Sinaia

An elegant mountain resort in the Prahova Valley nestled beneath the Bucegi Mountains. Beyond the famous nearby palace, it offers the frescoed Sinaia Monastery, grand belle-époque villas and cable-car access to alpine hiking and skiing.

Things to do

• Peleș Castle — Tour the opulent Neo-Renaissance royal palace with its lavishly decorated wood-paneled rooms and armory, once the summer residence of King Carol I.
• Pelișor Castle — Visit the smaller Art Nouveau residence beside Peleș, famed for Queen Marie's golden bedroom and refined interiors.
• Sinaia Monastery — Explore the 17th-century Orthodox monastery founded by Prince Mihai Cantacuzino, with its frescoed old and new churches.
• Ride the cable car to Cota 2000 — Take the telecabina up into the Bucegi Mountains for panoramic alpine views, hiking trails and winter skiing.
• Hike to the Sphinx and Babele — Trek across the high Bucegi plateau to the wind-carved Sphinx rock formation and mushroom-shaped Babele stones.
• Stroll Dimitrie Ghica Park — Wander the landscaped central park surrounded by belle-époque villas and the historic Casino building.
• Sinaia Casino — Admire the elegant early 20th-century casino built for the aristocracy, now a cultural and conference venue.

Food to try

• Bulz ciobănesc — A hearty shepherd's polenta baked with sheep cheese and topped with a fried egg, perfect after mountain hikes.
• Ciorbă de burtă — A sour, creamy tripe soup seasoned with garlic and vinegar, a beloved Romanian comfort dish served in local taverns.
• Mici (mtitei) — Grilled skinless minced-meat rolls flavored with garlic and spices, eaten with mustard and best enjoyed at outdoor grills.
• Sarmale with mămăligă — Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, served alongside cornmeal polenta and sour cream.
• Papanași — Fried doughnut-like cheese dumplings topped with sour cream and sour cherry jam, a classic Romanian dessert.
• Țuică and pălincă — Strong traditional plum brandies often served as a warming welcome drink in mountain restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress respectfully at the monastery — Cover shoulders and knees when entering Sinaia Monastery's churches, as it is an active Orthodox religious site.
• Check castle opening days — Peleș and Pelișor are typically closed on Mondays (and Tuesdays in low season), so plan visits accordingly.
• Bring warm layers year-round — At over 800 meters and higher on the plateau, temperatures drop sharply even in summer, so pack accordingly.
• Buy cable-car tickets early in peak season — Queues for the telecabina can be long on weekends and holidays, so arrive in the morning to avoid waits.

Nearby

• Peleș Castle (Transylvania) — 1 km
• Bușteni — 7 km
• Bucegi Mountains — 10 km
• Bran Castle (Transylvania) — 23 km