Pena Palace (Sintra)

Perched dramatically atop the Sintra hills in a riot of yellow, red, and blue tiles, Pena Palace feels like a fairy tale that decided to become real in the 19th century. This Romantic architectural masterpiece blends Portuguese, Moorish, and European influences into one wonderfully eccentric hilltop fantasy that King Ferdinand II created as his summer retreat. Walking through its ornate rooms and colorful courtyards, you'll discover why locals call it the most whimsical royal residence in all of Europe.