Famous European locations hold hidden spooky histories, with experts Lisa Minot and Sophie Swietochowski highlighting unusual holiday destinations for Halloween.

PARIS

The French capital contains the world largest underground ossuary, holding six million people beneath the streets. Visitors can walk through tunnels filled with human skulls and bones. Seven nights with bed and breakfast at the 3H Explorers Hotel starts from £459 per person with flights from Leeds Bradford on November 9, including a 22kg baggage allowance, while tourist tax is approximately £28.

ROME

Underneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on Via Veneto, the Capuchin Crypt features bones from nearly 4,000 friars arranged in patterns across walls and archways, alongside bone chandeliers. Two nights with bed and breakfast at the 5H Villa Agrippina begins at £399 per person with Heathrow flights on select December dates, including 23kg luggage.

PRAGUE

Medieval folklore surrounds the city, where the 14th-century Charles Bridge is said to hold headless ghosts of executed nobles. The Old Town also features the legend of the Headless Templar Knight riding a white horse past midnight. Three nights with bed and breakfast at the 3H Comfort Hotel Prague City East costs from £419 per person with flights from Bristol on November 27 and 22kg luggage.

TENERIFE

Palacio de Lercaro stands as one of the oldest buildings on the island and connects to Catalina Lercaro, a wealthy businessman daughter forced into a loveless marriage who jumped down a well. Visitors can tour the stone staircase building and the surrounding old town. Seven nights self-catering at the 3H Coral Compostela Beach Golf and Siam Park Waterpark is priced from £429 per person for four sharing, with Manchester flights on November 1, 22kg baggage, and return transfers.

DUBROVNIK

Lokrum lies 600 metres off the shore, where local folklore states Benedictine monks placed a curse after French forces removed them in the late 18th century. Subsequent owners faced mysterious tragedies, and travelers can explore the abandoned monastery ruins. Three nights with bed and breakfast at Hotel Porto starts at £338 per person with Gatwick flights on November 14.

MALTA

The fortified hilltop city of Mdina features the wandering headless ghost of Katrina, who was sentenced for killing a knight in self-defence after a final wedding wish. Visitors report seeing a woman in a bridal gown disappearing into walls. Seven nights with bed and breakfast at the 3+H Mayflower Hotel costs from £519 per person with London Stansted flights on November 6, 22kg baggage, return transfers, and roughly £18 in tourist tax.

VENICE

Ca' Dario by the Grand Canal dates to the 15th century and carries a curse reputation after seven owners and visitors met tragic ends since the 1980s, leaving it empty until a 2026 sales listing. Three nights with bed and breakfast at the 3H Il Mercante di Venezia runs from £182 per person with London Stansted flights on December 13 and hand luggage.

CRETE

Frangokastello provides a restored Venetian castle overlooking a beach where May morning visitors can spot shadowy figures rising from misty waters, believed to be fighters from an 1828 battle. Seven nights with bed and breakfast at the 4H Creta Palm Resort is priced from £799 per person with East Midlands flights on May 4 next year, featuring 22kg baggage, return transfers, and about £58 in tourist tax.