We all know Transylvania as the place where Dracula dwells, but what else is there about this country that makes it so spooky? If you’re looking for a Halloween getaway and an adrenaline rush, look no further. Join our bloodcurdling tour through Romania for some chills and thrills!
As you set foot in gorgeous Romania, you may not want to dive into the scary sights right away, and understandably so! Settle into your sanctuary for the trip at Hotel Epoque, a five-star “retreat in the heart of the city” in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Hotel Epoque has suite-only accommodations—book the Epoque VIP Suite, which comes with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchenette, and a large terrace. In addition, luxury features such as a pillow menu, a minibar, bathrobe and slippers, a welcome drink upon check-in, and an evening turndown service will ensure your stay is a lavish one. hotelepoque.ro
Journey to a legendary landmark for your first scare: Bran Castle. This Transylvania castle has the reputation of being “Dracula’s Castle,” as it closely resembles the castle mentioned in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula. The novel’s terrifying main character, Count Dracula, is loosely based on an actual real life person, Vlad The Impaler. Vlad, who also went by the name Vlad III Dracula, was the voivode, or ruler of Wallachia, Romania three times during the 15th century. He earned the nickname “The Impaler” due to his cruel way of punishing his enemies, which involved impaling them on stakes. Vlad The Impaler is said to have visited Bran Castle multiple times, although there is no hard proof of it. While you’re at Bran Castle, you can climb up its towers, and check out rooms that include untouched ancient décor. There’s also displays on Romanian vampire tales and Vlad The Impaler to uncover. bran-castle.com
Your second freakish attraction will be the infamous Hoia-Baciu Forest. Be aware that this forest is not for the lighthearted. Tons of mysterious happenings have occurred here, such as UFO sightings, unexplained disappearances, and reports of ghosts and other creatures. In fact, the forest is named after a shepherd who disappeared after entering it with his 200 sheep. No one ever saw him again. You can visit Romania’s “Bermuda Triangle” on your own, but it’s recommended you go with a group. Book a tour with The Hoia-Baciu Project. They offer night tours, day tours, and more to customize your terrifying trip! hoiabaciu. wixsite.com
Take another trip through some uncanny natural scenes at the Bucegi Mountains. The stunning mountains are home to a ton of conspiracy theories thanks to their strange natural rock formation, the “Mountain Sphinx,” or the “Romanian Sphinx.” It has an odd resemblance to the Egyptian Sphinx of Giza, and many believe it acts as a portal to another dimension, as well as a meeting ground for aliens. Others report that pilgrims gather here every November 28 to take advantage of the “healing” energy that surrounds the formation, in what they call an “energetic pyramid.” See for yourself if you feel any bizarre energy while here!
If you want to find out more about Vlad The Impaler, aka Dracula, head over to Poenari Castle, which he used as a fortress during most of his campaigns. To reach the impenetrable fortress, you have to climb up 1,480 steps, and you can stop along the way to stare at the unsettling decorations that surround them. Impaled bloody mannequins stare at you from their stakes, and nooses and pillories are perched on the steps, prompting your imagination to run wild. If that wasn’t disturbing enough, it’s said that Vlad The Impaler’s wife’s spirit still lurks around the grounds. Way back in the 15th century, as the fortress was being overtaken by the Turks, Vlad’s first wife, Jusztina Szilagyi of Moldavia, flung herself off of the towers and into the Arges River below, where she perished. She exclaimed that she would rather “rot and be eaten alive by fish than be a captive of the Turks.” Some report seeing flashing lights and hearing abnormal noises in the tower where she supposedly leapt off of.
At this point, it’s pretty obvious that Romania has some pretty eerie sites, and you can visit yet another one in the Boldu-Creteasca Forest: The Witches’ Pond. This algae-covered pond is said to be the preferred place where Romanian witches gather to perform their rituals, especially during the Saznienele celebration in June. The pond water is apparently cursed, and it’s been observed that animals will refuse to drink from the pond, instead choosing to suffer dehydration. Another unexplained phenomenon is the pond’s unchanging shape. No matter the season or the amount of rainfall, the pond’s size stays the same, despite locals being unable to find a direct source of where the water is coming from. Furthermore, this pond is also said to be worthy of chills due to its connection to Vlad The Impaler. He was supposedly decapitated here in 1476, and some say they’ve seen his ghost wandering the forest.
