In the heart of the Carpathians, perched on a rocky spur that dominates the entrance to the Rucăr-Bran pass, stands the majestic Bran Castle. Known worldwide as “Dracula’s Castle”, this medieval fortress is one of Romania’s most visited attractions, enchanting tourists with its Gothic architecture and fascinating history.
The real name is Bran Castle (in Romanian Castelul Bran). Its association with Count Dracula is due to Bram Stoker’s novel who, despite never having visited Romania, described a fortress that resembled the characteristics of this castle. In popular culture, it therefore became “Dracula’s Castle”, although historically the connection with Vlad the Impaler is rather weak.
TL;DR
- 🎫 Ticket price: €13.90 / 70 LEI (adults), free for children under 7
- 🕐 Visit time: 1-2 hours to see everything
- 📅 Best time: Tuesday-Wednesday, arrival at 8:45 AM
- ⚠️ Important: NOT a gothic castle, but an elegant royal residence
- 💡 Tip: buy tickets online, avoid Mondays
- 🏰 Reality: Bright and welcoming, no horror movie atmospheres
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices for Bran Castle are valid until the end of 2025.
Category Age Price Adult 18-64 years 13.90 € (70 LEI) Senior 65+ years 9.95 € (50 LEI) Student with student card 7.95 € (40 LEI) Child/Youth 7-17 years 4.00 € (20 LEI) Children under 7 years 0-6 years Free People with disabilities All ages Free
Prices may vary. An ID document is required for reduced rates.
How to Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets directly at the castle’s ticket offices, but in high season the queues can be really long. To avoid waiting, it’s recommended to buy tickets for Bran Castle online in advance.
If you’re staying in Bucharest, a convenient solution is to participate in one of the numerous daily tours that include visits to Bran Castle, Peleș Castle and the city of Brașov, with prices starting from 18.00€.
Tickets for Bran Castle
Opening Hours
From April 1st to September 30th:
- Monday: 12:00 – 18:00 (last entry)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 – 18:00 (last entry)
From October 1st to March 31st:
- Monday: 12:00 – 16:00 (last entry)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 – 16:00 (last entry)
Hours may vary during holidays or special events, so it’s always advisable to check before your visit.
What to See Inside
Forget vampires and gloomy atmospheres! The castle’s interior is surprisingly bright and welcoming, with 57 rooms that reflect not Dracula’s legend, but Queen Marie’s refined taste who renovated it in Romanian arts and crafts style at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Main Areas
The castle is divided into different areas, each with its own charm:
- Courtyard and Ground Floor: Here you’ll find the Guard Room with a rich display of medieval weapons, the ancient kitchens with bread ovens and cauldrons, and the inner courtyard with the characteristic “false well” carved from a Florentine capital.
- Queen Marie’s Apartments: Elegantly furnished, they include the queen’s bedroom with period furniture, the Gothic hall arranged as a dining room, and the great hall with an imposing fireplace. Don’t miss the famous secret staircase, hidden behind a fireplace, that connected the first floor to the third!
- King Ferdinand’s Apartments: Here you can admire the bedroom with an 18th-century Piedmontese canopy, the neo-baroque salon with German-made furniture, and the armory with a splendid collection of weapons and armor from the 15th to 17th centuries. The Round Tower houses an exhibition dedicated to Vlad the Impaler, including some disturbing medieval torture instruments.
The Time Tunnel
One of the most recent and innovative attractions is the “tunelul timpului”, opened in spring 2017 after 6 years of work. This long underground tunnel, accessed by elevator, offers an engaging multimedia experience that tells the story of the castle and the region. The screens on the walls, sensor systems and specially created soundtrack will transport you back in time in a surprisingly modern way.
Other Points of Interest
- Prince Mircea’s Chapel, with its beautiful wooden sculptures depicting the Madonna and Child and Saint Anne
- The balconies and loggias, which offer breathtaking views of the Carpathians and surrounding valley
- The Ethnographic Museum in the park at the foot of the castle, with traditional Transylvanian houses, original furniture and work tools of local inhabitants
The 4 Secret Instagram Spots
90% of tourists photograph the same boring angles. Here are the locations that will make your social media explode.
