A Romanian Castle Linked to Dracula Was Listed on Airbnb
The year 2016 brought an unexpected update about Bran Castle in Romania. This centuries-old fortress, widely linked to the Dracula story through pop culture and tourism, allowed guests to stay inside for Halloween. Previously, the site had operated as a museum. It had not hosted overnight visitors for approximately seven decades, so the development raised interest in how the stay was arranged and what selected participants experienced once inside.
Halloween 2016 Changed The Routine
Bran Castle dates to the 14th century and is located in the Carpathian Mountains. Visitors often associate it with Bram Stoker’s fictional count due to its appearance and long history.
The legend associates the location with Vlad the Impaler, whose strict rule is said to have influenced elements of the Dracula myth. However, historical accounts indicate his time there was brief. The fortress later transitioned into a museum and became a major attraction, receiving more than 630,000 visitors per year at the time of the event.
Halloween 2016 marked the first overnight access in roughly seventy years. Two guests entered the crypt and slept in velvet-lined coffins.
Organizers applied themed rules consistent with folklore references. Garlic and garlic-scented items were excluded. Silver and crosses were avoided. Curtains had to remain closed before sunrise. Dinner reflected dishes cited in the novel, including paprika-hendl chicken and robber-beef steak. After the meal, the guests walked through the hallways, which were empty of daytime visitors.
A Contest Decided Who Stayed
Regular bookings did not apply here. Airbnb promoted a contest to award the stay, which received about 88,000 submissions. The prize covered the full experience at no cost. Siblings living in Canada at the time won the opportunity. Cameras captured their arrival by horse-drawn carriage, and they reportedly remained inside without additional visitors through the night.
Dacre Stoker, the host, led the guided tour. He shared information about Bram Stoker and explained the historical tie between Vlad the Impaler and the development of the Dracula myth. His involvement connected the event to the literary legacy without framing it as paranormal or reenactment.
There was candlelit dining, where gold cutlery replaced the silverware associated with warding off vampires. There was also a key handoff near midnight. A string quartet played during dinner in one report. People’s reactions to it included humor, curiosity, and commentary about how legend overshadows documented history.
What The Castle Offers Now
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Nico1a2b3
After the promotion, the museum resumed its normal schedule, attracting daily visitors, tours, and exhibits that cover both documented history and the cultural fascination around Dracula.
Travelers can still view the rooms and learn about the site’s past, but overnight stays have not resumed. The Halloween stay did not become a recurring feature or a regular accommodation option.