Many people have a huge fascination when it comes to the paranormal world and all things mystical and creepy. It seems like the world went through kind of a vampire frenzy back in the early 2000s. That’s when the Twilight books were gaining popularity, and The Vampire Diaries was on TV every week. Everyone seemed to go through a vampire phase at one point or another.
The history of vampires, both old ones like Dracula and new ones like Edward Cullen, is truly very interesting. There are many places that are associated with vampires, whether it was a real life situation, or a fictional one. Every year, the vampire-obsessed and history seekers flock to many places such as Transylvania, Romania, Forks Washington, and New Orleans, Louisiana, to get some sort of look into the world of vampires.
Whether it’s touring sets, or real life locations of your favorite vampire shows, movies and novels, or visiting graves and castles of well known infamous vampires, there’s so much out there to learn about. If you’re thirsty for some vampire history, there are so many places that you can go to get it. These are 20 places every vampire-obsessed traveler should visit.
20 Transylvania, Romania
When you think about vampires, what’s the first vampire that usually comes to mind? For many, that vampire is Dracula, simply because Dracula is a classic vampire, and one of the most famous ones in the world. Obviously, Dracula wasn’t real, however, the monster was brought to life in Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. In the novel, Dracula lives in a castle in Transylvania, and there’s an actual castle that this is based on, and it is a must see for any vampire lover. The castle, also known as Bran Castle, is a huge tourist destination in Transylvania. Vampire lovers flock to the castle every year, hoping to get a glimpse into the world that Bram Stoker created in his 1897 novel. They have made it into a true tourist attraction, selling vampire themed knick knacks and other Dracula gifts.
Although many vampire lovers flock to Bran Castle, there’s another castle said to be based off of the famous novel, known as Poenari Castle. This castle is a little harder to get to, however, it’s a little more historically accurate to Dracula’s castle in the novel. When writing Dracula, Bram Stoker never actually visited Transylvania, which is why many argue that either castle could work. Either way, if you’re into creepy castles that were the homes of a vampires, definitely take a trip to Transylvania.
19 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as the City of Brotherly Love, is not one of the most famous destinations that vampire lovers will flock to, but it’s still a home for vampire lovers nonetheless. In 2014, the city was voted the best city to be a vampire, due to its multiple cloudy days a year, the numerous amount of blood banks and blood drives that the city holds, as well as the night life and the late closing times for bars. If you’re a vampire yourself, or looking to find one, then you might have a good shot in Philly.
If you’re interested in doing a little more learning rather than vampire hunting, you can check out Grim Philly, who are known for their really awesome, in depth and interesting tours of the city. Their one tour, Vampires, S*x, & Ghosts, offers an almost two hour tour, going in depth into the world of vampires in Philadelphia, both past and present. We have to warn you, though, as suggested by the title, it’s a little risqué and rated R (if you know what we mean...), so be aware of that if you plan on taking your children!
18 Forks, Washington
Back in 2008, the world was in sort of a Twilight mania, so to speak. The book series written by Stephenie Meyer, follows the 'out of this world' love story between human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen. When the books were released, and eventually turned into movies, the world couldn’t get enough of Bella and Edward. It seemed like you couldn’t turn anywhere without seeing something having to do with the Twilight franchise. The book took place in Forks, Washington, which is an actual town in the state of Washington. There were a lot of references made to different places in the book, and a lot of them weren’t made up. As a result, when it came time to film the movies, the cast and crew filmed at these real life locations.
Twilight fans are known to be really passionate fans, and because of this, they’ve flocked to Forks, Washington. The tiny town welcomes them with open arms, and even offers them tours to different locations mentioned in the book. You can visit Forks High School where Bella and the Cullens went to school, or Forks Community Hospital where Dr. Cullen worked, or even the Cullen house. If you’re up for a little drive you can visit La Push beach or even Port Angeles where Bella did her shopping and had one of her first dates with Edward. There’s even an annual Twilight celebration on Bella’s birthday from September 13-16 every year. A perfect vacation for every Twilight fan!
17 Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts is obviously most known for witches and the Salem Witch Trials. During the 1600s, people were constantly being accused of witchcraft. The people accused were put on trial and prosecuted for their “crimes” that ultimately ended in execution in front of many people. This horrible time infamously went down in history, which is why many people associate the town with witches. Although the small town in Massachusetts is known for these trials and witchcraft in general, many people might not know that the town has a history of vampires, as well. The town is no stranger to tourists that are seeking out a paranormal experience, therefore they offer many tours. If you decide to take a tour, you will be taken throughout Salem where you will learn about the witch trials, and the history behind them, as well as tales about vampires and the havoc they’ve created over the years. The Salem locals will tell you all about the legends of vampires, witches as well as other paranormal beings. So, if you love all things paranormal in addition to vampires, these tours through the infamous town are perfect for you. It may be one of the lesser known vampire destinations, so vampire fans should definitely take the trip to Salem.
16 New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has a history of all things paranormal, whether it’s voodoo, witchcraft, or even vampires. This city is a must visit for all vampire lovers, especially if you’re a fan of the CW show, The Originals. The show is a spin-off of the equally famous Vampire Diaries show. If you’re a fan of the show, you can visit the many landmarks and iconic places that the vampires hang out at on the show. Although the show primarily films in Georgia, they do head out to New Orleans occasionally to film. The show is in its final season, so don’t expect to get a glimpse of your favorite vampires in action, but you can definitely take a walk down memory lane.
If you’re not a fan of the show, no worries! You can take one of many tours throughout the city. You can learn the historical side of vampires, both real and fictional, and take a walk through New Orleans. One of the most popular places to tour has to be the French Quarter, one of the most vampire filled places in New Orleans. There are a number of tours offered for the French Quarter, so definitely check it out!
15 Exeter, Rhode Island
When you think of vampire cities, Exeter, Rhode Island probably isn’t the first one that comes to mind. If you’re looking for a vampire vacation destination that is filled with history and is really lesser known, then definitely book your next trip to Exeter to visit Mercy Brown’s grave.
Mercy Brown lived in the 1800s, during a time of paranoia about vampires. When she was alive, her family members contracted tuberculosis and died, including Mercy herself. At the time, people did not know much about the disease, so they assumed that one of the family members was a vampire. They exhumed all of the bodies and Mercy’s was the least decomposed out of all of them, therefore they believed Mercy to be a vampire and she was responsible for all of the deaths of her family members, when in reality it was tuberculosis and how quick the disease spread to all of them. Mercy is known as the last vampire, and you can make the trek up to Rhode Island to visit her grave and learn more about the history of her family, as well as the full story of her body being exhumed and being accused of vampirism. If you have a thing for vampire history, take a trip to the First Baptist Church of Exeter where Mercy is.
14 Covington, Georgia
If you’re a huge fan of the hit show Vampire Diaries, then you would certainly know that the show takes place in a town called Mystic Falls that’s located in Virginia. However, the filming in “Mystic Falls” actually takes place in Covington, Georgia. Fans of the show should definitely take the trip to Covington to see some of their favorite places from the show. You can take the Vampire Stalkers Mystic Falls Tour where you will have a tour guide that’ll take you to some of the most famous places on the show. On the show, the characters are constantly hanging out at Mystic Grill, and yes, it is a real place! The tour takes a stop there where you can walk through and pretend you’re hanging out with Stefan and Damon. Another stop on the tour is Lockwood Mansion, where Tyler lived during the show. When taking a guided tour you’re able to actually walk through the mansion, which you can’t do on your own. Those are just a few of many places you’ll see on the Vampire Stalkers Mystic Falls Tour, so if you’re a fan of the show, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on this awesome opportunity.
13 Whitby, England
If you’re not one for adventure, and are looking to do a little more learning while you’re on vacation, then this city would be absolutely perfect for you. Whitby, England is another famous city having a connection to one of the world’s most famous vampires, Dracula. In the late 1800s Bram Stoker found his way to Whitby, England, where he ultimately got the idea for the novel, finding inspiration in the town. Many of the places he describes in the novel are very closely related to the actual Whitby, having spent so much time there. When visiting Whitby, you can see if you can make those connections yourself, or you can even go on a Dracula Tour or the Whitby Walk, where you will learn the history and story of the infamous vampire as well as all of the actual connections that the city has to the novel. If you’re more into the history side and learning experience rather than the vampire hunting side, then this tour would be perfect for you. Whether you’ve read the novel, or are just looking to learn a little more about the history of Dracula, definitely consider taking a vacation to Whitby, because you won’t be disappointed.
12 Costa Rica
Not quite a vampire exactly, but still in the family. Vampire bats have been long associated with actual vampires over the years, and we can blame no other than Bram Stoker, author of Dracula for that. Legends say that vampires are able to turn into bats so they can fly around easily, and turn back again. We’ve seen it many times in movies, TV shows, and other media. Legends also say that a bite from a vampire bat will also turn you into a vampire. Obviously, none of this is actually true. Yes, vampire bats do bite, but they usually never ever bite people, nor do they suck their blood. That doesn’t mean that they don’t suck blood at all, though. They tend to feed off of the blood of animals, instead of humans, although they’ve been known to attack a human or two before, but fear not, we are not their prey. If you’re willing to learn a little bit about the other side of vampires, even though it’s not exactly true, you should look into taking a trip to Costa Rica, where there is a huge population of vampire bats. Here you can learn all about the animals and their lifestyle, just a little different than actual vampires, but vampires all the same when it comes to sucking blood!
11 Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles might be known for the glitz and the glamor, and all the celebrities living there, but it’s a perfect place for any vampire lover to visit, as well. It might not be one of the most well known places for vampire lovers to flock to, but there are places to visit if you look hard and long enough. If you’d like, you can definitely make a stop at the Vampire Lounge and Tasting Room, which many people have rumored that the lounge is owned by an actual coven of vampires. Whether it’s true or not, we’re not really sure, but if you’d like to see for yourself, definitely make the trip there, and let us know what you find out. For those of you who are fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, take a trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, that was Angel’s mansion on the show. If you’re a fan of True Blood, also take a trip to Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, which served as Fangtasia. Your favorite places that you see on TV will be brought to life, as long as you’re willing to make the trek there, you won’t be disappointed at all.
10 Vampire Cafe, Ginza, Tokyo Japan
If you’re looking for a real 'out of the ordinary' vampire experience that isn’t a historical tour, or a walk through of filming locations, then hop on a plane and fly to Ginza, Tokyo, Japan. Here is where the Vampire Cafe is located, and it’s definitely an experience you won’t ever forget. The cafe is completely vampire themed, with coffin shaped menus, blood red is the color of choice, and spooky decor surround the entire restaurant. Everywhere you turn there’s blood smeared across something, or a coffin in the middle of the restaurant. Keeping up with the theme, all waiters and waitresses are dressed just like vampires, and keep in character as they’re serving you. The restaurant is also only opened for dinner, since vampires only come out at night, duh! The food is kept with the theme, of course; you’ll be ordering from a coffin shaped menu to a waiter or waitress who is dressed like a vampire, after all. If you’re looking for a really awesome 'out of the ordinary' vampire themed experience, then the Vampire Cafe is definitely the place to check out. It’s an experience of a lifetime, and who else gets to say that they were served food by a vampire and ate with blood dripping down a coffin in the middle of a room? Not many!