1. THE SECRET STAIRCASE (First Floor)
- Where: Behind the fake fireplace
- When: 10:30-11:00 (natural light from above)
- Settings: Portrait mode, position yourself on the 3rd step
- Effect: Dramatic and mysterious, perfect for Instagram Stories
2. QUEEN’S BALCONY (Second Floor)
The secret that guides don’t tell: from the balcony of the royal apartments you can see the most spectacular panorama of the Carpathians.
- Magic time: 4:30 PM in October for golden light on the woods
- Trick: Use horizontal panoramic mode and include the Gothic columns
3. THE COURTYARD FROM ABOVE (First Floor)
Everyone photographs the well from below, but the real shot is from above. Go up to the first floor and look out over the loggia.
- Best lighting: 12:00-13:00 (perpendicular sun)
- Result: Unique perspective of the courtyard with the fake Florentine well
4. PERFECT EXTERNAL FRAMING
Not from the tourist parking! Walk 200 meters towards the village, turn right on the dirt path.
- Result: Castle framed by tree branches
- Top season: Autumn for the chromatic spectacle
Hashtags that work: #BranCastle #DraculasCastle #Transilvania #Romania #CastellodiDracula
The Legend
Bran Castle’s fame is inextricably linked to the figure of Dracula, but how much truth is there in this association?
Bram Stoker described in his novel a fortress perched on a rock with a river flowing below – and Bran Castle is the only one in Transylvania that corresponds to this description. However, Stoker never visited Romania and almost certainly didn’t know Bran Castle.
The character of Dracula is often confused with Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), prince of Wallachia nicknamed “Dracul”. The name derives from a play on words: Vlad’s father, Vlad II, minted coins with the dragon emblem, and the people began calling him “Vlad Dracul” (Vlad the Devil) instead of “Vlad Dragonul” (Vlad the Dragon). In translations, the word “dracul” was then associated with “vampire”.
Ironically, some historians argue that the real “Dracula’s castle” could be Poenari Fortress, in the Argeș region, actually used by Vlad as a residence. Another castle often erroneously associated with Dracula is Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest, whose Gothic architecture has inspired many film representations.
Expectations vs Reality
Do you expect a gloomy castle like in Hollywood movies? Prepare for the most beautiful surprise of your trip to Romania.
EXPECTATIONS (movies/books) REALITY (true experience) Dark and disturbing castle Bright and welcoming environments Gothic and terrifying atmosphere Elegant arts and crafts style Huge labyrinthine fortress 57 rooms, visitable in 1 hour Spartan medieval furnishing Refined period furniture Dark and mysterious corridors Panoramic loggias over the Carpathians
The first thing you’ll notice crossing the threshold: zero Gothic atmospheres. Queen Marie transformed this medieval fortress into a residence where white walls, large windows and natural light that illuminates every corner predominate. You won’t find coffins or bats, but a collection of precious porcelain and family portraits.
The most common disappointment? Visitors who seek exclusively the “Dracula” aspect are bewildered. What you’ll discover is something much more precious: the true story of a royal family who deeply loved Romania.
Insider tip: Come with an open mind to authentic beauty. The castle will tell you stories much more fascinating than any vampire legend.
Real History of the Castle
- 1211: The Teutonic Knights erect a wooden fortress to defend the border
- 1377-1388: Construction of the stone castle under Louis I of Anjou
- 1459: Vlad the Impaler passes through Bran to attack Brașov, but ironically is then briefly imprisoned in the castle itself
- 1920: The castle becomes the residence of Queen Marie of Romania
- 1948: With the advent of communism, the royal family is exiled and the castle nationalized
- 2009: The castle is returned to the heirs of Princess Ileana
How to Get to the Castle
Bran Castle is located about 170 km from Bucharest. Here’s how to reach it:
Organized Tours
The most convenient solution is to participate in one of the numerous organized tours departing from Bucharest. These tours usually last 12 hours (round trip) and include:
- Transport in air-conditioned buses
- Tourist guides (often available in English too)
- Castle entrance
- Visits to Peleș Castle and the city of Brașov
By Car
If you prefer to drive, the journey takes about 2.5-3 hours from Bucharest. Follow national road DN1 towards Brașov, then DN73 towards Bran. You’ll find several paid parking lots near the castle entrance.
By Public Transport
You can take a train from Bucharest Nord to Brașov (3.5 hours), then a bus from Brașov to Bran (30-60 minutes). Buses depart from station no.2 in Brașov on Strada Avram Iancu, every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends.
