Sinaia Guitar Festival
Sinaia, Romania · Guitar festival
The Sinaia International Classical Guitar Festival is a cultural oasis celebrating the finesse and pure emotion of classical guitar. Since 1983, it has served as a meeting point for recognized masters and emerging talents, fostering growth and connecting tradition with contemporary music.
- Location
- Sinaia, Romania
- Type
- Festival
- Most recent edition
- 6 July 2026 – 11 July 2026
- Next edition
- Usually each July — dates to be announced
- Frequency
- annual
- Eligibility / age
- Category A: Up to 11 years (including 11 years); Category B: Up to 14 years (including 14 years); Category C: Up to 17 years (including 17 years); Category D: Masters - No age limit. Age limits apply on the date of the contest.
- Entry fee
- Category A: 30€ / 150 lei; Category B: 40€ / 200 lei; Category C: 50€ / 250 lei; Category D: 80€ / 400 lei
- Tickets
- All festival concerts are free and open to the public; no tickets are needed. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Who it's for
- Open to the general public (listeners), as well as young talents and guitarists of different age categories participating in masterclasses and competitions.
- Prizes
- Category A: 1st: Kremona Guitar, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (1 year), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 2nd: Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (6 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 3rd: Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (3 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories. Category B: 1st: 80€, Kremona Guitar, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (1 year), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 2nd: 60€, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (6 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 3rd: 40€, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (3 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories. Category C: 1st: 100€, Kremona Guitar, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (1 year), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 2nd: 70€, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (6 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 3rd: 50€, Tonebase subscription, Guitar by Masters subscription (3 months), D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories. Category D: 1st: 2000€ + Constantin Dumitriu concert guitar (6500€) + D'Addario Backpack + Guitar by Masters subscription (1 year) + D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 2nd: 1200€ + Guitar by Masters subscription (6 months) + D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories
- 3rd: 800€ + Guitar by Masters subscription (3 months) + D'Addario & Savarez strings and accessories.
- Special prizes
- Guitar by Masters free subscriptions (4 annual, 4 six-month and 4 three-month) to the interactive learning platform for laureates
Programme & line-up
Silviu Ciulei Recital; Trio Zamfirescu Recital; Mateusz Kowalski Recital; Carlo Marchione Recital; Duo Melis Susana Prieto & Alexis Muzurakis Recital; Gala Concert Five O'Clock Recital de Gală
Workshops & masterclasses you can join
Individual masterclasses are available for 80€ / 400 lei per 40-minute session, with teachers including Carlo Marchione, Susana Prieto, Alexis Muzurakis, Mateusz Kowalski, Silviu Ciulei, Stan Zamfirescu, Cătălin Ștefănescu-Pătrașcu, and Liviu Georgescu. Passive participation is free for contestants and 40€ / 200 lei for non-contestants.
Repertoire requirements
Categories A, B, C: Free program, performed from memory (max. 8 min for A, 12 min for B, 15 min for C). Category D: First stage: max. 15 min, works from at least 2 stylistic periods; Final: max. 25 min, free program (without repetitions). All candidates must perform compositions from memory. Works performed in the first stage cannot be repeated in the final.
Browse the full repertoire database →
Official website
https://www.sinaiaguitarfestival.ro/
See this festival alongside every other guitar event on the calendar and map.
Open the calendar & mapVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Sinaia
Deep in the Carpathian Mountains, Sinaia is one of Romania's most beautiful holiday resorts, a picturesque town that King Charles I of Romania chose as his summer residence, building the magnificent Peleș Castle. Each summer, this historic setting plays host to the Sinaia Guitar Festival, an annual event that draws players and enthusiasts to its mountain air and regal charm. Attending the festival here offers a unique blend of high-level guitar performance and the opportunity to explore a region rich in natural beauty and history.
