'Real-life fairytale' town near popular city under 3 hours from the UK
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Portugal, with its stunning cities and charming towns, is a favourite among holidaymakers. One such place that's been dubbed a 'real-life fairytale' is the beautiful town of Sintra, nestled along the Portuguese Riviera near Lisbon. Once a summer retreat for Portugal's nobility and Royal family, Sintra's history is evident in its villas, castles, and palaces. These have become tourist hotspots due to their Romanticist architecture and captivating gardens.
Sintra is less than four hours from the UK, with flights to Lisbon taking roughly two hours and 50 minutes. From Lisbon, a 40-50 minute train ride will get you to Sintra. Visitors can choose to stay in Sintra or book a hotel in Lisbon and make a day trip to this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of Sintra's top attractions is the Palácio Nacional da Pena, one of Portugal's seven wonders. This vibrant castle began as a chapel, then became a monastery before being transformed into a Royal retreat by King Consort Ferdinand II in 1838. The castle remained in Royal possession until 1910, when the Royal family and much of the country's nobility fled to Brazil during the revolution. Since then, Pena Palace has been restored to its former glory. Another must-visit is the ruins of the Castle of the Moors, a hilltop medieval castle captured by Christian Crusaders.
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