Besides "The Big Palace", how Queen Maria used to call the Pales castle, one can visit the smaller and coquette Pelisor Castle, the summer residence of Romania's second king, Ferdinand of Hohenzollern.

Pelisor Castle was decorated by Queen Maria herself in an original, unique style, combining Byzantine, Brancovenesc (Romanian architectural style) and Celtic features.

The most famous room is perhaps the Golden Chamber, decorated with thistle leaves that resemble the emplem of Scotland, Queen Maria's homeland.

why to go?

1. Because it is one of the few castles in the world decorated by a Queen.
2. Because you will fell in love with it.

When to go?

Opening hours in summer (19 May to 13 September 2009): Wednesday: 1200 to 1900; Thursday - Sunday: 1100 to 1900; Monday - Tuesday: Closed.

Opening hours in winter (14 September 2009 to 15 May 2010): Wednesday: 1100 to 1700; Thursday - Sunday: 0900 to 1700; Monday - Tuesday: Closed.

Between October 15th and November the 1th it is closed for annual conservation operations.

How to go?

Go to Sinaia by car or train. If you go by car from Bucharest, please don't go on Friday afternoon. The road is crowded as hell because everyone else is going to Sinaia. Same thing on your way back: avoid as much as possible leaving Sinaia on Sunday afternoon. Your time in Romania is short and precious, so avoid spending it in a huge traffic jam, swearing at bad mannered Romanian drivers. You need to drive 120 km form Bucharest and 48 km from Brasov. From Sinaia, Peles and Pelisor castles are in walking distance.

Address: Muzeul National Peles, Str. Pelesului nr.2, Sinaia, Jud. Prahova, 106100

Where to stay

See a list of hotels in Prahova County HERE.