Immerse yourself in the mysterious legends of Dracula

Bran Castle is often associated in the public eye with Dracula, and this wouldn’t be an article on Romania without a nod toward the infamous count, but the only bloodthirsty nobleman who stayed here was probably Romania’s own Vlad Țepeș, a 15th Wallachian prince who was famed for spiking the heads of his Turkish adversaries. But Bran doesn’t need Dracula to induce awe. The castle’s enormous mass of turrets and castellations, all looking over a foggy, desolate mountain pass, pretty much recalls every horror film ever made.

A national monument and landmark in Romania, Bran Castle is a fortress that is one among many locations commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle.” It is considered one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Romania and currently houses a museum dedicated to the furniture and art collected by Queen Maria. In addition to that, visitors can also visit the open-air museum park on the castle grounds to see an interesting exhibit of traditional Romanian peasant structures, such as barns and cottages from villages across the country. There are many tours available, so visitors can truly explore the interior and exterior of Bran Castle and everything it holds. Bran Castle is arguably one of the most important landmarks and attractions, and also the best things to do in Romania – not just in Transylvania, but in all of Romania. It is often referred to as Dracula’s Castle, since it was believed to be one of the inspirations for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula.