It looks like Romania's most famous fictional son might finally get the home he deserves after years of stalled plans and false starts. Real estate tycoon Dragoș Dobrescu has just pulled the curtain back on his ambitious vision for "DraculaLand," a massive €1 billion entertainment complex sitting about 20 km north of the capital.
The vampire-themed mega-resort is envisioned as far more than just a standard amusement park. The plan for this 160-hectare site is to create a year-round resort destination. Think luxury, shopping, high-tech thrills, and cutting-edge entertainment, all wrapped up in the moody, gothic mythology of Count Dracula.
Six Themed Zones, 40 Attractions, and a Digital Multiverse
At the heart of it all is the theme park itself. It is set to be divided into six immersive zones featuring 40 rides and attractions that mix classic Transylvanian horror with modern technology. The blueprints also include a giant performance hall, a wellness spa, a shopping center, and even a full-size racetrack.
To keep visitors on site longer (and spending more), the project includes three hotels with a total of 1,200 rooms. Dobrescu's team is forecasting three million visitors a year and hoping to generate up to 5,000 jobs for the region.
Things get even more futuristic with the proposed "DraculaLand multiverse." The idea is to have a fully digital version of the park that people can visit virtually from anywhere in the world, complete with its own cryptocurrency for transactions. With dedicated esports arenas and student campuses focused on gaming, they are clearly aiming for a modern twist on the old legend.
Political Backing, but No Firm Timeline Yet
Former Prime Minister Florin Cîțu is among the high-profile supporters backing the project. Dobrescu is hoping to open the first phases as early as 2027, though we haven't seen an official construction start date or final permits just yet.
Romania has struggled for a long time to really cash in on the global obsession created by Bram Stoker's novel. Bran Castle currently does the heavy lifting, marketed aggressively as "Dracula's Castle" despite the historical links being pretty thin, but international tourism numbers have been a bit erratic.
From Bloodthirsty Prince to National Hero
It is worth remembering that the history here is complex. The inspiration for the vampire-themed mega-resort was Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, known as "the Impaler." While the rest of the world sees a monster, in Romania, Vlad is often celebrated as a ruthless but effective hero who defended his people against the Ottoman invasion.
Dobrescu clearly intends to lean into both sides of that legacy. He wants the Hollywood vampire that sells tickets and the fierce national icon that gives the project authentic roots. Whether DraculaLand becomes Europe's next big destination or joins the list of unbuilt dreams remains to be seen, but for now, the idea of a vampire-themed mega-resort near Bucharest is very much alive.
