There are plenty of amazing things to do in Sinaia, Romania. In this travel guide we’re going to show you the highlights of Sinaia, how to get around, where to stay and our recommendations on places to eat in Sinaia. If you didn’t know much about this beautiful town before, you will now! Let’s find out what to do in Sinaia!
Sinaia is a small town in central Romania hidden in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. It’s definitely worth adding to your Romania trip and it’s easy to get to from Bucharest or Brasov.
The main reason Sinaia may be on your radar is because of the famous Peleș Castle. Originally this was the reason that we chose to visit the hilly Romanian town. However, when we arrived, we discovered so many more things to do in Sinaia!
Although Peleș Castle is one of the best places to visit in Sinaia, the town is also home to incredible hikes within the Bucegi Mountain range (in the Carpathian Mountains) and it becomes a ski paradise in the winter!
With all the things to do in Sinaia, we recommend spending at least one night in the town. However, it’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Brasov or Bucharest.
This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you.
Quick Tips for a Sinaia Itinerary
- Currency – Romanian Leu (compare to your own currency here)
- Language – Romanian
- Cuisine – Romanian/Eastern Europe Cuisine (cabbage rolls, polenta, meaty dishes, sweet bread)
- Apps – WhatsApp (communication with hosts)
- Rent a car – Check the prices of rental cars here!
Accommodation in Sinaia – Booking.com is the best website to find hotels for your Sinaia itinerary. Read further to find recommendations on where to stay.
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay covered during your trip!
Best time to visit Sinaia
The best time to visit Sinaia is from April to October when the weather is warm, although it’s possible to visit all year round! In the winter, Sinaia is often covered with snow, especially in the mountains! Fall is also an amazing time to visit for the spooky season (it fits the theme of Dracula)!
If you’re travelling on a budget, book accommodation in advance in the months of July-August as these are summer holidays in Europe.
Note: Sinaia is a mountain town and the temperature is usually cooler than in nearby Bucharest.
11 Best Things to do in Sinaia
We’re going to show you some of the best things to do in Sinaia and these activities can be spread out over 1 to 4 days (and even more if you have time)! We’ve also included a Sinaia itinerary at the end of this list if you want to plan your trip with times.
1 – Visit the famous Peleș Castle in Sinaia
One of the most popular things to do in Sinaia is to visit the beautiful Peleș Castle. The fairy-tale castle is surrounded by Sinaia’s hills and mountains in a lovely garden. It was built for the Royal family (the first King of Romania, Carol I) and is now open for guided tours.
Sadly we visited on a Tuesday when it was closed, so we never saw the inside of the castle, but we were blown away by the exterior! Peleș Castle in Sinaia is closed on Tuesdays all year round and Mondays in the winter months.
It’s only 50 lei per person to do a guided tour inside the castle and you can book your tickets online in advance. If you’re visiting Sinaia on a day trip, it may be easier to book a tour.
The castle is a 20 to 30-minute walk from Sinaia Tran Station, but up a gradual hill. There’s also a small bus to take you to the top!
Tip – If you’d prefer a quieter visit, try to arrive early in the morning or after 3 pm.
We take these photos of ourselves using our Joby GorillaPod – perfect for capturing a photo when no one is around! Also check out our top travel tips for backpacking Europe!
2 – Walk around the Peleș Gardens
We wanted to give Peleș Gardens its own spot on this list of things to do in Sinaia. there are lovely views of Peleș Castle all over these gardens. This spot is our favourite – Peles Castle Viewpoint.
It’s free to visit the gardens and there’s even a cafe near the castle where you can find Romanian food, desserts and snacks.
3 – Admire Pelisor Castle in Sinaia
Just down the road from Peleș Castle is Pelisor Castle, another heritage site to see in Sinaia. It was originally built for the King’s nephew and is now open to the public.
Pelisor Castle is closed on the same days as Peles Castle – so avoid Mondays if you want to have a look inside! Find your tickets here!
The castle is surrounded by trees and greenery and compared to the famous Peles Castle, Pelisor looks plainer and less like a palace, but still quite impressive.
We still think it’s worth a visit whilst you’re there, however, we didn’t get to go inside.
4 – Visit Sinaia’s Museums
If the weather isn’t looking too good for your Sinaia itinerary, maybe visit one of Sinaia’s interesting museums. Honestly, the castles feel like museums, but here are some other options if you’re looking for things to do in Sinaia.
- George Enescu Memorial Museum – A museum dedicated to a Romanian composer
- Sinaia Museum of Art (Arta Sârmei) – Sinaia’s Art Gallery
5 – Discover Sinaia Monastery
Another must-visit on your Sinaia itinerary is the Monastery. It was once a royal family residence in the 17th century and is still a working Monastery. The architecture of the building is beautiful and it really stands out against Sinaia’s beautiful scenery.
