As a full moon rises over the Zest offices and the spine-chilling shrieks of the undead fill the air, we’d like to share the most haunted holiday locations to visit in your rental car this Halloween! From Portugal to the USA, we’ve created a list of places that have a peculiar reputation for paranormal activities and ghostly sightings. Drive to these haunted holiday Locations if you dare, just remember to lock your car door…
Portugal
1. Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, Faro
The Bela Vista Hotel is an elegant 5-star hotel located on the coast of Faro. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the antique aesthetic of this 20th-century coastal hotel. Although, there may be more than meets the eye with this hotel. Some say you can faintly hear the cries of a woman believed to be the deceased elderly daughter of one of the building’s first owners. When checking in to the Bela Vista Hotel, keep in mind that you may have to wine and dine with an unlikely ghostly guest. The hotel is an hour drive from the Faro Airport if you wish to stay the night.
2. Sanatório de Valongo, Porto
This 20th-century abandoned sanatorium located half an hour away from the centre of Porto certainly looks eerie. Legend has it the sanatorium is haunted by the ghosts of dead tuberculosis patients who passed away within the confines of the nightmarish building. This forgotten relic now stands as a popular photography destination as well as being the occasional arena for organised paintball matches. The abandoned sanatorium is a 25-minute drive from Porto Airport.
Spain
3. The ghost of Catalina in Casa Lercaro, Tenerife North
In the town of La Laguana, a 16th-century mansion turned museum has another rather unexpected historical exhibition… The ghost of Catalina. Her remains are believed to be hidden in one of the rooms in the house as the church wouldn’t allow her body to be buried in a cemetery because of her self-inflicted death. Staff and guests have repeatably sighted her presence within the museum. Trinkets and artefacts may not be the only thing you’ll see in this museum. The allegedly haunted Tenerife history Museum is an 18-minute drive from Tenerife North Airport.
4. Cortijo Jurado, Malaga
Cortijo Jurado is a 19th-century architectural wonder in Malaga that has a window for every day of the year. This labyrinth of creepy tunnels, rooms, and basements has become a popular destination amongst ghost hunters alike due to its haunted reputation. The mansion is believed to home instances of disappearances, murder, and evil. Ghosts of the previously dead owners are said to walk to the hallways of this terrifying mansion. The mansion is a 15-minute drive in your rental car from the centre of Malaga.
Greece
5. First Cemetery of Athens, Athens
This 19th-century cemetery located within the heart of Athens is the burial ground of many influential poets, politicians, and revolutionary heroes. However, it is not just the bones of the dead that lie here, the ghost of the previous cemetery undertaker is now said to roam the grounds with a wreath around his neck. Urban legends state that even in death, the undertaker carries on his duties. The spooky cemetery is a 30-minute drive from Athens Airport and is certainly worth a visit for its artistic tombstones and statues.
6. Daveli’s Cave, Mount Penteli, Athens
Located on mount Penteli, this creepy cave is a forgotten place of worship that dates back centuries. Sightings of paranormal activities and strange occultist gatherings have been reported here since the 20th century. The cave has been a hotspot for the supernatural since the middle ages, devote Christians once came here to pray and even built a small church at the cave’s entrance. The cave is a 40-minute drive from Athens Airport in your hire car, are you brave enough to go?
Malta
7. Telgha t’Alla w’Ommu Road, Malta Airport
Located in the centre of Malta, this chilling road has had countless sightings of a ghostly figure. A teenage girl is said to stumble along the road attempting to flag down drivers for help, nonetheless, the phantom vanishes once drivers try to assist her. If scared drivers instead decide to ignore the seemingly helpless girl, she appears in the rearview mirror sitting in the car’s back seat! The road is a 20-minute drive from Malta Airport, Do you dare drive your rental car down this haunted highway?
USA
8. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
Being the first prison in the US to implement solitary confinement to emotionally torture its inmates, the Eastern State Penitentiary was a home of nightmares. Today the 19th-century prison stands as a historical symbol of gothic architecture that can be visited by the public. The crumbling stone walls and dark cell blocks are believed to still imprison the souls of long-lost inmates who are still serving time. The penitentiary is an 18-minute drive from the Philadelphia Airport.
9. Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco
The infamous isolated prison off the coast of San Francisco bay is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. Notorious criminals such as Al Capone and Arthur Doc Barker all spent time behind bars within this maximum-security fortress. During its operation, an inmate within cellblock 14D mysteriously died after screaming all night that a creature with glowing eyes would kill him. Furthermore, Cellblock 14D can be visited today and has been reported to have cold and unnerving energy surrounding it. Alcatraz is now a popular tourist destination for those looking to experience the supernatural. Tour guide locations can be driven to around the San Francisco bay that will take you on a round trip to Alcatraz.
United Kingdom
10. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
The world-famous Edinburgh Castle is one of the most haunted places in Scotland with countless sightings of ghosts and spirits. Most notably, the castle’s dungeons are the home to the headless drummer. Many have heard the sound of his drums coming from the deepest darkest depths of the castle. In folklore, the drummer’s appearance predicts any oncoming danger that would occur within the castle. The castle is open for tourists and is only a 12-minute drive from the centre of Edinburgh.
11. Pluckley, Kent
The picturesque countryside village of Pluckley holds the top spot for an unusual record… most haunted village in Britain. Pluckley has some historical residents that have not quite passed away yet from the land of the living. Residents allegedly sighted over 14 different ghosts. We recommend you take a trip to Pluckley in your rental car to experience the beautiful old-timey English village aesthetic, and if you are not careful, see the undead. The haunted village is a 35-minute drive from Maidstone.
Are these haunted holiday locations proof that there is life after death or are they simply tall tales that have arisen from years of hysteria? Find out for yourself… Happy Halloween! Still not scared? Head over to our blog on Scariest rental scams (and how to avoid them) or 5 Holiday horror stories you won’t believe.
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