1. Greyfriars Kirkyard – Edinburgh, Scotland
If there’s one place in Scotland where you don’t want to be locked in after dark, it’s Greyfriars Kirkyard. This eerie cemetery is home to the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist, a spirit said to attack visitors who wander too close to his mausoleum. People have reported being scratched, pushed, and even blacking out after stepping inside. Some paranormal investigators have even captured strange mists and shadowy figures on camera. The hauntings became so extreme that parts of the graveyard had to be locked off to the public says Edinburgh Live.
Aside from ghostly encounters, the cemetery itself is beautiful yet unsettling, with ancient tombstones leaning at odd angles and the ever-present Edinburgh mist rolling through. Even the city’s history adds to the spookiness—some graves were once disturbed by body snatchers. And, of course, there’s the legend of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal dog who guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years adds BBC. Whether you’re after history or a supernatural thrill, this graveyard delivers.
2. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America, and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is its crown jewel of supernatural hotspots. This final resting place is famous for housing the tomb of Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Visitors claim they’ve seen her spirit wandering the cemetery, dressed in a turban and muttering chants. Some believe leaving offerings at her tomb can grant wishes, while others swear they’ve felt a sudden chill in the humid Louisiana air says NOLA.com.
Aside from Marie Laveau, countless unmarked graves and above-ground vaults add to the unsettling atmosphere. Some tourists have reported seeing ghostly figures darting between tombs or hearing whispers when no one else is around. The cemetery is so infamous for hauntings that you can only visit with a licensed guide. With its crumbling mausoleums and deep-rooted history, it’s no wonder this place is a paranormal goldmine shares All That’s Interesting.
3. Highgate Cemetery – London, England
London’s Highgate Cemetery looks like it was ripped straight from a gothic horror novel, and its ghost stories only add to the chilling atmosphere. The most famous legend is that of the Highgate Vampire, a tall, dark figure with glowing red eyes that supposedly stalks the graveyard. In the 1970s, reports of the vampire led to full-scale hunts, with locals even breaking into tombs in search of the creature. Some say the figure is actually a restless spirit, while others believe it’s something far more sinister.
Beyond the vampire tales, visitors frequently report eerie sensations, shadowy figures, and even the sounds of footsteps crunching on gravel with no one in sight. The overgrown ivy, crumbling statues, and Victorian tombs only enhance the sense of unease. Several notable figures, including Karl Marx, are buried here, but it’s the ghosts that steal the spotlight. If you ever visit, don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re being watched.
4. Resurrection Cemetery – Justice, Illinois
Resurrection Cemetery is best known for its most famous ghost, Resurrection Mary. Legend has it that Mary was a young woman killed in a car accident while leaving a dance in the 1930s. Since then, countless motorists have reported picking up a hitchhiker matching her description—only for her to vanish when they reach the cemetery gates. Some say she leaves behind a faint scent of roses, while others have claimed to see her reflection in their rearview mirror before she disappears.
Aside from Mary’s ghostly antics, visitors have reported strange lights, cold spots, and unexplained voices around the cemetery. One particularly eerie account involved a cab driver who swore a girl matching Mary’s description vanished from his back seat mid-ride. The cemetery itself is peaceful during the day, but at night, it takes on an entirely different energy. Many believe Mary isn’t the only restless spirit lurking among the graves.
5. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery – Midlothian, Illinois
This small, abandoned cemetery might be tucked away in the woods, but it’s easily one of the most haunted places in the United States. Paranormal investigators have captured ghostly figures, glowing orbs, and even strange apparitions on film. One of the most famous spirits is the “White Lady,” often seen cradling an infant while wandering the cemetery. Some believe she’s the ghost of a mother buried there, while others think she’s tied to one of the unmarked graves.
In addition to ghostly figures, visitors have experienced sudden drops in temperature and electronic malfunctions. Some even claim to have seen a phantom farmhouse that disappears when approached. The entire area has a history of violence, from Prohibition-era gang activity to rumored occult rituals. If you visit, be prepared—this isn’t just another creepy cemetery, it’s a full-on paranormal hotspot.
6. La Recoleta Cemetery – Buenos Aires, Argentina
La Recoleta Cemetery is famous for its elaborate mausoleums and celebrity burials, but its ghostly legends are just as well known. One of the most chilling tales is that of Rufina Cambaceres, a young woman who was mistakenly buried alive. When her tomb was later reopened, her coffin was found scratched and damaged from the inside. Some visitors claim they’ve seen her spirit wandering the cemetery, seemingly lost and searching for a way out.
Another infamous ghost is the “Lady in White,” who has been spotted walking between the mausoleums at night. Visitors have also reported hearing unexplained whispers and footsteps echoing along the marble pathways. With its grand, city-like layout and eerie silence, La Recoleta has a haunting beauty that makes it both breathtaking and unsettling. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this cemetery’s atmosphere is undeniably chilling.
