There are a few key events on my bucket list: perform in the parade in Rio Carnivale, throw coloured powders during the Holi Festival in India, celebrate life and death during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. But for a long time, I wasn’t sure what to write for my Halloween bucket list. So, I drew inspiration from the only place I could think of: Hotel Transylvania. Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want, but when Johnny rocked up to Dracula’s Castle with a worn-out backpack and crazy hair, I said, “hey that’s me!”. And down the rabbit hole I fell, researching if a crazy Transylvanian Halloween Party actually existed. Spoiler Alert: it does, it’s amazing, and it’s held at Bran Castle!
So, here’s my guide to the most amazing Halloween Party at Bran Castle:
Bran Castle History:
Bran Castle, also known as “Dracula’s Castle,” is an ancient fortress located in Romania, built in 1377 by the Saxons. Originally, it was used to protect a trade route and defend against invaders. Over time, the castle had various owners and purposes, including being a royal residence for Queen Marie of Romania. Despite its association with Dracula, there’s no solid evidence that the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, ever lived there. The connection between Bran Castle and Dracula comes from Bram Stoker’s famous novel, “Dracula.” The castle’s eerie appearance and location in the Carpathian Mountains made it a popular setting for the fictional character’s home.
Today, Bran Castle is a major tourist attraction, visited by people intrigued by its history, architecture, and links to the Dracula legend. Although it may not have direct ties to vampires, its rich past and mysterious atmosphere continue to captivate visitors from around the world.
Buying Tickets:
I recommend booking tickets in advance because they’re likely to sell out.
You can buy tickets online directly from the website: https://bran-castle.com/
Alternatively: there are tours available that cover transportation to and from Brasov to Bran Castle as well as tickets. Tours are available through TripAdvisor. I booked: Halloween Party at Bran Castle from Brasov .
Where to Stay:
The closest city to Bran Castle is Brasov; a picturesque city nestled in the heart of Transylvania, Romania, surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains. Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural scene, Brasov offers visitors a blend of history, nature, and modern amenities.
Getting to Brasov:
I flew into Bucharest and caught the train from the airport to Bucharesti Nord, and then to Brasov. The public transport is simple to understand and ticket booths are readily available. From the train station, I was able to purchase a public transport ticket valid for two trips, which allowed me to catch a bus to my hostel. The buses were frequent and easy to navigate.
My Accommodation Recommendations:
Hostels:
SECRET Boutique Hostel – I will never write a Romania blog without including this little slice of heaven. It was hands down one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in. The location is central to an abundance of shops, cafes, and restaurants all accessible via medieval cobblestone paths. The mountains are a short walking distance away, with cable car options available. The hostel itself is quaint, with only two bedrooms. However, most of the bunkbeds are queen-sized with thick blackout curtains, making for luxurious evenings of rest. And then there’s the service. The Hostel manager, Anna, goes above and beyond to assist everyone who walks through the front doors. She has recommendations for everything you could think of, and adopts each traveller like they’re her own child. She’s also an avid matchmaker and will strive to make sure every occupant leaves the hostel with a new friend. I couldn’t recommend SECRET highly enough.
Getting to Bran Castle:
- Taxi (fastest) – perhaps the easiest way to get to Bran Castle from Brasov is to book a taxi/ rideshare and split the cost with other partygoers. Rideshare options in Romania include Uber and Bolt. Digital bookings for licensed taxis are also available via FREE NOW.
- Bus (cheapest) – buses run from Brasov to Bran every hour and take approximately 45 minutes. The ticket costs 13 Lei and can be bought on the bus. The buses run between 9am and 23:30. S0, they’re a good option to get to the party. You can check the most updated bus timetable here: https://www.autogari.ro/Transport/Brasov-Bran?lang=ro
- Book a Tour (easiest) – there are tours available with transportation included to and from Brasov to Bran Castle. These are a good option for people who don’t want to stress about finding transportation in the middle of the night.
What to Expect at the Bran Castle Halloween Party:
The Bran Castle Tour:
The party commences with a tour through Bran Castle. To celebrate the Halloween festivities, Bran Castle undergoes a spooky transformation. The ceilings are adorned with cobwebs and descending bat sculptures, candelabras line the walls, flickering ominously as unsuspecting partygoers race past, and projections of historical Bran Castle figures roam hazily through the rooms. There are Vlad the Impaler actors eager to scare. Ancient banquets are made up for unseen spirits, narrow corridors lead to haunted attics, and there’s even a room with historically accurate torture devices. Bran castle encircles the village of Bran, which is illuminated by flickering candles around an old well and little souvenir shops selling Bran Castle memorabilia. The tour adjourns with a walk down a long path towards the outside courtyard. This is where the real party starts.
Halloween Special Tours run between 09:00 and 24:00.
The Halloween Party:
The Bran Castle Halloween Party doesn’t take place in the castle itself, but in a grand marquee in a courtyard with views of the castle above. Inside the marquee is a bar selling an assortment of spirits and beers. On the opposite side is a stage with a DJ deck and a dancefloor. There are photo opportunities available inside the marquee during the party. Outside is a second bar, picnic tables, and a row of portable toilets. The marquee gets absolutely packed with costumed partygoers from all over the world! It is one of the best parties I’ve ever been to!
The Halloween Party runs from 21:00 – 04:00 am.
Recommended Itinerary:
17:30: Dinner
18:30: Depart Brasov
19:30: Tour of Bran Castle
21:00: Bran Castle Halloween Party Commences
04:00: Return to Brasov
Benefits of Booking a Tour:
I booked a tour because I simply did not trust myself to find my way home at 4:00 in the morning by myself as a solo female traveller. And honestly, I’m really glad I did!
Transportation Included: The tour included transportation via a minibus to Bran Castle from Brasov at 18:15.
Welcome Drinks and Snacks: Upon arriving at the castle, complimentary Romanian liquor, drinks, and snacks were served.
Instant Friends: I was lucky enough to make a really close friend from my Hostel World Group Chat plea before I had even commenced the tour, so I got lucky. But even so, we made some close friends on the bus on the way to the party who we revisited throughout the night.
Tickets are Organised by the Tour Company: The tour company organises your tickets so that’s one less thing to keep track of!
Special Note:
Wear a costume! How many times are you going to celebrate Halloween in *the* Dracula’s castle? Wear a costume, dress up as decadently and exuberantly as you please. Everybody else will be! People laughed when they saw my Cat in the Hat hat folded neatly in my giant backpack. That hat travelled to about eleven countries with me before we finally reached Romania. And I can positively say it helped to create one of the best nights of my life.
Make the Most of It:
I sent out a plea to the Hostel World Group Chat looking to meet some new friends who were also attending the party. I ended up making an amazing group of friends and we had each other’s backs the entire night. We got ready together, blasting Halloween music, and getting spoilt by our hostel mum, Anna. And then we got food together until it was time for myself and one of my new friends to start our tour (coincidentally we had booked the same tour!). Although we had only known each other for five minutes, we became best friends instantly, frolicking through the Bran Castle tour together, and then dancing non-stop in the marquee until 4 in the morning. A well-deserved brunch was had the next day.
The point is, I embarked on that night as a solo female backpacker and I finished the night with multiple new friends and insane memories. How many people can say they’ve celebrated Halloween in Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania? So, if you’re not sure, do it! Make the most of it! And have the most amazing time.