Dracula’s Castle in Romania: A Great Place to Visit!

Looking for a great trip and curious about Dracula’s castle in Romania?

Dracula’s Castle, also called Bran Castle, is one of the most popular places to visit in Romania. People often say that it is where Dracula, the vampire count in Bram Stoker’s famous book Dracula, lived.

Did you know that even though the book is made up, Dracula is based on Vlad the Impaler, who was the king of Wallachia in the 15th century.

This connection has made the castle a famous place for tourists and people who love the book and all kinds of stories about vampires.

Let’s dive in!

Can you visit the real Dracula Castle?

You can visit the real Dracula Castle, yes! Its actual name is Bran Castle, and most of the year, anyone can pay a visit. You’re free to look around its rooms and hallways and learn about its history and how it fits into the story of Dracula.

The castle is near the city of Brașov, which is in the Romanian area of Transylvania. It’s on a hill and has a view of the small town of Bran. The castle is now a museum where you can see a variety of art and furniture that Queen Marie of Romania put together.

There are guided tours that give a lot of information about the castle’s history, design, and links to the story of Dracula. You can take these tours in many different languages, and they generally last about 1.5 hours.

It is a great chance to learn about the history and tale of Dracula while taking in the beauty of the castle grounds. It’s a great place to visit!

What is inside Dracula’s castle?

Inside Dracula’s Castle, you’ll find a fascinating mix of history and folklore. There is a nice museum in the castle. It has all sorts of art and nice furniture that Queen Marie of Romania, who lived there in the 1920s and 1930s, gathered.

The museum also has a display of weaponry from the Middle Ages. The furniture and tapestries in the rooms of the castle gives you a sense of what life was like in the past.

You can also explore secret tunnels and winding stairs, which add to the castle’s mysterious feel. The Torture Chamber, which has replicas of torture devices from the Middle Ages, is one of the most famous rooms!

There are information panels all over the castle that tell you about the background of the building and how it fits into the story of Dracula. Anyone who is interested in history, building, or the stories about Dracula should go really there.

What city is Dracula’s castle in Romania?

Dracula’s Castle a.k.a. Bran Castle, is close to a larger city called Brașov. The Carpathian Mountains are all around Brașov. It’s a very beautiful and big city.

The castle is actually on the line between two parts of Romania. It’s Wallachia on one side and Transylvania on the other side. Even though the castle is close to Brașov, it looks out over a small town called Bran.

People from all over the world visit the town and the castle, whether they are interested in the Dracula legend, medieval history, or just want to see the beautiful building and landscape of the area.

How to reach Bran Castle?

Bran Castle is quite easy to get to from a number of Romania’s big cities. It’s about 30 km southwest of Brașov, and you can drive or take a bus from the city centre to get there. It takes about 30 minutes to get there by car and it’s a nice route.

Cities like Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca also have daily train service to Brașov. You can also take a cab or a bus to the castle from Brașov. It takes about 45 minutes to get from Brașov to Bran by bus.

✅ Rent your car in Brasov here!

Dracula’s castle in Romania tour

There are a number of tours that show you around Dracula’s castle. Most of the time, these tours are led by someone who knows a lot about the castle’s past and how it fits into the story of Dracula. You’ll be joined by a real expert!

Some tours also go to places like the Rasnov Fortress and the Peles Castle, which are close by. The Rasnov Fortress is a historic site about 15 km from Bran Castle.

The Peles Castle in Sinaia, about 45 km from Bran, is a stunning example of Neo-Renaissance building. Very recommendable to visit as well.

If you feel like making this grand tour in a small group from Bucharest with transport included, you can book your tickets by clicking on the link below:

✅ Book your Dracula Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov Tour here!

Dracula’s castle in Romania tickets

You can also buy you tickets for Dracula’s castle online or at the gates. The price of the ticket gets you into the castle, its gardens, and the museum. For guided walks or special exhibits, there may be extra fees.

You’ll pay less for a ticket in the winter period that runs from January till June and from September till December.

Adults will pay around 55 Lei (about 11 Euro) for a general admission ticket, while students and seniors will pay around 35 Lei (about 7 Euro). However, if you have the chance and budget, I would really recommend a guided tour for a great experience!

Which places linked to Vlad Draculea should I visit in Romania?

Besides Bran castle, there are several other places in Romania that are connected to Vlad Draculea a.k.a Vlad the Impaler. These great places are:

• Poienari Castle: The real castle of Vlad the Impaler is on a cliff near the town of Curtea de Arges. It is harder to get to because you have to walk up a steep hill, but it has beautiful views of the area. It’s about 150 km from Bran to Poienari Castle.

