Plan a trip in 2025 inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Sarah Pardi - December 27, 2024

Home > Travel Ideas & Inspiration > Plan a trip in 2025 inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula

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The film Nosferatu has its viewers excited about discovering Eastern Europe and the beauty it has to offer, from sweeping scenery to evocative castles.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (the original story that Nosferatu was inspired by) famously takes place in Transylvania, but where is that? And is it easy to travel there?

We'll be answering these questions and more, like where Nosferatu takes place and was filmed as well!

Where is Transylvania?

Transylvania is in the Eastern European country of Romania. It isn't a city; it's a region that spans a large area of central Romania and includes cities like Cluj-Napoca, Braşav, and Sibiu. Sibiu specifically plays an important role in the original Dracula, which we will talk about in a minute.

Can you travel to Transylvania?

Yes! In fact, how to travel to Transylvania is changing in 2024 and 2025 due to Romania's recent acceptance into the Schengen area.

The Schengen area is a group of 29 countries that have agreed to remove internal border checks between members. Romania is one of the newest countries in the Schengen area, joining the existing member states. This means that the vast majority of authorized travelers can travel easily between Romania and other Schengen countries, such as France, Italy, or Spain.

Do I need a visa to travel to Transylvania?

It depends.

Citizens from several non-EU countries can travel to Romania without a visa, such as those from the US and the UK, as long as their stay doesn't exceed 90 days in length.

Other travelers, such as passport holders from China or India, will need to obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Romania, now that it is an official Schengen member.

With that being said, beginning in 2025, travelers who do not require a visa to visit Romania (this includes US and UK citizens, as well as others) will need to obtain travel authorization to enter the country.

This new rule isn't unique to Romania, however - it will be a requirement moving forward for any Schengen country (including France and Italy).

Where did Bram Stoker's Dracula take place?

The story itself took place in Transylvania, London, and Sibiu (formerly called Hermannstadt).

Romania's Bran Castle is famously called "Dracula's castle", though there are varying accounts as to whether Bram Stoker (an Irishman) knew about Bran Castle when detailing Count Dracula's infamous haunt. According to the official Bran Castle website, he did, while other media sites say he didn't.

Whether it's true or not, Bran Castle has been deemed so.

Can you visit Dracula's castle?

Yes! The Castle is located in Bran, a small town outside of Brașov and museum tickets can be purchased online via their official website.

Museum hours vary depending on the season, but the website does a great job of letting travelers know when, where, and how to visit.

Brașov is accessible by train, as well as plane, depending on where you're traveling from.

Sibiu: Dracula's "college town"?

According to the official Bran Castle website, the fictional Count Dracula did his studies near the modern-day town of Sibiu.

Of little surprise, it's said that here, in Sibiu (which would have been known as Hermannstadt at that time) Dracula began his studies in "black magic", where he mastered a range of skills, including telepathic and hypnotic proficiency.

If you're looking for a well-rounded, Dracula-themed adventure, Sibiu is a lesser-known destination to add to your route.

Where does Nosferatu take place?

Both the 1922 and 2024 Nosferatu storylines take place in Wisborg, Germany, a fictional town. A character in the story travels to Transylvania for work, where the tale continues in the Carpathian Mountains and Nosferatu's castle.

While the story takes place there, filming for the 2024 remake primarily took place in The Czech Republic (another country in the Schengen zone).

Here are some of the stunning places you might recognize in the film and want to include on a Dracula-themed trip.

Prague: a storybook setting for Nosferatu

Located in The Czech Republic, Prague is an extremely popular location for tourists from all over the world.

This city is a model backdrop for Nosferatu, with winding cobblestone streets, ornate buildings, and notoriously moody weather.

A few other locations in Czechia appear in the 2024 film as well, such as the grounds of Rožmitál Castle and Pernštejn Castle, as well as lakeside in southern Czechia, closer to the border of Austria.

Nosferatu's Romanian roots

The movie wasn't only filmed in Czechia, though. True to its vampiric roots, filming also took place in Romania.

Corvin Castle (Castelul Corvinilor), for example, was chosen instead of Bran Castle. While this castle, located in Hunedoara, Romania, doesn't seem to be tied to the original story of Dracula in any way, it was still chosen to be "Nosferatu's castle" in the 2024 film.

Should I plan a Dracula-inspired trip in 2025?

That's entirely up to you! Both Romania and the Czech Republic are considered safe destinations for travelers, with international airports, train stations, and modern amenities.

From Brașov and Sibiu to Hunedoara and Prague, you'll be able to imagine the classic story coming to life right before your eyes. Just keep an eye out for bats 😉