Halloween 2025: Plans and Places to Visit in Barcelona, Castellón, Valencia, Alicante, and Málaga

October means Halloween: themed nights, parks that transform after dark and towns full of stories that awaken curiosity (and sometimes a little fear).

We’ve put together a list of things to do in the areas near our offices so you can get around easily with a rental car: rental car: Barcelona Hospitalet and Barcelona Airport, Castellón/Vila-real and Castellón Airport, Valencia Manises and Valencia Airport, Alicante, or Málaga. And to help you plan your spooky getaway in October or early November, here’s a mini checklist. Take note!

Barcelona: Theme Parks and Night-Time Adventures

1) Horrorland - Illa Fantasia (Vilassar de Dalt)

Europe's most awarded scream park returns from 10 October to 16 November 2025. With professional actors, themed shows and plenty of jump scares, Horrorland is one of Spain's must-see Halloween events.

Driving time: Around 30 minutes from Barcelona city with a Malco car.
Tip: Tickets sell out quickly, book ahead if you plan to go.

2) PortAventura World - Salou (Tarragona)

PortAventura at Halloween 2025. Photo from Parque Temático.net (portaventura)

PortAventura is a true Halloween classic. This year's celebration runs from 20 September to 11 November, featuring haunted houses, live shows and special themed decorations throughout the park. Don't worry if you're travelling with children, there's plenty of fun for them too.

Driving time: Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes from Barcelona.

Castellón: Scary roadtrips and legends

1) The Sanctuary of La Balma, also known as the Sanctuary of the Possessed

Hidden among the rocks near Zorita del Maestrazgo, this centuries-old sanctuary combines beauty and mystery. It is said that exorcisms were once performed here, giving rise to its other name, the Sanctuary of the Possessed. Inside you will find ex-votos (small offerings of thanks for miracles and healings) that preserve centuries of devotion and folklore. While there, take the time to visit Zorita del Maestrazgo, a tiny village of narrow streets and Moorish origins that seems frozen in time. Perfect for a roadtrip with Malco!

Driving time: About 1 hour 45 minutes from Castellón city.

2) The Legend of the Bride's Leap, Navajas

Bride's Leap. Photo from Hello Valencia.

In the town of Navajas, the Salto de la Novia waterfall hides a tragic love story. According to local legend, brides once had to prove their devotion by leaping across the river in front of witnesses. One unfortunate bride attempted the jump when the current was particularly strong. She fell into the water, and her fiancé dove in to rescue her. Neither survived. After this tragedy, it was decided that the ceremony would no longer be held.

Driving time: Around 50 minutes from Castellón.

Valencia: Witches, Crimes and Old-Town Mysteries

1) Valencia City – The Route of Valencian Covens

Calle Angosta del Almudín. Photo from Valencia Secreta.

Valencia hides many secrets that can spark anyone's curiosity. Calle Angosta del Almudín, just a short walk from the Cathedral, was said to gather witches, fortune tellers and healers during the Middle Ages, though some say they were simply skilled potion-makers.

It wasn't their only meeting point. The Door of Sins at La Lonja depicts the seven deadly sins, another reminder of the city's fascination with good and evil. And what happened to the witches caught in the act? According to legend, they were taken to the Botanical Garden to be burned at the stake...

Walk through these streets at night and let Valencia's darker history reveal itself, best explored with a Malco shared vehicle (Carsharing).
Tip: Join a guided night tour to explore these stories first-hand.

2) The Crime of the Valeriola Palace

Hortensia Herrero Art Center. Formerly, Valeriola Palace. Photo from Condé Nast Traveller.

If you prefer true stories over legends and want something that sends a real chill down your spine, keep reading.

This palace, located at Calle del Mar 31, witnessed the murder of Don Jerónimo de Valeriola in 1606. His son, Cristóbal, was sentenced to death for the crime. Years later, Miguel Pertusa, Jerónimo's long-time rival, confessed that he was the real killer.

The building reopened last year as the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre after a remarkable restoration. Visit and see for yourself whether Don Jerónimo's ghost still wanders its halls, mourning his son's unjust death...

Driving time: Central Valencia, easy access with a Malco rental car.

Alicante: Theme Parks and Legends by the Sea

1) Terrifying Events in Alicante City and at Terra Mítica

Aura Immersive Museum. Photo from Aura Museum

One of the top events in Alicante this season is hosted by the Aura Immersive Museum. Until 2 November, visitors can experience scares, lights and special effects in two formats: a soft pass and a terror pass. Which one would you choose?

If you fancy venturing beyond the city, Terra Mítica also transforms for Halloween. Until 2 November, the park offers exclusive shows for the occasion, with a Special Halloween Night on 31 October.

Get around easily with our vehicle rental service and make the most of every stop.

Driving time: Around 40 minutes from Alicante city.

2) The Mascarat Tunnel – Between Calpe and Altea

Old Mascarat Tunnel. Photo from El Español

Calpe and Altea are two must-see towns if you're visiting Alicante. The Mascarat Tunnel connects them and carries two eerie legends about who the mysterious Mascarat really was.

The first tells of a man who appeared after the expulsion of the Moors in 1609. He lived alone, isolated from everyone, and locals began to call him Mascarat. One day, he vanished without a trace. Not long after, the authorities executed a Moorish leader who had been hiding in the Aitana and Bernia mountains. Many believe it was him.

The second legend says that Mascarat was a young man suffering from leprosy who hid his disfigured face behind a mask. In time he too disappeared, and only his mask was found inside the tunnel.

Driving time: About 1 hour from Alicante.

Málaga: Cemeteries, White Villages and Night Legends

1) The English Cemetery of Málaga

English Cemetery. Photo from Cementerio Inglés Málaga.

The English Cemetery of Málaga offers a fascinating mix of history and just the right touch of mystery. According to the organisers at Historia Viva Málaga, the city in the 19th century was home to people from many different cultures who lived together peacefully... as long as they were alive, of course.

At the time, non-Catholic bodies could not be buried in consecrated ground, so they were laid to rest upright on the beach, facing the sea. This is just one of the many stories you can uncover here, with the added intrigue of the special Halloween visits held at the cemetery.

Driving time: Located in the city centre, it depends!
Tip: Check the schedule on the official Cementerio Inglés website.

2) Cútar – The Cry of the Bird of Death

Cútar. Photo from Andalucíamía.

Cútar is a beautiful white village in the Axarquía region, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, and still preserves its Moorish-style architecture. If you visit, you'll also uncover its local legends.

It is said that at night, a mysterious light sometimes appears over the fields. Those who follow it will hear the cry of the bird of death, the last sound they ever hear. The tale has been passed down through generations in the area.

Explore these villages with complete freedom thanks to a flexible rental car.

Driving time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes from Málaga city.

Mini-Checklist to Plan Your Halloween Road Trip

Tickets: This should be the first thing you check. Many Halloween events require advance payment and booking. Before planning your trip around a specific activity, make sure there are still spots available.

Have a Plan B: October weather can be unpredictable. If it rains, mix indoor activities, such as museums or cafés, with a bit of urban sightseeing.

Mobility: We recommend renting a compact car if you'll be driving mainly in the city. Consider a larger model if you want to explore nearby areas. Travelling with family or friends? Opt for a van or a 9-passenger vehicle. Explore Malco's fleet of cars and vans and plan your trip wisely.

Where Will You Go This Halloween?

Use this guide for inspiration when planning your route. Once you have set the dates, book your car with Malco and enjoy the road without worries.