We’re Going to Transylvania for Halloween 2028: An Awarded Dracula Tour Through the Land of Legend

There’s something quietly thrilling about putting a date on the calendar two years out and feeling the pull of a place you’ve only read about. In October 2028, Michele and I will be in Transylvania for an eight-day Halloween journey that has been recognized as one of Fodor’s Top 10 Must-Do Adventures and named Tour of the Year by TourRadar.

The official name is the Awarded Dracula Tour with three parties, departing Bucharest on October 23, 2028. It’s not a generic sightseeing trip. It’s a carefully built itinerary that balances real history, folklore, and the kind of nighttime experiences you can’t manufacture at home.

Why This Tour?

Most Halloween trips lean heavily on costume parties and Instagram backdrops. This one does something better. It starts with the historical figure of Vlad Țepeș (the real man behind the legend) and then layers on the gothic atmosphere people come for. The three included parties, Halloween Dinner in Arefu, the Great Dracula Ball in Sighișoara, and the late-night gathering at Bran Castle, are not add-ons. They’re built into the flow of the trip.

The tour is capped at 20 people, uses an English-speaking guide throughout, and includes most entrance fees, daily breakfast, and those three special dinners with open bar. Accommodations mix 4-star and well-located 3-star hotels. It starts and ends at the same boutique hotel in Bucharest, which keeps the logistics simple.

The Road Ahead: Highlights We’re Looking Forward To

Day 1: Snagov Monastery We begin at the island monastery where legend says Vlad Țepeș was buried after his assassination. Quiet water, thick trees, and the weight of story.

Day 2: Arefu and the first Halloween dinner Arefu is the village where Vlad is said to have rested after battle. The evening dinner party here is the first of the three celebrations and sets the tone, local atmosphere rather than tourist performance.

Days 3–4: Sibiu and Corvinesti Castle Sibiu still carries the feel of a Saxon medieval town. From there we move to Corvinesti (Hunyadi) Castle, one of the most impressive Gothic fortresses in Eastern Europe. The scale of the place is hard to grasp from photos.

Day 5: Turda Salt Mine and the Great Dracula Ball in Sighișoara The underground salt mine at Turda is an unexpected stop, cathedral-sized chambers, a small lake, and an almost otherworldly quiet. That evening we reach Sighișoara Citadel, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Vlad Țepeș. The Great Dracula Ball runs late and includes the Ritual Killing of the Living Dead, professional ballet, magic, and an open bar until 1 a.m. This is the night most past travelers rate highest.

Day 6: Bran Castle Halloween We spend the day in Brașov before moving to Bran. The evening includes a night visit of the castle (decorated and atmospheric) followed by the Halloween party on the grounds that continues into the early morning. Costume required. This is the image most people carry of “Dracula’s Castle,” and experiencing it after dark is the point.

Day 7: Peleș Palace and return to Bucharest A final stop at the ground floor of Peleș Palace, the former royal summer residence, before the drive back to the capital.

What We’re Taking With Us

Practical notes for anyone considering the same trip:

• Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. The citadels and castles involve cobblestones and stairs.
• A good costume for the Bran Castle night is expected and part of the fun.
• October evenings in the mountains can be cold. Layers matter.
• The tour does not include international flights or airport transfers, so those will be arranged separately.

Looking Ahead

Two years is a long runway, and that’s intentional. This trip sits at the intersection of history, atmosphere, and the kind of shared experience that stays with you. It also fits the larger pattern of choosing places that still feel slightly out of the ordinary, places that ask something of you beyond just showing up.

I’ll write more as the planning details firm up and again after we return. For now, the date is set: October 23–30, 2028. Transylvania is on the calendar.

If you’ve done a similar Halloween itinerary in Romania, or if you’re thinking about this one yourself, I’d be interested to hear what drew you to it.