Skip-the-Line Guided Tour of Peleș Castle

There's a reason (well, many reasons) why Peleș Castle is one of Romania's most popular sites. For one, it lies in the foothills of the spectacular Bucegi Mountains, whose scenery King Carol I fell in love with and decided on the location to build his summer palace. It is also known for its stunning 19th-century architecture - a blend of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival architecture. Fascinatingly, Peleș Castle became the first castle in the world to be fully powered by locally produced electricity. When the Communist regime took over, the castle served as a resting place for Romanian cultural personalities. It only reopened to the public (as a museum) in 1989, after the revolution.

Follow your local tour guide through the fairytale castle and admire its lavish interiors. See the extensive 4,000-piece weaponry collection from Europe and Asia on display in the Weapons Room. The movie theater has walls and ceilings that were elegantly decorated with frescoes by Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Franz von Matsch. It is said that the first movie projection in Romania took place in this room. Tour the Music Room, home to lovely pieces of teak furniture that were gifted by the Indian Maharajah of Kapurthala; Queen Elizabeth used this room as a salon. Explore the Florentine, Turkish, Moorish, or French rooms, all of which are ornately furnished and decorated to the smallest detail. The highlight among these rooms is the Imperial Suite, built as a tribute to the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. With a well-preserved five-hundred-year-old Cordoban tooled leather wall cover, it is a sight for sore eyes!

Skip-the-Line Guided Tour of Peleș Castle

Discover Peleș Castle, one of Romania's top tourist attractions and a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture, on this guided tour that includes skip-the-line access for an unforgettable experience. The tour covers approximately 45 minutes to explore the castle’s grand interiors and exteriors, with English-speaking guides providing insightful commentary throughout. With its stunning frescoes, ornate rooms, and rich history, Peleș Castle offers a unique glimpse into Romania's royal past. Tourists can also visit the nearby Pelișor Castle, which is smaller but equally charming at 17,000 square feet compared to Peleș’s 65,000 square feet. The tour visits key landmarks like the Music Room and the Imperial Room, both of which are adorned with exquisite furnishings and decorations from different parts of Europe and Asia. Founded in 1873 by King Carol I as a summer residence for royalty, Peleș Castle was completed in 1914, making it one of Romania's most significant historical sites. The castle houses over 160 rooms, showcasing an impressive collection of art from Austrian artists such as Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch, who designed the frescoes in the Theatre Hall. Visitors will spend about two hours exploring Peleș Castle’s numerous rooms and galleries, learning about its transformation from a royal summer retreat to a national museum after the communist era. This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture buffs, and anyone interested in Romania's rich cultural heritage.

Explore Peleș Castle

Your tour stops at Peleș Castle where you can marvel at its grandeur, built between 1875 and 1914. The castle spans over 65,000 square feet with a total of 160 rooms, each meticulously designed to reflect various architectural styles from across Europe and Asia. Guests will see the Music Room, which houses delicate teak furniture gifted by an Indian Maharajah in 1893; the Theatre Hall adorned with frescoes by Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch between 1895 and 1902; and the Imperial Room dedicated to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Peleș Castle’s unique blend of architectural styles, including Austrian Baroque, Gothic Revival, and Art Nouveau, sets it apart from other royal residences in Europe. Visitors spend approximately two hours exploring this historical site, gaining insight into Romania's complex history through its transformation from a royal summer residence to a national museum after the communist era.

Discover Pelișor Castle

Your tour continues at Pelișor Castle where guests can admire its smaller yet equally charming architecture. Built in 1897 and completed in 1906, this castle covers an area of 17,000 square feet with a total of 45 rooms. Visitors will see the Grand Hall adorned with frescoes by Gustav Klimt’s brother-in-law, Ernst Stöhr; the Royal Apartments showcasing furniture from Vienna and Paris; and the Library filled with rare books and manuscripts. Pelișor Castle was constructed as a private residence for King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania, offering a more intimate look into royal life compared to Peleș Castle's grandeur. This castle’s unique feature is its blend of architectural styles from various European countries, making it stand out among other Romanian palaces.

Tour Highlights

• Explore the picturesque 19th-century castle of Peleș
• Learn about its history: from a royal summer residence to being taken over by the communists in 1947
• See ornate rooms like the Music Room with delicate teak furniture gifted by an Indian Maharajah in 1893
• Admire the gorgeous frescoes designed by Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch between 1895-1902
• Discover the stunning Imperial Room, built in Austrian Baroque style and dedicated to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria
• Enjoy skip-the-line access and English-guided tour with commentary throughout
• Spend approximately two hours exploring Peleș Castle’s numerous rooms and galleries
• Visit Pelișor Castle for a more intimate look into royal life, built between 1897-1906

This guided tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture buffs, and anyone interested in Romania's rich cultural heritage. The skip-the-line access allows you to spend quality time at Peleș Castle and Pelișor Castle, learning about their unique histories and architectural styles while enjoying the stunning surroundings.