Nearest Airport
The nearest airport is Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport (25 km), but Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) offers many more international connections, despite being 170 km away.
How to Avoid Queues
While tourists wait 2 hours in line, I get in in 15 minutes. Here’s the step-by-step strategy I’ve personally tested.
STEP 1: Perfect Timing
Arrive at 8:45 (15 minutes before opening). Staff often opens early for the first in line. Tested 4 times: always worked.
STEP 2: Choose the Right Day
Best days:
- Tuesday and Wednesday morning
- Late November-early December (snowy castle)
Days to avoid:
- Weekends June-August
- First 2 weeks of October
- Monday (opening at 12:00, more crowded)
STEP 3: Secret Parking
Forget the main parking! Continue 300 meters beyond the entrance to the municipal parking:
- Savings: 15 lei (3 euros)
- Extra walk: 5 minutes
- Stress: Zero to find a spot
STEP 4: Strategic App
Download the castle’s official app. It warns you when there are private events (concerts, weddings) that close the castle early to the public.
STEP 5: Perfect Photo Times
- Autumn: 4:30 PM (golden light)
- Winter: 11:00 AM (avoid long shadows)
- Strategic break: 2:00-3:30 PM (tourist groups at lunch)
Last trick: If you arrive and the queue is long, take a walk around Bran village. After 30-40 minutes the situation improves considerably.
Visit Tips
To best enjoy your visit to Bran Castle:
- Visit time: Dedicate at least 40-60 minutes to exploring the castle, but if you’re passionate about history or photography, plan up to 2 hours.
- Best period: Spring and autumn offer the best balance between pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Winter offers spectacular snowy landscapes, while summer is the busiest season.
- Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes – the castle stairs are steep and narrow. In winter bring heavy clothes, as heating inside is limited.
- Dining: The Casa de Ceai restaurant at the foot of the castle is pleasant but often crowded. For better prices and a more authentic atmosphere, try the restaurants in Bran village.
Accessibility: Unfortunately the castle is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, as you need to walk about 100 meters uphill to reach the entrance and inside there are numerous narrow stairs.
Photos
The images of Dracula’s Castle, both external and internal, reveal a fascinating mix of historic architecture and mysterious atmospheres, evoking the legends of the famous Count.
exterior
interior
Useful Information
Below, you’ll find all the essential contact information you need to know before your visit to Dracula’s Castle:
Official Website: bran-castle.com
Contact Email: [email protected]
Phone: +40-268-237-700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranDraculasCastle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandraculascastle/
Where Count Dracula’s Castle is Located
Bran Castle is located in the Transylvania region, in Romania, in the municipality of Bran, near the city of Brașov. Its exact coordinates are 45°30′54″N 25°22′02″E. Situated at the entrance to the Rucăr-Bran passage, the castle is surrounded by the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountain massifs, in a landscape that seems to come straight from the pages of a Gothic novel.
Address: Strada General Traian Moșoiu 24, Bran 507025, Romania
Visitor Reviews
Marco P. from Milan 5/5
“Absolutely must-do visit! The castle is magnificent, both outside and inside. The rooms are well preserved and the view from the terraces is breathtaking. The secret passages were the most fun part for our children. I recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid the crowds.”
Giulia M. from Rome 4/5
“Fascinating place full of history, although a bit overcrowded. The interiors are smaller than I imagined but well maintained. The Time Tunnel was a pleasant surprise, very modern and interesting. If you can, also visit the ethnographic museum in the park below.”
Alessandro T. from Florence 5/5
“I participated in the tour from Bucharest and it was absolutely worth it! The guide spoke excellent English and told us many interesting anecdotes about the castle’s history and Dracula legend. The internal stairs are steep, so wear comfortable shoes. The view from the main tower makes up for the effort!”
Frequently Asked Questions about Bran Castle Ticket
How much does it cost to enter Bran Castle?
Adult tickets cost 13.90€ (70 LEI). Entry is free for children under 7 years and people with disabilities.
How long does it take to visit Bran Castle?
It's advisable to dedicate at least 40-60 minutes to exploring the castle to see the main areas.
What is the real Dracula's castle?
While Bran Castle is commonly associated with Dracula, many historians believe that Poenari Fortress is the real castle of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the Dracula character.
How to book Bran Castle?
To avoid long queues, especially in high season, it's advisable to book in advance online or by calling +40 268 237 700.