A trip to Romania would be incomplete without a trip to Peles Castle. Its fairytale-like beauty, full of history and art, and enveloped by nature, astounds visitors. The castle is visually appealing due to its neo-Renaissance architecture. It’s quite lovely, with large, intricate façades and a spacious green lawn that makes for great photos. It is located in the picturesque town of Sinaia, near the Piatra Arsa River, and is surrounded by the Bucegi Mountains.
A story of kings and queens living in their fairy-tale world opens up before your eyes upon arriving in the area of Peles Castle. It served as a royal summer residence to the kings of Romania starting late 19th century. Built by King Carol I of Romania, it was very modern for it’s time – the first castle in Europe to have electricity and also central heating, central vacuum cleaning and an intricate architecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McoXFdVbKk4
Peles Castle was built some time between 1875 and 1915 and was used by monarchs until 1948, when it was conquered by communists and turned into a museum, which was not open to the public until 1990.
It is one of the most beautiful, interesting and fascinating castles in Europe and definitely Romania’s No 1. Located in the town of Sinaia, which is one of the best mountain resorts in Romania, this castle will not disappoint as it is worth visiting both on the exterior admiring the vivid mountain landscape, the grand statues that guard the gardens to the out-of-this-world interior where French, German, Austrian, Italian, Turkish and Moorish styles intermingle to create an unique design which will charm and impress you.
Interesting Facts about Peles Castle
Peleș Castle was the world’s first castle to be entirely powered by locally generated electricity.
Every year, between a quarter and nearly half a million people visit the castle.
There are statues, paintings, furniture, arms and armor, gold, silver, ivory, porcelain, tapestries, stained glass, and rugs among the collections. The collection of arms and armour alone contains over 4,000 pieces.
People were taking wedding photos at every single tourist spot we visited in Romania, and Peles was no exception.
Peles Castle – Practical Information
VISITING HOURS:
LOW SEASON: October through May
Open: Wednesday 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM; Thursday through Sunday, from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
HIGH SEASON: June through September
Open: Tuesday 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM; Wednesday through Sunday, from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Closed: Monday
*Please note that Peles Castle is closed during the whole month of November for restoration. Check the castle website for the exact dates closer to November.
TOURS & TICKETS
To visit the museum, you must take a guided tour. One tour option only includes the ground floor, another includes the first floor, and the full tour includes the second floor as well. There is a camera fee of 35 lei if you want to take pictures of Peles Castle. However, visiting the outside and taking photographs is free.
Standard Tour (Ground floor tour; 45 min.)
Adults: 20 lei | Seniors (+65 yrs.): 10 lei | Pupils / Students: 5 lei
*Ticket office closes at 04:00 PM, last entrance for Standard Tour is 04:15 PM.
Extended Tour (Ground floor & First floor; 1h15min)
Adults: 50 lei | Seniors (+65 yrs.): 25 lei | Pupils / Students: 12.50 lei
*Ticket office closes at 04:00 PM, last entrance for Extended Tour is 03:15 PM.
Getting to Peles Castle
Peles Castle (Castelul Peles) is located in the town and ski resort of Sinaia (44 kilometers from Brasov and 122 kilometers from Bucharest).
Address of Peles Castle
Muzeul National Peles, Str. Pelesului, Nr. 2, 106100 Sinaia, Jud. Prahova.
Phone: 0040-244-310.918, Phone/Fax: 0040-244-312.416
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.peles.ro
1.By Car
You have to take European road E60 aka national road DN1 from Bucharest – Ploiesti – Comarnic – Sinaia.
2.By Train
The average journey time between Bucharest and Sinaia is 1 hour and 56 minutes and the fastest journey time is 1 hour and 29 minutes. On an average weekday, there are are 16 trains trains per day travelling from Bucharest to Sinaia. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays. The first train from Bucharest to Sinaia departs at 05:53. The last train from Bucharest to Sinaia departs at 23:30. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services.
Where to stay in Sinaia
Every season, Sinaia has a wide range of lodging options. We recommend booking a stay at one of the beautiful Regal 1880 Vila Arizto, Pension Casa Tom, or My Alfinio Villa for a memorable experience. Make a reservation at the historic Hotel Bastion if you want to stay just a few yards from Peles Castle.