There are also ancient frescoes and a library within the Monastery grounds. It’s worth spending at least 20 minutes here, although you can spend much longer. It’s also free to visit!
Sinaia Monastery is halfway up the hill from the train station and Peles Castle – here’s the exact location!
There’s also free drinking water outside, so bring your reusable water bottle to save plastic on your Sinaia trip!
Check out our 1 Week Romania Itinerary to plan the rest of your trip!
6 – Take a stroll in Dimitrie Ghica Park
Dimitrie Ghica Park is located in Sinaia town near the train station. It’s perfect to visit after a day of exploring the best things to do in Sinaia and there are plenty of benches to relax.
When we walked through the park, it was full of locals and the atmosphere was beautiful. Lots of people were buying Romanian street food from a nearby vendor or drinking an evening coffee.
8 – See the views on a Gondola in Sinaia
Sinaia is perched on the side of the Bucegi Mountains in Prahova Valley. If you’re not into hiking but want to experience the beautiful peaks, then hop on a gondola that takes you right to the top.
It’s also the highest cable car in Romania, with an altitude of 2050.
The cable car station starts in the town centre (Telecabina Sinaia) and takes you straight to the top or halfway. We recommend going all the way and look down at Sinaia from above.
This activity in Sinaia does come at a price of 60 lei, although at certain times of day, it can be 35 lei. Find more info here! It’s definitely worth a visit if you have more than 1 day in Sinaia, and if you’re on a budget, we suggest hiking!
Note: In the summer, Sinaia Gondola is known to have long queues, sometimes up to 1 hour. Get there early to avoid crowds!
7 – Hike in the Bucegi Mountains
Bucegi National Park is a natural wonder with incredible views, hidden falls and protected wildlife. It’s a popular hiking spot in Romania and is right on Sinaia’s doorstep.
From small afternoon hikes to 3-day adventures, the mountains have something for everyone, as long as love nature! Bears are also in the area, so be aware on long hiking trips.
The best way to find small hikes is to get the cable car up to the top and pick a trail! There are also some beautiful rock formations to find in the Bucegi Mountains (such as the Babele and Sphinx).
We would love to visit Sinaia again in the future, so we can recommend some routes to take!
9 – Find Sinaia Casino
The impressive building at the back of Dimitrie Ghica Park is Sinaia Casino.
It was a casino up until the 1940s when the country became Communist and it is now used for events or conferences.
The interior is still beautiful and you can imagine what it was like to be a working casino! There are often guided tours that take place here and they regularly update their Facebook page with events.
10 – Wander around Sinaia Town
It’s impossible to not visit Sinaia Town during your itinerary and it’s the best place to come for dinner at the end of your day.
We recommend eating authentic Romanian food at Snow Restaurant! It’s just tucked around the corner from the main street.
You can also find many shops, souvenirs and grocery stores here. We grabbed a few essentials for our packed lunch the next day!
Also, check out our Sighisoara Itinerary packed with the best things to do!
11 – Hit the slope and go Skiing in Sinaia
Lastly on our list of things to do in Sinaia is a seasonal option! If you’re visiting between mid-December and early April then you may be able to join the locals with skiing or snowboarding!
The Carpathian Mountains are home to the best ski resorts in Romania and Sinaia Ski resort is one of them! It’s a winter wonderland with mostly intermediate trails, although there are some for beginners and advanced too!
Day passes for skiing start at 170 RON (£30) which is very affordable, especially compared to France or the Alps.
More things to do in Sinaia (further away)
- Drive to Stirbey Castle or Cantacuzino Castle – More beautiful castles in Romania!
- Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave – Located in Bucegi Natural Park.
- Transfagarasan Road – A unique long mountain road that twists around the bends of the mountain, this road was featured on Top Gear and has become a popular place to visit!
That comes to the end of our 11 best things to do in Sinaia, however, we’ve still got a few more tips and our Sinaia itinerary for you!
Where to stay in Sinaia
Everywhere to stay in Sinaia is beautiful, particularly due to the scenery surrounding the town. We recommend staying in Sinaia Town or within the hills leading up to Peles Castle.
We spent the night in Vila Retezat Sinaia and it was the perfect way to experience a night in Sinaia. Here are our recommendations:
Vila Retezat Sinaia $$ – A lovely stay in the heart of Sinaia’s mountains, there’s free breakfast and Neo-Renaissance style decor! Find them on Booking.com here!
