Edinburgh Tops Europe’s Creepiest Cities for Halloween, with London and Rome Completing the Top Three

Europe’s Best Cities to Experience Halloween

According to УНІАН — Туризм: In September 2026, Iglu Cruise unveiled its "European Spookiness Index," ranking the top 10 European cities to celebrate Halloween. The study evaluated 40 major cities across Europe, considering four key factors: historic architecture, the number of ghost tours available, visitor review activity, and the timing of sunset on Halloween night. Edinburgh claimed the top spot, followed closely by London in second place and Rome in third.

The ranking was compiled by assigning different weights to each criterion: historic architecture accounted for 30%, ghost tour availability for 20%, visitor engagement in reviews for another 30%, and the time of sunset on Halloween night made up the remaining 20%. Data were sourced from OpenStreetMap, Tripadvisor, and Google Trends. Scores were normalized to produce a spookiness index out of 100 points.

Leading Cities for Halloween Festivities

Edinburgh scored highest with 55.5 points, a city famed for its rich history, subterranean vaults, and ancient graveyards. Nearly 17,000 reviews were recorded for ghost tours in Edinburgh. The early sunset at 4:34 PM on Halloween night further enhances the eerie ambiance. Notable haunted landmarks include the 16th-century Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery and The Real Mary King’s Close from the 17th century.

London earned second place with 55 points and offers over 120 ghost and paranormal tours. Highlights include the Tower of London, the Whitechapel district-infamous for the 1888 Jack the Ripper murders-and the West End theatre district, known for its ghostly legends, making it a magnet for Halloween visitors.

Rome ranked third with 51 points, securing a perfect 100 for its historic architecture. The city’s eerie attractions feature the 17th-century crypt of Il Convento dei Cappuccini, adorned with the bones of more than 3,000 Capuchin monks, and the ancient catacombs along the Appian Way. Rome’s score reflects its abundance of historic burial sites, physically embedded in the cityscape.

The full list of Europe’s spookiest cities for Halloween according to Iglu Cruise is as follows:

• Edinburgh, Scotland
• London, England
• Rome, Italy
• Prague, Czech Republic
• York, England
• Vienna, Austria
• Budapest, Hungary
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Brașov, Romania

In addition to the Halloween ranking, Iglu Cruise also highlighted the 2026 list of the world’s friendliest cities, with Melbourne taking the top honor. This friendliness ranking is based on reader ratings from Condé Nast Traveller, who score cities on a 100-point scale evaluating the warmth of their welcome.

These rankings provide valuable guidance for travelers aiming to celebrate Halloween in atmospheric settings. The combination of historic landmarks, ghost-related activities, and natural factors like early sunsets contribute to the unique charm of these destinations. Moreover, the availability of additional rankings-such as the friendliest cities-broadens options for those seeking not only spooky but also welcoming places to visit.

As Halloween approaches, the allure of spooky destinations grows, making it the perfect time to explore other exciting travel opportunities. For those looking to plan their future adventures, Lonely Planet has released its list of the top travel destinations for 2027, featuring highlights from Europe and beyond. Discovering these new locations can add to your travel plans, whether you're seeking thrills or cultural experiences.