Witchy places to visit: If you are a fan of witchcraft, magic, and all things spooky, there are several witchy places around the world that you should definitely consider visiting. These places have a rich history and are often associated with witchcraft or have a reputation for being haunted. From historic villages to mysterious forests, here are some witchy destinations to add to your travel list: 1. Salem, Massachusetts, USA: Known for the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, this New England town is a hot spot for witch enthusiasts. Visit the Salem Witch Museum, explore haunted houses, and learn about the history of witchcraft in this captivating destination. 2.

5 Witchy Travel Destinations Around The Globe

If you're looking to add a little magick to your next vacation, not all roads lead to Salem. Around the world, cultures have been practicing different variations of magick and healing for centuries, and many of their traditions are still around today. Of course, we can all agree relaxing on a beach with the waves slowly lapping in the distance is ideal. But what if you could couple it with a little healing for the soul as well? Isn't every vacation meant to take care of both body and mind? We've traveled the globe to find five unusual vacation destinations that will leave you feeling both refreshed and enlightened. From the deep forests of Brocken in Germany to the serene shores of Siquijor in the Philippines, there's a locale for every taste. Ready for an adventure? Take a dip into the cultural waters below.

Catemaco, Mexico

Located in the south of Mexico within the state of Veracruz, Catemaco is a drop-dead gorgeous location, notable not just for its rainforests and sizeable lake (which is said to emit its own energy), but also its brujos, a community of (mostly male) sorcerers whose roots are steeped in the pre-Columbian period. Their magical practices are a mixture of those long-ago rituals as well as Catholic rites, with people seeking limpias (ritual cleansings), healing, or even a little something extra to help them with business dealings.

The main event every year is the Congreso Nacional de Brujas de Catemaco, officially known as Ritos, Ceremonias y Artesanías Mágicas (Magical Rituals, Ceremonies, and Handicrafts), which attracts about 200 shamans, healers, herbalists, psychics, fortune tellers. and about 5,000 visitors. Held on the first Friday of March, the three-day event begins with a "black mass" on the edge of Lake Catemaco, and the hours just after the event are best to seek out a shaman, as it is believed they are most powerful after the mass purification. Beware of con artists who claim to be authentic brujos, and take the time to find an authentic practitioner.

Beyond the fest, the area also offers loads of beautiful surroundings including Isla de los Monos (Monkey Island), which is home to stump-tailed macaques originally from Thailand. On the northeastern shore of the lake, in the rainforest of Reserva Ecolólogica de Naciyaga, you can take part in a shamanic-style "spiritual cleansing" or dip in a spa of mineral mud.

Lima, Peru

Peru has long been known for its shamanism history. A number of the "great masters" can still be found in the Amazon Basin in jungle towns where the practice continues in its least changed form. It trickles down into the bustling city of Lima where, hidden underneath the Gamarra Station, is the Mercado de las Brujas. It is here where bustling city life meets traditional folk medicine, still widely practiced by many in the country.

Within, you can find everything from ritual candles and sea shells to cactus leaves and hatun hampi (a mixture of local dirt, rocks, seeds, and spices), all with guarantees to improve some portion of your life. The stalls are operated by a mixture of salespeople and shamans, making it relatively easy to find a healer or herbal expert should you seek guidance or a reading. If you have the stomach for it, the most proffered potion is made from a puree of frog, pollen, coca, quail egg, honey, local fruit, and a syrup from the black carob tree, and is said to cure everything from respiratory ailments like asthma to anemia. Make sure to keep your wits about you as any crowded area makes for easy pickpocketing.

After the market, Lima offers a wide array of cultural activities, including historical ruins or huacas, ancient Catholic churches, and, of course, the stunning 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. If you're feeling daring, there are retreats where, in a safe and monitored environment, you can try the herbal and hallucinogenic concoction of ayahuasca in the same sacred rituals that Peru's shamans have used for centuries.

Siquijor, Philippines

Located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, Siquijor has had a long-time reputation of a place of magic and sorcery. In recent years, high-end hotels have popped up making it tourist-friendly for those who want to come and partake in traditional medicinal practices. During Holy Week Celebration, healers and herbalists come together to prepare concoctions made from a variety of tree barks, herbs, and other local ingredients collected from the island's mountains, caves, and seas. These are all combined with secret substances and coconut oil, and then brewed to create potions that are bottled and sold. There are also objects, like bracelets, that are infused with ingredients and intent, meant to help in everything from love to business opportunities. Head over to Bandilaan Mountain View Park, in the capital town of Siquijor, for the annual event. There, visitors can view and observe traditional cooking and healing activities. Just bear in mind that in some portions of the island, you can be as much of a tourist as you want to be, but others, like Cangmatnog, mandate no interviews, cameras, or video.

