This Chilling Tourist Attraction In Europe Is An Eerie Gem To Visit During Halloween

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London is full of fascinating historical sites, great restaurants, and fashionable residents and is widely considered one of the world's greatest cities. Many believe that it's also one of the most haunted. London has been inhabited for nearly 2,000 years, and if you spend some time marveling at the architecture, you can almost imagine the dearly departed souls who once called the city home wandering through the cobblestone streets and hiding in the shadows. It's no surprise that London has quite a few places that are believed to be haunted, but few have the same notoriety as the Tower of London.

Just like London, Halloween has an ancient origin story. These days most people celebrate with elaborate costumes and trick-or-treating, but hundreds of years ago it was considered a holy day throughout the British Isles. Early Christians dubbed it All Hallows Eve. The Celts called it Samhain. The early celebrations that occurred on October 31 marked a transition to the darker half of the year and the end of the harvest season. It was believed that during this time of transition, the spirits of people who had passed away could once again walk amongst the living. Modern day Halloween traditions like wearing costumes and offering candy all stemmed from ancient rituals that people used to protect themselves from ghosts. The Tower of London has a dark history and is supposedly home to more than a few ghosts, which means Halloween is the perfect time to visit if you're in search of chills and thrills. 

For a fun and spooky destination to celebrate Halloween, the Tower of London should definitely be on your bucket list. Since it is one of London's most haunted locations, you just might leave with your very own ghost story.

The Tower of London was originally constructed during the Medieval era by William the Conqueror who was the King of England from 1066 to 1087. It was intended to serve as a fortress to protect the throne, and a symbol of the King's power. Over the years, the fortress was expanded upon to include a large palace where various members of the monarchy resided — especially during conflicts. The Tower was used to produce and store weapons as well as money until the 1800s, and the Crown Jewels are still kept there today. Over the years the Tower of London was also used as a prison, and some of history's most gruesome executions took place there.

Historians estimate that well over 100 people were executed just outside of the fortress gates on Tower Hill. Royal prisoners were executed within the Tower's walls on the Tower Green. Many souls spent their final days locked up in the Tower of London, and there have been multiple reports of ghost sightings.

Some of the most notorious figures in British history are among the Tower of London's ghostly residents — including Anne Boleyn, who has been immortalized in various books and movies. Anne was the second wife of Henry VIII. She was accused of treason and adultery, but some say that real reason he had her executed is because she failed to give birth to a son. She was arrested and held in the Tower of London until her execution in 1536. Apparently, her ghost decided to stick around. Lady Jane Grey, Lord Guildford Dudley, Countess Margaret Pole, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Arbella Stuart, and Henry VI are a few of the other famous ghosts who haunt the Tower.

If you're someone who is fascinated by the supernatural, and you aren't afraid of a little paranormal activity, then Halloween is one of the best times to visit the Tower of London. In addition to the history and architecture that can be enjoyed year round at the popular tourist attraction, you'll usually get some spooky bonuses throughout the month of October. In previous years, the Tower grounds have been decked out with decor and other spooky delights. In 2025, there is an exhibit focusing on World War II until November 11.

You can find plenty of information on the Tower of London's official website about which of its areas are considered the most haunted, including a downloadable map with information about the history of its famous ghosts. The infamous Bloody Tower, where two young princes were supposedly murdered, is a great place to start. The mysterious lore behind their disappearance is so fascinating and extensive that the area of the castle was renamed from the Garden Tower to reflect its gruesome history. Some visitors claim to have seen the boys' ghosts, and others have heard the chilling sound of children giggling during their visit.

If you aren't feeling brave enough to enter the Tower of London itself, consider booking a guided ghost tour around the city. The Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows Tour on Viator costs around $31 per person and lasts 2.5 hours. Along the way you'll board a boat which passes by the Tower and your local guide will share spooky tales throughout the journey. Afterwards, stop by one of the most haunted pubs in Britain for a stiff drink. If you're looking for more spooky things to do in London, consider booking a Jack The Ripper Tour.