Travel Like Wednesday Addams at These 10 Gothic Destinations Around the World

The largest church in Italy and the third largest in the world, this grand cathedral—which took nearly 600 years to complete—is known for its compilation of spires and spikes. After admiring the cathedral, discover Milan’s cuisine on a fun food tour before amping up the drama in true Wednesday style by visiting nearby La Scala Opera House, one of the world’s most famous.

Named after its Gothic architecture, we have a hunch that Wednesday Addams would fit right in at Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. This historic neighborhood is full of mysteries and secrets and it’s best experienced on a walking tour that includes multiple stops. Also consider making some time for the grandiose Barcelona Cathedral or the nearby neighborhood of El Born.

This historic church looks like a large-scale version of Nevermore Academy and—as if that wasn’t reason enough to visit—Westminster Abbey is also where many royal coronations take place. It’s also home to multiple tombs and memorials including a Poets’ Corner which includes the remains of famous poets such as Ben Jonson, who’s buried upright. As a fellow writer, we’re certain Wednesday Addams would approve.

Calling all witches! Although Wednesday Addams herself can’t book a night at this adults-only Gothic hotel, you should definitely try. The Witchery is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and has nine uniquely decorated rooms. Once there, dine on Scottish cuisine at the hotel’s highly regarded dining room and explore the nearby Scotch Whisky Experience or the Scottish Parliament.

Located within Transylvania, this castle allegedly once belonged to Vlad the Impaler, the real-life inspiration for Dracula. It’s located on an isolated hill and even has a torture chamber, while the surrounding town of Bran (often referred to as Dracula City) has plenty of haunted houses, a Dracula-themed hotel, and sells all manner of vampire merch. Some prefer Disneyland®, but if you’re anything like Wednesday, then we’re more than certain you’ll pick Dracula City over churros and spinning cups.

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Yet another castle in Romania, this one doesn’t come with the appeal of vampires, but it’s considered one of the seven wonders of the country, and one of the largest in Europe. Sitting atop a cliff overlooking the Zlaști River, it’s relatively remote considering the closest city of Sibiu is more than an hour’s drive away. You may even experience a ghost or two while roaming the halls as many believe the castle to be haunted, which is likely the reason why it was a filming location for the 2018 horror film, The Nun.

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This traditional Scandinavian wooden church can be found in the natural and ethereal landscape of Sognefjord. One of the oldest of its kind, it’s encapsulated by mountains and due to its decaying wood, appears black in many photos. The church incorporates elements of Viking tradition and sits directly next to an ancient burial ground. If that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, keep in mind that it’s about an hour’s drive from Hell (Hell, Norway, that is).

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland is perhaps the most modern spot on our list. The interior and exterior of this museum building are both photo-worthy works of art in their own right, while the museum itself has a rotating roster of exhibitions. Make it a full day of mystery and adventure by completing a Cleveland scavenger hunt or head to Cincinnati for a dark history ghost tour, while you’re in town.

Located in Banff—a town known for its myriad winter activities such as sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and icewalks—the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a sight to behold. Dubbed the “Castle in the Rockies,” this hotel was declared a national historic site by the government of Canada. Conveniently situated above the serene Bow Falls, it’s the perfect destination for you and yours to explore and maybe even hold a seance or two. The Gothic-style hotel has even housed famous guests such as the late Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Although on track to re-open in 2024, Notre Dame still makes our list as it’s quite possibly the most iconic example of Gothic architecture in the world. (Hello! Enormous stained glass windows and concrete gargoyles—what could be more Wednesday?) While in Paris, you should also plan a trip to the grotesquely fascinating Paris Catacombs, an underground burial site that displays thousands of human bones.