The Mother City just did the mash. The monster mash! Cape Town has been ranked among the world’s top 50 Halloween destinations!
Cape Town, South Africa (13 October 2026) – Travel and Tour World (TTW) has just released its latest ranking of the Top 50 Halloween Travel Destinations for 2026, and Cape Town has landed on the list!
The Mother City has scooped 48th place on the list of spooky destinations, behind Buenos Aires at 47th and ahead of Tenerife in 49th.
TTW looked at more than 100 destinations around the world to decide which 50 deserved a place on its list. Each destination was assessed for its spooky history, culture and tourism experiences, as well as how enjoyable it would be for visitors.
To make the ranking fair, TTW used seven categories, each contributing a different percentage to a destination’s final score. These included Halloween identity, heritage, signature experiences and activities, accessibility, authenticity and local value.
The Mother City earned its spot on the list notably for hosting a spring Halloween, as opposed to more traditional ‘spooky’ destinations in the Northern Hemisphere that celebrate the holiday in autumn.
At the top of the list, Transylvania in Romania takes first place for its gothic landscapes and ties to Dracula and Bran Castle. The runner-up is Derry in Northern Ireland, known for its ancient Gaelic festival, Samhain, and spooky parades. Salem in Massachusetts lands the third spot for its historic legacy and ‘haunted happenings.’
The Mother City, where Halloween falls in spring, the jacarandas are in bloom and the sun sets well after dinner, clearly has a few tricks up her sleeve to have made it onto the list.
Cape Town’s spooky credentials actually go back centuries. There’s the Flying Dutchman, the legendary ghost ship doomed to sail endlessly off the Cape of Good Hope, never making port. Of course, there’s also the Castle of Good Hope, which is South Africa’s oldest surviving colonial building and widely regarded as one of the country’s most haunted addresses.
Oh, and there’s also Devil’s Peak, linked to the legend of Jan van Hunks, who challenged the Devil to a pipe-smoking contest. Legend has it they’re still at it, puffing away beneath Table Mountain’s famous cloud tablecloth. It would be remiss not to mention the Cape Doctor…the notorious south-easter that howls at all hours.
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One Leg, 5,000 Kilometres and a Mission to InspireFind yourself in Cape Town for Halloween? You could always join the famous Cape Town Zombie Walk on Saturday, 31 October, at 5pm. Zombies shuffle out of the Company’s Garden and into the CBD for a ghoulish takeover. It’s family-friendly and supports the Lucky Lucy Foundation’s animal rescue work!
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