True Crime Travel: How to turn your Netflix obsession into a holiday, from Jack the Ripper walks in London to the Menendez Brothers tours in California

How many of us finish watching the latest Netflix True Crime thriller, loosen our grip on the sofa, wipe the sweat off our brow – and immediately get to booking our next holiday?Unlikely as it may sound, a whole industry has sprung up around travellers who are fascinated enough with crimes – both recent and historic – to go and visit the real-life locations where they played out. Whether you're hooked on cold-case files, criminal documentaries or blockbuster investigative series, there's likely a tour to give you a True Crime fix. Here's some of the best of them...don't have nightmares, will you? 1. Jack the Ripper London's most notorious killer was brought to life by The Ripper, which examined the crimes and the victims of the Victorian killer, on Netflix Traverse the streets of Whitechapel on a Jack the Ripper tourWHERE? Whitechapel, London's Jack the Ripper tour (from £21)THE SHOW: The Ripper (2020), Netflix Where better to start than with the tale of Jack the Ripper, perhaps one of the best-known serial killers in the world.Still officially unsolved, the case of the 1888 murders of women in the poor district of Whitechapel in London's East End has enthralled audiences across the globe, with the Victorian killer's crimes brought to the screen with documentaries such as Netflix's The Ripper and Sky's 2025 drama-documentary, Jack the Ripper: Written in Blood.For London visitors keen to trace the Ripper's murderous footsteps (and, of course, those of his unfortunate victims), there are tours on offer.You'll visit the scenes of the crimes – Osborn Street, Gunthorpe Street, Hanbury Street – and the Frying Pan Pub, to get some real insight into what life was like at the time, as well as east London's churches, squares and perfectly preserved alleyways.2. Jeffrey Dahmer Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story explored the terrifying case of the 'Milwaukee Cannibal' The Jeffrey Dahmer American cannibal walking tour visits the bar frequented by the killerWHERE? Milwaukee walking tours (from £50.67 per person)THE SHOW: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022), NetflixThe Jeffrey Dahmer American cannibal walking tour does what it says on the tin – it traces the life and crimes of the so-called 'Milwaukee Cannibal', who killed and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.The macabre murderer has inspired a whole host of shows, from Monster to Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes.The most popular tour starts and ends at Shaker's Cigar Bar, which Dahmer frequented, and where some of his victims were last seen.It continues walks through the local bars and spots where the serial killer went, and targeted his victims.The cannibal walking tour has become so popular it's even been mentioned on Netflix's Dark Tourist and the BBC.3. The Menendez Brothers Those interested can see the luxury mansion where Erik And Lyle Menendez murdered their parents The show captivated audiences in 2024WHERE? Los Angeles tours (£64)THE SHOW: The Menendez Brothers (2024), NetflixAptly named Grave Line Tours offers a deep dive into what took place on one fateful August night in 1989.Lyle and Erik Menendez, then 21 and 18, shot and killed their parents, José and Mary Louise 'Kitty', inside their Beverly Hills mansion, in a case that shocked the world. The brothers' parole hearing is scheduled for 2027, further increasing interest in the case. On the tour, you'll stop at the duo's favourite shopping centre, the psychologist's office where Erik confessed to his crime – and the mansion where the murders took place.4. Richard Ramirez and Fred and Rose West Add the True Crime Museum, Hastings to your true-crime itinerary It sheds light on the tale of Fred and Rose WestWHERE? True Crime Museum, Hastings, UKTHE SHOW: Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story (2025), Netflix Hastings' True Crime Museum is a must-visit for anyone captivated by the dark and disturbing world of true crime.The exhibits are eye-opening and include a genuine lethal injection death bed and underwear belonging to Rose West.Richard Ramirez's haunting love letters – made famous through TV series Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer – also feature.Entry starts from £11.50.5. Spider-Man of Paris The Spider-Man of Paris unearthed the crimes of Vjeran Tomic You can take a walking tour to discover the site of his crimes - pictured is Vjeran TomicWHERE? Paris: True Crime Walking Tour – Louvre Heists to Art Scandals (£52)THE SHOW: Vjeran Tomic: The Spider-Man of Paris (2023), NetflixAh Paris, the land of croissants, cheese, red wine, love and... crime? The Louvre Heists to Art Scandals walking route takes you on a journey passing through the famous Parisian art gallery, the location of that 2025 robbery, as well as the home of the French crown jewels and places associated with the Diamond Necklace Affair, a scandal that