Contributed by: Eyanie Bennett
Portugal: A Top European Destination Flying…
When people talk about Europe’s top destinations, Portugal isn’t flying under the radar anymore; it’s now front and center. With its perfect blend of culture, coastline, and cost-effectiveness, Portugal is one of the most visited and loved countries in Europe.
Let’s find out why everyone’s heading to this Southern European country (on the Iberian Peninsula), to experience it.
Portugal Checks All the Travel Boxes
You want history? The streets of Lisbon and Porto feel like open-air museums.
You want beaches? The Algarve coastline is world-class: with golden cliffs, hidden sea caves, and surf that draws wave chasers from around the globe.
You want food? Portugal is a dream for foodies — fresh seafood by the coast, flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, or the iconic pastel de nata.
It’s more than just pretty places and good food. Portugal is also safe, laid-back, and surprisingly affordable, which makes it perfect for solo travelers, families, backpackers, and even digital nomads. From sunrise yoga on a cliffside to sipping wine in the Douro Valley, Portugal knows how to turn diversity into unforgettable moments.
Tourism: Massive Part of Portugal Economy
Portugal welcomed over 18.3 million tourists in 2023, a record-breaking year. The groups came from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands with Spain taking the lead. Americans are arriving in higher numbers every year, drawn to the weather, the wine, and the warm hospitality. Portugal also sees strong ties with Brazil and parts of Africa, thanks to shared language and cultural connections.
In short, Portugal speaks many languages-literally and culturally.
Portugal: A Look at it Tourism GDP Contribution & Performance Relative to France
In 2023, visitors contributed nearly 56 billion USD. (Tourism contribution to GDP in Portugal
2024| Statista) Tourism now makes up 15% of Portugal’s GDP and supports more than 800,000 jobs across
hospitality, transport, and tourism services. (Is Portugal’s Economy Based On Tourism). Unlike seasonal hotspots, Portugal attracts tourists all year round, thanks to its mild climate (warm dry summers-15 to high as 35 deg. C & wet winters: 5-14 deg. C); and broad range of experiences.
What really makes Portugal stand out is how much it fits multi-travel experiences, into it’s relatively small country size. The approximate total area of Portugal is 92,212km (Google Search). This dwarfs France in total area, almost 6x. Having said this, Portugal tourism performance relative to France in 2023, is almost neck & neck. France is reported to have earned 63 billion Euro (aprx. over 54 billion USD-June, 2025 conversion). This highlights Portugal’s immense performance as a top European destination given it’s relatively small size.
Portugal: Feels Both Different & Familiar-For Caribbean Travelers & Travelers with Caribbean Descent
Its colonial past ties it to places like Brazil and Cape Verde, and you can feel those
influences in the food, music, and faces on the street. With easy connections via London or Amsterdam, Portugal is becoming more accessible than ever for Caribbean visitors looking for something new.
Love wine?
Take a river cruise through the Douro Valley, home to centuries-old vineyards.
Want a soulful night? Sit in a backstreet bar in Lisbon and listen to live, Fado: the sound of Portuguese emotion.
Need adventure? Portugal’s surf breaks, mountain trails, and island landscapes offer
adrenaline for days.
Speaking of adventure, visit the Azores and Madeira, where you can hike volcanic peaks, bathe in hot springs, and escape the mainland crowds. It’s where ancient history meets modern life, where coastlines meet castles, and where every sunset feels like a reward.
So, whether it’s your first time in Europe or your fifteenth, Portugal is always worth the trip.
Join our upcoming excursion(s).