€1 Billion Dracula Land Project Advances Near Bucharest

International

Privately financed mega-development aims to turn Romania’s most famous legend into a European entertainment landmark

Just 15 minutes from Bucharest’s international airport, construction planning is underway for Dracula Land, a €1 billion entertainment complex that aspires to become Europe’s largest destination of its kind. The project, initiated and coordinated by Romanian entrepreneur Dragoș Dobrescu, is being developed entirely with private capital, without public or EU funding.

Officially launched on 3 December, Dracula Land will occupy a consolidated 160-hectare site and is conceived as far more than a classic theme park. At its core lies a 780,000-square-metre attraction area divided into six immersive zones, complemented by large-scale entertainment, hospitality, retail, sports and technology facilities.

Large-scale entertainment and mixed-use concept

Plans include a 22,500-seat arena designed for concerts and esports events, three hotels with a total of 1,200 rooms, and a 50,000-square-metre water park featuring one of Europe’s largest wave pools. The project also integrates a luxury fashion outlet developed with the team behind The Mall Firenze, a 4.5-kilometre professional racing circuit, and a 15,000-square-metre technology hub intended to host more than 1,000 workstations for startups in gaming, artificial intelligence and digital creative industries.

Experienced leadership and strategic advisory

Dobrescu is best known as founder of the Monolit brand and developer of Vitalitas, currently Europe’s largest senior care centre. For Dracula Land, he has assembled a strategic advisory team that includes former Romanian Prime Minister Florin Cîțu, through BNV Advisory, providing financial and regulatory expertise.

“Dracula Land is more than a theme park; it is a national symbol demonstrating Romania’s capacity to create world-class landmarks,” Dobrescu said at the project launch, describing it as a long-term economic engine combining tourism, culture, technology and innovation.

Themed worlds and international design partners

The park’s themed zones draw on gothic and literary imagery associated with Romania’s best-known legend. Planned areas include “Transylvania,” inspired by Carpathian villages, “London Town” with a Victorian atmosphere, and “Port of New Orleans,” reflecting the mystique of the American South. More than 40 attractions are being designed by Creative Studio Berlin, whose portfolio includes projects for Europa-Park in Germany.

Digital twin and virtual expansion

Alongside the physical development, the project introduces a full digital counterpart built in Unreal Engine 5. This virtual version of Dracula Land will allow global audiences to attend concerts and events synchronised in real time with on-site activities. The digital ecosystem also includes DraculaCoin as a native token and NFT-based systems intended for digital ownership and personalised experiences.

Long preparation and timeline

The development follows eight years of land consolidation involving 83 individual parcels, followed by more than three years of studies and master planning. International partners include Creative Studio Berlin, Piuarch Milano, The Mall Firenze team, RB+P, as well as Deloitte and Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații for financial and legal advisory. Zoning approval is expected by mid-2026, with construction scheduled to begin in September and an opening targeted as early as 2027.

Economic expectations

In its initial phase, Dracula Land is projected to attract around three million visitors annually and generate more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs across tourism, technology and services. Over the next decade, the total economic impact is estimated at €5 billion.

With direct highway access and proximity to Bucharest, the project is positioned to encourage transit passengers to extend their stays and to place Romania more prominently on the European entertainment map.