Transylvania is a hidden gem turned travel hotspot for horror fans

It's as beautiful as it is mysterious, and this once under-the-radar region has allure beyond its famously frightening fictional connections.

When it comes to evocative destinations, few places rival Transylvania. This captivating region serves up the perfect blend of history, mystery and classic Gothic allure, making it an unforgettable experience for those seeking some eerie thrills.

Part of central Romania and spanning just over 100,000sq km(less than half the size of Victoria), the region is home to mist-shrouded mountain peaks, hauntingly beautiful castles and lush forests, making it one of the most gorgeous destinations in southeastern Europe.

Once a hidden gem, the region formerly known as Wallachia is now finding its way onto travellers’ bucket-lists, with the number of tourists visiting steadily increasing by a million per year since 2015 to more than 13.6 million visitors in 2023.

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s perhaps a fitting time to consider a trip to Transylvania to explore haunted forests and wander through the halls of the medieval castles redolent of vampire lore that dot the breathtaking landscape.

Here are some of the most popular spooky attractions I explored on a trip to Transylvania.

The Brasov Old Town is best explored on foot.

Brasov

If you have limited time and want to discover the highlights of southern Transylvania – and there are plenty – base yourself in picture-perfect Brașov. Stay in the old town that’s filled with colourful buildings, medieval walls and cobblestone streets. You can’t miss the main square, which is home to the former town hall Casa Sfatului, and the towering Black Church, built by the Transylvanian Saxon community between 1383 and 1476. It’s perfect to explore on foot, and loads of amazing restaurants offer local fare and craft beers, as well as traditional European dishes.

Bran Castle is known as Dracula's castle.

Bran Castle

Perched on a dramatic precipice, with secret corridors, steep stone staircases and Gothic architecture, it’s easy to see why Bran Castle is synonymous with vampire lore. Built by the Saxons in 1377, this imposing fortress was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Count Dracula’s home. Thanks to the Irish author’s 1897 novel, Dracula, the castle is now known around the world as “Dracula’s Castle”, and attracts more than a million visitors every year.

It doesn’t seem to matter that it has a very tenuous link to vampires or Stoker’s book; legend has it that Stoker saw a hand-drawn picture of the castle and used it as the model for Dracula’s lair. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t write the novel at the castle; he never even visited Transylvania, or any other part of Romania.

Others visit as they believe it’s where national hero Vlad Tepes, the second son of Vlad Dracul and also known as Vlad the Impaler because he impaled his victims on spikes, was once imprisoned, but there’s little evidence Tepes ever went to the castle.

Regardless, Bran Castle still rates as one of the most-visited sites in Romania, and if you can avoid the crowds, it’s fascinating to walk through its many rooms, all brimming with medieval artefacts and artworks. There’s also a cool display about the depiction of vampires in movies, a lot of history about Vlad and other Romanian royals, and if you’re there in October an annual Halloween party.

Cantacuzino Castle in the Carpathian Mountains.

Cantacuzino Castle

If you’ve seen Netflix’s Addams Family-inspired series Wednesday, you’ve seen Cantacuzino Castle. Set amid the absolutely breathtaking Carpathian Mountains in Busteni, the Neo-Romanian castle – the summer residence of 19th-century politician Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino – was transformed into Nevermore Academy for the series, and a visit here is an absolute must.

The scenery alone is worth the effort to get here, and if you have time take a tour of the inside of the castle to see the mosaics and Murano stained glass. Before you leave, drink in that incredible view accompanied by a coffee or hot chocolate from the garden café. Wednesday fans can also visit the nearby royal train station in Sinaia, which is where a handful of scenes featuring Thing were filmed.

Peles Castle was once home to Romanian royalty.

Peles Castle

In stark contrast to Cantacuzino, Peleș Castle in Sinaia, about 50km from Brasov, looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale – it’s regal splendour at its finest. Rising from the lush Carpathian foothills, this Neo-Renaissance masterpiece was the summer residence of Romanian royalty.

Built between 1873 and 1914, it’s renowned for its ornate architecture and lavish interiors, but it’s dimly lit and musty, contributing to its spooky wow-factor. When you’re done exploring its 160 rooms, call into one of the nearby cafés for papanași, traditional Romanian fried doughnuts made with cottage cheese and topped with sour cream and jam. They sound weird, and they are, but they’re also absolutely amazing.

Hoia Baciu Forest, aka the world's most haunted forest.

Hoia-Baciu Forest

If you’re going to explore one of the world’s most-haunted forests, make sure you tell someone where you’re going. The dense, lush Hoia-Baciu Forest is crisscrossed with multiple paths, it’s dark even in the middle of the day and every tree looks the same so it’s very easy to get lost. Most who venture into the forest are looking for the Witches’ Pond, which is said to hold mystical powers and is linked to ancient witchcraft rituals. Paranormal investigators have seen weird mists rising from the pond and shadowy figures at its edges; it has even been said the pond is a portal to a parallel universe. But contrary to legend that the pond’s mystical powers mean it will never dry up, climate change means there’s not much water left.

Still, the forest itself makes you feel quite uneasy – and just when you thought it couldn’t be creepier, there’s a story about a girl who wandered into the forest and reappeared five years later with no recollection of where she had been or what had happened to her. Again, be careful!

Melbourne writer Andrea Beattie loves being frightened so much she does it for a living as editor of Halloween fan site Hallozween.

Transylvania travel tips

Plan ahead

Some attractions are only open on certain days, so make sure you check official websites for opening times, which change seasonally. In high season, you may need to buy your tickets in advance online, particularly for popular sites such as Bran and Cantacuzino castles.

Carry cash

While most places take credit cards, markets and stalls selling souvenirs pop up around tourist spots and only accept cash, so grab some leu from airport ATMs on your way through; one leu is about 35c Australian.

Hire a driver

We had limited time to explore so we opted for a private driver from local company 1 Day Trip (1daytrip.ro). At around $260 a day for two people with unlimited kilometres, it included a private vehicle with air-conditioning/heating, English-speaking driver, parking fees and the driver’s accommodation. They also offer 12-hour trips from Bucharest starting at $75 per person. If you’re after a private tour, ensure your driver doubles as a tour guide; our driver, Radu, was a fantastic source of information about Romania’s countryside, attractions and local traditions. He negotiated our entrance fees, knew all the closest spots to park and times to visit to avoid crowds, and the best places to eat.

The roads throughout Transylvania are in pretty good condition, although be aware that traffic can be a nightmare at times, if you want to hire a car and drive yourself.

Trains also regularly depart Bucharest headed to Brașov and take about 2.5 hours.

Originally published as Transylvania is a hidden gem turned travel hotspot for horror fans