Image: Peles Castle
Highlights
How to visit the mountain town of Sinaia as a day trip from the capital city of Bucharest, Romania.
Time of Visit: September 2025
Duration of Visit: Three Nights (in Sinaia)
Description
Sinaia is a charming mountain town nestled in the Prahova Valley of Romania. Surrounded by the Bucegi Mountains, Sinaia is known for its cooler weather, fresh mountain air, and elegant architecture that blends 19th-century charm with natural beauty. The town grew in prominence when King Carol I built Peleș Castle here in the late 1800s, transforming the area into a royal retreat. Its combination of lush forests, scenic trails, and historic buildings gives Sinaia a unique balance of culture and nature.
The town itself offers a picturesque atmosphere, with tree-lined streets, cozy cafés, and grand hotels that once hosted aristocrats and foreign visitors. The Sinaia Monastery, dating back to the 17th century, adds a layer of spiritual and historical importance, while modern touches such as ski resorts and cable cars connect visitors to the peaks above. With its mix of royal heritage, traditional Romanian culture, and mountain surroundings, Sinaia embodies both sophistication and rustic mountain charm.
Activities
Peles and Pelisor Castles
Both castles were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries so they do not have the medieval look. Both look more like a large mansion with steeples and wooden exteriors. Still, they look impressive from the outside. Peles Castle is by far the most popular attraction in Sinaia. The smaller Pelisor Castle gets fewer visitors than Peles Castle.
Both are closed during Mondays and Tuesdays so plan accordingly. Entry tickets to both castles can be purchased at the manned ticket booth in Pelisor Castle, at kiosks right before Peles Castle and on-line. There is a limited number of tickets issued per day to reduce overcrowding.
It would be prudent to purchase an entry ticket to Pelisor Castle on-line and a few days prior to the visit as tickets are normally sold out each day, especially during the busy summer season.
Purchasing an entry ticket the day of to get into the smaller Pelisor Castle is not normally a problem.
Sinaia Monastery
People visit the monastery to see the Orthodox church and the original chapel.
Cable Car
Sinaia has a cable car that takes visitors to the top of the mountain. The neighboring town of Busteni has a cable car too that takes visitors to the prime hiking spots in the Bucegi Mountain.
We did not have time to ride the cable cars but included it here to make you aware of it.
Walk Boulevardul Carol I
Boulevardul Carol I is Sinaia’s main street and is lined with restaurants and shops. We happened to be there during a lively festival where the street was closed to traffic. Various vendors selling food and souvenirs lined the street. There were also a couple of bands that were playing.
How To Get There
Sinaia is conveniently served by Romanian Railway CFR Călători. Sinaia is one of the stops for the Brasov – Bucharest line. The train ride takes about an hour and a half.
Upon arriving at the train station, walk across the road and up the stone steps to get to Boulevardul Carol I. From there, you can take one of the buses to where you need to go.
Where To Stay
We stayed in Cosmo Apartments Sinaia which is at the South end of town. It is an apartment complex with a secured main door (opened via keypad). The apartment was roomy and modern despite how the building looks from the outside. The bus stop is about 10 minutes away.
How To Get Around
Walking is the primary means of getting around town. But because it is a mountain town, you may want to ride the bus to avoid walking uphill. Sinaia has four bus lines that take visitors to various locations around town. Google Maps does a decent job of showing which bus to take and the bus stops.
Bus tickets can be purchased from a kiosk at certain bus stops or inside the bus. The kiosk will print a paper receipt with a QR code. The QR code needs to be scanned by the reader on the bus. If purchasing from inside the bus, simply place your credit card on the QR code reader and wait for the green check mark. No receipt is printed.
If you visit Sinaia by car, there are public parking places. Paid parking lots will normally have a sign, in Romanian, that has a QR code that will direct you to the payment site. However, the site’s only choices are only one or two hours of parking. If you plan to stay longer, you will have to look for the parking attendant who would issue a paper receipt to place on the dashboard. However, the attendant only accepts cash payments. Alternatively, street parking is allowed if you can find a spot.
Expected Expenses
All expenses are in Romanian currency (RON or Lei).
Train Bucharest – Sinaia – 56 each way
Peles Castle – 100, Pelisor Castle – 30 (website: https://peles.ro/en/program-si-taxe/)
Sinaia Monastery – free
Bus – 3 for a single trip, card only
Summary
Sinaia is a popular tourist destination primarily because of its rich historical landmarks and breathtaking castles. Peleș Castle, one of the most visited attractions in Romania, is considered a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture and houses an impressive collection of art, furniture, and weaponry. Nearby Pelișor Castle, built for the future King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, offers a more intimate view of royal life. Together with the Sinaia Monastery, these landmarks make the town an important cultural and historical stop in the Carpathians.
At the same time, Sinaia is a hub for outdoor recreation and natural exploration. In winter, the slopes of the Bucegi Mountains attract skiers and snowboarders, while in summer, hikers and nature lovers enjoy a network of trails leading to spectacular viewpoints, alpine meadows, and geological wonders such as the Sphinx and Babele formations. Its accessibility from Bucharest also makes Sinaia a favorite weekend getaway, offering visitors a rare combination of royal history, mountain adventure, and relaxing charm in one destination.