Ahhh, Venice—by day, it’s the city of romance, where tourists clamor from every corner of the globe, snapping Instagram-worthy pics and forking out cash for a gondola ride. But by night? Venice sheds its dreamy façade and transforms into a gothic playground, perfect for those of us who crave a little darkness with our travels.

Beneath the charm of canals and picturesque bridges lies a world packed with enough haunted legends and shadowy alleyways to make even the bravest feel a little… uneasy. Trust me, Venice’s spooky side is not for the faint of heart, so if you’ve got a penchant for the macabre, this floating city belongs on your must-visit list. Let’s get into it, shall we?

First stop? Poveglia, a small, uninhabited island just off the coast of Venice, and trust me, it’s not your average island retreat. This place has a history so dark it’s literally earned the nickname “The Island of Ghosts.” From the 18th century onward, Poveglia was used as a quarantine site during the plague, and later—because the vibes weren’t grim enough—it became a psychiatric hospital. The combo of plague victims and psychiatric patients has turned Poveglia into an infamous hotspot for ghostly sightings. It’s like the Venice version of American Horror Story, but without the TV credits.

According to Ancient Origins, “many believe the spirits of the plague victims and psychiatric patients still linger on the island,” with plenty of reports of eerie sights and inexplicable noises from those brave enough to get close​.

The island is totally off-limits, but of course, that hasn’t stopped the bold (or foolhardy) from making the journey. YouTube adventurer Dara Tah is one such rebel—he quite literally swam to Poveglia, evading the polizia along the way, and what he experienced was nothing short of chilling.

Of course, not all of us are bold enough to dive off a boat in search of haunted places like Tah. But don’t worry, Venice is teeming with spooky sights that you can explore comfortably by foot—or if you’re feeling fancy, a water taxi will do the trick.

Venice’s winding streets may look like something out of a romantic novel during the day—complete with stunning gothic architecture, charming piazzas, and quaint bridges. But after dark? These same streets feel straight out of a horror movie. With no cars and only narrow, shadowy passageways to navigate, it’s all too easy to imagine a figure lurking just out of sight.

Many of these alleys, dating back centuries, hold their own dark secrets. Around nearly every corner, you’ll find ghostly tales and haunted lore. Take Campo dei Morti (translation: Street of the Dead), for example. This unassuming street once housed one of Venice’s largest open-air graveyards, which overflowed with bodies during the city’s plague outbreaks. The smell alone was said to be unbearable, but worse, it was a health hazard, with diseases spreading from the corpses to nearby residents. Eventually, in the 19th century, Venice moved its cemeteries off the island for the sake of public health. But walking these streets today still feels like stepping over someone’s grave.

And if that doesn’t give you goosebumps, the city is full of chilling ghost stories passed down through the centuries. One particularly eerie tale, shared by The Paranormal Roadtripper, tells of a young girl who flags down a doctor to help her sick mother. But when the doctor arrives, he’s met with the disturbing truth: the girl had been dead for years…

For those seeking a real-life cursed mansion, look no further than Palazzo Dario. This gothic palace has a long, tragic history of owners dying under mysterious circumstances. Its nickname, “The House that Kills,” is well-deserved, as many who have owned the property met untimely deaths, from suicides to fatal accidents​ and yes, even murder.

Whether you believe in curses or not, just staring up at this Venetian mansion is sure to give you chills.

All this dark lore proves that Venice isn’t just your standard romantic retreat—it’s a hauntingly beautiful city steeped in eerie stories that would make Edgar Allan Poe tip his hat. Whether you’re daring enough to explore the forbidden island of Poveglia, wandering the shadowy alleys where history feels more like a ghostly whisper, or listening to spine-tingling tales while gliding along its misty canals, Venice is a dream (or nightmare) destination for those who like a little darkness mixed into their travel itinerary.

And let’s be honest: is there anything cooler than a city that floats, yet harbors centuries of ghost stories just beneath its shimmering surface?

Till next time, be wickedly wonderful.