Rising above the forested hills of Sintra like a fairy-tale apparition, Pena Palace is one of Europe’s most visually stunning examples of 19th-century Romanticist architecture. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II in 1842, the palace is a riot of color and style — vivid red and yellow walls, Moorish arches, Gothic turrets, and Manueline flourishes all compete for attention. The interior preserves the royal apartments almost exactly as they were when the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil in 1910, complete with original furnishings and personal effects.

The surrounding park is equally enchanting, with over 200 hectares of exotic trees, fern-lined paths, and hidden grottoes. Walking through the misty woodland to reach the palace feels like entering another world entirely. On clear days, views from the palace terraces extend all the way to the Atlantic coast and Lisbon.

Pro tip: Take the bus 434 from Sintra train station to the palace entrance, but walk back downhill through the park to discover the Chalet of the Countess of Edla and the Valley of the Lakes, two often-missed gems hidden in the forest.