Things to Do in Sinaia, Romania

Quick facts: The castle has 160 rooms, of which only 35 are open to the public. It was one of the first castles in Europe to be equipped with electric lighting, central heating, and an elevator when it was completed in 1883.

Highlights: King Carol I had the castle built as a summer residence and collected weapons from around the world. Over 4,000 items adorn the walls. In the enormous weapons hall, German knight helmets, Persian sabers, and Indian swords sit side by side above the magnificent walnut paneling.

Quick facts: The monastery was founded by Prince Mihail Sturdza in 1846 and is built in a unique blend of Brâncovenesc style and Gothic elements. Inside the monastery church there is an iconostasis of gilded wood that took four years to complete.

Highlights: In the monastery courtyard stands a small wooden church from the 17th century that was moved here piece by piece from the nearby mountains. It is said that Prince Sturdza hid in the monastery cellar during the 1848 revolution and that secret passages lead out into the forest behind.

Quick facts: Here awaits Art Nouveau magic inspired by the Jugendstil style, where each room has its own color palette that tells a story. Floral motifs in gold, silk walls and a breathtaking golden staircase that glows in the light are found here.

Highlights: King Carol I had this decorated as a private sanctuary for his family, far from official functions. Here is the so-called Golden Room where every surface is covered with gilded flowers and leaves in an explosion of light and luxury.

Quick facts: The park stretches over 10 hectares along the Prahova River and was planted in 1882 by Prince Dimitrie Ghica as a private garden. More than 60 different tree species grow here, including magnolias and Russian walnut trees that still bear fruit every autumn.

Highlights: In the middle of the park stands a 250-year-old oak that Prince Ghica personally planted as a symbol of stability. In summer, the scent of freshly cut grass mixes with lilac from the bushes, while rushing water from a small fountain creates a calming background soundtrack.

Quick facts: Here, for once, the rich and powerful were not in the spotlight. Instead, it was King Carol II of Romania who personally laid the cornerstone in 1910, and the building was designed by the same French architect who was behind the Hotel Negresco in Nice.

Highlights: When you step through the heavy oak doors, you are greeted by a magnificent glass dome that casts rainbow-colored light over the marble floors. The original Art Nouveau bar is still there, with mirrors that once reflected both royalty and agents from several intelligence services during the interwar period.

Quick facts: In here is one of the most impressive collections of icons and church objects in all of Romania, with over 800 items from the 1600s and 1700s. The monastery has withstood both earthquakes and wars for over 300 years, and its bell was already ringing in 1780.

Highlights: In the center of the fresco-covered church is a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary that according to tradition shed tears in 1822. Black butterflies swarm over the garden at dusk, a phenomenon the locals call "the souls of the monastery."

Quick facts: Here you'll find 18,000 hectares of wild nature with Europe's largest population of ibex, over 300 animals strong. More than 100 kilometers of hiking trails wind through limestone formations shaped by wind and water over millions of years.

Highlights: In the middle of the park stands Babele, a mushroom-shaped rock weighing over 200 tons and balanced on a small stone base. After a storm in 1888, dozens of trees were blown off the top, suddenly revealing these strange formations that had been hidden for centuries.