A symbol of Romanian royalty and one of the most beautiful castles in the world, Peleș appears like a magical illusion, surrounded by the majestic crests and enchanted forests of the Carpathians. Beyond stories and myths, it evokes an almost perfect symphony of incredible architectural ornaments and exquisite refinement of interior decorations, thus creating an experience that overwhelms the senses!

For many years, Peleș Castle, which is actually a palace with no military functions, was the favorite summer residence of the Romanian royal family, hosting numerous historical events and important personalities. Its history begins with the visit of the new king Carol I to the area that later became the town of Sinaia, where he was enchanted by the beauty of the wild nature. Later, he bought the extensive estate, and construction of the palace began in 1873, taking many years to complete. Although officially opened in 1883, it only reached its current appearance in 1914, after numerous extensions. The estate is located in a clearing surrounded by forests, in the northern part of the city, and can be easily reached by walking up the charming alleys or by car to one of the nearby parking lots.

It is difficult to describe in words the emotions and thoughts that flood us once the enchanting image of Peleș is revealed, a place that seems to have come out of childhood stories, a perfect fusion of elegance and refinement. The slender towers piercing the clouds, the wooden corset and iron decorations enveloping the intricate lacework of the façade are surrounded by the terraces of the romantic garden and the changing shades of the forest, under the petrified gaze of the dizzying cliffs. Nothing in this fantastic setting seems out of place or strange, and this marvel, born of a king’s desire, the imagination of famous architects, and the skill of hundreds of craftsmen from all over Europe, stirs deep feelings in the soul of every viewer. We have the strong feeling of a remarkable encounter and discovery, entering a place that seems to have always existed on this blessed mountain, and that people have done nothing more than bring to light a treasure hidden under rocks and forests.

Considered a superb combination of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic styles, with a touch of romanticism, Peleș Castle was designed and created by a team of architects, decorators, and workers from all over Europe, including the famous Czech architect Karel Liman. In 1896, it was visited by Emperor Franz Josef, who was impressed by its beauty and the treasures it began to house. Many other personalities have also visited the estate over time, and future kings and queens of Romania and Europe were born here. A few hundred meters from the main castle, the king built a smaller castle called Pelișor, which also served as a royal summer residence. Over time, a series of adjacent structures also appeared, such as the Foișor hunting lodge, the Șipot villa, the guard rooms, the stables, and a small power plant, making Peleș Castle the first in Europe to be fully electrified.

After 1947, the castle was nationalized, and the royal family was forced into exile for the next 50 years. Peleș was reopened to visitors after 1990 and officially returned to the royal family in 2007. On the outside, it is a true architectural gem, decorated with wooden elements, while the inner courtyard is embellished with beautiful hand-painted frescoes. Among the most impressive features are the slender towers, the tallest of which rises to 66 meters. Overwhelmed by the refinement around us, we step inside the mysterious interior for the first time, but no dream or desire can compare to the fascinating world discovered here. We are enchanted at first sight, greeted by the refined wooden lacework of the majestic staircase, followed by the extravagant glass ceiling that filters the sun’s rays into a diffuse symphony.

Every little detail seems meticulously calculated, and every hidden corner is in harmony with the rest of the ensemble, creating a complex sensory experience. Beyond the inestimable value of the things around us and beyond the royal pride that transcends time, the genius of the architects and craftsmen who created all these treasures can be felt everywhere. If we ignore the hundreds and thousands of tourists who roam the castle every day, the place seems frozen in time and, with a little imagination, we can almost discern the silhouette of King Ferdinand in his study or hear Queen Elisabeth reciting poetry. Inside, there are over 160 rooms and spaces, each with its own function and decorative style.

Some of these can be discovered on guided tours that include the most important and interesting rooms of the castle, with the full experience covering the ground floor and the next two floors. We begin the visit with the Hall of Honor, a spectacular space featuring impressive wooden decorations, bas-reliefs, and superb statuettes. An exceptional feature here is the movable glass ceiling, which can be opened electrically or manually. Another space that fascinates us is the Great Hall of Arms, where approximately 1,600 pieces (from a heritage of over 4,000) are on display, with rare weapons and armor from around the world, including a complete suit of armor for a horse and knight, unique in Romania. The Imperial Apartment was created as a tribute to Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary, who never arrived for his scheduled visit in 1906.

The Royal Library once housed thousands of rare and valuable volumes, as well as a secret door that provided direct access to the royal apartments. In a dizzying succession, we discover other spectacular rooms in the castle, such as the Florentine Hall, the Moorish Hall, the Turkish Salon, the Music Room, the Dining Room, the Study, and the Theater Hall. All these amazing places contain priceless collections of silverware, ceramics, stained glass, clockwork, musical instruments, chandeliers, works of art, and especially furniture. Among their suppliers are the most prestigious workshops in Germany, France, and Austria.

Pelișor Castle

To complete the lavish royal experience we are rewarded with, we extend our visit to the estate with the castle’s younger brother, located just a few steps away on the charming alleys. Pelișor Castle once became the pet project of Queen Maria, certainly the most respected and beloved figure of royalty in Romania. The queen’s character and temperament have left their mark on the castle’s structure and warmed the atmosphere of its cold rooms, bringing a touch of color and exuberance to its sobriety. Built by the same architect, Karel Liman, in Art Nouveau style and decorated by the Viennese artist Bernhard Ludwig, the castle also contains elements personally chosen by Queen Maria of Romania. We can discover most of the interesting rooms inside, starting with the Hall of Honor, where we are impressed by the oak decorations and the stained glass skylight.

