Porto was distinguished as the Best City Break Destination and Madeira as the Best Island Destination. The Paiva Walkways were once again distinguished by the organization and Quake made its debut on the list. The winners of the European edition of the World Travel Awards, known as the “Oscars of tourism”, are now known. Portugal won 22 awards, with the highlight being the renewal of the title of “Best Tourist Destination in Europe“. Despite these achievements, compared to 2022, Portugal won 8 fewer awards.
Portugal has just won the “Best Tourist Destination in Europe” award at the gala of the European edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA), which took place in Batumi, Georgia. This is the sixth time that Portugal has won this category. In this edition, Portugal won a total of 22 European awards in various categories. Among the main distinctions is the city of Porto, considered “Best City Break Destination in Europe”, the Algarve, winner of “Best Beach Destination in Europe”, Lisbon as “Best City Destination in Europe”, Madeira, the “Best Island Destination in Europe” and the Paiva Walkways, in Arouca, as “Best Adventure Tourism Attraction”, in 2023. Most of these victories are renewals of awards won in previous years.
Also noteworthy was TAP, which was honored twice, as the best European airline to fly to Africa and South America.
Lisbon was named Best City, the Algarve Best Beach Destination, Porto Best City Break Destination, and Madeira Best Island Destination. The capital was also considered to have the Best Cruise Port on the European continent.
The Quake, Lisbon’s Earthquake Museum, was awarded Best New Tourist Attraction. The Paiva Walkways, a regular on this list, once again won the award for Best Adventure Tourist Attraction in Europe. Dark Sky Alqueva, which was already a repeat winner in 2022, once again won the Responsible Tourism Award.
Award-winning hotels
Among the 2023 winners of the European edition of the World Travel Awards are several hotel projects: Verride Palácio Santa Catarina (Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel), Bairro Alto Hotel (Europe’s Leading Landmark Hotel), Valverde Hotel (Europe’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel), Pestana Palace Lisboa (Europe’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel), L’AND Vineyards (Europe’s Leading Wine Region Hotel), Vale do Lobo (Europe’s Leading Lifestyle Resort), Dunas Douradas Beach Club (Europe’s Leading Resort Villas), Monte Santo Resort (Europe’s Most Romantic Resort), Cascade Wellness Resort (Europe’s Leading Sports Resort), Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort (Europe’s Leading Villa Resort), Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive (Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort) and Saccharum (Europe’s Leading Island Resort).
The list of awards for Portugal also includes Amazing Evolution, voted best Boutique Hotel and Hotel Management operator, the Lisbon Cruise Port, considered the best in Europe, and Douro Azul, the best cruise company.
List of awards won by Portugal in the “Europe” category:
Best Destination in Europe: Portugal
Best Beach Destination: Algarve
Best City Destination: Lisbon
Best City Break Destination: Porto
Best Island Destination: Madeira
Best Landmark Hotel: Bairro Alto Hotel
Best Lifestyle Resort: Vale do Lobo
Best Luxury Boutique Hotel: Valverde Hotel
Best Resort Accommodation: Dunas Douradas Beach Club
Best River Cruise Company: DouroAzul
Best Sports Resort: Cascade Wellness Resort
Best Villa Resort: Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort
Best Wine Region Hotel: L’AND Vineyards
Most Romantic Resort: Monte Santo Resort
Europa Responsible Tourism Award: Dark Sky Alqueva
All-Inclusive Resort: Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive, Portugal
Luxury Business Hotel: Pestana Palace Lisboa
Design Hotel: Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Best New Tourist Attraction: Quake, Lisbon Earthquake Museum
Best Adventure Destination: Paiva Walkways
Best Airline to Africa: TAP
Best Airline to South America: TAP
Best Boutique Hotel in Europe: Varride Palácio Santa Catarina
Best Cruise Port: Lisbon
The World Travel Awards, known as the “Oscars of Tourism”, recognize and reward excellence in travel, based on voting by industry professionals, the media, and consumers.
