These destinations across Europe are dripping with the Halloween feels...
October is an especially great time to visit Europe with kids because the falling leaves, eerie castles, earlier sunsets and cooler temps amp up the spooky factor. It's also just outside of high season for European travel, so you might score a better deal on airfare and accommodations -- not to mention smaller crowds. Here are some spots you may want to put on your list for a fall trip to experience a taste of Halloween in Europe with Kids.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
A spooky mist rises from an ancient timber forest. In the distance, you can see a grey stone castle with craggy peaks that looks straight out of an episode of Scooby-Doo. This is Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland. Just a short drive from Galway, Ashford isn't haunted but don't be surprised if suddenly it seems that one of the oversized portraits in the main hall is watching you. Especially as you spy their Irish wolfhound s lopping through the lobby.
You can stay at the castle or the more modern hunting lodge for an unforgettable experience. Ashford offers tons of kid-friendly activities from horseback riding to zip lines. The most Halloween-centric activity is a visit to the School of Falconry where the kids can not only get up close with raptors, but also take them out on a training walk through the woods...which is a must do for any Harry Potter fans in your life.
Whitechapel, London With more than 2,000 years of history, London has no shortage of creepy corners from medieval torture chambers to cobbled streets where Jack the Ripper became the world's most infamous serial killer. Several tour companies offer guided walks to see the many sites and share amazingly fun ghost stories. London Walks is our favorite but call ahead and check which of their many tours would be most appropriate for your kids.
If you have adventurous eaters...or fans of Indian food, then Brick Lane should definitely be a destination. This iconic street is known for having the best Indian restaurants in all of London. Making Brick Lane a destination for dinner can allow you to also stroll the infamous backstreets without having to get into the dark details of the area history in front of your kids.
Prague, Czech Republic In the early 2000s, Prague went from an exotic and off the beaten path city to one of the most popular cities in Europe. With the tourist boom, Prague is easier to get to, easier to get around once you are there and (unfortunately) more expensive than it ought to be, but none of that matters once you take a stroll across the spooky city core. Between the Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the Charles Bridge,
Prague could be the backdrop for countless scary movies.
Tip: Get up before dawn and head to the Charles Bridge, locally known as Karluv Most. At sunrise, the bridge will be virtually deserted and you are likely to get a bit of fog off the river. It's a must for any photographer or Instagrammer looking for easy likes.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany Southern Germany is not lacking for over-the-top-amazing medieval walled towns, but far and away the best of the many burgs is Rothenburg. This town is more than 1,000 years old and has been the host historical happenings from the Thirty Years War to WWII. Which means that beyond the beautiful buildings and kid-climbable ramparts, there is a real tragic history that can fit many ghost stories.
The Nightwatchman Tour is an especially fun walking tour of the medieval history of the town that is appropriate for all ages. The Rothenburg Medieval Crime and Justice Museum is another creepy point of interest. There are many torture museums throughout Europe with varying degrees of creepiness. Most are lame, overpriced and feature a few ghoulish implements of torture. This one is the real deal with a blend of cultural context, legal documents and signs in English to explain it all. To offset the creepy factor, Rothenburg ob der Tauber celebrates Christmas all-year-round, so it's easy to transition from Halloween spookiness to Yule festivities in one visit. Your kiddos will love the numerous toy stores and ornament outposts, so I would use these visits as a well-earned treat for good behavior.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Slovenia is less than two hours from Venice, but it feels worlds away from the Italian glitz. The moment you cross the border, you recognize that beneath the bucolic rolling hills are bat-filled caves and craggy mounts that feel like the perfect homes for warlocks and goblins.
If you go, the Postojna Cave system is pure majesty underground with sheering cliffs and an underground river that will make you feel an ork's breath on your neck. At the cave's exit is a grotto that archaeologists believe has been a place of worship for at least 5,000 years.
Another 30 minutes up the road from the cave is the Predjama Castle which you would swear was a made-up thing for Instagram if it weren't for the fact that it is full-on real and once stood in defiance of the mighty Hapsburg dynasty.
So this castle. I'm shocked that Instagram crowds have not overrun this place. I mean...look at it. Perched inside a rock face like something dreamed up in Game of Thrones. It is one of those rare places that you almost wonder if it's really real.
The inside of the castle is preserved quite well, offering a glimpse into 16th-century life in the area and you can easily imagine a vampire or two skulking along the twisting hallways. The audio guide provides enough exciting and ghoulish stories to keep both parents and kiddos intrigued as you meander through the rooms.
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