Perhaps the most fascinating and unique room in Pelișor is the Golden Room, aptly named for its gilded walls decorated with thistle leaves, the symbol of Queen Maria’s native Scotland, but also of the Art Nouveau movement. Other rooms that delight the eye include King Ferdinand’s office, Queen Mary’s apartment, the golden bedroom, and the queen’s office, all containing furniture, decorations, and works of art, including some created by Queen Mary of Romania. Around the two magnificent castles, other impressive buildings rise here and there, and if we follow the royal paths through the forests and along the Bucegi cliffs, we discover new amazing places that still bear the memory of distinguished guests.

Location

Town of Sinaia in Prahova County – GOOGLE MAPS

140 km north of Bucharest (2 hours by car, bus or train) / 48 km south of Brașov (2 hours by car, bus or train)

From the national road, the train station or the center of Sinaia there are plenty of signs pointing towards the castle. It takes about 15-20 minutes on foot from the train station. There are several parking areas closer to the castle HERE and HERE!

Opening hours

Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – Sunday: 9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Tuesday: Closed

Tickets

*2026 Rates – Discouts for Children/Students/Retired/Groups

Peleș Castle – 100 lei (20 Euros)/adult/ground level+first floor)

Pelișor Castle – 30 lei (6 Euros)/adult

Practical Info

Last entrance to the castle is at 16.00 so make sure to arrive well in advance. Tickets must be bought in advance online or from the ticket machines near the monuments, by selecting the date and time frame of the visit!

There is only a limited number of tickets for each several hours to avoid crowding (about 2,000 tickets/day)!

The Pelișor Castle is well worth the visit (about 1 hour) also featuring spectacular rooms and objects!

There is also an enchanting Royal Trail that ascends through the nearby forest towards the higher ground up the mountain, offering stupendous panoramas, but also the chance to encounter brown bears!

The national road 1 that follows the Prahova Valley between Bucharest and Brașov is almost always quite crowded, especially during the holidays. It would be wise to plan your visit of Peleș Castle during the week and early in the morning!

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Nearby Sights and Activities

Town of Sinaia

Today, Sinaia is one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, a destination that perfectly combines exceptional cultural heritage with charming natural surroundings and a wide range of tourist activities. The Sinaia Casino is one of the symbols of the city and was built between 1911 and 1912 at the initiative of King Carol I, hosting numerous cultural events and personalities of the time, including a concert by George Enescu in 1913. Modeled after the Monte Carlo Casino, the one in Sinaia had many famous shareholders from Europe and Romania at the time.

The Știrbey Castle is a former residence with superb architecture from the second half of the 19th century, the oldest historic villa in the city. It once included an extensive estate, of which only the Știrbey family chapel remains, with paintings by Gheorghe Tattarescu. Today, the building houses the city’s new museum, with several rooms presenting the history and natural environment of Sinaia, with documents, photographs, and other extremely interesting objects. In addition to the royal domain of Peleș, Sinaia Monastery, Știrbey Castle, and the Casino, travelers can also discover other spectacular attractions in the city, most of which are superb villas and imposing hotels from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The most interesting include the Sinaia railway station complex, the Caraiman Hotel, the Palace Hotel, the Furnica Hotel, the house of Nicolae Iorga, the house of George Enescu, and the Take Ionescu villa.

Sinaia Monastery

Also known as the “Cathedral of the Carpathians,” the monastery was the heart of the town of Sinaia, built in what was then a wild place at the entrance to the spectacular Prahova Valley. It was founded by the great spathar Mihai Cantacuzino, who also gave it its name, inspired by a visit to Mount Sinai. The monastery dates back to the 17th century, when only the old church and a few cells were built. In the mid-19th century, the new church and the large courtyard of the monastery were built, and over time there was some destruction due to foreign incursions. The old church is an exceptional monument, built in the Brâncovenesc style specific to those times, with a porch supported by beautifully carved columns and original paintings of great value, still well preserved.

The old courtyard also houses the monastery chapel, where other masterpieces of ancient religious art are preserved. Originally built between 1842 and 1846, the large church was later rebuilt and renovated, resulting a combination of architectural styles specific to Moldova and Wallachia at that time. However, the treasures of this settlement are kept inside, among which the neo-Byzantine painting by a Danish painter, the unique epitaph created with gold thread and silk, and the seats reserved for the royal family, who lived at the monastery for a period of time, stand out. The old royal chambers were transformed into the first religious museum of the country, displaying religious objects, superb icons and old books.

Sinaia Ski Domain

The town of Sinaia also boasts the largest ski area in Romania, with a total of approximately 25 approved ski slopes and variants, totaling over 16 kilometers. The slopes range in length from 500 to 3,000 meters, most of them being of medium difficulty, and the best known are Drumul de Vară, Valea Dorului, Valea Soarelui, Furnica, Lăptici, Floare de Colț, and Călugărul. All these slopes are served by cable transport facilities, most of which depart from near the Furnica peak and descend on both sides of the mountain, both towards the Prahova Valley and towards the Bucegi Plateau, where there are several mountain huts. To reach the ski area at an altitude of 2,000 meters, tourists have the option of taking the cable car that departs from the city center and the gondola that departs from 1,000 meters. Both modern facilities have intermediate stations at 1,400 meters.

Accommodation near Peleș Castle

There are plenty of options for lodging in the town of Sinaia, some of them just minutes away from the castle and other amazing sights. There is even a small complex right in the courtyard, par of the castle domain. Also, all along the Prahova Valley there are hundreds of hotels, guesthouses, villas and lodges available, although during holiday weekends it might get difficult to find available rooms!