The 10 most famous haunted houses in Spain

Haunted places in Spain including haunted houses that you won't want to miss this Halloween.

Ján Jakub Naništa on Unsplash

31 October 2024, 9:00

During Halloween, while some enjoy dressing up for a fun night with friends or watching a horror film, others may seek a more thrilling experience. If you consider yourself brave, why not embrace the spookiest night of the year by joining our tour of Spain's most haunted places and delving into eerie Spanish ghost stories? Spain is home to a chilling variety of haunted locations, from ghost-inhabited sites and crime-ridden areas to old mental asylums said to shelter tormented souls, and houses where strange apparitions have been reported. Get ready to uncover the 10 most famous haunted houses in Spain.

The House of the seven chimneys, Madrid

Creative commons

The "Casa de las Siete Chimeneas" in Plaza del Rey, Madrid, was once the secret refuge of Captain Zapata and his wife, Elena. However, their happiness was short-lived, as the captain tragically died in battle in Flanders. Elena’s fate took an even darker turn when she was found lifeless in their bedroom under mysterious circumstances. To deepen the enigma, her body inexplicably disappeared without a trace. Since then, rumours persist of a spectral female figure haunting the rooftop, wandering among the seven chimneys that give the house its name.

Thorax Hospital, Terrassa

Creative commons

Another place deeply marked by death is this former hospital in Terrassa. Once a facility specialising in the treatment of severe respiratory illnesses, it gained a grim reputation for having the highest suicide rate among medical centres in Spain. The prolonged suffering of its patients fostered an overwhelming sense of despair, often resulting in suicides. Chilling stories tell of patients being thrown from the ninth floor into the garden, ominously referred to as "the Jungle." To this day, it is believed that their restless spirits still linger, haunting the hospital's grounds and casting a shadow over its eerie past.

Cortijo Jurado, Málaga

Creative commons

Disturbing stories circulate about this mansion located in the Campanillas neighbourhood of Málaga. The Heredia family, known for their high social standing, were the proprietors of this estate and have been implicated in the mysterious disappearances of several girls, allegedly linked to satanic rituals. Many report hearing strange noises at this eerie Spanish location, while others claim to have witnessed figures in the windows. Some versions even suggest that there are torture devices in the basement and that the victims may be buried beneath the house. Enter at your own risk!

Sanatorium of Santo Ángel de la Guarda, Madrid

Creative commons

This sanatorium in the region of Madrid was built in 1941 to treat some of the most serious diseases that were plaguing the population back then, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, polio, fibrosis and lung cancer. It was eventually converted into a psychiatric hospital and in 1995 it closed its doors once and for all. Until not long ago it was possible to go inside this property, and visitors could find the records and personal objects of former patients. However, those who have been there speak of mysterious presences in the corridors, electrical devices that strangely stop working for no reason and doors that suddenly close violently. Many people also claim to have seen lights in the immensity of plants that resemble lanterns walking around.

The mystery of Ochate, Burgos

Creative commons

In this tale, it's not just a house but the entire village of Ochate that's rumoured to be haunted and is famous for its paranormal mysteries. This Spanish village has remained abandoned and unoccupied since the mid-19th century, having endured various epidemics that wiped out its population. In 1981, there was even a reported UFO sighting in the area.

The ghost of Catalina in Casa Lercaro, Tenerife

This chilling tale traces back to the historic residence of the Lercaro family, located on Calle de San Agustín and dating to the late 16th century. The story centres around Catalina, believed to be the daughter of Antonio Lercaro. According to legend, she was forced into marriage with an older man, a fate she could not bear, leading her to take her own life by jumping into a well behind the house—now sealed off by a wall. It is said that Catalina’s body remains hidden within one of the rooms of the house and that her restless spirit still haunts the property. Her soul, denied a Christian burial by the Church due to her suicide, is believed to wander in perpetual torment.

Preventorium of Aguas de Bussot, Alicante

Creative commons

The Preventorium of Aguas de Bussot, near Alicante, is an abandoned sanatorium once used to treat children with tuberculosis in the early 20th century. Despite its original purpose as a place of healing, the facility saw much suffering due to the high death toll from the disease. Now derelict, the building is surrounded by eerie legends, with reports of disembodied voices, ghostly apparitions, and the sounds of children crying or playing. Its haunted reputation, along with its decaying and eerie atmosphere, makes it a popular spot for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.

Old building of the Provincial Council of Granada, Granada

Creative commons

During work on this site, workers got quite a shock as human bones were discovered. Later, when the building was used as a provincial council, strange phenomena such as ghostly presences, gusts of wind, noises and mysterious lights happened that evidently frightened the workers in this building in the city of Granada.

Bélmez de la Moraleda, Jaén

Creative commons

Another noteworthy supernatural occurrence with significant nationwide repercussions in Spain is the case of the faces of Bélmez. Resembling human countenances, these mysterious markings on the floor and walls have been appearing and vanishing within the premises since 1971. This uncanny phenomenon unfolds in a residence located at Calle Real number 5 in the town of Bélmez in Jaén, and astonishingly, they persist even into the year 2024. It's a genuine haunted house in Spain, inviting you to visit at your own risk!

Teatro Eslava, Madrid

Creative commons

This location in the centre of Madrid will be familiar to many, used nowadays as a nightclub and concert venue. In the past, however, literary rivalry and a quarrel over a woman were the cause of the murder of playwright Luis Antón on 2nd March 1922 at the hands of Alfonso Vidal in the old theatre. Since then it has been said that his soul wanders around the place and haunts party goers to this very day.