Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa

Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa occupies a converted Italian-style palace on Rua Frei Nicolau de Oliveira in Sintra's historic hillside quarter, less than 10 minutes' walk from the UNESCO-listed Sintra Vila town centre and roughly 40km west of Lisbon. Rated 9.3 from over 1,400 reviews, the five-star property retains period architectural details across its terraced gardens while adding a full spa with sauna, Turkish steam bath, and massage facilities alongside an outdoor pool with Atlantic-facing views.

Rooms are soundproofed and fitted with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms with bathtubs and bidets. The on-site restaurant accommodates special diet requests, and a shuttle service reduces dependence on Sintra's notoriously limited parking — a practical advantage given the town's narrow approach roads. A golf course sits within two miles, and the concierge desk organises cycling and hiking routes into the Serra de Sintra natural park directly behind the property.