I visited Peleș Castle way before joining the site thus it wasn't even on my "must visit" list. It only became part of the tentative list in 2024 as well and I wouldn't have noticed it if not for another review. I was also my first trip to Europe, not counting the UK (they often don't consider it as part of Europe but oook let's leave that discussion for another day).

It's also unfortunate that I only visited one of these. There are actually 3 properties but I believe that Peleș castle is surely the best. It was featured in "Brothers Bloom" briefly; however, only the exterior and one wouldn't think that Rachel Weisz really lives there from her playing an instrument outside for a few seconds. Anyhow, it was "famous" and I had it on my todo list when visiting Transylvania (which exists, not a vampire thing, although there is a Bran Castle which is a reference to "Dracula's Castle" due to the torture dungeons, I think it should be on your list as you are in the area already).

You can park just at the hillside of the castle and walk up, although things might have changed. It's been 10 years since my visit and it was in March thus it was quite empty. On the pictures it seems busy and I figure in summer the whole area is full of tourists. My group was 4 people even though one came late so it was veeeery relaxing.

First …

The union of Wallachia and Moldova principalities in the second half of the 19th century was the starting point of modern Romania. A German prince was elected as head of state, who would later be crowned king of Romania as Carol I. He decided to build a palace in Carpathian mountains, close to Sinaia town, where he used to stay in a nearby monastery. Apart from being his residence, the palace would establish his new power and functions, being equipped with the latest luxury and innovations of that time (centralized heating, lifts, hot water) and become a gathering place for Romanian intellectuals and artists. Carol I commissioned a German architect, who managed to mix German style with local, vernacular Romanian features. The result surely did not disappoint, and would still be used after the end of the monarchy as reward residence place during Communism period, and even as a secured and private residence for the last dictator until 1989.

Today the place is still very popular with visitors – both Romanian and foreigners. It is conveniently located on the way from Bucharest to Brasov and Bran (“Dracula”) castle (it could even probably be visited as a day trip from the capital city despite the heavy traffic and delays on the road during summer and winter high seasons). Sinaia town offers various hotels and restaurants options, while altitude relieves from the high temperatures during summer time. It was the very first place we visited in Romania, having arrived the day before …