Portugal has once again taken centre stage on the global tourism scene, being crowned Europe’s Leading Destination 2025 at the World Travel Awards, often described as the “Oscars of Tourism.”
At the European gala, held on Wednesday, October 22 in Sardinia, Italy, Portugal walked away with 28 distinctions.
Among the headline wins, Lisbon was named Europe’s Leading City Break Destination, Porto took home Europe’s Leading City Destination, and Madeira continued its dominance as Europe’s Leading Island Destination. The Dark Sky Alqueva project in the Alentejo also impressed, earning two major honours – Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction and Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award.
In the Algarve, Dunas Douradas Beach Club was named Europe’s Leading Resort Villas, while Aquashow took home the title of Europe’s Leading Water Park.
Here’s the full list of awards received by Portugal:
Destinations
• Europe’s Leading City Break Destination 2025: Lisbon
• Europe’s Leading City Destination 2025: Porto
• Europe’s Leading Destination 2025: Portugal
• Europe’s Leading Island Destination 2025: Madeira
• Europe’s Leading Tourist Board 2025: Associação de Promoção da Madeira
Hospitality
• Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel Operator 2025: Amazing Evolution
• Europe’s Leading Design Hotel 2025: 1908 Lisboa Hotel
• Europe’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2025: Lumen Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show
• Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2025: Savoy Palace
• Europe’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2025: Valverde Lisbon Hotel & Garden
• Europe’s Leading Hotel Management Company 2025: Amazing Evolution
• Europe’s Leading Hotel Residences 2025: Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort
• Europe’s Leading Resort Villas 2025: Dunas Douradas Beach Club
• Europe’s Most Romantic Hotel 2025: Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais
Transport
• Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2025: Passadiços do Paiva
• 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 Regional Airline 2025: SATA Air Açores
• Europe’s Leading Business Car Rental Company 2025: Sixt
• Europe’s Leading Chauffeur Company 2025: Sixt Ride
• Europe’s Leading Luxury Car Rental Company 2025: Sixt
Travel Agencies & Management
• Europe’s Leading Travel Agency 2025: Top Atlântico
• Europe’s Leading Travel Management Company 2025: FCM Travel
Attractions
• Europe’s Leading New Tourist Attraction 2025: Ah Amália – Living Experience
• Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2025: Dark Sky Alqueva
• Europe’s Leading Water Park 2025: Aquashow Water Park
• Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award 2025: Dark Sky Alqueva
The full list of all national and international winners can be viewed at World Travel Awards – Europe Winners 2025.
The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.”
