5Sintra, Portugal
Sintra seems to have been created for fairy tales. Set among lush hills outside Lisbon, the town is surrounded by palaces, gardens and mysterious forest landscapes.
The colorful Pena Palace is its most famous landmark, with bright architectural details and an extraordinary position overlooking the surrounding countryside. Nearby, Quinta da Regaleira adds underground passages, elaborate gardens and intriguing stone structures.
Sintra is not simply beautiful because of its buildings. The combination of misty forests, exotic gardens and extravagant architecture gives the entire area an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
