He was inspired by the town's gothic architecture and its association with the legendary vampire, Count Dracula. He also drew inspiration from the local folklore and history, including the story of a real-life countess, Elizabeth Báthory, who was accused of bathing in the blood of young girls.
While the novel is set in Transylvania, Stoker used Whitby as a key location for the story, with the ruins of Whitby Abbey serving as a backdrop for several key scenes.