Perhaps the best part about Siquijor is the setting for all of this: Pristine, white sand beaches, waterfalls, caves, and jungle walks are all within arm's reach for the intrepid traveler. There's also Bandila, a natural park and butterfly sanctuary; the Mt. Bandilaan Mountain Resort, intended to be the healing center of the island; and some of the world's best dive spots. You don't even have to go deep to see the beauty; the island is also fantastic for snorkeling, so find the nearest cove and slip in the warm ocean water.

Brocken, Germany

Straddling the former border between east and west Germany, the craggy peaks of Brocken are steeped in tales of witchcraft and magic dating back to pre-Christian times. The area's myths spread far beyond the borders of this tiny region, and people, from as far away as France and Sweden, have traded stories of strange happenings atop Brocken Mountain, where witches are rumored to gather on Walpurgisnacht aka May Eve. Hotel brochures in the area even depict witches on broomstick and stores sell everything from felted puppets to tarot cards, capitalizing on the area's legendary history. Come May 1, the local steam train even transforms into the Hexenexpress, traveling from the mountain's summit to Wernigerode—the "fairytale" town of colorful, half-timbered houses and sky-high turrets.

Wernigerode attracts about 6,000 Walpurgisnacht revelers dressed in costume—a sight to behold especially against the town's historic buildings. Come nightfall, it becomes a medieval fairground, with food, drink, and craft booths set up around a giant bonfire with stage plays and fireworks exploding in the background. Nearby, in the village of Thale, up to 35,000 arrive for the same event, taking in not only the wild costumes but the Walpurgishalle museum, which details everything about local myths and rituals. At night, a huge Walpurgisnacht bonfire is lit on a plateau above the Bode River chasm, known as the Hexentanzplatz, or the witches' dancing place.

This same festival is celebrated in other countries, like the Czech Republic and Estonia, but for the real deal, head to where it all originated. Not only will you get the most authentic experience, but you'll see the beauty of the mountains as well as the fantastical villages that surround the base, making you feel as if you stepped into Grimms' fairy tales.

La Paz, Bolivia

Not only is beautiful La Paz the world's highest capital, set in a basin and surrounded by sharply rising peaks, it's incredibly affordable as a vacation spot, and has a culture rich in witchcraft. The Witches' Market, also known as El Mercado de las Brujas and La Hechiceria, is located in Cerro Cumbre, a mountain clearing within the city. Should you go, expect to find everything from medicinal plants to dried potions to tiny bottles with an assortment of items meant to be carried as amulets.

When walking around the market, you'll probably see yatiri, some of the last witch doctors left in South America. Marked by signature black hats and pouches filled with talismans and powders, the yatiri are said to have the power to contact the supernatural and deal in spiritual as well as physical matters. If you find one, you can have your future examined through a scattering of coca leaves, a "divine" plant known for having permeated every aspect of life, art, and mythology within the Incan Empire. While the majority of the yatiri’s customers are now tourists, locals still seek out the witch doctors to have their illnesses cured and to obtain spells to improve every aspect of their life.

After you're done nurturing your soul, explore everything La Paz has to offer from local salteñas, or meat pastries, to kayaking and even ski parks! We've already picked out La Paz as one of the world's best cities to get a bang for your buck, so what are you waiting for? The world awaits.

Top 5 Salem Witch Trial Sites to Visit

2. Pendle Hill, Lancashire, England: Nestled in the rolling hills of Lancashire, Pendle Hill is often associated with the Pendle witches who were accused and executed for witchcraft in the 17th century. Take a guided walking tour to explore the area and learn about the tales of witchcraft that still haunt this place.

Must See Gems for Exploring the Witch Hysteria & Executions of 1692

Salem Village Meeting House @ Rebecca Nurse Homestead

‘Now I am condemned to die, the Lord above knows my innocency then and likewise does now as at the great day will be known to men and angels — I petition to your honours not for my own life for I know I must die and my appointed time is set but the Lord he knows it is that if it be possible no more innocent blood may be shed.’

