Peles Castle is considered the most beautiful castle in Romania. After having visited, we totally agree that it definitely a must see in Romania. It’s stunning and a visit to Peles castle makes for one of the best day trips from Bucharest.
We were torn between visiting Peles Castle and Bran Castle (Dracula) because we only had time for one. Ultimately Peles Castle won out due to the impressive royal history and feedback from past visitors. If you’re in Romania, I think l can say without a doubt that your choice should be a Peles Castle tour as well.
Peles Castle:
Where is Peles Castle located?
Peles Castle is located in the town of Sinaia, in the Carpathian mountains of Romania. Just 77 miles from Bucharest and 30 miles from Brasov, it makes for an excellent day trip from Bucharest or Brasov (where we spent the remainder of our holiday). We chose to go by train to Peles from Bucharest though, but there are also cheaper buses that will get you there.
Train from Bucharest to Peles Castle Cost:
The cost for the train from Bucharest to Sinaia station was roughly €8 and took about 90 minutes. Well worth it as the ride is comfortable. We literally had to run to catch the train as we had Uber problems. Calin was already waiting for us inside the Bucharest Nord station with the tickets. We made it with seconds to spare. I can laugh now, but it was a bit hairy at the time. The train journey was wonderful and you get the most awesome views of the mountains with the lush greenery. Getting from Bucharest to Peles Castle was a breeze compared to getting to the Bucharest station itself!
Sinaia: Train station
Once at the Sinaia station, take a minute to check out the station itself. It’s not very big by any means but has a royal history. Originally built in 1913, it was for the exclusive use of the Royal Family and the guests of Peles Castle. A Prime Minister was assassinated on the station platform by the Iron Guard (Far Right nuts). President Gerald Ford and then Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu were there in 1975. I found the interior very beautiful.
You can of course choose to do a guided tour if you don’t feel savvy enough to purchase the train ticket on your own. If you do, make sure you have enough juice on your phone for translation. We might have considered it had we not been with a Romanian local :-).
How to get to Peles Castle from Sinaia train station:
We found the best option to be by cab. It was less than $6 for the ride. You can walk if you want, but it is an uphill journey, and l would not recommend it :-). Peles Castle is Romania’s most popular tourist attraction, you can imagine that it was a bit crowded. The good news is that there are tours conducted in different languages, so tourists can go enjoy the gardens while waiting for their tour to start.
Peles Castle Romania History:
We took the full tour of Peles Castle which lasted 75 minutes. This tour included the upper floor of the castle. The other main tour was 45 minutes long, after which the people were told to leave and we continued on. Here are the key points from the English tour that we took:
- Peles Castle was built for King Carol I of Romania. He commissioned it as a hunting preserve and summer retreat.
- King Carol was imported from Germany to Romania after a long search. He ruled until his death in 1914.
- There are 3 buildings in the complex, namely Peles Castle, Pelisor Castle (small Pele) and the Foisor hunting lodge.
- It cost 120 million dollars in today’s currency to construct.
- The architectural style is Neo-Renaissance. Looks more Baroque to me, but what do l know?
- Construction began in 1873 and was completed in 1914
- It was the first castle in the world to be powered by locally produced electricity, and the first European castle with electricity.
- The workmen were diverse, from Italian, Romanian, Gypsies, German, Hungarians to Turks and Albanians.
- The communist regime seized all royal property, including Peles Castle. It was permanently closed for 15 years under the order of Ceausescu (1975-1990).
- Foreign dignitaries, such as Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Yasser Arafat and even artists like Sarah Bernhardt and Queen Elizabeth of Romania have stayed there.
- It is commonly referred to as a Castle, but it is in reality a Palace.
Peles Castle Interior: (some of my favorite spaces in the castle)
Related Reading: Bucharest Itinerary
Is Peles Castle worth visiting?
Absofreakinglutely! It is a picturesque place. Like a fairy tale castle. It was worth it just to see the Peles Castle interior. I loved checking out the rooms and there was one spiral staircase that led to nowhere that was just breathtaking. My only regret was that you weren’t really allowed to linger much as there was invariably another group behind you.
Romanian Castles:
Peles Castle is one of the finest examples of Romanian castles. I can’t imagine Bran Castle being better than this. Yeah! make a visit to Peles Castle part of your Romanian experience. I am always intrigued by how royalty lives. It’s good to be the king. I half expected it to be garish, which is how l will forever describe Versailles Palace and a few other palaces l have visited :-). Instead, I found Peles Castle to be tastefully decorated, with warm wood tones (more mahogany than oak) and very elegant.
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Peles Castle Tour Price:
The general admission price is 60 Lei (€13) for the full tour which includes the upper floor
The main tour (45 minutes) is half price, at 30 Lei
**Note** If you want to take pictures of Peles Castle’s interior, you need to pay an extra 30 Lei. This includes cell phone pictures, but l did see a lot of people hanging back and taking pictures :-).
There is also an additional charge to see the lesser of the two, the Pelesor Castle, which l thought was overkill and not worth it. There was no way it could match the splendor that was within Peles Castle. We didn’t even bother asking how much it would be and chose to head back to Bucharest.
Related Reading: Best Travel Insurance
Peles Castle Opening Hours:
9.15AM – 5PM Daily.
Closed Tuesdays
Have you been to Romania? If yes, did you make it to Peles Castle and agree that it’s one of Romania’s finest castles? If not, is Romania on your travel radar? (It should be)
Nice post. Peles was our absolute favorite place in Romania. Actually one of Europe’s most beautiful palaces.
