Sinaia is one of Romania's finest holiday resorts, located deep into the Carpathian Mountains. In the late 19th century King Charles I of Romania chose Sinaia as his summer residence and built the fabulous Peles Castle, which is today the city's best known landmark.
In 1690 a Wallachian nobleman, Mihail Cantacuzino, built a small monastery on the upper Prahova river and (inspired by his voyage to Mount Sinai) named it Sinaia; a village developed around it. In the 1860s, attracted by the area's wild beauty, Romania's first king, Charles of Hohenzollern, decided to build here a summer residence, which would become Peles Castle (inaugurated in 1883). Soon the place became the favorite resort of the Romania upper class, who started raising their own luxurious holiday villas in the area. Impressive hotels, casinos, modern restaurants and shops followed, which, by the end of the 19th century, turned Sinaia from an obscure village into Romania's unofficial summer capital.
- Peleș Castle, strada Pelesului 2, +40 244 310918. Mid-Sep to mid-May: W 11:00-16:15, Th-Su 09:15-16:15; mid-May to mid-Sep: also on Tu 09:15-16:15. Begun by King Carol I in 1873 as a summer residence, these gothic revival fantasy castles pay homage to nearly every architectural style in Europe, as well as including all the mod-cons, such as lifts, central heating, plumbing and electric sky lights. Peleş contains a large armory collection, secret passages, imperial suit, a hall of mirrors, stone lions and everything a fairytale castle 'should' have. Set in peaceful forests and mountain meadows, away from the bustle of Sinaia, the castles are also a popular wedding venue. During the summer, craft stalls line the entrance drive selling local goods. The English guided tours are excellent. 30 lei per adult, 35 lei camera fee (this is enforced).
- Pelișor Castle.
- Sinaia Monastery, strada Soarelui 3, +40 244 314917. The monastery has two sections: the original area (built 1690 -1695) and the newer one (1842 - 1846). The religious objects museum is not very professional, but has a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania and an interesting collection of icons. Driving from Bucharest north on the National road No. 1 you have to turn left in Sinaia and follow the signs. ~€2.
- Museum of Sinaia.
- Central park. Nice park with beautiful old buildings surrounding it, such as the Casino and old hotels. There is also a small museum in the park.
- Orchids. The Brasov area has almost 40 species of endemic Orchids that can be seen. If you wish to see them contact the Romanian Orchid Lovers Club, based in Rasnov 20 km from Brasov.
Peleș Castle, strada Pelesului 2, +40 244 310918. Mid-Sep to mid-May: W 11:00-16:15, Th-Su 09:15-16:15; mid-May to mid-Sep: also on Tu 09:15-16:15. Begun by King Carol I in 1873 as a summer residence, these gothic revival fantasy castles pay homage to nearly every architectural style in Europe, as well as including all the mod-cons, such as lifts, central heating, plumbing and electric sky lights. Peleş contains a large armory collection, secret passages, imperial suit, a hall of mirrors, stone lions and everything a fairytale castle 'should' have. Set in peaceful forests and mountain meadows, away from the bustle of Sinaia, the castles are also a popular wedding venue. During the summer, craft stalls line the entrance drive selling local goods. The English guided tours are excellent. 30 lei per adult, 35 lei camera fee (this is enforced).
Pelișor Castle.
Sinaia Monastery, strada Soarelui 3, +40 244 314917. The monastery has two sections: the original area (built 1690 -1695) and the newer one (1842 - 1846). The religious objects museum is not very professional, but has a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania and an interesting collection of icons. Driving from Bucharest north on the National road No. 1 you have to turn left in Sinaia and follow the signs. ~€2.
Museum of Sinaia.
Central park. Nice park with beautiful old buildings surrounding it, such as the Casino and old hotels. There is also a small museum in the park.
Orchids. The Brasov area has almost 40 species of endemic Orchids that can be seen. If you wish to see them contact the Romanian Orchid Lovers Club, based in [[Rasnov]] 20 km from Brasov.
- Winter sports. Sinaia is an increasingly popular winter sports destination. As winter turns the hills around town white, Romanians and visitors alike flock to the slopes for down-hill ski and snowboard fun. The season roughly runs from December-April. Ski-passes are sold on site, but can be booked in advance. Keep in mind that lifts don't operate every day, so check in advance. Also, not all ski-passes give access to all lifts, so check the map to see which slopes you're interested in.
- Hiking. As is the case with most hill-stations that aren't snow-covered all year, Sinaia makes a fine hiking destination in summer, combining all resort facilities with excellent hiking routes and vistas.
Winter sports. Sinaia is an increasingly popular winter sports destination. As winter turns the hills around town white, Romanians and visitors alike flock to the slopes for down-hill ski and snowboard fun. The season roughly runs from December-April. Ski-passes are sold on site, but can be booked in advance. Keep in mind that lifts don't operate every day, so check in advance. Also, not all ski-passes give access to all lifts, so check the map to see which slopes you're interested in.
Hiking. As is the case with most hill-stations that aren't snow-covered all year, Sinaia makes a fine hiking destination in summer, combining all resort facilities with excellent hiking routes and vistas.
Most shops are along the main street (Bulevardul Carol I); there are supermarkets (Carrefour, Mega Image), a small mall, and you can also find craftsmen selling handmade objects and local food. If you're looking for souvenirs, there are dozens of souvenir stands (mostly Chinese junk) along the pedestrian walkway leading to Peleș castle (Aleea Carmen Sylva).
You find several restaurants and bars in the town's centre, but they are more expensive than those in other parts of Sinaia. The Pizzeria "Casa Nostra" offers big pizzas for 15 lei. Also in the hotels one can eat.
Head to Bucegi Natural Park for some fabulous views of the Carpathian Mountains. Diham Chalet is a popular base from where to explore the natural surroundings, and also doubles as a winter sports resort. Magura Village, about an hour from Sinaia is another fine base for hiking. It's a quiet, small town and excellent starting point to see the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Brașov is the nearest larger city of interest, and Bran, famous for its castle, is just about 50 minutes from Sinaia. To get further out, Ploiești is less than an hour's drive and an important transportation hub, allowing for easy access to the wider region.