Bran Castle, Romania has probably gained his fame because of the legend of Dracula, a fictional character created by Bram Stoker.
Stoker’s novel, Dracula, published in 1897, tells the story of a mysterious and terrifying Count from Transylvania who lives in a crumbling castle and feeds on the blood of the living. While the book never directly names Bran Castle as the setting, the eerie architecture and mountainous surroundings closely match Stoker’s vivid descriptions. Over the years, Bran Castle has become popularly known as “Dracula’s Castle,” even though there’s no historical evidence that Vlad the Impaler—the real-life figure said to have inspired Dracula—ever lived there.
The story’s influence has extended far beyond literature. Since its publication, Dracula has sparked countless adaptations on stage and screen. I’ve watched several of these interpretations, and two of my personal favorites are Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Monica Bellucci, Keanu Reeves, and Winona Ryder, and the classic Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), featuring Christopher Lee as the chilling Count. Each adaptation reimagines the myth in its own way, further cementing Bran Castle’s mystique in the eyes of visitors and horror fans alike.
For travelers exploring Romania, visiting Bran Castle is like stepping into a gothic fairytale—rich with history, myth, and cinematic nostalgia. Whether you’re drawn to its architectural beauty, its legends, or its role in pop culture, the castle is an unmissable stop on any Transylvanian adventure.
How to Get to Bran Castle from Bucharest: Driving or Train Options
Getting to Bran Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in Transylvania, is relatively easy whether you’re planning a road trip or relying on public transportation. Located about 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Bucharest, the castle can be visited as part of a day trip or as a stop on a longer Romanian itinerary.
🚘 Driving from Bucharest to Bran Castle
One of the most flexible and scenic ways to reach Bran Castle is by car. I personally chose to drive from Bucharest to Bran, taking the route Bucharest-Poliesti-Sinaia-Bran—a popular road that offers stunning views of the Carpathian Mountains and charming Romanian countryside. The The distance is about 190 km and in good days it would take around 2.5 to 3 hours under normal traffic conditions. However, on weekends and holidays, travel time can increase significantly due to congestion, especially near Sinaia, a favorite getaway spot for locals.
Despite the occasional delays, the journey is beautiful. Along the way, you’ll pass through lush forests, mountain villages, and scenic viewpoints that make the drive part of the experience. If you’re not in a rush, consider making a stop in Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle, another architectural gem nestled in the mountains.
🚆 Taking the Train to Bran Castle
If you prefer not to drive, taking the train is another viable option, though it involves a combination of train and bus travel. There’s no direct train to Bran, but you can take a train from Bucharest North Railway Station (Gara de Nord) to Brașov, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service. Brașov is the closest major city to Bran and offers frequent bus connections to the village.
Once you arrive in Brașov, head to the Autogara 2 bus station, where you can catch a local bus to Bran village. The bus ride takes around 45 minutes and drops you off within walking distance of the castle entrance.
The History Behind Dracula’s Legend
What is the history of Dracula? Did Dracula as is presented in the movies and stories really exist?
Romanian mythology is rich in stories about troubled spirits that rise from the dead that can transform into animals and suck the blood of their victims. In Romanian mythology these are called strigoi and here you can read more about this. In Bran Castle you can find an exhibition of spells against strigoi.
As I stood inside Bran Castle, reading this poster of spells meant to ward off strigoi — Romania’s very own undead spirits — I genuinely felt a chill down my spine. I mean, I’ve watched enough vampire movies to know this is serious business. If I could summon Psykhe, the Greek goddess of the soul, I’d love to ask her what actually does happen to the soul after dark in Transylvania… but alas, she’s a myth too. So, we’re on our own….haha.
That’s why I highly recommend you come prepared — and by prepared, I mean bring garlic. A lot of it. According to Romanian folklore, garlic is the ultimate anti-strigoi defense system. You rub it on windows, wear it on your neck, maybe even snack on a clove or two (if you’re brave enough). Romanians take this seriously — garlic isn’t just a kitchen staple, it’s a supernatural security measure!
So if anything the legends say is even remotely true, forget pepper spray. Load up on garlic and good vibes. You never know what’s lurking in the Carpathian shadows…
If anything that the myths say is true, you should eat a lot of garlic! Romanians eat garlic, because this is supposed to repel the strigoi and prevent them of getting close to people….haha.
Who was in fact Dracula?
When most people think of Dracula, they imagine a pale vampire count with a long cape, sleeping in a coffin by day and feeding on human blood by night. But if that’s your image of Dracula, you’re quite a bit removed from historical reality.
The Dracula we know from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel is a fictional character — a mysterious Transylvanian count who lives in a gothic castle in the Carpathian Mountains. However, Stoker is believed to have loosely based this bloodthirsty figure on a very real historical person: Vlad III of Wallachia, more famously known as Vlad Țepeș (Vlad the Impaler) or Vlad Dracul.