Make one last frightening trip to a truly haunted location: Banffy Castle. This creepy castle was built between 1437 and 1543 for the Banffy family, a famous political Romanian family. They continued to live in the impressive castle until 1944, when they had to flee from Nazis that overtook the area. The troops took over the vacant castle and turned it into a military hospital. Today, many report hearing voices and seeing the shadows of the soldiers. In fact, the tales of Banffy Castle became so notorious that the team of Ghost Hunters International actually filmed here during their first season! Drop in to walk the halls yourself, and don’t be surprised if you hear a whisper or two.
By now, all of these scares must have you starving! Don’t worry, the hair-raising excursions have come to an end. Grab dinner at one of Bucharest’s finest restaurants: Kane Seasonal Bistro. This highly-rated restaurant emphasizes freshness and locally-sourced ingredients. Every dish served must have ingredients sourced from farmers the chefs personally know, and the produce must be seasonal. By adhering to these guidelines, Kane is able to deliver some of the purest, great-tasting food around. Enjoy traditional Romanian plates with a modern twist, like duck breast with onion and Kanafeh Egg. kane-restaurant.com
Nightlife in Bucharest is not to be missed as this city is known for its energetic nightlife! Get up and dance at Bamboo Club, the city’s most famous nightclub. A lot of wealthy locals come here to dance, socialize, and enjoy the live shows! DJs spin mostly house music here. If you need to take a break from all of the partying, you can relax on the outside terrace or take a dip in the pool. bambooclub.ro
To switch up the vibe, end your night at Linea Closer to the Moon. This world-famous rooftop bar has a space theme that can be seen in everything from the bar’s cosmic background illustration to its igloos that it sets up in the winter. Yes, you read that right: igloos! To allow diners to eat on the rooftop in the cold winter months, the restaurant/bar sets up igloos for each table. Kick back as you take in the panoramic views and sip on yummy cocktails. linea.life
On your next day in Romania, you’ll be able to appreciate some of the country’s other well-known marvels. The first attraction on your itinerary is the Salina Turda—the largest salt mine museum in the world. It’s located in a city in Transylvania called Turda, and it features galleries, the history of the mine, and even an underground sci-fi theme park! The modern art theme park is the museum’s most popular feature as it’s magnificently located about 393 feet below the surface of the Earth. It has an amphitheater, a Ferris wheel, a bowling alley, mini-golf, a sports field, spa treatments, and even a lake where you can rent boats. And remember, this is all located underground in one of the oldest salt mines in the world! Talk about crossing something off of your bucket list! salinaturda.eu
Also in Transylvania are the towns of Brașov and Râșnov, where you will be able to see Hollywood-esque signs donning their names. It would be a random find if it weren’t for the fact that both towns have been frequently used as sets for recognized films. Countless vampire movies have been filmed here, as well as non-vampire productions such as Cold Mountain (2003), and Youth Without Youth (2007). Take time to explore a bit more of Brașov, the second largest city in the country. Brașov is treasured due to its medieval architecture and design, and features lots of historical highlights to see.
Check out The Black Church, the city’s most iconic landmark, and the biggest Gothic church between Istanbul and Vienna. As you walk through the architectural wonder, you’ll come across Romanian artifacts such as a mechanical organ and Oriental carpets.
For your last adventure, take the opportunity to go hiking deep in the nearby Piatra Craiului National Park. Romania has the largest population of brown bears in Europe and you can be sure to spot a few here! The 19,000-acre park also features friendlier animals like sheep and cows, and it’s not uncommon for their shepherds to offer visitors cheese and other dairy products out of kindness. Make sure to trek through all of the unique trails the park has to offer, and don’t forget to snap a pic with the limestone ridge—it’s the most prominent aspect of the park due to its size.
By Aaliyah Pasols