7. Stull Cemetery – Stull, Kansas
Stull Cemetery is often called one of the “Seven Gateways to Hell,” which tells you all you need to know about its spooky reputation. Local legends claim that the Devil himself makes an appearance here twice a year, on Halloween and the spring equinox. Paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers have reported hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadowy figures, and even feeling unseen hands grabbing at them. Some believe there’s a hidden stairway leading straight to Hell beneath the graveyard.
Despite its small size, the cemetery has an unsettling presence that has kept rumors alive for decades. Even the Pope supposedly refused to let his plane fly over Stull due to its dark energy. Many locals warn against visiting, especially at night, as strange accidents and disappearances have been linked to the site. Whether the legends are true or just eerie folklore, Stull remains one of the most notorious haunted cemeteries in the world.
8. Père Lachaise Cemetery – Paris, France
Père Lachaise Cemetery is a stunning, maze-like burial ground that’s home to some of history’s most famous figures, including Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. But beyond its artistic tombs and tree-lined pathways, ghostly encounters abound. Some visitors claim to have heard whispering voices near certain graves, while others have spotted shadowy figures darting between mausoleums. One of the most unsettling legends is that of Adolphe Thiers, whose ghost is said to appear at his grave, scowling at passersby.
People who linger too long near Morrison’s grave have reported sudden dizziness, as if they’re being pushed away. Others have captured eerie, unexplained lights in their photographs. While the cemetery is peaceful by day, at night, it’s said to take on a different, almost otherworldly energy. If you’re looking for a hauntingly beautiful place to explore, Père Lachaise is unforgettable—spirits and all.
9. Howard Street Cemetery – Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is infamous for its witch trials, and Howard Street Cemetery is one of the town’s most haunted locations. This is where Giles Corey, an accused witch, was pressed to death with heavy stones in 1692. Legend has it that he cursed the town with his last breath, and ever since, his ghost has been spotted wandering among the graves. Some say he appears as a shadowy figure just before tragedy strikes Salem, making him more of an omen than a simple restless spirit.
Visitors to the cemetery have reported hearing whispers, feeling sudden cold spots, and even seeing misty apparitions. Paranormal investigators claim their equipment malfunctions near Corey’s grave, as if his energy still lingers. The cemetery’s eerie atmosphere is only heightened by Salem’s dark history, making it a prime location for ghost hunters. Whether you believe in curses or not, this is one place where the past doesn’t seem to rest.
10. Union Cemetery – Easton, Connecticut
Union Cemetery is best known as the home of the “White Lady,” one of the most famous ghostly figures in New England. She’s been seen gliding between tombstones, dressed in a flowing white gown, sometimes appearing in the middle of the road to startle passing drivers. Some say she’s the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth, while others believe she’s connected to an unmarked grave. Paranormal investigators, including Ed and Lorraine Warren, have captured strange phenomena here, adding to the cemetery’s haunted reputation.
Aside from the White Lady, visitors have reported glowing red eyes peering from the darkness and eerie, disembodied voices. Some have even experienced an overwhelming feeling of sadness or dread upon stepping inside. The cemetery’s history dates back to the 1700s, and many of its graves are weathered and forgotten, adding to its ghostly charm. If you’re looking for a classic haunted graveyard, Union Cemetery doesn’t disappoint.
11. Waverly Hills Sanatorium Cemetery – Louisville, Kentucky
Waverly Hills Sanatorium is already one of the most haunted places in America, but few realize its cemetery is just as active. Many of the patients who died in the infamous tuberculosis hospital were buried here, often without proper ceremony or even family acknowledgment. Some visitors claim to have seen shadow figures wandering the graves, while others have heard faint coughing, as if the spirits of the sick are still lingering. The cemetery has an unsettling stillness, as if it holds onto the sorrow of those who died there.
People who visit at night report seeing strange lights and hearing unexplained whispers. Some have even seen full-bodied apparitions, often of nurses or former patients, standing motionless among the tombstones. The energy in the cemetery is heavy, and many who visit leave feeling emotionally drained. If the sanatorium itself is too overwhelming, the cemetery is just as eerie, offering a quieter but equally chilling experience.
12. The Old Jewish Cemetery – Prague, Czech Republic
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most unique and haunting burial grounds in the world. With thousands of gravestones stacked haphazardly on top of each other, the site has an eerie, almost surreal appearance. Some say the spirits of those buried here still linger, unwilling to leave due to the way the graves were piled over centuries. Visitors have reported hearing whispers in Hebrew, seeing shadowy figures, and even feeling unseen hands brushing against them.
One of the most famous spirits is that of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the legendary creator of the Golem. Some believe his supernatural guardian still protects the cemetery, while others claim to have seen a figure that vanishes into thin air. The combination of history, legend, and an undeniable supernatural presence makes this cemetery one of the eeriest places in Europe. Whether you visit for its historical significance or its ghostly reputation, you won’t forget your time here.