Thanks Frank. I get why it is your favorite. Absolutely stunning :-).
It is indeed good to be the king! A great place to visit indeed, especially when the weather is nice to really enjoy the views outside and that beautiful green color all around. Great photos as well, as always!
Yeah! The weather definitely helped. We had a great time and fond memories. The views from the castle are spectacular and you understand why he fell in love with it at first sight. I am so glad we got to visit.
To use your word Kemi, “absofreakinglutely” gorgeous. This is what I picture when I think of castles in fairytales! I loved the factoid of the Queen writing novels under a pseudonym. Helps make the royals seems a little more down to earth when you can picture them at their hobbies and answer the question of, ‘I wonder what they DO?’ Anita
Apparently, she was quite successful at it too. I suppose it’s easy to get inspired in such a setting. I would be super fat, eating bonbons, watching plays and mingling 🙂 . I really, absolutely loved the place. What views of the mountains :-).
The Castle looked beautiful set against the deep blue sky…such a gorgeous photo. There is something about castles that just gets the imagination going into overdrive. I have never been to Romania, this castle would certainly a good reason to go. The interior also looked amazing…sometimes inside can be disappointing, but this one is impressive:).
Yep! It certainly does have you thinking when you see such beauty. I pictured a ball and someone walking down the red carpeted stairs, so many more photos we have, but it would have made for a book..haha! I am so glad we opted for this one over Dracula’s castle, especially because it’s fictional :-). This was definitely impressive.
Kem, I was just sharing travel plans with a friend and she mentioned that she will be in Romania within the next few weeks. I will encourage her to visit this beautiful Castle. Not sure I will ever get there, but if I do it will be on my must see list. Thank you for the tour!
Thanks for reading. I do hope your friend gets to visit. It is so worth it. I can’t think of anyone in our group who was disappointed. It was gigantic, but you could also see it as someone’s home which l think made it even more special.
So, the obvious question (for me) is- was it really finished in 1914 or did they finish building because the owner died? As the first king of Romania (which was split from the Ottoman Empire), he was clearly part of the Austria-Hungary-Germany complex that disappeared with WWI.
Haha! I kind of wondered the same, but decided not to ask. I figured he popped in and out. Heaven knows there was more than enough space for him never to have heard the workmen. Yes, he was :-).
I should visit this. It’s in my name’s best interest! Peles Castle is exquisitely located, too!
You should for sure then.. . Yes, it is exquisitely located as you say. I would definitely visit again, but without a camera since we have the pictures now :-).
I spent around 10 days in Romania last summer. I loved it! I did get to spend some time ambling through the castle and grounds. Very ornate and picturesque!
We can’t wait to go back and visit Romania. We really enjoyed it, and such raw beauty. Glad you also enjoyed your visit to the castle. It really is picturesque :-).
Peles Castle looks fabulous! I’ve never been to Romania but the combination of castles and beautiful train journeys is a definite attraction for me.
Peles castle really is fabulous. It was fun getting there, gorgeous scenery and great conversation made for a great day. One that l wouldn’t mind repeating :-).
We have been considering a getaway to Romania and think this may just be what we need for a taste of something outside Bucharest! As you’ve said, this living on this side of the pond is great for being a springboard to other countries and it is time we start taking advantage of that! Fun post.
Yep! Living on this side really opens up a whole lot of places to visit and Romania is definitely a good one. We also spent the weekend in Brasov..and that place is just stunning :-). Very picturesque and l think it’s becoming a place for expats to move to. Time to get cracking…haha! 🙂
The castle looks like it came out of a fairytale. They don’t build this way anymore:-)
No they don’t unfortunately. What a pity too :-). We all need the escape every so often.
That’s definitely an imposing castle – inside and out! I’m trying to picture anyone actually living in it! Your pictures are great. Is that beaten copper ceiling above those fantastic chandeliers?
We were definitely impressed! 🙂 It must have been really something back then. Good eye! Yep! it is beaten copper above the chandeliers. I love the fact that not even the ceilings were spared from being decorated. It definitely stands out as one of the most gorgeous palaces l’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine Bran Castle beating this, even though l haven’t visited that one. Thanks so much for reading and for commenting :-).
I have three weeks that I’m trying to figure out where to go, Romania is on the list. Regardless if I get there sooner or later, I have to see this. Absolutely beautiful.
We really enjoyed Romania, and Peles castle is spectacular. Frank and a couple of other people made the decision easier as they had visited both. Glad we picked this one :-).
Hi, I’m so glad you liked your visit to Peles Castle, it is my personal opinion that it may be the most beautiful castle in Romania, although not as old as other. Regarding its construction, the castle is considered to have been finished in 1914 only because they kept adding other winds and structures to the initial building. But overall, yes, the castle has been constantly extended until Carol’s death in 1914.
Hi Luminita, I think l agree with you that it is the most beautiful castle in Romania even though l haven’t seen any other. Comparing it to the others that l have seen in France (including Versailles which l loved), Sweden etc, it is definitely the best one l have seen so far. The courtyard alone is pretty amazing. Thanks for the clarification and for the comment. I hope to see more of Romania in the future :-).
Beautiful pictures. Shame on me I am in Romania from a while and not yet visited the castle
Haha! At least you still have time to visit it while you’re there. I am so glad we did it. I absolutely loved it, especially the weapons room :-). I wonder what that says about m. Enjoy your time in Romania!.