Over the last century, the steep, wooded slopes of Bucegi have been adorned with exceptional monuments, now surrounded by impressive houses and villas. We stop in the town center and set off on an exciting walk through memories of times gone by, when its alleys and paths were trodden by kings and queens!

Before heading to the legendary castle hidden in the forest glade, we discover a few more gems of Sinaia, from the elegant Casino Sinaia, where the artistic heart of the city beats, to the small Știrbey Castle, which now reveals the history of this corner of paradise. We pass by renowned hotels and sumptuous villas, pausing for a few moments in the courtyard of the monastery that gave life and name to the entire settlement.Before Sinaia became a royal residence and the chic town it is today, for several centuries it was just a small rural settlement developed around Sinaia Monastery, built at the end of the 17th century, from which it borrowed its name. For a long time, all the famous resorts of today’s Prahova Valley were a single commune called Podul Neagului, and the real development of the area began after Prince Carol I’s first visit to the monastery.

Towards the end of the 19th century, Sinaia was chosen as the summer residence of the royal family, and construction began on Peleș Castle and the surrounding estate. 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. Also known as the “Cathedral of the Carpathians,” the Sinaia 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.

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, 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. A small, unique, and captivating experience, the Miniature Train Museum is a pleasant experience especially for families, featuring a multitude of dioramas and miniatures related to the world of trains.

Search for Flights to Romania with Booking.com!

Other Sights of Sinaia

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.

Cota2000 Cable Car

For tourists who want to conquer the Bucegi Mountains ridge to admire the overwhelming panoramas that open up at an altitude of 2,000 meters, the Sinaia cable car is a very fast option, first climbing from the city (altitude 1,000) to altitude 1,400 (which can also be reached by car), then continuing with another section up to 2,000 meters. During the ski season and especially on weekends, the gondola is very crowded, but the rest of the time it can be a memorable activity in the Prahova Valley.

Hours: Daily / 9 a.m. (9:30 a.m.) – 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m.) / Short hours on Tuesdays | Tickets: 120 lei (24 Euro)/adult/round trip Cota1000-Cota2000

Royal Trail

One of the most enjoyable experiences after visiting Peleș Castle and the town of Sinaia, the Royal Trail is a walking route that climbs through the forest to the Stâna Regală clearing, having been laid out at the same time as the Peleș estate. The royal family often used to roam this later paved path, along which there are several interesting places (Sfânta Ana rock, Franz Josef rocks, Clopoței rock, including superb panoramic views of the Prahova Valley. The entrance to this trail can be found on Cota 1400 Street, near the Schiori chalet.

Sinaia Toy Train Museum

A unique and engaging little museum, this is a pleasant experience especially for families, containing a lot of dioramas and miniatures related to the world of trains. Located right next to the Royal Railway Station in Sinaia, the museum transports visitors to the atmosphere of small towns or idyllic mountain villages, crossed by small colorful trains.

Hours: Daily / 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Tickets: 25 lei (5 Euro)/adult

George Enescu Memorial Museum

Located in the Cumpătu district of Sinaia, the house of the great Romanian musician and composer was built by him between 1923 and 1926 and often used during the periods when he was in Romania. Appreciated and supported by the royal family, Enescu chose to donate the house to the Romanian state and after 1990, it was designated a memorial house, part of the George Enescu National Museum. Here you can discover the piano on which the master composed and authentic furniture, as well as other objects that remind us of his personality and work.

Hours: Daily / 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Tickets: 20 lei (4 Euro)/adult

Accommodation in Sinaia

There are plenty of accommodation options in the town of Sinaia, with a wide range of choices regarding the category, prices and services. Most of them are located in the center, although there are guesthouses and private villas all over town!

Sinaia – Resplendent Royal Town in the Mountains of Romania