Castelul Pelisor (Pelisor Castle), Sinaia (must see)
Pelisor Castle (Castelul Pelisor) is a jewel of Romanian royal heritage and a companion to the larger Peles Castle. Built between 1899 and 1902 by order of King Carol I, it was intended as the residence of his heir, the future King Ferdinand, and his wife, Queen Marie. Designed by the Czech architect Karel Liman, who also worked on Peles, the castle was envisioned as a more intimate royal home. Unlike its grand neighbor, Pelisor reflects the personal tastes and aspirations of a new generation of monarchs who sought a modern identity for Romania at the turn of the 20th century.
The castle combines Neo-Romanian style with Art Nouveau elements, creating a unique architectural character. Its half-timbered façades, turrets, and decorative woodwork blend harmoniously with the surrounding forests of the Prahova Valley. Inside, however, the true distinctiveness of Pelisor is revealed. Queen Marie, known for her artistic sensibility, personally shaped the interior decoration. She introduced the so-called “Golden Room,” where walls, ceilings, and furniture shine with gilded motifs and Celtic-inspired patterns, reflecting both her fascination with symbolism and her vision of a modern Romanian style.
Today, visitors can explore over 90 rooms, many of which preserve the original furnishings and artworks. Highlights include the queen’s study, adorned with vivid floral themes, and the royal bedrooms, where elegance meets comfort. Pelisor Castle functions as part of the Peles National Museum, offering insight not only into the lives of Romania’s royal family but also into the cultural currents that influenced the country in the early 1900s.
For tourists, Pelisor provides a more personal perspective compared to the grandeur of Peles. Its intimate scale, artistic interiors, and rich symbolism make it a memorable stop in Sinaia, especially for those interested in history, art, and architecture. Together, Peles and Pelisor embody Romania’s royal past while standing as two contrasting expressions of European style and national identity.
The castle combines Neo-Romanian style with Art Nouveau elements, creating a unique architectural character. Its half-timbered façades, turrets, and decorative woodwork blend harmoniously with the surrounding forests of the Prahova Valley. Inside, however, the true distinctiveness of Pelisor is revealed. Queen Marie, known for her artistic sensibility, personally shaped the interior decoration. She introduced the so-called “Golden Room,” where walls, ceilings, and furniture shine with gilded motifs and Celtic-inspired patterns, reflecting both her fascination with symbolism and her vision of a modern Romanian style.
Today, visitors can explore over 90 rooms, many of which preserve the original furnishings and artworks. Highlights include the queen’s study, adorned with vivid floral themes, and the royal bedrooms, where elegance meets comfort. Pelisor Castle functions as part of the Peles National Museum, offering insight not only into the lives of Romania’s royal family but also into the cultural currents that influenced the country in the early 1900s.
For tourists, Pelisor provides a more personal perspective compared to the grandeur of Peles. Its intimate scale, artistic interiors, and rich symbolism make it a memorable stop in Sinaia, especially for those interested in history, art, and architecture. Together, Peles and Pelisor embody Romania’s royal past while standing as two contrasting expressions of European style and national identity.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sinaia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Castelul Pelisor (Pelisor Castle) on Map
Sight Name: Castelul Pelisor (Pelisor Castle)
Sight Location: Sinaia, Romania (See walking tours in Sinaia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sinaia, Romania (See walking tours in Sinaia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Sinaia, Romania
Create Your Own Walk in Sinaia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sinaia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sinaia Introduction Walking Tour
Sinaia is a wonderful city and resort, located at the base of Bucegi mountain. The city is renowned for its beautiful Romanian architecture which nearly provides as gorgeous a landscape as the backdrop. Here, you will find a vast number of buildings that are known by individuals worldwide, as well as visited by thousands of tourists each year.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

