One UK tourist attraction has been named the spookiest tourist attraction in Europe
For those keen to inject some spine-chilling thrills into their next holiday, Europe offers countless eerie destinations to explore. Yet the most bone-chilling spot of all might be right on our doorstep.
Norwegian Air has declared the Edinburgh Vaults in Scotland as Europe’s most terrifying tourist attraction. These underground chambers were carved out within the nineteen arches of Edinburgh’s South Bridge.
Initially serving as storage facilities for South Bridge businesses from 1788, this purpose proved short-lived. During the Industrial Revolution, they transformed into overcrowded slum dwellings, with cramped rooms sheltering families of up to ten people.
The vaults eventually earned notoriety as one of the city’s most perilous areas, becoming a breeding ground for criminal enterprises.
Underground spaces were converted into illicit gambling establishments and bootleg whisky operations. Sinister tales even suggested that body snatchers would temporarily store cadavers in certain vaults overnight.
Given this grim and shadowy past, it comes as little surprise that the Edinburgh Vaults are reportedly haunted. Spectral encounters include phantom children who grasp visitors’ hands during tours, and the infamous ‘Mr. Boots’, whose thunderous footsteps occasionally reverberate throughout the chambers.
One TripAdvisor reviewer shared their experience: “Had a wonderful time exploring. Worth booking in advance. Very interesting to learn new things. Unfortunately I can’t remember the young ladies name who lead us but she was amazing and very knowledgeable.”
Another added: “We had the most amazing tour thanks to our guide, Kieran. It was just myself and my partner on our tour, but that didn’t phase our guide! He struck the right balance between scary/paranormal stories and the dark historical past of the vaults. If you’re coming to Edinburgh, carve out an hour to go on this tour, it was my favourite thing we’d done on this holiday!”
Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Great tour with a fantastic tour guide Aimee who was very informative & comical. Really interesting to learn about the history of the underground vaults.”
Coming in second place amongst Europe’s most spine-chilling destinations was Portugal’s Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, whilst third place was claimed by Lithuania’s haunting Hill of Crosses.
The Edinburgh Vaults weren’t the sole UK location to feature on the list, with the Tower of London, another notoriously ghostly site, securing fifth position.
Europe’s 10 spookiest places
- Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland
- Capela dos Ossos, Portugal
- The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
- Catacombs of Paris, France
- The Tower of London, England
- Dracula’s birthplace, Dublin
- The Church of Ghosts, Prague
- Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim
- Pfaueninsel, Berlin
- Moosham Castle, Austria