– Mary Esty, Hanged September 22, 1692

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• Terri Wheat
• September 26, 2019

1. Rebecca Nurse Homestead

The Rebecca Nurse Homestead (detailed here & in Salem Itinerary Part A) – The 1 st Must See Gem , the Rebecca Nurse Homestead is the only home of an executed victim of the Salem Witch Trials whose home is open to the public. It is also the only known location(s) of any hanged victims from the witch trials. Rebecca’s family recovered her body from the mass ‘grave’ at the hanging hill and buried her in the family cemetery, on the property. Her grave was unmarked to give her peace in her rest, but, today, a monument has been erected where she is believed buried. The only known remains & exact location of an executed Salem Witch Trial victims grave is George Jacobs, Sr. and he has been reinterred here at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, as well. Rebecca & George were hanged as ‘witches’ in 1692. Learn more about them in my post, Salem Witch Trial Victims . It is located in nearby Danvers, Massachusetts , which was originally Salem village & the very epicenter of the Salem Witch Hysteria. A rare opportunity, m ost of the remaining Salem Witch Trial sites are privately owned. www.rebeccanurse.org

2. The Danvers (Salem Village) Witch Trials Memorial

The Danvers (Salem Village) Witch Trials Memorial is the 2 nd Must See Gem and is also located in Danvers (original Salem village). Check out my Mini History Refresher to learn about the Witchtrials and Danvers (Salem village) & Salem (town). The Memorial is a beautiful stone Monument in a small, peaceful park. This is the only of the Witch Trials Memorials that is dedicated to not only those 20 executed as ‘witches’, but also the 5 who died in prison. Four were awaiting judgement or execution and one was a baby born to one of the accused, dying shortly after her birth in the dungeon. The baby’s birth sealed the mother’s death and she was hung thereafter. Quotes straight from the victims’ mouths, during interrogation & trial, are written on this stone Monument next to their names and hometown. The deadly fingers of the Witch Hysteria reached out to grab victims beyond just Salem. The exasperation in their words screams out to you and will strike you cold even on a warm summer’s day. It was dedicated on the 300 th anniversary of the tragic events, in 1992. A must see for visiting Salem Witch Trials sites. www.danverslibrary.org/archive/witchcraft-victims-memorial/

3. The Witch House

The Witch House (reviewed fully in my separate post & included in Salem Part B Itinerary) in downtown Salem is the 3 rd Must See Gem . The blackish house was home to one of the Salem Witch Trial judges during the trials in 1692, Judge Jonathan Corwin. It is the only surviving building in Salem town, today, that is directly related to the Witch Trials in 1692. The home is decorated to period and done very well. It has very interesting exhibits, and some unique, impressive First Period artifacts. The most incredible of these is one of the very few surviving possessions of an executed Salem witch trial victim. A meat fork believed to belong to John (& Elizabeth) Proctor. John was hung as a ‘witch’ in 1692. Elizabeth was convicted & sentenced to execution, but escaped death. Possibly site of some of the actual witch trials & interrogations. The home was built in the mid-1600s. A must see Salem Witch Trials site. www.thewitchhouse.org

4. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial (reviewed fully in separate post & included in Salem Itinerary Part C) – The Salem Witch Trials Memorial, the 4 th Must See Gem , is beautiful and sobering. Located in a park-area in downtown Salem, it was dedicated to the 20 executed victims from the Witch Trials in 1692. It serves as a grave marker for mourners to honor the victims, since only 2 of the remains are known (@ the Rebecca Nurse Homestead ). Though, Giles Corey’s body is buried where he was tortured to death, somewhere among what is now the Howard Street Cemetery visited in my Salem Part C post . The low stone benches are engraved with the names of the condemned, along with their manner of execution & the date. Twenty of them, the number staggering as you see them laid out before you. Their pleas from trial are inscribed on the entrance stones. They call to you from the grave, the fear & desperation in them creeping into your own soul.

