Hair-raising antics: Halloween at Germany's castles

There are 25,000 castles and palaces dotted all over Germany, many of which host spine-tingling Halloween events at the end of October. Castle Frankenstein near Darmstadt, for example, provides the backdrop for one of Europe's biggest and scariest Halloween parties. Every year between 20 October and 5 November, more than 15,000 people visit the castle ruins on the edge of Odenwald forest to be scared out of their wits. The 3,000m² castle grounds will be crawling with around a hundred vampires, witches, monsters, werewolves and other ghoulish characters waiting to give you a fright!

The medieval castle at Satzvey in the Eifel region hosts fright night parties on 28 and 31 October. Before you've even crossed the moat bridge, you'll be met with sinister glares from the ferryman. It sets the tone for a fun evening of jump-out-your-skin moments throughout the castle grounds. Hülchrath Castle in Grevenbroich, which dates back to the 12th century, is transformed into a gruesome underworld every Halloween. Creepy creatures lurk in misty, torchlit rooms for a seriously chilling atmosphere.

Goosebumps galore

Germany has plenty of thrilling Halloween-themed activities on offer, including eerie after-dark sightseeing tours and spooky railbike rides along the border between Germany and the Netherlands. The Kluterthöhle cave in the Ruhr valley, with its scary tunnels, underground lakes and chambers, is also well worth a visit at Halloween. And with Jack the Ripper on the loose down there, you'll need nerves of steel!