With Halloween fast approaching, there’s no shortage of haunted houses, hayrides and immersive theater experiences for those seeking sleepless nights and/or sodden trousers. But can you live there? Or stay the night there? Probably not.
So we combed the eeriest corners of the earth Internet to find several domiciles with sinister histories where you can kick your feet up. Enter at your own risk.
Bran Castle, aka Dracula’s Castle
Romania
The home of the infamous Vlad III of Wallachia (aka Vlad the Impaler) — the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula — is now for sale for a rumored 80 million bones. Perched on a hill, the stone walls of Bran Castle appear to grow straight out of the mountain, with its parapets and spires rising high above treeline. The bedrooms come equipped with gothic sleigh beds.
Italian Ghost Town
Civita, Lazio, Italy
The 14th Century Casa Civita at Civita di Bagnoregio has withstood earthquakes, wars and now, Instagram-hungry tourists. The ancient ghost town is home to some lovely rentals that include access to Roman water cisterns and patios that overlook the Italian countryside. The Etruscan tombs are like something out of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Catacombs
Paris, France
Ancient catacombs that house some six million French souls? That’s scary. Staying the night there? Might need to pack a change of pants and a nightlight. The option to stay in this Parisian tomb on Halloween was auctioned off in a contest that ended on October 20th. Maybe next year.
Laura’s Cottage
Savannah, Georgia
From Flannery O’Connor to True Detective, the backwoods of the Deep South have always had an air of malice about them. And Laura’s Cottage, not far from Savannah’s town center and a shooting location for the Robert Redford political/historical thriller The Conspirator, does not disappoint with its creaky wood walls and listless, remote location.
The David Stewart Farm
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The David Stewart Farm — a former Civil War hospital — sits on 6,000 acres footsteps away from the site of one of bloodiest battles in American history. They host frequent “overnight paranormal investigations.” Who you gonna call?
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