Hotel Sinaia $$ – A beautiful modern hotel in the main town, there’s also a spa and live entertainment. Find them on Booking.com here!
Best Restaurants in Sinaia
There are many restaurants in Sinaia serving both Romanian cuisine and international meals. There are also grocery stores if you prefer to cook for yourself. Here are a couple of restaurants we recommend for your time in Sinaia:
Ramayana $-$$ – Serving food such as curries, pizza & more! – here’s their website!
Snow Restaurant $-$$ – A big menu with authentic Romanian meals! (location)
2 Day Sinaia Itinerary – Best Things To Do in Sinaia
Day 1: Start your day early with a morning visit to the popular Peles Castle and walk around the Peles Gardens. Also, visit Pelisor Gardens before grabbing some lunch at one of the nearby restaurants in the hills.
Walk down the hill admiring the views and find Sinaia Monastery. Once back in Sinaia Town, head to Dimitrie Ghica Park and Sinaia Casino.
Day 2: Take the cable car straight into the Bucegi Mountains for a few hours of hiking, exploring the wonderful rock formations. End your evening back in Sinaia town with a drink perhaps visit one of the museums if you have time.
How to get to Sinaia
There are multiple different ways to get to Sinaia, depending on where you’re arriving from.
- Train – It only takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Sinaia station from Bucharest and it’s the best way to get to Sinaia!
- Flying – If you’re flying into Romania, look for airports in Bucharest or Brasov and catch the train to Sinaia.
- Bus – Another easy way to get around Romania. You can also take a bus from neighbouring countries to Romania and change to a train. Find out prices and times for buses here.
- Car Rental – If you decide to rent a car, there are many companies offering car rentals in Romania.
Book your trains in advance – CFR Calatori! Find out more about travelling the country by train in our 1 Week Romania Itinerary using public transport!
How to get around Sinaia
- Walking – The best way to explore the town is by foot and it only takes 30 minutes to reach Peles Castle from the train station.
- Bus – There’s a bus service that connects Sinaia with other towns within the mountains. There’s also a small bus that goes up and down the long hill, which is a great way to reach the castle in Sinaia.
- Taxi – It is possible to find taxis in Sinaia if you do need one at any time. Check that they are registered before getting inside!
- Car – Due to the hills in Sinaia, the roads are pretty windy, but it’s still possible to drive around the town. Find accommodation with a parking space – car rentals in Romania.
How many days in Sinaia?
We recommend spending at least 1 day in Sinaia to explore the beauty that the small town has to offer. If you are short on time, a tour or day trip is the best way to see areas of the country outside of Bucharest.
However, to truly experience the town, a night stay in the mountains is perfect for exploring all the best things to do in Sinaia.
What to pack for a Sinaia Itinerary?
Check the weather before your visit to Sinaia and pack a good pair of walking shoes! Here’s a few of our favourite travel essentials:
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – We can’t go anywhere without a reusable bottle.
- Anker Power Bank – Keep your phone charged!
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – The best way to pack your bags.
- Worldwide Travel Adaptor – Multiple plugs and sockets for your gadgets.
- Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat just in case.
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – This is our favourite tripod to carry as they’re lightweight and can fit in a carry-on bag. We use a Joby GorillaPod with our Sony A600. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod.
What to do after Sinaia
- Explore Bucharest – the capital city of Romania!
- Head to Brasov for more hiking and discover Dracula’s castle! Here’s our 2 Day Brasov Itinerary!
- Also, have a look at our 1 Week Romania Itinerary for more inspiration!
Is Sinaia worth visiting?
Yes! Sinaia is worth a visit if you’re already travelling to Romania as it’s a great way to explore the nature of the country.
The castles, the hikes and the breathtaking scenery are hard to miss and it’s so close to the capital city, Bucharest. Hopefully, after this guide, you won’t be wondering what to do in Sinaia!
Is Peleș Castle worth visiting?
Yes! Peleș Castle in Sinaia is worth visiting on your trip to Sinaia and the exterior is even more impressive than the interior! Some people have mentioned that they prefer it to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle).
It’s the scenery and mountains that make the trip to Sinaia worth it and Peleș Castle is one of the best things to do in Sinaia whilst you’re there.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Don’t forget Travel Insurance! SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world. Find out more here!
Helpful Links: Book your accommodation here / FlixBus here / Romania Trains here / Romania Buses here!
More Romania guides:
- 2 day Brasov Itinerary: Best things to do in Brasov
- Sighisoara Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- The Best 1 Week Romania Itinerary
- All our Romania posts!
That’s the end of our 11 Best Things to do in Sinaia: Itinerary (2024)! Enjoy the fresh air in Sinaia and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!
