Guest article by James Scanlan, author of Europe in a Day.
Editor’s note: this restored guest contribution explores European folklore and places associated with it. The stories are legends, not verified supernatural events, and versions differ. James’s first-person observations and book references belong to his original contribution. This is travel inspiration rather than a guide to current Halloween events; check access, opening dates and transport before booking.
Disclosure: this article contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy through it, Beautifully Travelled may earn a commission.
Ah, Halloween… a spookily good fun time of year, and also great for travel. Summer crowds have dispersed and you may still be lucky with the weather. A short trip can be a tempting way to discover somewhere new, although whether a day trip is practical depends on your starting point and transport. Covering day trips ranging from Amsterdam to Zürich, my ebook Europe in a Day – Day Trips to the Continent shows you what you can see on daytrips to 15 different European countries and gives you tips on how to plan your own trips.
As it’s Halloween, here are just some of the stories of monsters, magic and unexplained I’ve encountered on my day trips around Europe, as well as some sightseeing tips too. What goes bump in the night across the continent? What creatures lurk in the dark? Are you brave enough to head off to Europe for the day? Read on and find out!
Prefer to start closer to home? Explore our unusual and spooky things to do in London for museums, cemeteries and atmospheric walks.
MODDEY DHOO – ISLE OF MAN
A large shaggy black dog is said to prowl the grounds of Peel Castle after nightfall. Though the Moddey Dhoo seems indifferent to most humans it encounters, one drunken soldier was foolish enough to patrol the castle alone one night and taunt the spectral hound. No one saw what happened, but they heard the screams. The soldier was so terrified by what happened he couldn’t speak and died 3 days later…
Dare you take a stroll through the Moddey Dhoo’s lair? Walking along the clifftop paths below the battlements of Peel Castle rewards you with spectacular views over the Irish Sea, while a visit to the castle brings you closer to the setting of the legend. The sunsets here are beautiful– just remember that once the sun goes down, the Moddey Dhoo goes on the prowl…
THE GOLEM – CZECHIA
In a well-known Prague legend, a rabbi creates a Golem from clay to protect the Jewish community from persecution. Retellings differ in how the creature is brought to life and how its story ends. It is one of the city’s enduring stories, rather than a historical account.
The attic of the 13th century Old New Synagogue in Prague is believed to be where the Golem is kept. Treat the attic stories as part of the legend, rather than an invitation to explore restricted areas. Besides, you could easily spend hours wandering the beautiful – and hauntingly gothic – streets of the Czech capital!
BANSHEE – IRELAND
If while wandering around Ireland you find a comb on the ground, don’t touch it – a Banshee may have left it there to ensnare you. The cry of the Banshee is said to have slightly different sounds across the Emerald Isle, but it is always seen as an omen of impending death. Though legends say the Banshee cries because she is mourning the departed soul, her shrieking wail still strikes terror into the hearts of all who hear it…
If you want to tap into the less frightening side of Irish culture, check out the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin. Well over a thousand years old, these manuscripts of the Gospels have been decorated with colourful and stunning Celtic patterns – and not a wailing old hag in sight!
HULDUFÓLK – ICELAND
In Icelandic folklore, the Huldufólk are the hidden people, often associated with rocks and the landscape. Whether you enjoy the stories as folklore or simply appreciate the scenery, leave stones where they belong and treat the landscape with care.
For a change of scene, James recommends exploring Reykjavík and its striking Hallgrímskirkja. Check visitor information before planning a tower visit, and enjoy the folklore as another layer of the journey.
WILD MEN – SWEDEN
James’s original contribution also included tales of large, hairy creatures in Scandinavian forests. These are unverified monster stories, rather than established accounts of wildlife. Think campfire storytelling, not a reason to expect Bigfoot on your walk.
You can pair forest scenery with a city break in Malmö, or continue towards Copenhagen via the Öresund link. The monster stories belong around the campfire; plan your journey around the landscapes and cities themselves.
VAMPIRES – ROMANIA
You just can’t write about monsters without mentioning Dracula. Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula is fictional; Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia. The historical figure and the fictional vampire should not be treated as the same person.
James’s original Bucharest suggestion centred on the Old Town and Vlad’s association with the former princely court. Check current access before planning a visit: a historical association does not guarantee that ruins or displays are open. Keep the real history distinct from the Dracula stories.
Have you seen things you can’t explain while travelling? Heard local legends of monsters? Got your own horror stories? Why not share them on Europe in a Day’s official Facebook page and connect with other day trippers!
Wherever you are this Halloween, have fun and enjoy yourself… just remember to be off the road before sundown… *mwahahahahah*
This guest post was written by James Scanlan. James has discovered an approach to travelling through European day trips, which might just unlock the way you travel yourself.
In the biography supplied with his original contribution, James described living in London, where he worked in administration and as a freelance writer. At the time of writing this article, he has visited 38 countries on 3 continents, and is working towards fulfilling his ambition to have travelled to 50 countries by the time he is 30. He was also working on a 2nd edition of Europe in a Day, which will feature guides to new countries across the continent.
For more information about the locations mentioned here, check outEurope in a Day – Day Trips to the Continent by James Scanlan, originally promoted here as a Kindle ebook. Check the listing for current availability.
The illustrations accompanying this article are AI-generated interpretations of folklore, not photographs or exact reconstructions of the places mentioned.
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I was home in St. John’s, Newfoundland Canada, but as North America’s oldest city, we certainly have our share of ghosts and goblins.
Great list of scary vampires, banshees and other monsters in interesting European places to visit :-).