Romania aims to transform the myth of Count Dracula into one of Europe’s most ambitious tourist destinations with DraculaLand, a theme park and entertainment center that will mobilize private investment in excess of €1 billion. The opening is expected between 2026 and 2027, on an area of approximately 160 hectares just a few minutes from Bucharest and Otopeni airport. The goal is to create an ecosystem that combines entertainment, hospitality, retail and technology, catering to international visitors.
An immersive theme park
The heart of the project will be the DraculaLand Theme Park, which will extend over 780,000 m² and include six immersive thematic areas and more than 40 attractions inspired by Eastern European legends and the iconic figure of Dracula. Planned facilities include a 22,500-seat multifunctional arena for concerts and festivals, three hotels with approximately 1,200 rooms, a 50,000 m² water park and thermal spa, a 4.5 km racing circuit and a technology hub dedicated to startups in gaming, AI and digital.
DraculaLand will not just be physical: the project involves a virtual replica in the metaverse developed with Unreal Engine 5, together with the DraculaCoin cryptocurrency and the integration of NFTs for interactive experiences. This digital dimension aims to broaden the visitor experience, creating a bridge between the real and virtual world and offering personalized routes thanks to artificial intelligence.
Economic and employment impact
Preliminary studies estimate over 5,000 new jobs and around 3 million visitors per year in the initial phase. The expected economic impact is around 5 billion euros in the first ten years, transforming DraculaLand into a point of reference for European experiential tourism and a hub for culture, technology and innovation.
Between enthusiasm and doubts
Despite the fascinating premises, the project also raises doubts about its sustainability and feasibility. The opening date and the actual start of work are not yet certain, and some observers fear excessive commercialization of the myth of Dracula, reducing the historical and literary complexity of the character to pure entertainment.
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