Peles Castle & Julia Hasdeu Castle tour from Bucharest

Walk through 40 years of craftsmanship at Peles, then enter a castle drawn from a father's trance.

A private guided tour from Bucharest to two landmark castles in the foothills south of Romania. Peles Castle, the former royal summer residence, holds over 400 rooms decorated in different styles (from a Turkish Salon to a Moor Hall) along with centuries of European and Oriental weapons. Julia Hasdeu Castle, smaller and stranger, was designed by a grieving father who claimed his daughter's spirit guided the blueprints. The tour includes private transportation and a live guide. Entry fees to each castle are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Peles and Iulia Hasdeu Castles

• Tour Peles Castle interiors
• Explore Peles Castle armory
• Visit Iulia Hasdeu Castle
• Optional lunch in Sinaia
• Drive back to Bucharest

The experience

Peles Castle is the anchor of the day. The neo-Renaissance masterpiece took 40 years to complete, and every surface carries the work of builders, artists, architects and wood-carvers: Murano glass, Cordoba leather-covered walls, carved walnut, polished marble, silk rugs. Each room shifts its theme: a mini-Theatre, a Music Room styled after India, a Great Salon modeled on Italy, a Council Room echoing Switzerland. The armory alone holds over 400 European and Oriental weapons spanning the 15th to 19th centuries. What sets it apart from other palaces of its era is that it was the first European castle to have electricity, powered by its own plant from the start. Hot and cold running water, central heating, a telephone, telegraph, a small elevator and central vacuum followed. The stained glass roof of the foyer opens mechanically.

Julia Hasdeu Castle is the stranger half of the day. It's a small, fairytale-like building built by B.P. Hasdeu, a father who lost his daughter Julia in childhood. He drew the castle's plans while in a trance, claiming to be possessed by her spirit, and the building stands as a monument to that grief and the belief that he could reach her through architecture. Photography is not permitted inside. The drive back to Bucharest is built into the tour's timeline, and an optional lunch stop in Sinaia (the mountain town that hosts both castles) can break up the journey if you choose it.

The tour runs seven to nine hours total and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide speaking English or Italian. Children from age four are welcome. Entry to each castle is paid separately and is not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide in English or Italian.
• pickup from your Bucharest location.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to Sunday6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 27

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by ETTA Mundo

Is this one for you?Book this full-day tour if you want to visit both Peles and Julia Hasdeu castles in one trip. The private vehicle eliminates the need to coordinate separate transportation and entry logistics between locations.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is inside Peles Castle that makes it different from other European palaces?

Peles Castle was the first European castle to have electricity from its own power plant, along with hot and cold running water, central heating, telephone, telegraph and a small elevator: all installed from the beginning. Beyond the modern amenities, over 400 European and Oriental weapons from the 15th to 19th centuries fill the armory, and each of the castle's rooms is decorated in a different style, from a Turkish Salon to a Moor Hall to a Great Salon modeled on Italy.

How long does the tour take and what does it include?

The tour runs seven to nine hours total, including the drive back to Bucharest. It covers both Peles Castle and Julia Hasdeu Castle, with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide in English or Italian. Entry fees to each castle are paid separately and are not included in the tour price.

What is the story behind Julia Hasdeu Castle?

Julia Hasdeu Castle was built by B.P. Hasdeu after his daughter Julia died prematurely. He drew the castle's architectural plans while in a trance, claiming to be guided by her spirit, and the building became a way for him to try to connect with her. The castle has a small, fairytale-like appearance and photography is not allowed inside.

Is there a chance to eat during the tour?

An optional lunch stop in Sinaia, the mountain town that hosts both castles, can be added to the itinerary. Sinaia is also known as a base for hiking, skiing and wildlife watching, so the stop can be as short or as long as you want.