Prahova county is the home of royal luxury and some of the most iconic mountain peaks in the country. You visit Peleș Castle, a neo-renaissance masterpiece where every room is filled with intricate wood carvings, stained glass and golden art. The castle sits in a lush green meadow and is surrounded by dark, towering pine forests that make it look like something from a fairy tale. It is an essential stop for any traveler, offering a look at the wealth and taste of the old royal family. The nearby Pelisor Castle is also a hidden gem that features a beautiful and unique Art Nouveau interior.
Drive through the Prahova Valley, where the main road winds between the massive rock walls of the Bucegi and Baiului mountains. You pass through famous mountain resort towns like Sinaia and Bușteni, which are full of historic villas and lively cafes. The high peaks of the mountains rise thousands of feet above the road, topped by the famous cross on the summit of Caraiman. The air is sharp and carries the scent of the high forest, providing an energetic and busy atmosphere for your mountain journey. It is a lively route that is perfect for those who want to experience the most popular part of the Carpathians.
Take a cable car to the high Bucegi plateau to see the Sphinx and the Babele rock formations, which were shaped by the wind over thousands of years. You find wide, open meadows where the views stretch for miles in every direction and the sky feels incredibly close. The wind on the plateau is strong and the temperature is much cooler than in the valley below, so be prepared for a real alpine experience. This route is a perfect mix of royal elegance and the raw beauty of the high stone peaks. It remains the most popular mountain escape for both locals and international travelers alike.
Prahova (county) highlights
- Peleș Castle Marvel at a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece that looks like a fairy tale palace tucked into green folds of Bucegi Mountains. Interior is a treasure chest of walnut carvings, stained glass, and royal collections that show incredible luxury of first kings. It is widely considered one of most beautiful castles in Europe, surrounded by mountain peaks and fresh alpine air.
- Transbucegi Road Navigate a high-altitude highway that climbs above tree line to reach heart of mountain plateau. Road offers dramatic views of limestone cliffs and wide valleys, leading you to famous rock formations like Sphinx and Babele. It is a thrilling driving experience that puts you face-to-face with raw power of high Carpathian peaks.
- Slanic Prahova Salt Mine Journey deep underground into world's largest salt chambers, where air is so pure it is used for medical healing. Hallways are massive, reaching heights of 50 meters and walls sparkle with white mineral crystals. It is a cool and refreshing subterranean world that offers a healthy break from humid summer sun.
- Caraiman Cross Look up from Bușteni to see a massive steel monument standing on edge of a 2,291-meter cliff. It is highest altitude cross in world and serves as a powerful tribute to heroes of great wars. View of this landmark against blue sky or evening lights is an iconic symbol of Prahova mountain landscape.
- Sinaia Monastery Visit Pearl of Carpathians, a royal religious site that gave its name to entire mountain town. Stone church features a unique blend of local and Byzantine styles, surrounded by quiet courtyards and ancient trees. It is a place of deep spirit and lasting beauty, standing as a silent sentinel at foot of high peaks.
- Dealu Mare Vineyards Follow Wine Road through hills where some of best red wines in land are produced. Rolling landscape is covered in endless rows of grapes, offering many modern cellars for a refreshing tasting. It is a warm and inviting region that feels like a piece of Tuscany hidden in southern hills.
- Cantacuzino Castle Explore a Neo-Romanian stone palace in Bușteni that features a grand balcony with a direct view of Bucegi massif. Gardens are filled with fountains and stone paths that offer a sophisticated atmosphere for a mountain walk. It is a place of architectural grace and history, once home to one of wealthiest noble families in land.
- Cheia Pass Drive through a wild and forested mountain pass that offers a quieter alternative to busy Prahova Valley. Road is winding and scenic, passing by high rock towers and deep green meadows filled with wild flowers. It is a favorite route for drivers who love sound of rushing streams and smell of fresh pine needles.
- Iulia Hasdeu Castle Visit a strange and mystical spirit castle built by a grieving father to communicate with his lost daughter. Architecture is filled with symbolic details and secret rooms that create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. It is a unique and mysterious stop in Câmpina that tells a deeply personal story of love and loss.
- Teleajen Valley Follow river path through a series of traditional villages and rolling hills that lead toward high eastern peaks. Road is less traveled and offers a peaceful look at authentic rural life and beautiful natural scenery. It is a perfect route for a slow and quiet nature drive through heart of southern Carpathian foothills.
The local Four
History of Prahova (county)
Prahova is the global cradle of the oil industry and a land of royal mountain architecture. In 1857 the city of Ploiești became home to the world’s first industrial oil refinery making the region a strategic energy hub for over a century. This industrial wealth turned the county into a primary target during WWII leading to the massive Operation Tidal Wave in 1943 where Allied bombers attempted to destroy the refineries in one of the most intense low altitude air battles of the war. To the north the landscape changes into the high Bucegi mountains where King Carol I completed Peleș Castle in 1914 which was the first castle in the world to be fully powered by its own electricity.
The county’s history is literally carved into the earth at Slănic Prahova which houses the largest salt mine in Europe. Salt extraction began here in 1685 and the current chambers are located 208 meters below ground featuring a constant temperature and unique air quality used for medical therapy. High above the valley on the Caraiman Peak stands the Heroes Cross which is a 39 meter tall steel monument built between 1926 and 1928 at an altitude of over 2200 meters. At the time of its completion it was the highest structure of its kind in the world serving as a symbolic guardian of the mountain passes.
Road trippers can follow the DN1A through the Cheia Pass to avoid the main valley traffic and see the rugged limestone ridges of the Ciucaș mountains. You can visit the Dealu Mare vineyards which sit on the same 45th parallel as Bordeaux and have produced award winning red wines since the 14th century. The route through the Prahova Valley leads to the mountain resorts of Sinaia and Bușteni where you can see the Cantacuzino Castle completed in 1911 for one of the wealthiest noble families in the land. Prahova is a high speed journey through the birth of the oil age and the refined luxury of the royal mountain retreats.