5. Proctor's Ledge & Memorial

Proctor’s Ledge & Memorial (visited in Salem Itinerary Part C) – Each site is emotional and the 5 th Must See Gem is no less. For centuries, it was believed that nearby ‘Gallows Hill’ was the site of the hanging executions of the accused ‘witches’. In 2016, Proctor’s Ledge was verified by historians as the actual site of the hanging hill where 19 innocents lost their lives in 1692. It has a small, beautiful stone Memorial at the foot, carved out of a residential neighborhood, dedicated the following year in 2017. It honors the 19 who were hung as ‘witches’, their names inscribed on the low stone wall, as well as the dates they were executed at this spot. www.salemwitchmuseum.com/

We had a moving visit spending the day exploring the Salem Witch Trials & Executions. It made those events come alive for us and our kids, which was heart-breaking to sit in, but we felt privileged to walk in the footsteps of History to learn more about the victims and the events, and to honor their stories & their sacrifice. They didn’t deserve their fate, but being able to pay our respects, to try to learn the lessons of persecution & hysteria, to remember & honor these & others, touched a part of our souls that I hope we never lose. It’s worth a trip!

Top Salem Attractions | Witches, Wharves & Wandering

There are plenty of Salem attractions and things to do that will leave you spellbound in the quirky and colorful city.

By Cathryn McCann

Oct 13 2021

There’s so much color and quirk in the city of Salem, Massachusetts.

Photo Credit : Cathryn McCann

One of New England’s most quirky, colorful, and historical places is Salem, Massachusetts. A well-known destination for all of its witch-themed Halloween festivities in October, the city has plenty of attractions to check out and enjoy year-round. For a fun blend of history, fantasy, and activity, here are 13 of our favorite Salem attractions and things to do.

3. Boscastle, Cornwall, England: This picturesque village in the southwest of England is known for its rich witchcraft history. Visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic to discover artifacts related to witch trials and explore the mystical landscapes that are said to have inspired many local folkloric tales. 4. Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico: Considered one of Mexico's spiritual centers, Catemaco is famous for its brujos (witches). Attend the annual International Congress of Witches, visit healing ceremonies, and immerse yourself in the local folklore and traditions of this enchanting place. 5. Transylvania, Romania: For those seeking a truly witchy experience, a visit to Transylvania is a must. Explore the infamous Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for Dracula's castle, and discover the fascinating history of witchcraft in the region. 6. Salem, Oregon, USA: Often referred to as the "Witch City of the West," Salem, Oregon embraces its witchy reputation with several witch-themed shops, psychic readers, and even an annual Witches' Ball. Don't miss a visit to the Witch's Castle in nearby Forest Park. 7. Machu Picchu, Peru: While not traditionally associated with witchcraft, Machu Picchu holds a spiritual energy that attracts many mystical travelers. Explore the ancient ruins, participate in shamanic ceremonies, and connect with the ancestral spirits of the Inca civilization. These are just a few examples of the many witchy places around the world waiting to be explored. Whether you are interested in the history of witch trials, folklore, or modern-day witchcraft, these destinations offer a glimpse into the mysterious world of witchcraft and enchantment. Plan your trip and prepare to embark on a thrilling journey into the realm of the witchy and supernatural..

Reviews for "Witches of the Wild West: Exploring the Magical History of the American Frontier"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - "I was really excited to visit some witchy places, but this book was a huge letdown. The locations mentioned were either fictional or too obscure to actually visit. Additionally, the descriptions were lackluster and didn't do justice to the mystical atmosphere I was expecting. Overall, I found the book to be a waste of time and money."

2. John - 1 star - "As someone who is interested in witchcraft and the occult, I was hoping this book would offer some insightful and authentic recommendations. However, I was sorely disappointed. The author seemed to rely on common stereotypes and clichés rather than truly exploring the authentic witchy spots. It felt like a missed opportunity to provide readers with a unique and enriching experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in witchcraft."

3. Emily - 3 stars - "I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the author did include a variety of witchy places to visit, ranging from historical sites to modern Wiccan communities. However, the information presented was often surface-level and lacking in depth. The book could have benefited from more detailed descriptions, historical context, and practical advice for visitors. It felt like more of a shallow overview rather than a comprehensive guide. There are better resources out there for those truly interested in exploring witchy places."

4. Michael - 2 stars - "I found this book to be misleading. While the title suggests it is a guide to witchy places to visit, it mostly provides general information about witchcraft and pagan traditions. The few locations mentioned were not particularly exciting or well-researched. If you're looking for a true guide to real witchy places, I would recommend looking elsewhere. This book disappointingly falls short of its promise."

5. Jessica - 1 star - "I was expecting a captivating and informative guide to witchy places, but this book was a complete letdown. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any sense of excitement or intrigue. The descriptions of the locations were uninspiring and felt like generic tourist brochures. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the mystical and enchanting world of witchy places."

Witches of the World: Exploring Witchy Traditions Across Continents