ruined Marie Antoinette's reputation.Continue on the route to hear the story of Vjeran Tomic, the Paris-born burglar nicknamed 'The Spider-Man of Paris' – who was the subject of a 2023 Netflix documentary. The crime? In 2010, he broke into Paris' Musée d'Art Moderne, stealing five works in just one night.'What role did I have? Arsene Lupin,' Tomic told reporters when he was on trial – a nod to the hit French TV show, Lupin.6. Zodiac Killer Scenes from This Is the Zodiac Speaking, the crimes of which took place in San Francisco This Is the Zodiac Speaking aired on NetflixWHERE? San Francisco Tours and murder mysteryTHE SHOW: This Is the Zodiac Speaking (2024), NetflixThe Zodiac Killer, 50 years after their killing spree in San Francisco, remains unidentified.And that's exactly what's luring tourists to the city to delve into the criminal's world.The killer terrorised California, killing at least five victims and wounding two others in the late 1960s.With the Zodiac Mystery: Catching the Disciple in San Francisco (£10.99), you can try your hand at decoding a mystery yourself, a fictional case inspired by real-life events.7. Monster of Florence While the crimes mainly took place in the countryside, dark crime tours take you through the centre of Florence, past the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral The Monster of Florence explores the real-life case of the Tuscany-based killerWHERE? Florence, Italy tours and exploration gamesTHE SHOW: The Monster of Florence (2025), NetflixThe case of the Monster of Florence, a serial killer active between 1968 and 1985, involved the murder of 16 people in Italy's countryside, and inspired popular books and TV shows.Perhaps the most famous of these is the 1999 Hannibal novel, which drew inspiration from the case for its setting in Florence. Florence: Dark Mysteries and Legends guided walking tour (£10) immerses you in the gruesome side of the Italian city, passing through old streets such as Via del Campanile and Via dello Studio as well as the city's top tourist attractions.Alternatively, a self-guided tour takes you through the streets of the city, passing the Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo, with clues to figure out on the way.8. Lizzie Borden You can book a real-life stay inside Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story brought the gruesome tale of a Sunday schoolteacher with an appetite for murder to the screenWHERE? The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts THE SHOW: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (2026), NetflixIf a tour or walk isn't enough to quench your appetite for crime, why not stay inside what is arguably America's most haunted house, and the site of an 1892 tragedy brought to the screens?For those unfamiliar with the tale, on August 4, 1892, an elderly couple, Andrew and Abby Borden, were murdered in Fall River. Each had received numerous blows from an ax or a hatchet, far more than would have been required to kill the victims.The alleged murderer was an ordinary 32-year-old woman – a stalwart of her church, a Sunday schoolteacher – the victims' own daughter, Lizzie.Now a museum and B&B, guests can stay in the Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts – even in the room where Abby Borden was killed in the still unsolved case.Tours start from £26, while a stay costs from £174 per night.9. The Night Caller/Nedlands Monster Guided tours of Perth's Fremantle Prison will provide adequate frights Learn about Eric Edgar Cooke, who was hanged in the prisonWHERE? Fremantle Prison, Australia tours (from £37)THE SHOW: The Night Caller: Eric Edgar Cooke (2020), Apple TVFremantle Prison housed a plethora of inmates.But Eric Edgar Cooke – aka the Night Caller, aka the Nedlands Monster, is one of the most high-profile.Famous from the Perth-set TV documentary about the serial killer, he was hanged at Fremantle Prison in 1964.Inside the prison, take the True Crime Tour to learn about its most notorious inmates.'From bushrangers, thieves and murderers, to serial killers, bank robbers and escape artists; join our Guides as they delve into 140 years of Western Australian criminal history,' Fremantle Prison says. 10. Burke & Hare Burke & Hare, starring Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis, sparked interest in the historic case Now you can follow a themed trailWHERE? Edinburgh Escape Rooms (from £22pp)THE SHOW: Burke & Hare (2010), Apple TVRounding out the list – and for a bit of lighthearted fun – head to Edinburgh to take a dive into the tale of Burke and Hare... in outdoor escape room form.The true story of Edinburgh's most prolific murderers inspires this guided trail, taking you past the real sites from the period during which William Burke and Hare committed 16 murders to sell the corpses for anatomical dissection.The 5km (three miles) (three miles) trail takes around two hours and covers Greyfriars Kirkyard, with its grave-robbing history, the Grassmarket, a public execution site and old cobbled streets the pair would have frequented.