Narrowing down these witchy haunts has been diff-occult, to say the least, but our witch’s coven of 13 global picks will have you hopping on your brooms (or vacuums) to indulge in some witchy wand-erlust. Come, we fly!
LessImmerse yourself in all things European witchcraft at the wickedly good Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Cornwall, England. Covering everything from Satanism to the witch trials, this enchanting establishment was founded by Cecil Williamson and is said to house one of the world’s largest collections of alchemical artifacts, talismans, and tchotchkes.
It’s the basic witch’s basic witch destination, but you can’t skip Salem when taking a witchy tour of the world. The site of some historic (and harrowing) witch trials way back in 1692, this otherwise unassuming Massachusetts town has been dining out on its haunting history ever since. From the Salem Witch Museum to the Witch House and Bewitched Statue, there’s no shortage of witchin’ attractions to enjoy, but the real magic comes from taking a town tour with a modern-day witch.
Situated on both the black magic axis and the white magic axis, Turin might be better known for its chocolate but it’s also been dubbed the “World Capital of Magic.” Explore the after-hours unease on a nighttime city tour with stops at places like Piazza Statuto—the center of Turin's black magic—and witness demonic sculptures, unnerving shadows, and spooky silhouettes come to life.
Latin America seems particularly fond of so-called "witches' markets" which are supposed occultist hangouts. In La Paz, Bolivia, the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) will have you spellbound with its medicinal plants and amulets, while Mexico City’s Sonora Market (Mercado de Sonora) is often touted as a hotspot for the dark arts. Then there’s the Witches’ Market (Mercado de Brujas) in Lima, Peru, where you can find snake skins, palo santo, and black candles.
New Orleans is sure to put a spell on you. The raucous alternative to Salem’s Halloween spirit, the home of voodoo religion and hoodoo spirituality has charm for days. Pay your respects to the city’s voodoo priestess and healer Marie Laveau on a tour of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, or explore the complexities of voodoo at the Historic Voodoo Museum. You can also pick up crystals, herbs, and tarot cards at one of Nola’s many apothecaries—check out Haus of Hoodoo or Crescent City Conjure.
Spain is also home to its fair share of hocus pocus locales, including Zugarramurdi and Soportújar. The former—site of the Basque witch trials—boasts a cave where devilry was alleged to be afoot, as well as the obligatory witch museum. The latter, meanwhile, houses a witch’s fountain, witch’s lookout (complete with a very “double, double toil and trouble” bubbling cauldron statue), and eerie cave complete with—you guessed it—another cauldron. August also sees the Feria del Embrujo festival.
Travel to a Grimms’ Fairy Tales landscape in Brocken, Germany, a supposed gathering place for witches and warlocks with a legendary history known throughout Europe. On Walpurgisnacht (aka May Eve), cunning folk fly in by broom to convene with the devil. Or so the story goes. Make sure you’re there on May 1 to ride the Hexenexpress train or party with fellow folklore fans in nearby villages such as Wernigerode, Thale, and Stiege.
Something wicked this way comes atop the hills of Pendle, Lancashire. At least that was the thinking back in the 17th century, when the town embarked upon its infamous witch trial. Now, you can walk the 50 mile (82 kilometer) witch trail—aka the Lancashire Witches Walk—from Barrowford to Lancaster Castle, site of the trials, to discover the legends of Pendle for yourself. Or, head south to the towns of Bideford, Devon and Burley, Hampshire, two of England’s other witchy villages.
Siquijor Island is, at first glance, much like any other in the Philippines archipelago, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a mysterious magical past (and present) dominated by Holy Week herbalists and healers who sell their homemade remedies, potions, and amulets in Bandilaan Mountain View Park. Not convinced it’s worth the trip? Well, Siquijor’s idyllic setting—think: white-sand beaches, waterfalls, and plenty of snorkeling spots—should make it easy to shake off your resting witch face.
Thrust into the limelight by the film The Conjuring, Bathsheba Sherman—an alleged witch accused of sacrificing a baby to the devil—is buried in Harrisville Cemetery. Much like most alleged witches, the truth of the matter is far more mundane—she was acquitted of any wrongdoing. And no, her body didn’t turn to stone after her death.