9 Paris, France
Paris is more than just the city of love. If you’re really into museums and learning the history of vampires, you should make the trip to Paris, France to visit Musée des Vampires. Make sure you plan for this because you can only walk through the museum if you have an appointment. While in the museum, you’ll learn about vampires in French history, as well as how the originated in folklore. The museum’s curator is a self-proclaimed vampire expert, and has been studying them all his life, in addition to collecting all things vampire. You can see some of the coolest treasures that he’s collected over the years, such as the anti-vampire protection kit from the early 19th century, that was supposed to keep you safe from the vampires back then. There’s also mummified pets, to add to the creepy factor. Additionally, there’s also vampire artwork, dating back so many years, as well as all things Dracula. It is by far one of the creepiest places to visit while you’re in Paris. If you’re willing to learn the history of Paris and its vampires, make sure you make an appointment at Musée des Vampires.
8 Pisco, Peru
If you’re interested in vampire legends of Peru, you really shouldn’t look any farther than Pisco, Peru. There’s a legend that says one of Dracula’s wives, Sarah Ellen, was executed in 1913, and laid to rest in Pisco, Peru. No other places would allow her to be buried in the soil because of the fact that she was claimed to be a vampire, until her body arrived in Peru, and she was laid to rest there. When she was executed, she vowed that she would come back and seek revenge 80 years later. Sure enough, 80 years later, legend says her grave was surrounded by people holding garlic and wooden stakes to stop her, if she should decide to come back and seek revenge. Of course, she didn’t magically come back to life, however, many people vow that she will eventually. If you want to hear more about the interesting legend from the Peruvian people themselves, then make the trek to Pisco. You can also visit her grave to see it for yourself. Maybe, she’ll seek revenge while you’re there, who knows! Either way, it’s really interesting to learn the legends and tales of other countries.
7 San Francisco, California
San Francisco has its own vampire legends, in which you can take a guided walking tour through the city to learn more about them. You can learn the legends and visit the places, like many of the other walking tours that these vampire cities have to offer. What’s really cool about the city (or morbid, depending on how you look at it), is the infamous vampire serial killer that called it home, and killed many. Joshua Rudiger self proclaimed himself as a vampire that was thousands of years old, and acted just like one. He was found guilty of killing a number of homeless people in the San Francisco area. However, these murders were just downright awful and out of the ordinary. When Rudiger killed these poor homeless people, he slit their throats and drank their blood, mimicking a vampire. Once he was arrested and tried he was sentenced to 23 years of life in prison. It was not clear what the motive was and if he had one, it was some sort of mental illness. You can learn all about vampires both past and, well, present, when taking a trip to San Francisco.
6 Pontianak, Indonesia
Like many of the other destinations featured on this list, Pontianak, Indonesia has its own folklore and vampiric tales from the past. It speaks of the Pontianak, which is a vampiric ghost that haunts Indonesia. These women vampires are women who died at childbirth, and the city is actually named after these vampiric women, as legend says they haunted the first sultan. These creepy vampiric women are depicted as being extremely pale with long dark hair, covered in blood all over their bodies and clothes. Sounds absolutely terrifying to us, so, no thanks! According to legend, when a Pontianak approaches you and wants to kill you, they rip at your stomach with their sharp nails and rip out all of your organs. Legend also says that you can tell when one is near or approaching when a dog is howling, and she is closer when it is whining. She is also said to have a floral scent, so you will definitely know when she is nearing you. If you’re looking to learn more about the legend and see things for yourself, the far trek to Pontianak, Indonesia is definitely worth it, so you should consider it!
5 Prague, Czech Republic
Have you ever wanted to see a real life vampire graveyard? Have you ever wondered how they were buried when they were pronounced “dead?” If so, then you might want to consider planning a trip to Prague, Czech Republic.
A small graveyard was discovered near the city in Czech Republic that dates back to over 1,000 years old. The graveyard is said to have only a few bodies in it, and they’re all buried in a unique way — all of the bodies were decapitated and weighted down, along with many other unusual burial measures. These burial measures are said to prevent the bodies from becoming vampires and coming back in the afterlife. Back in the day, that was a real fear that people had when they buried their dead, so they were willing to take any preventative measures that they had to, in order to insure that they wouldn’t become vampires after death. Additionally, there are a number of walking tours that you can take through the city to learn more about the vampire legends and folklore that the city has had throughout the years. We’d definitely like to check out that graveyard, because it seems super creepy!
