Queluz, Portugal

The unremarkable town of Queluz is known for just one thing, the Palácio de Queluz (Mon & Wed– Sun 9.30am–5pm; € 4; free Sun 10am–2pm), one of Portugal's most sumptuous palaces. Commissioned in 1747 and long used as the summer residence for royals, it is the country's finest example of Rococo architecture. Although its low, pink-washed wings and extensive eighteenth-century formal gardens are preserved as a museum, the palace is still pressed into service to accommodate state guests and dignitaries. From May to October (but not August) there's a display of Portuguese horsemanship here every Wednesday at 11am. Queluz lies on the Sintra train line, just twenty minutes from Lisbon's Rossio station (€ 1.10 one-way).