Peles Castle (Castelul Peles)

The Basics

The interior of Peles Castle is richly adorned with carvings, inlay, antiques, and artworks, and can be seen only on guided tours. Join a shorter tour of the ground floor only, or a longer tour that includes the upper level of the palace.

Day trips and multi-day tours of Transylvania often combine Peles Castle with visits to other historic landmarks in the region, such as Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress. You can also explore both Peles Castle and Pelisor Castle, an art-nouveau-style royal residence on the same estate.

Things to Know Before You Go

• If you want to take pictures of Peles Castle’s interior, buy a photo pass before embarking on your tour.

• The ground floor is accessible to wheelchairs. Contact the castle in advance to arrange parking and entry.

How to Get There

Peles Castle is situated in Sinaia in Romania’s Bucegi Mountains. To get there, take a train to Sinaia from Bucharest North railway station, then walk uphill about 30 minutes to the castle.

When to Get There

On summer weekends, lines are common, so be prepared to wait. To beat the crowds, get there early in the morning, or go in the late afternoon on a weekday.

Highlights of Peles Castle

Every room in Peles Castle is sumptuously decorated, with a wealth of examples of elaborate craftsmanship and artistry vying for your attention. Interior highlights are the woodworked landscapes in the Honorary Hallway, the cordovan leather wall coverings in the Imperial Suite, and the gleaming weapons and armor collection on show in the Arms Room.

Is Peles Castle worth visiting?

Yes, Peles Castle is worth visiting. It was the former home of the Romanian royal family and is very beautiful both inside and outside. Built between 1873 and 1914, it reflects German neo-Renaissance, neo-Ottoman, neo-Rococo, and Historicist styles, so it is very elaborate and looks like a typical “fairytale” castle.

How much is a ticket to Peles Castle?

A ticket for the basic tour of the ground floor of Peles Castle costs 50 leu for adults, 25 leu for pensioners, and 12.5 leu for children and students. The optional tour I (ground floor and first floor) costs 100 leu, 50 leu, or 25 leu, respectively, and the optional tour II (ground floor, first floor, and second floor) costs 150 leu, 75 leu, or 37.5 leu. Temporary exhibits are free.

Is Peles Castle cash only?

No, Peles Castle is not cash only. Payment for tickets can be made either by cash in Romanian leu or by credit card. Tickets can also be purchased online in advance. These are sent to you in an email, and you can show the email to the ticket counter on your phone, so there’s no need to print it out.

What movie was filmed at Peles Castle?

Several movies have been filmed at Peles Castle, as its architectural style makes it look like a typical “fairytale” castle. The most recent of these are the Netflix movies A Christmas Prince (2017) and its sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018), and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019), as well as the made-for-TV movie Royal Matchmaker (2018).

Why is Peles Castle so famous?

Peles Castle in Romania is famous for its beautiful architecture, and it’s often considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. It was home to the first King of Romania, Carol I of Hohenzollern. Although it’s not especially old–it was built between 1873 and 1914–it was built on a medieval trade route in the Carpathian Mountains.

Can you go inside Peles Castle?

Yes, you can go inside Peles Castle on self-guided tours. Tickets to the castle include the ground floor, the ground floor plus the first floor, or the ground floor, first floor, and second floor (each ticket category is priced differently). The exhibits inside include ceramics, glass, clocks, and metalwork collections.