Located on the Portuguese Riviera, Sintra is incredibly enchanting. The city is famous for an impressive UNESCO-collection of palaces, castles and landscapes – listed as the Cultural Landscape of Sintra. It’s no wonder then, that Sintra attracts visitors from around the world to join its very real fairytale.
One of Sintra’s most iconic castles is the Pena Palace – a colourful Romanticist castle that is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. From its hilltop perch, you’ll be able to take some amazing photographs of the Sintra Mountains. Another highlight is the Palace of Sintra, renowned for being the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal. Built in the 15th-century, it’s located just outside the city and is a trip well worth it if only to admire its stunning white walls contrasted with orange and yellow rooftop hues.
Sintra is close to some of Portugal’s most scenic natural landscapes. Check out the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park for dramatic mountains, coastal cliffs, sandy beaches and lush forests. It offers plenty of hiking trails and even some fossilised dinosaur tracks. There's also Praia da Adraga, a pristine golden cove known as one of the best beaches in the Sintra region and for good reason.