Why Take This Trip?
For horror fans, literature lovers, and adventure seekers, a Dracula-inspired journey offers an immersive experience into the world of Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire. This month-long guide follows the shadow of Dracula from the eerie castles of Transylvania to the foggy streets of London, tracing real-life inspirations and cinematic locations. Although this travel guide is a month long, it can easily be broken up into multiple trips. Whether you love Gothic architecture, folklore, or just the thrill of the macabre, this trip will take you to historic sites, chilling landscapes, and iconic landmarks steeped in vampire lore.
How to Break Up the Trip
This trip is divided into four weeks, each focusing on a major Dracula-related region:
• Week 1: Transylvania, Romania – Exploring Dracula’s legendary homeland
• Week 2: Bucharest & Hungary – The legend of Vlad the Impaler and eerie historic sites
• Week 3: Whitby & Yorkshire, England – The arrival of Dracula in Bram Stoker’s novel
• Week 4: London & Dublin – The city where Dracula stalked his victims and where Bram Stoker lived
travel Essentials
• Clothing: Dark, layered clothing for chilly Gothic settings, sturdy hiking boots, and a long coat for dramatic effect.
• Gadgets: A flashlight (for castle tours), a power bank, and a quality camera for eerie shots.
• Books & Research: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a journal for recording eerie encounters.
• Themed Accessories: A pocket watch, vintage map, or vampire-related souvenirs to enhance the experience.
• DVD: Grab the DVD for Bram Stoker’s Dracula here!
Are you ready to embrace the night?
Transylvania – Enter the Land of the Vampire
Where to Stay
• Bran Castle Inn (near Bran Castle) – A cozy, eerie stay near the famous “Dracula’s Castle.”
• Casa Georgius Krauss (Sighișoara) – A historic medieval inn in Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace.
• Count Kalnoky’s Estate (Micloșoara) – A former noble’s estate with 19th-century ambiance.
Things to Do
• Bran Castle: Often called “Dracula’s Castle,” this fortress has a dark and mysterious atmosphere.
• Poenari Castle: The real fortress of Vlad the Impaler, perched on a mountain with 1,480 steps leading up.
• Sighișoara: A medieval citadel and Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace, featuring the eerie Clock Tower.
• Borgo Pass: The misty road described in Dracula as Jonathan Harker’s path to the Count’s castle.
• Corvin Castle: A stunning Gothic castle with a dark history of executions and eerie legends.
Where to Eat
• La Cetate Restaurant (Sighișoara) – A medieval-themed restaurant serving Transylvanian cuisine.
• Casa Dracula Restaurant (Bran) – Located near Bran Castle, serving dishes with vampire-themed names.
• Vlad Dracul Restaurant (Sighișoara) – Located in Vlad’s supposed childhood home.
Bucharest & Hungary – The Legacy of Vlad the Impaler
Where to Stay
• The Mansion Boutique Hotel (Bucharest) – A Gothic-style boutique hotel in the heart of the city.
• Hotel Nemzeti Budapest (Hungary) – A historic hotel with 19th-century charm and eerie ambiance.
Things to Do
• Snagov Monastery: The alleged burial place of Vlad the Impaler, located on a misty island.
• The Old Town of Bucharest: Featuring Vlad’s Princely Court ruins and secret tunnels.
• Buda Castle (Hungary): Explore medieval dungeons and eerie underground tunnels.
• Labyrinth of Buda Castle: A dark, foggy underground maze once used for imprisoning Vlad the Impaler.
Where to Eat
• Caru’ cu Bere (Bucharest) – A Gothic-themed restaurant with a medieval menu.
• Vampire Café Budapest – A vampire-themed dining experience with eerie cocktails.
• Mazel Tov Budapest – For a break from Gothic horror, an elegant, candlelit setting.
Whitby & Yorkshire, England – Dracula’s Arrival
Where to Stay
• La Rosa Hotel (Whitby) – A vintage, Gothic-style B&B overlooking the sea.
• The Grand Hotel Scarborough – Overlooks the area where Dracula’s ship crashed in the novel.
Things to Do
• Whitby Abbey: The ruins that inspired Dracula’s eerie atmosphere.
• 199 Steps: The long stairway leading to the Abbey, where Dracula was seen in bat form.
• St. Mary’s Churchyard: The site of Lucy Westenra’s “attack” in the novel.
• Dracula Experience: A spooky interactive tour detailing Dracula’s arrival.
• Robin Hood’s Bay: A nearby smugglers’ village with eerie tunnels and ghost stories.
Where to Eat
• Magpie Café (Whitby): Famous for its fish and chips, offering a view of the abbey.
• The White Horse & Griffin: An old inn serving traditional English fare.
• Abbey Wharf: A seaside tavern with eerie ambiance.
London & Dublin – Dracula’s Haunting Grounds
Where to Stay
• Hazlitt’s Hotel (London): A vintage hotel with Victorian furnishings, reminiscent of Dracula’s London.
• Clontarf Castle Hotel (Dublin): A Gothic castle-hotel where Stoker may have found inspiration.
Things to Do
London:
• Highgate Cemetery: A Gothic cemetery rumored to be haunted, with elaborate tombs.
• British Library: Home to Bram Stoker’s Dracula notes and inspirations.
• The Ten Bells Pub: A dark Victorian pub linked to eerie London legends.
• Theatre Royal, Drury Lane: One of the most haunted theaters in London, fitting the Dracula theme.
Dublin:
• Bram Stoker Festival (October): A vampire-themed festival celebrating Dracula.
• Dublin Writers Museum: Features exhibits on Stoker and his contemporaries.
• St. Michan’s Church: A crypt with naturally preserved mummies and eerie coffins.
Where to Eat
• Rules (London): An old-fashioned Victorian-style restaurant where Stoker himself might have dined.
• The Dracula Club (Dublin): A themed bar with Gothic cocktails and eerie lighting.
• The Church Café & Bar (Dublin): A former church-turned-restaurant with a haunting ambiance.
Final Thoughts before your journey
A Dracula-inspired journey is more than just a vacation—it’s an immersion into history, literature, and horror legend. Whether you want to walk in the footsteps of Bram Stoker, experience eerie castle ruins, or simply revel in Gothic ambiance, this month-long itinerary offers a thrilling adventure through darkness and legend.