Getting there
Sinaia is easily reached by train, situated on the main railway line connecting Bucharest and Brașov. Numerous trains pass through Sinaia, servicing major Romanian cities like Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Sighişoara, Timişoara, Iaşi, and Arad, making rail travel a convenient option. The closest international airport is in Bucharest (Henri Coandă International Airport, OTP), from which you can connect to Sinaia by train, with the journey taking a little over an hour. For those preferring to drive, Sinaia lies on National Road No. 1, offering straightforward access by car from Bucharest or Brașov. Once in Sinaia, the central area with its main attractions is comfortably walkable, though local bus lines also serve the main street and routes towards Peleș Castle and the gondola stations.
Compare trains, buses & flights to Sinaia on Omio →
Romania runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.
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Where to stay
Sinaia, with its heritage as a favored resort of the Romanian upper class, offers a range of accommodations suited to a comfortable stay. Consider basing yourself in the central area, where you will be close to the festival venues and within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the main sights. The town is known for its impressive hotels and luxurious holiday villas, reflecting its history as a 'summer capital.' Booking in advance is advisable, especially during the festival season, to secure a well-located room.
What you'll hear
The Sinaia Guitar Festival features a competition structured across several categories (A, B, C, D), each with specific repertoire requirements and attractive prizes. Competitors in Categories A, B, and C present a free program performed from memory, with increasing time limits. Category D, the most advanced, requires a first stage with works from at least two stylistic periods, followed by a final round featuring a free program, both performed from memory and without repeating pieces from earlier stages. The competition runs in several age categories, and its finals draw ambitious young players.
Beyond the competition, Sinaia holds a quiet significance in Romanian musical history as the summer residence of the great Romanian composer George Enescu. His Luminiș villa in the Cumpătu district, now a memorial house, offers a glimpse into the life of this influential musician, who often found inspiration in the tranquil mountain setting. While not directly linked to guitar repertoire, Enescu's presence adds a layer of cultural depth to the town, allowing visitors to connect with the broader artistic heritage of the region.
The local table
As a popular Romanian mountain resort, Sinaia offers a varied culinary scene, though specific traditional dishes tied uniquely to the town are not widely grounded in sources. Visitors can expect to find a range of Romanian fare, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients typical of the Carpathian region. Look for restaurants and eateries that highlight traditional recipes, often incorporating hearty meats, polenta (mămăligă), and locally sourced produce. Craft stalls and markets also present opportunities to sample local foods and artisanal products, providing a taste of the region's culinary offerings.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Sinaia →
While you're there
Sinaia is dominated by the majestic Peleș Castle, the former summer residence of King Charles I, a true Gothic Revival fantasy inaugurated in 1883. Its ornate architecture, extensive armory collection, and opulent interiors, complete with period 'mod-cons' like central heating, make it a highlight. Right next door, Pelișor Castle offers another glimpse into royal life. The Sinaia Monastery, built between 1690 and 1695, is the town's namesake and features a museum with a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania. For music lovers, a visit to the George Enescu Memorial House in the Cumpătu district provides insight into the life of the celebrated Romanian composer. You can also stroll through Dimitrie Ghica Park, surrounded by beautiful old buildings including the Sinaia Casino, or explore the Museum of Sinaia. Beyond the town, the Bucegi Mountains offer excellent hiking opportunities in summer, with trails leading to scenic vistas. An hour's drive west will take you to Ialomița Cave in the Ialomița Gorges, a fascinating natural attraction. Sinaia also serves as a good base for exploring the wider Prahova Valley region.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Sinaia →
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This map centers on Sinaia in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.
More guitar events in Romania: Eduard Pamfil International Guitar Competition · Guitar Talents International Competition · Harmonia Cordis International Guitar Festival
Also in July: Canadian Music Competition - Guitar · Certamen Miquel Llobet · Classical Guitar Retreat Scotland · Concorso Città di Fiuggi · Granada Guitar Festival · International Guitar Festival José Tomás Villa de Petrer
Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.