Best things to do in Romania: Visit Prahova Valley

Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Ingrid

I love traveling, have always loved it, and will always do. I always try to go somewhere, see something, live something, but there is one constant in my life. And I consider visiting it one of the best things to do in Romania.

Ever since I was somewhere in elementary school, I started going with my parents in the Summer and the Wintertime to the mountainside of my home country, Romania. More specifically, to Sinaia, on the Prahova Valley.

And we kept on going there almost every year ever since.

You think one might get bored of the same places, but not me. Every time I go there, I feel like part of a fairy tale, and I also try to “sell” the location to my other friends.

You might imagine that I know all the streets, houses, coffee shops, and restaurants by now.

I recommend you visit this little corner of peace. If you ever get the chance to come to this part of Europe, Sinaia and Prahova Valley are undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Romania.

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Few points of interest on the Prahova Valley (some of the best things to do in Romania)

Few points of interest on the Prahova Valley (some of the best things to do in Romania)

1. Peles Castle and Pelisor Castle

Take a walk in the gardens and visit the inside of the two castles. Take in the fresh air and enjoy the lovely view (be it Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter, there is always a lovely view to enjoy).

Peles Castle opening hours (check this out for the complete schedule)

During Summer, the castle is closed on Mondays, with a rather short schedule (from 9:15 to 16:15) on all the other days except Wednesdays, when it opens at 11.
During Winter, Peles Castle stays closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, keeping the same schedule for the other days.

Visiting fee for the Peles Castle: a visit inside of the impressive castle on the Prahova Valley will cost 30 RON (roughly 6.5 EUR) if you want to see the ground floor only while seeing the whole castle the tax will be double: 60 RON (7 EUR).

Getting from Bucharest to Sinaia by train—When it comes to riding the train in Romania, you will need plenty of patience, but the ride to Sinaia is short, depending on the train, roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. For timetables, check out the CFR website.

Read more about what to do in Sinaia!

2. Caffee Regal

Drink a hot chocolate or freshly brewed coffee with ice cream or a sweet on the terrace of Caffee Regal, and enjoy the view of the castle and its wide lawn.

This is the place I never miss when coming to visit Sinaia or anything in Prahova Valley. Why? Because it is such a lovely place to enjoy a good coffee and a sweet!

Best things to do in Romania, Prahova valley

3. Economat Villa

Get a good night’s sleep at Economat Villa (La Tunuri Hotel ), where you will feel like a princess or prince. Located next to the two castles, it is very quiet, in the middle of nature, and offers a lovely view.

This is the perfect place if you are in Sinaia or Prahova Valley for a night or many. I dream about spending some time here someday and will surely do it and tell you all about it.

Check here for rates and availability.

4. Sinaia Central park

Take a walk in Central Park, admire the Casino building, and take a small walk up to Sinaia Monastery.

Central Park in Sinaia might not be a big one, but it is surely a place where lots of events take place: from concerts to different fairs, you will always find some pretty handmade things. And if nothing is happening, just walking in nature is nice.

The Sinaia Casino is actually a conference center that can be visited and where events are held.

Sinaia Monastery is hard to miss on the way up from Central Park to Peles and Pelisor Castles. All the buses will be outside here.

It is a nice place, and during summer, you might save 15 minutes by stopping by between 8 in the morning and 6 in the evening.

5. Take the gondola up to the 1400 quota

The gondola or the cable car. If I were you, I wouldn’t miss this because it is definitely one of the best things to do in Romania. Once you get up, you can enjoy an impressive view from the inside of the gondola.

If you want an even better view and are dressed well even in the Summer, take the chairlift up to the 2000 quota. Here, impressive nature will take your breath away.

Check out the Sinaia funicular timetable here. Remember that Mondays are closed for revision. You can get up early in the morning and take the first one going up at 8:30 or leave it until later, with the last one going up at 15:30.

Prices: One way up to the 1400 quota is 15 RON (3 EUR) while adding any other part (going up to the 2000 quota, coming down) will add another 15 RON for each part. Thus, if you are planning on doing the whole thing on cable, the whole price will be 60 RON (13 EUR).

6. Cantacuzino Castle

Take a day trip to Busteni, to the Cantacuzino Castle, where you can swing back to childhood, enjoy a sumptuous meal at its 5* restaurant, or drink a coffee on the terrace from where you can see the Caraiman Cross.

I have to admit that I love this place, especially the swing that is so famous on Instagram and the view one gets from here.

The castle usually hosts an art exhibition or another, but the interior and exterior are impressive.

Since the place is so beautiful, during Summertime, there are plenty of weddings taking place here, so it might not be possible to visit the castle.

Cantacuzino Castle Visiting hours: from Sunday to Friday from 10 to 18.

The price of visiting the garden is 5 RON, which can be used at the castle’s bar. The total cost of visiting everything (the castle, exhibition, and the park) is 40 RON (8.5 EUR).

7. Caraiman Cross and the Sphinx and Babele

Take the cable (or choose to walk up, depending on your physical condition) up to the Caraiman Cross and the Sphinx and Babele (The Sphinx is a natural rock formation in the Bucegi Natural Park, situated at an altitude of 2,216 meters).