Visit the Castle of Bran (Dracula): tickets, prices, schedules

You planning a trip to Romania? So don't miss visiting Bran Castle, the famous Dracula Castle!

Between myth, legend and disillusionment, Dracula Castle is one of the most imposing historical monuments in Romania. This fortress is located near Brașov in Transylvania, not far from the limit with Valachia, in the mountains of Carpates. If he probably did not welcome the famous Vlad III the Empaleur, he still sticks to the image of the Dracula castle as illustrated in the novel by Bram Stoker. Today, and with a certain mystical varnish, it is above all a museum and monument presenting the history of the castle and its inhabitants.

Would you like to visit the Bran Castle in Romania? In this article, you will find all the necessary information to discover it in the best conditions. Tips, history and practical information through rates and times, you will know the essentials to plan your visit and appreciate it at best!

History of the Château de Bran

In 1377, the town of Brașov built a stone fortress at the top of the Bran Rock, under the impulse of the King of Hungary. The latter wishes to protect this strategic pass between Transylvania and Valachia. The Bran Castle is born then!

However, Vlad III , nicknamed Drăculea ( son of the dragon ), would probably not have stayed in this castle. Surrounded by legends, this historic character was a prince of Valachia in the 15th century, beating against nobles inside his country and the Ottomans outside. As for the novel Dracula, promoter of legends around Vlad l’Empaleur, he does not mention this castle of Bran.

Nevertheless, it corresponds quite well to the image that the mythology of Dracula conveys. If the authorities have thus preferred to highlight the historical, rural, cultural and natural heritage of the region with this fortress rather than the legend, the myth of Dracula always allows to promote it.

Our tips to visit the Château de Bran

You will soon arrive in Romania and want to prepare your visits? We understand you perfectly! On holiday time can be precious. So to help you visit Bran Castle, here are some practical tips.

The best time to visit Bran Castle

The Castle of Bran can be visited all year . Summer as winter, we recommend discovering it, just like the beautiful mountains and the surrounding region. However, Halloween is an excellent period because the castle hosts fantastic and scary evenings. Within it, thematic events also take place.

As for the time of day, we recommend that you come instead In the morning. In the afternoon, the castle can be crowded with tourists and visitors. It is then difficult to immerse yourself in its intriguing atmosphere!

Before coming to the Castle

The castle is enamelled with numerous explanatory panels on the history of the castle, its inhabitants, the region and the local culture. The latter are in English and Romanian . Above all, they present the historical and cultural aspect of this jewel of Romanian heritage.

To enjoy the mystical atmosphere, and if you come mainly for the legends surrounding the castle, we recommend that you make guided tour or guided tour from Bucharest. Your guide will create a particular atmosphere, while explaining myths and legends. Of course, the latter will not make the impasse on the history of the castle and will also give you cultural and historical explanations.

What to do when you visit Bran Castle?

During your visit, you will be able to survey a large part of the Bran Castle. The history of this strong square and its inhabitants is told on panels. You will also see furniture, weapons, carpets and garments exposed there. The castle also features a magnificent setting, with the mountains in the background and its particular structure at the top of a cliff.

Outside Bran Castle there are also typical Romanian cabins. You can then imagine the life of the former inhabitants. In the Middle Ages, Bran was a typical transylvan village. His princely castle was surrounded by some large fortified, saxon or Hungarian bourgeois houses. They were surrounded by a multitude of wooden houses, pisé and chaume of the Valaques.

Around Bran Castle, you can visit this small tourist village. Some clusters offer local products, as well as souvenirs of all kinds, including derived from the myth of Dracula. The visit of the Castle and the village will allow you to learn more about this emblematic region of the Balkans as well as its culture and its inhabitants.

How much does a ticket cost to Bran Castle?

