If you’re visiting Edinburgh this Halloween, get ready for a city that lives and breathes ghost stories. Beneath its cobbled streets and gothic spires, Scotland’s capital hides centuries of tales about witches, body snatchers, and restless spirits. Whether you love a good scare, historical intrigue, or just want to soak up Edinburgh’s eerie autumn atmosphere, there’s something spooky for everyone.
And the best part? Many of the city’s most haunted spots are just steps away from CODE The Court, our boutique hotel & urban hostel set in a former courthouse and jail on the Royal Mile.
Here’s your ultimate Halloween guide to the spookiest things to do in Edinburgh in 2025 👇
1. Descend Underground for Haunted Drams at The Lost Close
📍 Beneath CODE The Court
🔗 Book the Haunted Drams Experience
Start your Halloween adventure with a ghost walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and continue below the city streets at The Lost Close, Edinburgh’s hidden underground vault directly beneath The Court. Join the Haunted Drams experience — a storytelling whisky tasting that explores Scotland’s darker side. You’ll sip two Scotch whiskies as you hear eerie tales of Edinburgh’s past.
Perfect for: whisky lovers, history buffs, and anyone brave enough to drink with the spirits of the Old Town.
2. Immerse Yourself in the Edinburgh Horror Festival
📍 Various venues around the city
🔗 edhorrorfest.co.uk
Every Halloween, Edinburgh transforms into a stage for the Edinburgh Horror Festival, a celebration of all things macabre. Expect theatre, comedy, séances, ghost stories, and immersive performances in some of the city’s most atmospheric venues — including pubs, theatres, and even old crypts.
Perfect for: theatre fans and those who love creative frights.
3. Step Into the Shadows on the True Crime Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close
📍 High Street, Royal Mile
🔗 realmarykingsclose.com
Descend beneath the Royal Mile into one of Edinburgh’s most iconic underground streets. The True Crime Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close take you deep into the city’s criminal past — from gruesome murders to unsolved mysteries and real-life witch trials.
Perfect for: true crime enthusiasts and history lovers looking for a chilling twist.
4. Ride the Ghost Bus Tour
📍 Departs from Waverley Bridge
🔗Ghost Bus Tour Edinburgh
Hop aboard the Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour, a black double-decker that combines comedy and horror as it drives you past haunted landmarks like Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Castle, and the Grassmarket. Expect jump scares, live acting, and a good dose of gallows humour.
Perfect for: families, groups, and anyone who prefers their scares with a side of laughter.
5. Escape the Past – Edinburgh’s Historical Escape Room
📍 3 Hope Street, New Town
🔗 Escape the Past
Think you can outsmart history? In Escape the Past, you’re trapped in an 18th-century Edinburgh courtroom — a fitting experience if you’re staying at Code The Court. Solve clues, uncover hidden evidence, and escape before time runs out.
Perfect for: puzzle lovers and teams looking for an interactive, historical experience.
6. Witness Fire and Myth at Beltane’s Samhuinn Fire Festival
📍 Calton Hill
🔗 beltane.org
Celebrate Halloween the Celtic way at the Samhuinn Fire Festival, where the ancient traditions of Samhuinn (the original Halloween) come alive through fire, drumming, and performance. The event marks the transition from summer to winter — with masked performers reenacting the battle between light and dark.
Perfect for: culture seekers and lovers of folklore.
Stay in the Heart of the Hauntings at CODE The Court
Once Edinburgh’s police court and jail, The Court is now a beautifully restored hybrid hotel & hostel blending history, comfort, and a touch of mystery. Located right on the Royal Mile, you’ll be steps away from the city’s top haunted attractions — and directly above the vaults of The Lost Close.
Stay with us this Halloween and experience Edinburgh’s past from above and below the ground.