Vlad ruled Wallachia, a historical region in southern Romania, during the 15th century. He earned his fearsome nickname because of his favorite execution method: impalement — a slow, brutal, and deeply symbolic form of punishment. His enemies were skewered on wooden stakes and displayed as a gruesome warning to others. This reputation for cruelty, paired with his fierce defense of his territory against the Ottoman Empire, gave rise to legends and rumors that crossed borders and centuries.
In Romanian, the word “Drac” means dragon or devil, and “Dracul” translates to the devil. Vlad’s father was inducted into the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order created to defend Christian Europe, which is how the family name originated. Over time, however, the name “Dracul” took on more ominous connotations — and likely helped inspire the name “Dracula.”
So while Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a work of gothic fiction, Vlad the Impaler was very real — a complex and controversial historical figure. The two have been fused in popular imagination, and Bran Castle has become the unofficial meeting point between myth and reality.
I read that Vlad Dracul si related with the Queen of England, or at least that’s what Prince Charles said. Really!!!!
“”The link, it appears, is his great-grandmother, Mary of Teck, who was grandmother to Britain’s current ruler, Queen Elizabeth II, and was queen during the reign of King George V. A Wurttemberg princess, Mary – the woman for whom the liner Queen Mary was named – was believed descended from two of Vlad’s sons””
CBS News, October 28,2011” Vlad the Impaler: How is Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth related to him?”
Exploring Bran Castle
Perched dramatically on top of a steep hill in Transylvania, the castle almost seems to grow out of the mountain itself. Its stone walls are so seamlessly integrated with the rocky hillside that it’s hard to tell where nature ends and architecture begins. As I looked up from the base of the hill, I couldn’t help but wonder: How did they build something like this centuries ago, with no modern machinery? The effort it must have taken to construct this fortress is astonishing — no wonder it has stood the test of time.
Climbing up the winding path to the entrance, I felt transported. The main entrance door is a piece of art in itself — sturdy, weathered, and full of character. But what really caught my eye was the ornate medieval door knob, rich with ironwork detail. I paused for a moment, imagining travelers and messengers pounding on that very door, demanding entry or bringing urgent news to the castle’s lords and soldiers. The echoes of history felt incredibly close.
Queen Marie of Romania and Bran Castle
While many visitors associate Bran Castle with the fictional vampire Count Dracula, this iconic fortress also holds a very real and fascinating royal history. In the early 20th century, Bran Castle became a royal residence, gifted to Queen Marie of Romania — one of the country’s most beloved monarchs. Born Marie of Edinburgh, Queen Marie was the granddaughter of both Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Tsar Alexander II of Russia. She married King Ferdinand I of Romania, and became a deeply influential figure, admired for her diplomatic skill, compassion, and strong sense of national identity. In 1920, the people of Brașov offered Bran Castle to Queen Marie as a symbol of gratitude for her role in unifying Romania after World War I.
Under her care, the castle was transformed from a cold medieval fortress into a warm, welcoming royal retreat. Queen Marie decorated the interiors with her own artistic flair, blending Romanian folk art with Western European influences, creating a unique and charming ambiance that still captivates visitors today.
The royal legacy of Bran Castle didn’t end with Queen Marie. Her daughter, Princess Ileana, inherited the estate and continued its legacy of service. During World War II, Princess Ileana turned part of the castle into a hospital for wounded soldiers, personally overseeing its operations and even assisting in medical care. Her bravery and dedication earned her deep respect, both as a royal and as a humanitarian.
Today, Bran Castle stands not only as a place of myth and mystery but also as a powerful symbol of Romania’s royal past — where legends meet history, and where the legacy of strong, visionary women still echoes through its halls.
The rooms inside Bran Castle may not be as vast or opulent as those found in grand palaces like Buckingham Palace, but they offer a different kind of charm — one of intimate grandeur and authentic medieval elegance. Each chamber is spacious enough to feel comfortable, yet maintains a cozy atmosphere that invites visitors to imagine life centuries ago.
What truly stands out in these rooms is the exquisite craftsmanship of the furniture. Beautifully sculpted wooden pieces, hand-carved with intricate designs, decorate the spaces — from ornate chairs and sturdy tables to elegant cabinets and beds. These furnishings reflect traditional Romanian artistry blended with European influences, showcasing the skill of master woodworkers from the region.T
Inside Bran Castle, you’ll also notice the Stema României, the official Romanian coat of arms, proudly displayed. This powerful national symbol has a rich history that reflects the country’s heritage and identity. The current coat of arms features a golden eagle holding a cross in its beak, a sword in one claw, and a scepter in the other, symbolizing courage, sovereignty, and Christian faith.
The eagle represents Wallachia, one of the historical regions of Romania, while other elements incorporate symbols from Moldavia, Transylvania, Banat, and Dobrogea — uniting the principalities that formed modern Romania. The crown atop the eagle’s head represents the country’s monarchy, historically significant during the reigns of kings like Ferdinand I and Queen Marie, who lived in Bran Castle.
