A castle that I simply adore, but to which I cannot give more than 3 stars (and that with indulgence).

The castle itself is a marvel, from the charming surrounding landscape to the extensive royal collections housed within, encompassing weaponry, porcelain, books, and furniture - everything is superlative.

And then, why only 3 stars?

1. The price. The cost for the ground floor tour is 10 euros, extending to 20 euros for the intermediate tour (ground floor + 1st floor), and culminating in 30 euros for the full tour. A comparison to the Palace of Versailles, which charges 28 euros for a comprehensive tour, underscores a point of contention.

2. Absence of information. Despite being a pivotal site in the birth of modern Romania, the informational content within the castle falls short. Historical plaques often provide mundane details, such as the origin of furniture, rather than delving into the rich history, including significant narratives surrounding the royal family. The info plaques in the castle read like a DIY furniture manual. : "This coffee table was made by a carpenter who lived in town X". "This cabinet was made by a craftsman who lived across the street from the craftsman who made the coffee table." Seriously? C'mon, bring on the royal drama!

In addition, the employees walking around the rooms have no other role than to tell visitors: "Don't touch that!" "You are not allowed to go up there!", "Don't cross the demarcation line!".

4. The "complete" tour is not really complete. Many rooms that could be visited in the past are now restricted (the Oriental Hall, for example - one of my favorites)

5. Although the castle is a very profitable business, the owner does not invest enough money in the renovation and preservation of the building. Peeling plaster, decaying statues, a garden wall supported by wooden beams... these are signs that the preservation efforts are insufficient.

6. The place is always very crowded; little chance of being able to take some beautiful photos.

7. Speaking of crowding - there are very few toilets for such a big number of visitors. Forget the forest toilet idea unless you fancy meeting a local bear. Don't worry, they don't come to the castle, but they might teach you a lesson in nature etiquette.

For an enhanced visit, consider the following recommendations::

Choose the intermediate tour. The basic tour is insufficient and, if you don't know Romania's recent history very well, the full tour is useless (and somewhat boring). On the top floor you can see a bunch of apartments and some explanations like: "Some writer slept here when he came to visit Sinaia".

Familiarize yourself with Romania's royal history and the political landscape spanning 1866-1945 to enrich your visit.

Select off-peak times. To avoid congestion, consider visiting during weekdays or the off-season.

Choose twice before deciding to buy anything from street vendors in the area.

The visit takes quite a long time, so it would be good to stop to eat something in town before starting the climb to the castle. Avoid the restaurants in the vicinity of the castle (if you read the reviews on the internet, you will understand why you should consider this piece of advice).

Stay within designated areas. Venture outside the tourist area only if you're with someone who can guide you (don't trust the bears, they are not reliable guides).

Consider Pelișor Castle. As an adjunct to your Peleș experience, Pelișor Castle offers a complementary yet less grandiose encounter.

Ok, that's all. I hope you'll enjoy the visit!