Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira

This castle has a magical element: from the architectural style to the lush surroundings, it all seems like a set straight out of a movie. The winding towers, the stone wells, the formation of rocks and caves, and so many things here will inspire fantasy lovers. This place is unique because of its mythical characteristics. All the elements are so perfectly balanced here: the thriving plants and the aging of the stone make you feel that though time has passed, there’s always something full of life here.

The famous Initiation Well has a huge line just to get into the well, so we skipped this spot. There are also lockers by the entrance. It was super helpful for travelers like us who carried a lot of stuff for a full-day trip in Sintra.