Portuguese rural tourism is once again in the spotlight worldwide after the villages of Loriga, Mértola, and Vila Nogueira de Azeitão were recognised as "Best Tourism Villages" by the UN World Tourism Organisation.

The award-winning villages

The UN distinction recognises 52 locations worldwide, and in 2025, three Portuguese villages were highlighted as being the best in the world.

Loriga

Credits: Wikipedia;

Located 700 meters above sea level in Serra da Estrela, Loriga is known for its granite architecture, agricultural terraces, and mirror-clear waters. Recognised as the Portuguese Switzerland, this village has alpine landscapes and a unique atmosphere in Portugal, where nature and tradition always go hand in hand.

Mértola

Credits: Wikipedia;

The so-called museum-village has a wall and a staircase on each street that show the vestiges of the civilisations that once passed through the village. With a strong Islamic heritage, an old mosque transformed into a church shows how Mértola has cultural fusions that please all visitors who pass through the village that grew up around a river.

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão

Credits: Wikipedia;

Between vineyards and mountains, and with muscatel wine, regional cheeses and historic farms vying for the leading role, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão also has excellent gastronomy to accompany any moment in the village. With natural landscapes, the village demonstrates that urban growth can be done without losing its identity.

Reason for the awards

Loriga, Mértola and Vila Nogueira de Azeitão stand out internationally for reasons that go beyond the landscapes.

According to idealista, these villages promote sustainable tourism, balancing tourism development with environmental preservation and community well-being. In these villages, heritage is valued, and each village is like a scene from a history book about Portugal.