As autumn draws in, darkness falls earlier and earlier, and with that, the ghosts start haunting. Get ready to be spooked and scared this Halloween because we've picked some spooky places in Germany that will send a shiver down your spine.
For Halloween, many attractions are also bringing out the big guns. For example, at Moviepark Deutschland, you'll find a huge haunted world and won't be able to stop frightening. Or visit the Hamburg Dungeon and let the witches and creepy creatures there scare you.

1. Rakotz Bridge, Gablenz

Magical view on Rakotz Bridge in Gablenz in Germany

You thought this bridge was just a nice place for Instagram photos? Well, its history is quite interesting, and you should definitely visit the Rakotzbrücke in Gablenz.

Looking at the semi-circular bridge, one wonders how it could have been built without mysterious help. Legend has it that the devil himself helped build the bridge in 1863. But the devil doesn't help anyone without something in return, that's no secret. So what did he want? He demanded the soul of the first living creature to cross the bridge. Not a good deal for the bridge builder because he was the first to use the bridge and die.

Despite its legend, the bridge has something magical and alluring, and you should see it for yourself.

2. Plague Chapel, Weilheim

Forests at night are always a bit eerie, but in the middle of this forest in Bavaria is a particularly frightening chapel. The chapel and its surroundings are said to be haunted. Every year it attracts many young people and those who want to be scared, and they report huge black hellhounds around the grounds and a light burning in the chapel at night, even though it is abandoned. The goosebumps factor couldn't be higher here.

Stay at Cocoon Sendlinger Tor in Munich, about an hour from Weilheim, take a trip to the small town and go on a night hike through the eerie forest to the chapel.

3. Haus Fühlingen, Cologne

View on the back of Haus Fühlingen in Cologne, Germany

Everyone from Cologne has heard one or two scary stories about this house. Thousands of knights are said to have died on its grounds during a battle in 1288, some due to the fight, but horses overran most until they were no longer recognisable and died.

It was not until centuries later that Eduard Freiherr von Oppenheim bought the site, and the villa and a racecourse were built. After he had to sell the estate again in 1907, the misfortune only began. The ghosts of deceased people from the times of various owners are said to be still haunting the estate today. For example, a 19-year-old forced labourer was murdered here in 1943. The next owner, Gerhard van K., a former Nazi judge, hanged himself on the house's second floor in 1962. Years later, another body is found on the second floor - the same cause of death.

The property, located in the Chorweiler district of Cologne, is only a few minutes' drive from the city centre. Stay at the Viktoria Hotel and see for yourself that ghosts haunt the Fühlingen house.

4. Beelitz Sanatoriums, Beelitz

Within the corridors of the Beelitz Sanatorium in Brandenburg, Germany

The Beelitz Sanatorium in Brandenburg was the largest hospital in Europe of its time and was opened in 1902. Originally built as a sanatorium to cure people with the lung disease tuberculosis, the hospital was used as a military hospital during the Nazi era, and even Adolf Hitler was treated here. There is no exact death toll of the patients of the sanatorium, however, there have been several murders there in the last 30 years, which only make this place more gruesome. In 1991, a young woman and her three-month-old son were murdered here in cold blood by the serial killer "The Beast of Beelitz". In 2008, a model was beaten and strangled to death in agony by her photographer at this site.

Today you can explore the ruins with a tour, and a cold shiver will run down your spine within the walls of the sanatorium.

Stay at the Hotel am Havelufer Potsdam and enjoy Lake Templin's view while mentally preparing for your trip to the sanatoriums. It's only about 30 minutes by car from here.

5. Waldniel-Hostert Nursing Home, Schwalmtal

Although it is forbidden to enter, we did not want to deprive you of one of the cruellest places in German history. However, you can only see this nursing home from behind fences.
The Waldniel-Hostert nursing home in Schwalmtal, North Rhine-Westphalia, hides terrible deeds. During the Nazi era, the institution was used to house mentally disabled children and adults, but it didn't stop at caring for the patients. Cruel things were done to them, and eventually, they were put to sleep with Luminal. It is said that the ghosts of the 455 adults and 99 children who died here still haunt the corridors.

More scary places in Germany

Of course, these are by no means all the places where you can be afraid in Germany. We have compiled a list of some of the other places for you.

  • Peacock Island, Berlin
  • The Ghost Forest in Nienhagen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
  • The Valentin Submarine Bunker, Bremen
  • The Domsland Moor in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein
  • The forbidden town of Wünsdorf, Brandenburg
  • The Spreepark, Berlin
  • The Waldlust Castle Hotel in Freudensat, Baden-Württemberg
  • The Ghost Villa in Verden, Lower Saxony