Brașov and Bran Castle: Our Dream Halloween Trip

There are trips you take just to get some rest, and then there are those trips — magical, mystical, and breathtaking, where your journey turns into an unexpected adventure. That is exactly what our visit to Romania, specifically Transylvania, was like. Here is our first-hand story of where we went, what we saw, and how much fun we had. So, let’s dive in!

We stayed in a beautiful apartment in Brașov. From our windows, we had a stunning view of cornfields and distant hills where the word RAȘNOV was spelled out in huge white letters, just like the Hollywood sign. Since we already had a tight schedule and hadn't known beforehand about the gorgeous medieval Rașnov Citadel, we decided we'd have to save it for next time. We did find out, however, that during the summer, this citadel becomes the epicenter of a massive metal festival called Rockstadt Extreme.

The town center of Brașov exuded that lovely, picturesque autumn vibe that we all know and love. It was especially charming around the main square, Piața Sfatului, which was lined with stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs, sweet treats, coffee, and mulled wine. Nearby, a stage was set up where children were performing music, and a nice crowd gathered to enjoy a relaxing family day. We walked around the center and its surroundings, saw the famous Black Church, and treated ourselves to a few goodies. My boyfriend bought himself a perfect, high-quality leather belt — Transylvania is well-known for its superb leather craftsmanship, and you can find so many great pieces there.

What truly warmed my heart and brought tears of joy to my eyes was the fact that all of this was happening right on the eve of my absolute favorite holiday — Halloween. The entire town was decorated in full spooky spirit! Pumpkins, witches, black cats, and bats adorned the streets, shops, square, and building steps. I will never forget that feeling because it was pure, unadulterated magic.

October 31st – Halloween at Count Dracula’s Castle

When the morning of October 31st arrived, my heart was pounding with excitement. I got ready at lightning speed for our new adventure, channeling my inner Wednesday Addams with my long black braids. We left pretty early in the morning to beat the crowds, but it turned out everyone else had the exact same idea! As soon as we stepped foot into Bran, we were met with an unbelievable sea of people moving around like ocean waves.

The first sight of the castle takes your breath away. Perched on a steep rock and surrounded by dense forests, the fortress looks powerful and mysterious. As we explored the interior, walking through narrow corridors, secret passages, and the inner courtyard with its old well, it was so easy to imagine how all those legends about Vlad the Impaler and Dracula came to be. The view from the top is absolutely stunning — it’s where you truly feel the magic of autumn in all its glory. Crisp sunshine, rustling fallen leaves beneath your feet, and the aroma of pumpkin and fresh treats in the air were pure bliss.

After touring the castle, we walked down into the spacious green park at the foot of the hill. In the center of the park lies a peaceful little lake, and as we passed by, workers were busy decorating the trees with Halloween props, setting the scene for the evening's magic.

Leaving the castle grounds, we explored the bustling bazaar area down below. Crowds of people were buying souvenirs and costumes for the wild night ahead from endless stalls scattered all over. A bit further tucked away was the Castle of Horror, and right before the castle entrance was a field enclosed by hay bales. Local sweets were being sold there, like delicious chocolate or caramel fudge with hazelnuts and walnuts. Of course, I had to try the salted caramel and dark chocolate fudge — it was so mouthwateringly good that I can still taste it! Or maybe I just fell head over heels in love with Transylvania and everything it had to offer.

Right before heading into the House of Horrors, we bumped into a cool guy dressed up as Count Dracula. Naturally, I had to get a picture with him! I was completely shocked when he correctly guessed where I was from on the first try. For a second, I genuinely thought magic was real and that this trip, which I had waited for so long, was simply meant to be.

The House of Horrors itself isn't super scary — at least not for hardcore horror movie fans who are used to jump scares. But the effects, the actors' costumes, the set design, lights, fog, scents, floor shakes, and various props left a really great impression on us. People waiting in line for their 15 minutes inside could watch what was happening on a screen outside. While waiting our turn, all we heard was screaming, but once we got inside, we were just laughing and having a blast!

It was a perfect day in beautiful Romania, a country that holds a truly special charm during autumn. The mix of rich history, natural beauty, and a splash of Halloween fun made this a trip we will always look back on with a smile.