One of the most talked widely talked about topics throughout the world is paranormal activity. No matter where you go, there is some tall tale about a haunted place in the area where no one dares to go, or you become curious and daring and decide to check it out yourself. Regardless, Hollywood has recently been thriving in the paranormal genre, but even with the fair number of movies dedicated to certain haunted places, there are still hundreds of places around the world that haven’t been popularized by Hollywood. Whether you believe in paranormal activity or not, the haunted places I list below will ensure you to believe somewhat in it, even as far-fetched as they may seem.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary (Pennsylvania, US)

This is a former prison in Philadelphia that was the first to introduce solitary confinement. Due to the harsh approaches the prison took, many inmates were driven to insanity, and it was shut down in 1970. Paranormal reports include: a dark figure occasionally seen in the guard tower, evil crackling sounds, and disembodied footsteps, talking, and banging of cell doors have been heard.

2. Monte Cristo Homestead (New South Wales, Australia)

This is regarded as the most haunted place in Australia. Since it was built in 1885, there have been many tragic deaths, such as: a young child being dropped down the stairs, a maid fell from the balcony, a stable boy was burned to death, and a caretaker was murdered in the caretaker’s cottage.

3. Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town, South Africa)

Built in the 17^th century by the Dutch East India Company, it is the oldest colonial building in the country. The first paranormal occurrence happened in 1915 when a man was spotted on one of the castle’s ramparts. He was spotted again in 1947 over a two-week span jumping off the castle walls. Another occurrence is the bell strikes randomly and the ghost of a black dog has been known to pounce on visitors and then vanish into thin air.

4. Fort George, The Citadel (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Canada’s most haunted site, Fort George has received hundreds of ghost sightings over the years. One of the scariest reports is a little girl who reportedly follows the tour groups and some people have reported her holding their hands. Other reports include knocks and bangs, voices, feeling of being watched, moving furniture, pushing, and a lady showing herself in mirrors.

5. Island of the Dolls (Xochimilco, Mexico)

Located on Lake Teshuilo, it is believed a girl drowned in the murky water and her spirit was unable to escape the island. A man named Julian Santan Barrera moved to the island in the 1950’s, and spoke to the girl, and gave her dolls. After a while it became harder for him to appease the girl’s demand for the dolls, and he told his nephew this. The day his nephew came to see him, Julian was face down in the canal in the same spot the girl had drowned 70 years before. It is reported that his ghost remains on the island as well.

6. Aokigahara (Japan)

Also known as the Suicide Forest, this is one of the most haunted places in the world. Many people come to the forest and end up killing themselves, and there have been so many people that police do annual sweeps to clear the dead bodies. There are signs around the forest that say “Your life is a precious gift to your parents” and “Please consult with the police before you decide to die.” Many people believe the forest is haunted by the souls of all the people who have died there.

7. Fairfield Hills Hospital (Connecticut, US)

Located in Newtown, Connecticut, this is one of the most haunted asylums in the world. Known for its “rehabilitation” techniques, such as electric shock therapy and frontal lobotomies, many people have reported it’s haunted, and TV shows won’t go near it. Paranormal activity reports include distant screaming and banging, along with stuff falling in the underground tunnels.