• Targoviste: During Vlad the Impaler’s rule, Targoviste was the capital of Wallachia. This is where he actually spent most of his time. The Princely Court and the Chindia Tower are two places that everyone should visit. It’s about 80 km south of Bran Castle.

• Sighisoara: It’s cool to mention that this is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe! And you know what? It’s where Vlad Dracula was born. Sighisoara is about 120 km north of Bran Castle.

These are some great places to visit in Romania! There are even nice to visit during winter in Romania.

Where to stay in Brasov?

If you’re planning to visit Dracula’s castle, you might want to stay in Brasov for the night. So, what are your best options? I’ll give you my personal recommendations when it comes to a hotel and a hostel:

The Hotel Kolping is in the historical centre of Brasov, at the foot of Tampa Mountain. It’s 800m from the Black Church and 300m from Bastionul Tesatorilor. It has beautiful views of the Old Town and free WiFi throughout the whole property.

You can relax and eat your food inside or on the terrace of the restaurant. Behind the hotel is the Tampa Nature Reserve, and the walk to the top of Mount Tampa can be reached from the hotel’s large garden. The Old Town is a 15-minute walk.

✅ Book your stay at Hotel Kolping here!

Then your second option. This is the SECRET Boutique Hostel, which is the newest jewel in the beautiful city of Brasov. They give you warm and friendly places to stay that will make your trip unforgettable.

The SECRET Hostel is located in the famous Old Town of Brasov, making it easy for you to get to a magical world. The site is great because it’s only 200 metres from the city centre and close to a lot of interesting places.

✅ Book your stay at the SECRET Boutique Hostel here!

These are two great options and based on different types of budget. Enjoy your stay in the great city of Brasov!

Dracula’s castle in Romania: FAQs

The information below is related to the castle of countr Dracula and will give you more great insights!

Is Romania famous for Dracula?

Yes, Dracula is a big deal in Romania. The novelist Bram Stoker developed the character of Dracula. He is one of the most well-known characters in popular culture, and he is often linked to vampires and all kinds of scary stories.

Even though Dracula is a made-up character, Stoker was inspired by real historical figures and tales from Romania, especially Vlad the Impaler, a ruler of Wallachia in the 15th century who was known for brutally impaling his enemies.

Because of this link between the fictional Dracula and the real-life Vlad the Impaler, people often think of Dracula when they think of Romania. Many tourists go to Romania today to see places like Bran Castle that are connected to Dracula.

The country has embraced this link by putting on great tours and events with a Dracula theme. Dracula has become a big part of Romania’s tourism business and cultural identity because of this!

Who owns Dracula’s castle in Romania?

The people who own Dracula’s Castle are the descendants of Queen Marie of Romania. Queen Marie was a well-liked and respected ruler who was important to the history of Romania.

During the Communist rule of Romania in the middle of the 20th century, the castle was taken away from the royal family. But in 2009, the castle was given back to Queen Marie’s grandchildren, who were the true heirs to it.

A company owned by the family now runs the castle as a tourist magnet. The family has worked hard to keep the castle and its history alive and to make it easy for people from all over the world to visit and learn about its history and how it is connected to the story of Dracula.

How old was Vlad the Impaler when he died?

Vlad the Impaler a.k.a. Vlad Draculea, is thought to have died around the end of December 1476 or the beginning of January 1477.

Unfortunately, nobody knows for sure how old he was when he died because there are different stories about the year he was born. He was born in either 1428 or 1431, so when he died, he would have been 45 or 48 years old.

Vlad the Impaler was the ruler of Wallachia, an area in Romania. He was a real person, and Bram Stoker’s character Dracula was based on him. His nickname, the Impaler, comes from the fact that he used spears to kill his enemies.

Even though he has a bad image for being violent, some people think of him as a hero who fought off an invasion of his country.

Where is Dracula’s grave?

To be fair, there is a lot of talk and guessing about where Dracula is buried. Some stories say that Vlad the Impaler was buried at the Snagov Monastery, which is close to Bucharest.

But until now, excavations at the site haven’t found any solid proof to back up this story.

There is also the idea that he was buried at the Comana Monastery, but this has also not been proven. In case you’re interested, you’ll find the Comana Monastery about 35 km south of Bucharest.

The Wrap-Up: Dracula’s castle in Romania

If you ask me, Dracula’s Castle in Romania is a must-see for both fans of the Dracula story and history buffs. It really is a unique and memorable place to visit because of its long past, beautiful architecture, and beautiful surroundings.

Dracula’s Castle is a great place to visit in Romania, whether you are interested in vampire legends, medieval history, or just want to see a great and fun place.

If you want to visit another great Romanian city, check out my other post about Timisoara!

Your restless voyager,

Dustin