Here are the rates to visit the Bran Castle 1 July to 31 August :

• Adults: 45 LEI (9.25€)
• Senior: 35 LEI (7.20€). An identity card is required for over 65 years.
• Student: 25 LEI (5.15€). Students must also present their student card at the entrance to benefit from the discount.
• Child (7 to 18 years old): 10 LEI (2€)
• Children under 7 and persons with disabilities: free entry

Here are the rates the rest of the year (except Halloween):

• Adults: 40 LEI (8.25€)
• Senior: 30 LEI (6.20€). An identity card is required for over 65 years.
• Student: 25 LEI (5.15€). Students must also present their student card at the entrance to benefit from the discount.
• Child (7 to 18 years old): 10 LEI (2€)
• Children under 7 and persons with disabilities: free entry

For Halloween: thematic guided tours are organized the day. Special events also take place during the night. You will find more information about these events and their rates on the official site of the Château de Bran.

How to book an online ticket for the Château de Bran?

• You can book your ticket to visit Bran Castle online on the official website. These online tickets are valid until the end of the current year. It is not necessary to select the date of the visit, to mention the user’s name or to print the tickets. Electronic ticket bar code can be directly scanned on mobile devices.
• In addition, tour operators offer excursion packages in which transport is also included. Prices oscillate between 20€ and 70€ according to the selected options.

Are there guided tours of the Château de Bran?

• The guided tours of the Castle of Dracula are obviously numerous! You can choose a visit with guide francophone from the village of Bran. Count on average from 20€ to 40€ per person (adult) for a guided tour 1h30 or 2h. Night visits also exist.
• But you can also opt for one guided tour from Bucharest. The price is usually 25€ to 30€ per person. These visits are not necessarily in French, but will always be offered in French English. The tour then lasts one full day. It sometimes includes other castles or places of interest on the way. Attention, however, entry tickets are sometimes not included! You will need to buy them separately and in advance.
• Finally, you can book a audioguide for 10 LEI (2€) on site. They are available in French, English and many other languages.

Are there visits combined with other monuments?

Have you seen enough? No panic, there are combined visits. These ones will make you discover other transylvanian castles such as Château de Peles or the Rasnov Fortresse. With regard to the three most beautiful buildings in the region, prepare your cameras to immortalize these places.

These visits from Bucharest or Brașov are not necessarily in French, but will always be proposed in English . The tour then lasts one full day . Prices oscillate between 20€ and 70€ according to the selected options.

Opening hours of the Château de Bran

Hours also vary depending on the high and low season. In low season, 1 October to 31 March , schedules are as follows:

• Monday: 12h – 16h
• From Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 4pm

In high season, from 1 April to 30 September, You can visit the Castle of Bran:

• Monday: 12h – 6h
• From Tuesday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How do I go to Bran Castle?

To reach the Château de Bran, you will have to go to the following address: Strada General Traian Mosoiu, nr. 24, 507025 Bran – Romania. The castle is thus located in the Carpates, in the center of the country. The nearest town is Brașov.

• ♪ car, the Castle of Bran is in 2:30 Bucharest and 4:30 de Cluj-Napoca.
• Des trains connect the Gare du Nord de Bucharest to the city of Brașov. The journey lasts 2h45 On average.
• From Brașov, a line bus direct allows to reach the castle in approximately 48 minutes.
• You can also choose a guided tour from Bucharest. The transport will then be taken care of by the organizer, avoiding a lot of trouble.

Where to park near Bran Castle?

Do you have a vehicle? So know that you will have no trouble parking near the Château de Bran. At the foot of the fortress, you will find several private or public parking to park. Attention, however, some seem to practice high prices .

Where to stay near Bran Castle?

The region around Bran Castle is worth a look. To enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Carpates and take the time to discover them, we recommend you to stay a few days near the Château de Bran.

• You can sleep at the foot of the castle, if you are brave. In the village of Bran, many holiday homes and hotels have been elected. To benefit from the best offer, don’t hesitate to weigh prices on a Compare hotels.
• You can also choose to stay in one Airbnb in the medieval town of Brașov. Very charming, it is known for its saxon walls and bastions of the Middle Ages, its imposing black Gothic style church, its colourful baroque buildings and its animated cafés.