Every place around the world has an ‘it’ factor, but some just have a particular element that makes the chill run down your spine, or like you’ve been caught in a spell. Whether it’s a whispered legend that echoes through crooked branches and misty trails, sacred rituals in sleepy towns, or sneaky shadows in an otherwise festive town, these destinations will bring you on a spellbinding journey into the season of the witch.

1. Salem, United States

No other place gets more mystical than Salem, due to the infamous and tragic witch trials in 1692 that gripped the Puritan town. Salem has since transformed into a hub for modern witchcraft, offering witches and enthusiastic travellers a unique portal into a vibrant occult community. While most structures directly tied to the Salem witch trials have been lost to time, development, and fire, the Witch House, which was the home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates involved in the initial investigation during the witch trials, still stands and has been transformed into a museum.

2. Catemaco, Mexico

Along the shores of Veracruz is Catemaco, known as the spiritual heart of Mexican witchcraft. For generations, practicing brujos and brujas—traditional sorcerers and healers—have performed rituals rooted in indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Catholic traditions. As this place is not generally a travel hotspot, this quaint town only truly comes alive once a year, when it attracts hordes of spiritual seekers and curious tourists during the first Friday of March for the annual Festival de la Brujeria (Night of the Witches). Festival aside, Catemaco also offers natural charms in the form of misty lakes, lush jungle, and sacred caves; landscapes that locals have claimed to be as spiritually charged as the people who dwell here.

3. Siquijor Island, Philippines

Quite practically heaven on earth, this criminally underrated vacation spot in the Philippines carries the reputation of ‘Island of Witches,’ sharply contrasting its perfect beaches and lush jungles. Its reputation is actually why Siquijor Island has yet to fall victim to mass tourism, even among locals. Although this is gradually changing as many are beginning to embrace the island’s unique spiritual heritage. Within the tropical beauty it has to offer, mystical traditions still quietly thrive. Tourists can seek out traditional healers known as albularyo to experience rituals that blend herbal and spiritual cleansing as well as ancestral wisdom.

4. Brocéliande Forest, France

Any avid consumer of Arthurian legends and fantasy novels will likely recognise the name Brocéliande. If that’s you, you might be slightly confused as to why a fictional setting has made this list. Known in reality as the Forêt de Paimpont, this misty forest in Brittany became known as Brocéliande among writers, witches, wanderers, as well as locals, due to its similarities in Celtic roots and mysticality often portrayed by its fictional alter ego. If you ever find yourself frolicking through the moss-covered trails of this forest, pay a visit to sites where myth and reality intertwine, such as Merlin’s Tomb and the Fountain of Youth, located near the quiet village of Paimpont.

5. New Orleans, United States

The veil between the living and spirit may feel tantalisingly thin in New Orleans, and as they often say around the town, the vibe is definitely thick. This festive Louisiana city is anything but mundane; pulsing with voodoo magic, timeless structure, haunting mysteries, and, not to forget, jazz! From soulful notes drifting through the intricate French Quarters to the shadowy corners steeped in voodoo rituals, the Crescent City (as it is also known) definitely makes for an enchanting trip. New Orleans is also the final resting place of the famed voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, where it has become a renowned stop for those seeking blessings, protection, or a touch of magic.

6. Transylvania, Romania

A land shrouded in fog and mystery, Transylvania is indisputably famous worldwide for its impressive castles and vampire legends. Even in pop culture, this region has been the background for countless gothic pictures, from the haunting Nosferatu (1922) to the animated Hotel Transylvania (2012). Beyond the tales of Dracula, this region is alive with ancient folklore and pagan traditions that still echo through its forests and villages. Frequented by visitors, the Dracula-linked Bran Castle sits atop a rocky hill overlooking the picturesque village, lending an atmosphere to the ever-present, moody aura of Transylvania.

7. Glastonbury, England

Modern times have transformed the reputation of Glastonbury Festival. Though held a few miles away from its charming namesake town, a mere mention of it conjures in mind impressive musical lineups and free-spirited crowds. The town, Glastonbury, though, is a bewitching haven where legend and spirituality meld together. Also known as the Isle of Avalon, this town draws people with its ancient ruins, sacred wells, and the iconic Glastonbury Tor.

Due to the eclectic community of people practicing witchcraft, paganism, and New Age spirituality that reside there, the town is dotted with shops selling occult materials like crystals, herbs, and tarot cards. The community springs to life annually on 31 October, before winter begins, in celebration of Samhain, a traditional Celtic festival also known as the ancient precursor to the beloved modern Halloween.