Global interest in mystery and horror tours rises for Halloween season

The Halloween season is driving a significant surge in interest for mystery, folklore, and horror-themed travel. According to data from the free tour platform GuruWalk, mystery tours accounted for one in ten Spanish-language bookings on October 31, 2025, doubling the interest seen in September. For 2026, the company anticipates a 20% increase in mystery tour reservations globally.

Top-rated itineraries include the Jack the Ripper tour in London, which follows the 1888 crimes through Whitechapel, and a Roman legends tour focused on emperors and architects. Other highly-rated destinations include Prague, Kyoto, and Tokyo. In Spain, the most popular mystery route is located in Madrid.

Key global destinations for seasonal mystery tourism include Salem, Massachusetts, known for its witch trial history and upcoming 400th-anniversary drone show in 2026; Transylvania, Romania, featuring special programming at Bran Castle; and New Orleans, USA, which combines voodoo traditions with jazz and street parades.