The glitzy Gran Hotel Bolivar was once known for its famous guests ranging from President Nixon to the Rolling Stones, but today, the hotel is more famous for its ghost stories. Its fifth and sixth floors have been closed for over a decade for mysterious reasons, and several ghosts of women are reported to roam the halls, including a former guest who fell from a hotel window.

The most famous residence in the U.S. is also the source of centuries worth of ghost stories. Former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill claimed to have seen Lincoln’s ghost lurking in the halls. Other famous ghost sightings include Andrew Jackson laughing, Dolley Madison in the Rose Garden, and Thomas Jefferson playing the violin in the Oval Room.

Leap Castle was built in Ireland’s County Offaly sometime between 1250 and 1500. In the 16th century, the murderous O’Carroll clan took over the castle, and it became a site of their frequent massacres. It is said that the ghosts of the victims of the O'Carrolls still haunt the castle today, making it one of the country’s spookiest sites.

Though the Forbidden City in Beijing was built in the 15th century as a royal palace, it has also seen its fair share of death and tragedy, making it one of the most haunted places in China. Starting in the 1940s, guards have reported seeing the ghost of a woman dressed in white, weeping around the grounds of the palace complex at night.

Located in the Transylvania region of Romania, the Hoia-Baciu Forest has a reputation for ghosts that roam among its twisted trees. There are rumors of the ghost of a lost shepherd still searching for his sheep and tales of other paranormal activity and alien encounters. One of the most popular stories is of a young girl who disappeared here, only to reappear five years later, unable to recall where she was.

The Castle of Good Hope was built in 1666 and used by the Dutch East India Company as a replenishment station for their ships because of its key location on the shores of Cape Town. Today, it is one of the most haunted places in South Africa. Visitors have reported seeing the bell tower ringing on its own and hearing disembodied voices and footsteps in the dungeon, among other unexplained occurrences.

Many Japanese spiritualists believe that the beautiful Aokigahara Forest has a high rate of paranormal activity. Couple that with the hundreds of mysterious deaths that have occurred here, and this is one eerie place. To make matters spookier, soil deposits of magnetic iron interfere with compass use, making it easy for visitors looking for views of Mount Fuji to get lost here.

In 1986, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met at Iceland’s Hofdi House, built in 1909, to discuss a possible resolution to the Cold War. But the site is also known for its ghostly tales and strange sounds heard at night. It’s said that a former resident of the house who poisoned herself still haunts the halls.

Built in 1832, the oldest freestanding theater in San Juan has some eerie history to go along with it. Local legend has it that an actress once fell to her death during a performance, and has appeared as an apparition on the grounds ever since, wandering throughout the theater. Visitors and employees have also claimed to hear mysterious footsteps and voices, doors opening and closing, and the sounds of people singing on stage.

The graveyard of the 16th-century Greyfriars Kirk church is said to be one of the most haunted in the world. A popular ghost story involves a 17th-century persecutor whose spirit was set free after a break-in — he now allegedly haunts the grounds. Several gravestones at the cemetery were also a source of inspiration for “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, including Tom Riddell, Elizabeth Moodie, and William McGonagall.

Built in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta in 1888, the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has seen many famous guests over the years. However, there are a few guests who may have overstayed their welcome — including a ghost bride who met her fate after falling down the marble stairs. Another popular ghost is that of retired head bellman Sam McAuley, who is said to walk the halls still dressed in his uniform.

This dilapidated prison was once the most famous in the world, housing criminals like bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and gangster “Scarface” Al Capone. Today, the expansive grounds of the Eastern State Penitentiary stand empty, except for brave visitors on nightly ghost tours hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghosts of former inmates haunting the halls.

The RMS Queen Mary made her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, in 1936. The ship briefly carried troops during WWII and retired as an ocean liner in 1967. It found a new home in Long Beach, California, serving as a hotel and event center, but many guests say that it is haunted. The most notorious ghosts are the “lady in white,” a former ship engineer, and various children, which some have reported seeing on ghost tours of the ship.

This German forest is heavily covered in sunlight-blocking fir trees, earning its ominous name. Haunted folklore has been passed down in this region for centuries. The area is also dotted with castles and villages, creating a fairy tale-like atmosphere that inspired the Brothers Grimm to put to paper “Hansel and Gretel,” “Rapunzel,” and “Sleeping Beauty” — all of which were much darker before their family-friendly adaptations.

All Civil War battlefields have their share of ghost stories, but Gettysburg is regarded as one of the most haunted in America. In 1863, it was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and visitors today report hearing cries from wounded soldiers and seeing life-like shadows lurking. Many “ghosts” have reportedly been captured on camera here, including the likeness of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Located 65 feet below Paris is a mass grave containing around 6 million skeletons, which were moved there from overcrowded cemeteries during the 18th century. Today, the catacombs span nearly 200 miles, though only a small portion is available for public tours. Visitors have reported eerie happenings, disturbing noises, and feelings of unease while exploring these chambers.

The Tower of London was the site of many famous executions, including that of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. After failing to give the king a son and being accused of treason, she was executed on the Tower Green in 1536. Legend says that her ghost is one of many that still haunts the grounds of the tower.

After Stephen King stayed at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, he was inspired to write his famous 1977 horror novel "The Shining." The 113-year-old hotel has a storied history of ghost sightings told by guests and staff alike. Leaning into its reputation, the Stanley offers a “Spirited Night Tour” to catch a glimpse of the hotel’s alleged paranormal guests.

Now a museum, Bran Castle was built in 1388 and is best known for its connection to Bram Stoker's famous novel “Dracula.” And while there are rumors that Romanian ruler Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dracula) lived here for a time, there is no concrete evidence to prove so. But if legends of vampires weren’t enough, local folklore also says that spirits haunt its villagers at night.

Savannah frequently appears on lists of America’s most haunted cities as the site of much rumored paranormal activity. The city’s Forsyth Park — its largest and most famous park — is no exception. Built in the 1840s, it’s known for its famous fountain and a popular starting point for many ghost tours of Savannah. Haunted inns and former hospitals surround the park, lending an eerie air.