Peles Castle is widely considered one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe, a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece nestled among the forested slopes of the Carpathian Mountains in the resort town of Sinaia. Built between 1873 and 1914 as the summer residence of Romania’s first king, Carol I, the castle combines Germanic, French, and Italian architectural influences into a fairy-tale confection of ornate towers, carved wooden balconies, and decorative facades that appears almost too perfect to be real.

The interior is even more extraordinary than the exterior suggests. Over 160 rooms showcase an astounding variety of decorative styles, from the Moorish smoking room with its intricate gilded arabesques to the Florentine Hall adorned with Murano glass chandeliers and the Imperial Suite draped in silk and gold. The castle was remarkably progressive for its time, being one of the first in Europe equipped with central heating, electric lighting, and an elevator. The surrounding grounds include Italian-style terraces, fountains, and sculptures, all set against a backdrop of towering spruce forests that turn to gold and crimson in autumn.

Pro tip: Arrive right when the ticket office opens, as tour groups from Bucharest and Brasov typically arrive between 11 AM and 2 PM. Purchase the full tour ticket to access the upper floors, which contain the most impressive rooms including the king’s private apartments. The nearby Pelisor Castle, the smaller Art Nouveau residence built for King Ferdinand, is often overlooked but equally charming and usually much less crowded.