When you think of a holiday, do you think of relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand or visiting a local museum? Maybe go scuba diving or go to a big old castle? What about visiting the homes of some of the most notorious serial killers in history? Or spending time in some of the scariest locations on earth. The truth is that not all the places you will visit are safe. There are some places that have such a terrifying past that you will need to watch your back while visiting them.
Here, we look at some of the scariest holiday destinations in the world, should you have the guts to visit.
The Island of Dolls, Mexico
If you are a fan of horror movies, then chances are you have seen the American supernatural horror film – The Island of the Dolls. The movie was based on the urban legend surrounding “La Isla de las Muñecas,” or the Island of the Dolls, located in Mexico City.
The Island of Dolls is a small island located in the Xochimilco canals of Mexico City. The island first started becoming famous when it was rumored that the island was haunted. In the late 1950s, Don Julian Santana Barrera, a local historian who managed a nearby museum, began placing dolls on the island to fend off evil spirits because he believed that dolls could protect him.
The dolls are hung with care on the branches of trees that are almost completely covered by this “sea” of humanlike creatures.
The Island of the Dolls is a place not many dare to go, a location few have seen that has yet to be fully explored. You should definitely visit if this is your kind of place.
Akodessewa Fetish Market, Togo
The African continent is like no other. It’s home to some of the world’s scariest places and creatures that will make you thankful for not being there, things like you will find in the Akodessewa Fetish Market in the West African country of Togo.
Akodessewa is a fetish market in the capital city of Togo, Lomé. It is located in the Akodessawa neighborhood near the commercial harbor area. The fetishes sold there are mostly made from wood and other materials by local artists. This place is essentially the WalMart of Voodoo.
The market is filled with human and animal skulls, animal skins, bones, tree trunks, and pangolin scales, among other fetishes. Some of the strange items sold include snake charms, snakes’ eggs, and ten-legged rats. It is said that these unusual products are used as charms to protect people from evil forces.
Considered to be the most haunted place in all of Togo, the Akodessewa fetish market has always served as a center where local tribal leaders come to buy items for their ancestors. Not surprisingly, many locals have reported seeing ghosts wandering around the grounds.
The Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs are a network of tunnels and chambers located in Paris, France. The space was used to store bones in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although this macabre historic site is open for public tours, it is not for those with a pallid disposition.
The Paris Catacombs were formed when the ancient Romans mined a large quarry of limestone to use in building construction. As mines were created, they became flooded with water from the decomposing bodies in above-ground cemeteries. When Parisians began to run out of burial space underground, bodies began to be moved into the tunnels created by old Roman mines. Today, the catacombs are made up of a number of square miles worth of winding tunnels, platforms, and rooms. They are a huge tourist attraction and one of the things everyone ends up seeing when in Paris.
Leap Castle, Ireland
Ireland is an enchanting land of rolling hills and charming villages. However, its most ancient castles leave you with a feeling of otherworldly terror.
Leap Castle looks like the perfect setting for a horror film. The house is surrounded by barbed wire and warning signs. There are rumors of a dark room full of human remains, ghosts, and horrific activity. The story behind Leap Castle, located in Ireland, goes back to a series of murders that claimed over three hundred lives. It has also been called one of the most haunted places in the world, which is why it’s on my list as one of the scariest places to visit. In fact, in 1985, paranormal investigators concluded that it was one of the three “most haunted” locations in all of Ireland.
Forest of Brocéliande, France
Forest of Brocéliande is one of the five scariest places to visit on this list. Where some see wild animals, majestic vistas, and adventure, others see haunted forests, terrifying creatures, and a mysterious past.
The Forest of Brocéliande in Brittany, France, is called the enchanted forest because, according to legend, it was there that King Arthur had a sword forged, Merlin practiced sorcery, and some of the most famous knights of the Round Table were born. It was also where the Holy Grail was said to have been buried. The forest is scary, both for its beauty and the scary Arthurian legends.
If you’re looking for things to do in France, you should definitely check out the Brocéliande forest. It’s a bit off the beaten path, so it might call for a bit of research, but once you arrive, it’ll be worth every step.
Wrapping up
Would you like a scary holiday? If you do, then try to visit one or more of the scariest places covered in this blog post. Perhaps next Halloween, you can spend some time in any of these locations, surrounded by dark streets and deserted townhouses.