4 French Quarter, Louisiana
As we mentioned before, if you’re taking a trip to New Orleans, then you should definitely spend some time in the French Quarter. If you’re not a fan of The Originals and you’re more interested in real life vampires, then this is better for you. Of course, you’re more than welcome to take a walking tour, and there are plenty of them for you to choose from. Taking a tour you can learn all about the tales and folklore about vampires of the past, it’s even rumored that there are present day vampires, but that’s up to you to decide if you believe that or not.
You can also check out the Gallier House, a 19th century mansion that was said to be a setting or model for Interview with the Vampire, The Queen of the Damned, and The Tale of the Body Thief. A lot of places in the French Quarter are the base or setting for many stories written by Anne Rice, a very famous vampire writer. If you’re a fan of her novels, or just want to check out some really cool places that fictional vampires hung out in, take a trip to the French Quarter, you won’t be disappointed.
3 Cachtice, Slovakia
If you’re into serial killers in addition to vampires, then look no further than Cachtice, Slovakia. If you decide to take a trip to the country, stop by Cachtice Castle, which was home to Countess Elizabeth Bathory, also known as The Blood Countess, or Countess Dracula, as she’s known for killing many. During her serial killing years, she murdered and tortured hundreds. When she murdered her virginal victims, she took their blood and bathed in it, hoping that the purest of blood would help her stay young and maintain her beauty. These days the castle isn’t in the best shape, as it has been around since the 13th century. If you’re interested in the infamous “vampire” serial killer, take a trip to Slovakia and explore the castle. Many have said it’s very eerie, especially to be somewhere where many were tortured and died. Although she wasn’t a true vampire, she certainly acted like one, and her thirst for blood was still there, any way you look at it. You can learn plenty more about Countess Elizabeth Bathory and her many victims throughout the years during your visit to the Cachtice Castle in Slovakia. Sounds like a creepy trip to us!
2 London, England
London is a city that’s popular for any person willing to travel and looking for an adventure. The city is rich in history, and a lot of that history includes vampires and other paranormal activity. You can learn a lot about the city’s history, as well as the vampire folklore, something that many people don’t realize London has. Of course, there’s a vampire tour that teaches you all about the vampire history that you might not know much about. You can also tour Highgate Cemetery, an absolutely massive cemetery located in London, where thousands of people are buried. In the 1970s, it was said that there was a some sort of creature, specifically a vampire, that haunted the cemetery and prowled the grounds during the night. Of course, it was sensationalized by the media, and brought to the attention by many. Books were written about this vampire, constant reports made, and many people claimed to see the vampire in the cemetery. It’s not clear whether or not the vampire was real, or if he or she actually still haunts the cemetery, however, if you’re brave enough then you should definitely head to London and find out for yourself.
1 Sofia, Bulgaria
Back in the day, when someone died, people were willing to do anything in order to make sure that they would not come back from the dead as a vampire. As a result, they were willing to take many measures to insure this, whether it’s decapitating them, weighing them down, or sticking a stake through their heart. This was a sacrifice they were willing to make because they were so terrified of vampires. If you’re interested in seeing vampire corpses, or skeletons of vampires, the you should make the trek to Sofia, Bulgaria. Recently, 700 year old vampire skeletons have been found. These skeletons were discovered with iron rods sticking out of their chests. As previously, stated, people were so afraid of the dead coming back to life back then, and they were willing to take many precautions. Apparently, in Bulgaria, sticking an iron rod through a dead person’s chest was the way to go. If you’d like to find out more about the recent discoveries, or even more about the vampire history in Bulgaria, take a trip to Sofia. You can also check out the National Museum of History in Sofia, to find out even more information. Seems creepy enough to deserve a visit, don’t you think so?