Pena Palace

Perched high in the hills of Sintra, Pena Palace rewards photographers with its riot of bold colors, turrets, and ornate detailing set against dense forest and, on clear days, sweeping Atlantic views. The exterior walls of yellow, red, and deep terracotta create strong graphic compositions, especially when you isolate individual towers or archways against the sky. The approach path through the surrounding park offers great opportunities to capture the palace emerging through tree canopies, giving a sense of scale and drama. Early morning visits are strongly recommended; the palace gets extremely crowded by mid-morning, and soft golden light picks up the textures and colors of the facades beautifully. A wide-angle lens works well for full exterior shots from the lower terraces, while a short telephoto lets you compress details and pick out decorative elements. Arrive right at opening time to avoid crowds in your frame. (Sintra, Lisbon Region, Portugal)