Pelisor Castle (Castelul Pelișor)

The basics

With Pelisor Castle sitting just a few hundred feet uphill from Peles Castle, it makes sense for travelers to visit both castles in one outing. Many Transylvania castle tours allow visitors to explore Peles estate, as well as Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Multi-day tours often combine castle visits with other top Transylvanian attractions, such as the Alba Carolina Citadel, the Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda), and the UNESCO-listed old town of Sighișoara.

Things to know before you go

• Pelisor Castle is a must for history buffs and royal enthusiasts.
• If you want to take photographs inside the castle, you’ll have to pay a photography fee.
• There is an ATM near the entrance to the estate.

How to get there

Pelisor Castle is situated in Sinaia in the Carpathian Mountains. Sinaia-bound trains depart regularly from Bucharest North railway station. The castle is a 30-minute uphill walk or a short 5-minute taxi journey from Sinaia station.

When to get there

The castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and typically closes for a period of several weeks in the fall to allow for conservation works. Though it isn’t as crowded as neighboring Peles Castle, it still attracts a fairly high number of visitors in the summer season. Arrive early to get in before the crowds.

What Else to See in Sinaia

On the same grounds as Peles and Pelisor Castles, visitors will also find Foisor Hunting House, a 43-room lodge where King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth stayed while waiting for Peles Castle to be built, and where King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie resided while Pelisor Castle was being constructed. The lodge is not open to the public but can be admired from afar. Travelers can also walk downhill to see Sinaia Monastery, a 17th-century complex featuring two churches and monks’ lodgings.