Peles and Pelisor Castles

If you have just one free day during your stay near Dracula Land, Peles Castle is probably the best choice. Hidden in the forests above Sinaia, about 100 kilometres from Gherghita, Peles is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe and one of the most visited museums in Romania. Right next to it stands Pelisor, the smaller castle built for the heirs to the throne.

A short history

King Carol I visited Sinaia in 1866, his first year on the throne, and fell in love with the landscape. A few years later he bought the land beside the Peles stream, and in 1873 construction of the castle began. Peles was inaugurated in 1883, but extension and decoration work continued until 1914.

Several architects worked on the project, among them Johannes Schultz and, later, Karel Liman, who gave the castle its final form. The result is a blend of German Neo-Renaissance and Gothic elements, with carved wooden facades, pointed towers and terraces decorated with statues.

Peles was also a modern castle for its time: it had its own power plant, making it one of the first residences in Europe lit entirely by electricity, plus central heating and a glass roof that could be opened. After 1948 the castle was taken over by the state and turned into a museum. It was closed to the public between 1975 and 1990 and reopened after the Revolution.

Pelisor was built between 1899 and 1902, also to plans by Karel Liman, for Crown Prince Ferdinand and his wife, Marie. Queen Marie furnished it in Art Nouveau style, and her favourite room, the Golden Room, is still one of the most photographed interiors in the country.

What you can see

• The Hall of Honour of Peles, with carved wooden panelling and the movable glass ceiling
• The armouries, with one of the richest collections of armour and old weapons in this part of Europe
• The music room, library and royal dining rooms, decorated in different styles (Florentine, Moorish, Turkish)
• The castle theatre, a small performance hall of the royal family
• Pelisor, with Queen Marie's Art Nouveau interiors and the Golden Room
• The terraces and gardens between the two castles, with statues, fountains and mountain views

Peles is visited on a guided tour along a set route. There is usually a basic circuit on the ground floor and an extended one that includes the upper floor. Opening hours, closing days and prices change with the season, so check them before you go on the official museum website.

How to get there from Dracula Land

The distance from Gherghita to Peles Castle is about 100 km, roughly an hour and a half of driving outside rush hour.

• leave Gherghita on the DJ100B and join the A3 motorway towards Ploiesti
• from Ploiesti continue on the DN1 through the Prahova Valley, via Campina and Comarnic, to Sinaia
• in Sinaia follow the signs to Peles Castle; the last stretch is on foot, about 10–15 minutes from the car parks

At weekends and in the ski season the DN1 gets very busy between Comarnic and Sinaia. Set off early in the morning and you will also find fewer visitors at the castle.

Practical tips

• Go on a weekday if you can: the queues are much shorter.
• Combine the visit with Sinaia Monastery and a stroll through the centre of the resort, a few minutes from the castle.
• Photography inside may be charged separately or restricted; ask at the ticket office.

When to go and how much time to allow

Peles is beautiful in every season. In spring and summer the gardens and terraces are green and full of flowers. In autumn the surrounding forest turns red and gold, and in winter, with snow on the roofs, the castle looks like something from a fairy tale. The busiest times are weekends, school holidays and public holidays. If you can, choose a weekday and arrive as close to opening time as possible.

For Peles allow around an hour and a half for the visit itself and the waiting time. Pelisor needs about another hour. With the walk from the car park, a lunch break and a stroll through Sinaia, the trip easily becomes a full day, which makes it ideal for one day of a stay in the Dracula Land area.

One-day itinerary

• 08:00 – leave Gherghita, via the A3 and DN1
• 09:30 – arrive in Sinaia, park and walk up to the castle
• 10:00 – visit Peles Castle
• 12:00 – visit Pelisor and walk along the terraces
• 13:30 – lunch in the centre of Sinaia
• 15:00 – Sinaia Monastery and Dimitrie Ghica Park
• 17:00 – drive back to Gherghita, before the evening traffic

With children

The path from the car parks to the castle climbs gently through the forest and is easy even with small children. Inside, the tour is guided with quite a few stops, so it may feel long for the very young; a short circuit is usually the right choice. The rules for large backpacks and pushchairs can change, so ask at the entrance.

Where to stay

Peles is easy to visit on a day trip from the Gherghita area. In the evening you return to peace and quiet, away from the crowds of the Prahova Valley. See accommodation near Dracula Land and send a booking request straight to the host.