vlad the Impaler, or Bran Castle, the beautiful castle that inspired Count Dracula’s home in the book by Bram Stoker, and do all kinds of other suitably macabre things, perfect for Halloween.