Ideas for your Halloween city break
Halloween is lurking just around the corner. What a perfect time to visit some spooky places around Europe (and eat candy corn)!
It's the season of the witch, so we think you should leave behind the obvious tourist traps and head off the beaten path... Today we want to share some of our favourite creepy attractions near our Pentahotels – perfect for your autumn city break around Halloween.
Here are our top 5 recommendations:
1. Birmingham: Newman Brothers Coffin Works
Time stands still in this unusual factory, just under a mile from our Pentahotel Birmingham. This is where the finest coffin decorations in all of England were once cast, including for the tombs of Princess Diana and Winston Churchill. Take a walk through the original machinery and tools of the trade, faithfully restored. The former factory offers guided tours, and in the months of October and November a rich calendar of themed events.
2. Brussels: Dieweg Cemetery
This 19th century cemetery is not like all the others. Trees, leaves and ivy are entwined around the old gravestones, because the cemetery is no longer in use – except for on special occasions, such as the burial of "Tintin" artist Hergé. However, the cemetery is open to visitors who wish to immerse themselves in an eerie landscape where time stands still. What was that sound? Must have been a bird, for sure... From Pentahotel Brussels City Centre, you can conveniently reach the Dieweg cemetery by metro line 92.
3. Kassel: Museum of Sepulchral Culture
The Museum of Sepulchral Culture in Kassel takes fascination with death to a new level. This is not a place for cheap thrills, but rather, a deep investigation into the afterlife. If you dare undertake this journey, you can start at Pentahotel Kassel during your next stay. In addition to artefacts such as headstones and coffins, you can also find everyday objects and jewellery decorated with skulls, as well as interesting objects from the mortuary culture of other countries, dating all the way back to the 15th century.
4. Prague: Speculum Alchemiae
The Speculum Alchemiae is a truly mysterious place in Prague's Old Town. Descend a staircase behind a secret door to discover the underground laboratory of an alchemist, and learn about Prague's extensive occult history. Among other things, Speculum Alchemiae shows you how people used to try to turn lead into gold. Book a guided tour now ahead of your next visit at Pentahotel Prague!
5. Vienna: Stephansdom Crypt
The impressive Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) in Vienna's city centre is worth a visit in itself. As imposing and heavenly the church may appear at surface level, you want to head for the underworld: In the crypt under the stone floor lie the bones of more than 11,000 bodies. During your next stay at Pentahotel Vienna, you can go on a guided tour to visit the stacked bones and skulls which date back to the time of the bubonic plague.
After an active day in the city, why not seek refuge from the shadows in our cosy Pentalounge and try one of our uncannily tasty drinks? Sweet or sour: The choice is yours.
This short list is just the tip of the (bloody) iceberg. Europe is steeped in history, and with that comes a wealth of lore and haunted attractions. Scratch under the surface and you will see that you can organise a Halloween city break in most of our 20+ European destinations.
Special offer: From 28 to 31 October, take advantage of our seasonal offer, with room nights starting at just 69 £. Just enter the code SLASHED in our booking engine and see the black magic happen. This entails a double room for 2 persons including breakfast. The booking window is short, but your travel dates can go all the way up until end of January 2022.