With 28 awards at the 32nd European World Travel Awards ceremony in Sardinia on October 22, Portugal emerged as the overwhelming winner of the 2025 edition. This landslide victory firmly reinstates the country as Europe’s tourism powerhouse.
Reclaiming the Crown After a One-Year Hiatus
Portugal has regained its coveted title of Europe’s Leading Destination, which it had to surrender to Greece in 2024. This seventh victory since 2017 marks a powerful comeback against competition from twelve nations including France, Italy, and Germany. The Portuguese government hasn’t hidden its satisfaction: this recognition validates their strategy to elevate tourism to a major economic pillar. Industry professionals are seeing their efforts acknowledged through votes from travel agents, tour operators, and tourism organizations across multiple countries.
The Madeira archipelago continues its dominance by winning Europe’s Leading Island Destination for the eleventh consecutive year.
Porto and Lisbon also shine: the former stands out as the Leading City Destination while the capital claims the prize for Leading City Break Destination.
TAP Air Portugal Reinforces Its Strategic Position
The national airline added two more trophies to its already impressive collection: Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa and to South America. These distinctions are no accident. TAP operates 85 weekly flights between Porto or Lisbon and fourteen African destinations spanning Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, and Ghana. On the Latin American front, the airline runs 96 weekly flights to thirteen Brazilian cities—averaging thirteen daily connections. It also serves Caracas, Venezuela.
The full range of awards received by Portugal covers a remarkably broad spectrum. Aquashow Water Park in Quarteira enters the winners’ circle for the first time as Europe’s Leading Water Park. Dark Sky Alqueva claimed two major prizes: Leading Tourist Attraction and Responsible Tourism Award, highlighting the growing appeal of astrotourism in Alentejo. The immersive experience “Ah Amália – Living Experience,” dedicated to the fado icon, won the title of Leading New Attraction.
This accumulation of distinctions comes amid record growth in Portuguese tourism, driven by increased visitor numbers from Europe and North America. The country now positions itself as a destination where natural heritage, creativity, and hospitality excellence converge to deliver a complete tourism experience—from Madeira to the Algarve, through Alentejo’s vineyards and the volcanic trails of the Azores.
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights.
As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.
