Portugal the “Best Destination in Europe”

Portugal has emerged victorious at the latest World Travel Awards European gala, receiving the award for Best European Destination, with the cities of Lisbon and Porto, as well as the Madeira archipelago, also recognised.

The World Travel Awards European gala honoured the best tourism and travel companies in Europe on Wednesday, October 22nd, at an event held at the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, Italy, according to a report by Publituris.

Portugal emerged victorious in these global awards, winning the award for "Best Destination in Europe."

Also worthy of note was Lisbon, which received the award for "Best Destination in Europe for City Breaks," and Porto, which received the award for "Best Urban Destination in Europe." The Madeira archipelago was also recognised in European awards, receiving the distinction of "Best Island Destination in Europe."

For Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce, and Services, this award "reflects the work, dedication, and quality of all the professionals who, every day, make tourism one of the main pillars of our economy."

Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal, emphasised that "this award demonstrates Portugal's great capacity to establish itself as one of the best tourist destinations in Europe."

In a press release, the president of Turismo de Portugal emphasised that this award "consolidates the prominent position that the country has been steadily building, and serves as an incentive to continue constantly improving our destinations and our offerings, and to innovate to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of demand."

Airlines

In the airline segment, TAP Air Portugal received double awards, being recognised as the best airline from Europe to Africa and South America.

Similarly, SATA was recognised not only as the best airline from Europe to North America (Azores Airlines by SATA), but also as the best regional airline (SATA Air Açores).

It is worth noting that TAP currently operates 85 weekly flights from Porto and Lisbon to 14 destinations in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, and Ghana.

To Brazil, this airline offers 96 weekly flights to 13 Brazilian capitals, an average of 13 flights per day. In South America, TAP also flies to Caracas, Venezuela.

Hotel Awards

In the hotel segment, the World Travel Awards European gala honoured seven hotels in Portugal.

In Madeira, the Savoy Palace stood out, having been named the "Best Luxury Hotel in Europe" by the World Travel Awards.

In Lisbon, the 1908 Lisboa Hotel was awarded "Best Design Hotel in Europe," while the LUMEN Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show received the "Best Lifestyle Hotel in Europe" award.

Also in the capital, two Valverde hotels received awards: the Valverde Lisbon Hotel & Garden (Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Europe) and the Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais (Most Romantic Hotel in Europe).

In the Algarve region, the Dunas Douradas Beach Club was recognized as "Best Villa Resort in Europe" and the Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, as "Best Hotel Residences in Europe."

Finally, Amazing Evolution was doubly honoured at this European gala, being recognized as the "Best Hotel Management Company in Europe" and the "Best Boutique Hotel Operator in Europe."

See below the full list of projects in Portugal that received European awards.

Europe's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2025: Passadiços do Paiva (Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark);

Europe's Leading Airline to Africa 2025: TAP Air Portugal;

Europe's Leading Airline to North America 2025: Azores Airlines;

Europe's Leading Airline to South America 2025: TAP Air Portugal;

Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel Operator 2025: Amazing Evolution;

Europe's Leading City Break Destination 2025: Lisbon;

Europe's Leading City Destination 2025: Porto;

Europe's Leading Design Hotel 2025: 1908 Lisboa Hotel;

Europe’s Leading Destination 2025: Portugal;

Europe’s Leading Hotel Management Company 2025: Amazing Evolution;

Europe’s Leading Hotel Residences 2025: Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort;