Dark Tourism: Morbid curiosity or a window into our shared history?
Metairie Cemetery - New Orleans
Mention the phrase dark tourism and you'll usually get one of two reactions.
Some people recoil, imagining an unhealthy fascination with death and disaster.
Others immediately begin listing the places they've always wanted to visit. Transylvania. Salem. Bran Castle. Whitby Abbey. The Paris Catacombs. Edinburgh's underground vaults.
But dark tourism isn't simply about seeking out the macabre.
At its best, it's about understanding the stories that shaped the places we visit.
What Is Dark Tourism?
Dark tourism describes travel to places connected with death, tragedy, folklore, crime, war or the supernatural.
Sometimes those places are deeply moving memorials that help us understand humanity's darkest moments.
Sometimes they're locations wrapped in myth and legend.
Sometimes they're abandoned buildings slowly being reclaimed by nature.
And sometimes they're simply places that have inspired the stories we love.
While every destination is different, they all share one thing in common.
They tell stories that deserve to be remembered.
The Cobblers Room, Mary King’s Close - Edinburgh
It's About More Than Ghosts
Alternative culture has always been fascinated by history.
Not because we're obsessed with darkness for its own sake, but because we're often drawn to places with character, mystery and a tangible connection to the past.
Walking through a centuries-old cemetery.
Standing beneath the ruined arches of an abbey.
Exploring medieval castles.
Visiting plague villages.
Learning about witch trials.
Following the footsteps of famous authors.
These experiences connect us to real people and real histories in ways that guidebooks often can't.
Tallinn Old Town - Estonia
Some Fascinating Dark Tourism Destinations
If you're looking to explore the darker side of history, here are just a few destinations worth discovering.
Whitby Abbey - Image by Moor & Moon Photography
Whitby, England
Forever linked with Bram Stoker's Dracula, Whitby Abbey towers above the town and continues to inspire gothic literature lovers from around the world.
The House of Seven Gables - Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Known for the infamous witch trials of 1692, Salem explores both the tragedy of the accusations and the evolution of modern witchcraft and Pagan communities.
Bran Castle - Romania
Bran Castle, Romania
Often associated with Dracula, Bran Castle sits at the crossroads of history, folklore and fiction, making it one of Europe's most famous gothic destinations.
The Catacombs - Paris
The Paris Catacombs
Beneath the streets of Paris lie the remains of more than six million people, carefully arranged through miles of underground tunnels.
Auschwitz - Birkenau - Poland
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland
One of the world's most important memorial sites, reminding visitors of the devastating human cost of hatred and ensuring those stories are never forgotten.
Highgate Cemetery - London
Highgate Cemetery, London
An extraordinary Victorian cemetery where incredible funerary art, famous residents and centuries of history come together beneath ancient trees.
The Dark Hedges - Northern Ireland
Travelling With Respect
Not every dark tourism destination exists for entertainment. Many are places of remembrance.
Visiting them comes with a responsibility to approach them thoughtfully, respecting both the people connected to those events and the communities that continue to live with their legacy.
The best dark tourism doesn't glorify tragedy.
It encourages empathy, understanding and reflection.
The Drinking Dragon - Isle of Man
Why Alternative People Often Love Dark Tourism
Perhaps it's no surprise that so many people within the alternative community find themselves drawn to these places.
We often appreciate history, craftsmanship, folklore, mythology, literature and architecture alongside darker aesthetics.
Dark tourism brings all of those interests together.
It's an opportunity to step inside the stories that shaped our culture, whether that's standing on the Yorkshire moors that inspired Wuthering Heights, wandering through Prague's Old Jewish Cemetery or exploring the haunting beauty of forgotten ruins.
Stone Henge
A Different Kind of Honeymoon
For many alternative couples, the wedding is only the beginning of the adventure.
If you've spent months creating a celebration that reflects who you are, why not continue that story into your honeymoon?
Whether that's wandering through the medieval streets of Prague, exploring the misty landscapes of Transylvania, discovering the legends of Salem, visiting Whitby Abbey at sunset or standing amongst the weathered gravestones of Highgate Cemetery, your honeymoon can become another expression of your shared interests and curiosity.
After all, travelling together isn't just about relaxing on a beach.
Sometimes it's about discovering places that inspire conversation, spark imagination and leave you with stories you'll be telling for years to come.
Njardarheimr, Viking Village - Norway
Where Would You Go?
Whether your perfect trip involves wandering through Gothic cathedrals, exploring abandoned castles, discovering literary locations or learning about the events that changed history, dark tourism reminds us that travel isn't always about escaping reality.
Sometimes it's about understanding it.
And perhaps that's why these places stay with us long after we've returned home.
Have We Missed Somewhere?
What's your favourite dark tourism destination?
Tell us where you'd recommend visiting next. We'd love to hear about the places that have left a lasting impression on you.