The Teutonic Knights: Medieval Warriors in Romanian History
One of the fascinating historical touches inside Bran Castle is the display of a Teutonic Knight’s uniform — a stark white cloak marked with a bold black cross, symbolizing one of the most powerful and disciplined military orders of the medieval era( there are actually several uniforms). The Teutonic Order, originally founded during the Third Crusade in the late 12th century, was a Catholic military order of German knights who played a significant role in the politics and conflicts of Eastern Europe.
Their presence in Romanian territories, especially in Transylvania, dates back to the early 13th century. In 1211, King Andrew II of Hungary invited the Teutonic Knights to the Burzenland region (part of modern-day Brașov County) to help fortify the southeastern border of his kingdom against invasions by nomadic tribes. The knights built fortified settlements, including stone castles, introduced Western military techniques, and contributed to the early defense infrastructure of the region. However, their stay was short-lived. After gaining too much power and attempting to break away from Hungarian rule, the Teutonic Knights were expelled in 1225 — but their legacy remains. Exhibits like the one at Bran Castle highlight this little-known but important connection between Romania and medieval Europe’s crusading orders. The knight’s uniform is not just a costume — it represents a complex era of crusades, power struggles, and fortress-building that shaped Transylvania’s history.
Queen Marie’s Secret Tunnel: A Hidden Path into Transylvanian History
One of the most surprising attractions at Bran Castle is a tunnel commissioned by Queen Marie of Romania — a hidden passage she had built so she could descend quietly from the castle to the royal gardens without drawing attention. This secret royal tunnel, long forgotten after the royal family was forced into exile in 1948, has been renovated and reopened to the public.
Visitors now experience this unique part of the castle through a specially designed elevator built into a medieval water shaft that dates all the way back to 1377. The vertical drop is 31 meters, and the ride is far from ordinary. As you descend, the elevator plays interactive media shows, complete with hologram vampires and immersive lighting effects — designed to make you feel as if you’re plunging into the mythical underworld of Transylvania. It’s both eerie and exhilarating, blending technology with Bran Castle’s legendary aura.
At the bottom of the shaft, visitors enter a horizontal gallery, where an interactive multimedia exhibition unfolds. Through vivid storytelling and digital displays, you learn about the history of Bran Castle, the royal Romanian family, and the complex, fascinating past of Transylvania. This exhibit connects folklore with real history and gives visitors a deeper appreciation of the region’s cultural and political layers.
This secret tunnel experience is a must for anyone visiting Bran Castle — you can see the exit in this picture(the exit at the bottom).
Bran Castle Restaurant: Dine in Queen Marie’s Restored Tea House
Bran Castle Restaurant.is a cute little restaurant in the Castle’s garden. They have fresh , tasty food! The restaurant is open daily, and you don’t need a castle admission ticket to dine there. It’s an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a meal amidst the serene royal gardens, whether you’re visiting the castle or simply exploring the area.
Constructed between 1923 and 1929, the tea house was designed by Czech architect Karel Líman and landscaped by German designer Friedrich Rebhuhn. Queen Marie used this L-shaped wooden structure for afternoon teas and intimate receptions. After a period of disuse, it was beautifully restored in 2016 and transformed into a restaurant that serves traditional Romanian dishes and a selection of fine teas .
🎃 Experience Halloween at Bran Castle: The Royal Party & Dinner
For Halloween they have a party. The party costs few hundred euro but you can go for free if:
”You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
You decompose when sun light strikes you,
You’re over 200 years old,
Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania”
At least that’s what one of the organizers, Dracula Tours say . Try to see if you qualify for free…..haha.
The immersive Halloween celebration is perfect for visitors wanting a blend of history, mystery, and festive fun. This special event invites guests to dine like royalty amid the castle’s enchanting gardens, enjoying a four-course gourmet meal paired with fine wine or sparkling wine. The atmosphere is uniquely Transylvanian — combining the elegance of Queen Marie’s legacy with the eerie charm of Halloween legends and vampire lore.
Typically scheduled in early November, the dinner offers multiple seating times, and it’s known to sell out fast, so early booking is highly recommended. For those looking to immerse themselves further in the castle’s haunted history, Bran Castle also offers combined packages that include exclusive Halloween tours and access to lively Halloween partieshosted on the castle grounds.
If you’re planning a trip to Bran Castle around Halloween, this dinner experience provides a magical way to step into the legends and royal stories that make this destination so captivating. For the latest dates, ticket prices, and event details, be sure to check Bran Castle’s official website.
Bran Castle is the most visited attraction in Romania. If you go you would enjoy not only the castle but also the mysterious and beautiful land of Transylvania. But that’s another story…….one I will write about another day….
In the meantime, let me know if you’re planning to visit Bran Castle and if you have any travel related questions.
