Peleș Castle was the summer residence of Romania’s first king, Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Built between 1873 and 1914 in a clearing above Sinaia, it mixes German neo-Renaissance, Gothic revival and alpine chalet styles into one of the most extravagant royal homes in Europe. It had electricity, central heating and a central vacuum system long before most palaces.
Inside, around 160 rooms are packed with carved wood, stained glass, arms and armour, Venetian mirrors and paintings; the guided route shows a selection of the finest. Around it lie the smaller Pelișor Castle, built for the heir Ferdinand and Queen Marie, and the old resort town of Sinaia with its 17th-century monastery and the gondola up into the Bucegi.
Top things to do: Peleș Castle & Sinaia
Take the guided tour of Peleș
The standard ground-floor tour covers the Hall of Honour, the armouries, the library with its secret door, the Moorish and Turkish salons and the theatre. An optional upper-floor ticket adds more rooms. Photography inside may carry a separate fee.
Visit Pelișor
The “little Peleș” next door was Queen Marie’s home, decorated in Art Nouveau style with her own designs. It is often quieter and gives a more intimate picture of royal life. Check whether it is open when you visit — it has had periods of restoration.
Sinaia Monastery and the town
The monastery that gave the town its name was founded in 1695 by the nobleman Mihail Cantacuzino after a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. Wander on through the park to the Belle Époque casino and the station where the royal trains arrived.
Ride up to the Bucegi
The Sinaia gondola climbs to Cota 1400 and a chairlift continues to about 2,000 m, with ski runs in winter and hiking in summer. On a clear day you can walk to the Babele rocks — see our Bucegi guide.
How to get to Peleș Castle & Sinaia
- By train from Bucharest: frequent trains to Sinaia take roughly 1.5–2 hours; from Sinaia station it is a 30–40 minute uphill walk or a short taxi ride to the castle.
- From Brașov: about 1 hour by train or car through the Prahova valley.
- By car: the DN1 through the Prahova valley is notorious for weekend and Friday-evening traffic jams — travel early, or take the train.
- On a tour: almost every Transylvania day trip from Bucharest or Brașov stops here.
Insider tips
- Peleș is closed on Mondays, and opening days can be reduced in winter; check the official site before you travel.
- Queues form at the ticket office on weekends and in summer; arrive at opening time or book a tour that handles tickets.
- Protective overshoes are sometimes handed out to protect the floors — follow the guides’ instructions.
- The walk from the car park and the town is steep but pretty; allow time.
- Combine Peleș with Bran (1–1.5 hours away) or with Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni (about 15 minutes).
Best tours & tickets: Peleș Castle & Sinaia
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Peleș Castle & Sinaia:
Day trip from €60 From Brașov: Top Highlights — Bran, Peleș, Cantacuzino and Sinaia
The fuller version of the Brașov castles day, adding Cantacuzino Castle and more time in Sinaia. A long, rewarding day through the heart of Romania’s mountain resorts.
- Four sights: Bran, Peleș, Cantacuzino and Sinaia
- Scenic Prahova valley road beneath the Bucegi
- Highly rated guides
Day trip from €31 Bucharest: Dracula’s Castle, Peleș Castle & Brașov Day Trip
Another long-running, heavily reviewed version of the classic castles loop from Bucharest, with a guide who covers the history on the road and a short orientation walk in Brașov.
- Guided visit to Peleș in Sinaia
- Bran Castle and its Dracula legend
- Walking tour of Brașov’s Council Square
Day trip from €15 Bucharest: Bran, Peleș & Cantacuzino Castles and Brașov Day Tour
Adds the cliff-top Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni — made famous as Nevermore Academy in Netflix’s Wednesday — to the Bran-Peleș-Brașov loop, with a perfect average rating from hundreds of reviews.
- Peleș, Bran and Cantacuzino — three castles in one day
- Cantacuzino Castle, the Wednesday series filming location
- Time in Brașov
Entry ticket from €40 Peleș Castle or Bran Castle Entry Ticket
For independent travellers: book entry ahead rather than queuing at the gate. Check carefully which castle and which time slot you are buying, and what is included.
- Pre-booked entry to Peleș or Bran
- Useful on busy summer weekends
- Combine with your own car or train trip
