October is almost here, which means that the spooky season is upon us! And what better way to celebrate Halloween than to take a trip to Transylvania, home of the undead. We’ve curated the perfect Transylvanian itinerary for any Halloween enthusiast looking for a little adventure into the macabre.
As the myth goes, Transylvania is most famously known as the setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but did you know that you can actually visit Dracula’s castle? Although never explicitly stated, avid fans of the novel have discovered that Bran Castle resembles Dracula’s castle from the story almost exactly and therefore must have been Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula’s home. Because of this, there are daily tours into the castle that will immerse you in the story and have you questioning how much of the story is fictional.
If his castle wasn’t enough for you, you can take a day trip to the city of Sighișoara, which happens to be the birthplace of Count Dracula’s namesake, Vlad the Impaler. There’s even a Dracula-themed restaurant titled Vlad Dracul dedicated to him in town! While this may sound a bit out of the way for the birthplace of someone who probably wasn’t a vampire, Sighisoara is actually labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of how well-preserved it is. On top of this, it’s also known locally as the prettiest town in Romania, making it a must-see stop on anyone’s list.
If you’re looking for a bit of a break from Dracula and Vlad, Romania is home to one of the most unique and mystical tourist destinations in the world. The Salina Turda is one of the world’s oldest salt mines, which may not sound incredibly interesting until you realize what was built beneath the surface. Down inside this mine lies a giant amusement park in an alien-like setting. Built into the mine are a mini-golf course, a bowling alley, a giant Ferris wheel, pool tables, and ping-pong tables, a giant sports field, a playground, several galleries, and an amphitheater. Oh yeah, and there’s also a giant underground salt lake that you can paddle-boat on. Best of all, the mine is open for tourism all year round.
If you’re a fervent party go-er, there are several world-class Halloween events that you can attend. In Sighișoara, there’s a yearly Halloween bash that is held in actual medieval dungeons in the Citadel (the old historic center of the town). Here, guests are entertained with magic shows and served Halloween-themed dinners, drinks, and deserts. If you aren’t keen to party in a dungeon or just simply can’t get enough of Dracula, Bran’s Castle hosts a giant Halloween party every year. This party is more traditional with Halloween decor and music, candy, themed drinks, a full-course meal, and a spooky night tour of the castle. Another Dracula-themed Halloween party takes place every year at one of Romania’s most haunted castles, Corvin Castle, which also once held Vlad the Impaler prisoner. The party in Corvin Castle tends to be more adult-centric and horror-focused for those that are ready to be properly spooked.
If you’re ready to get into the Halloween mood with a trip to Dracula’s birthplace, then we invite you to contact us today to get started! We can help you plan your undead getaway with expert guidance on vacation rental options, unique tours, dining experiences, tourist attractions, Halloween events, and more!
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