Portugal among the most sought-after tourist destinations
In the study, Southern Europe achieved 70% interest as a travel destination in 2026. Portugal ranks fourth in the second wave of the Study of Visitor Sentiment Analysis in Portugal, conducted by MINDHAUS for Turismo de Portugal.For quantitative purposes, travellers from the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, Spain and France were surveyed. 32% of respondents expressed interest in travelling to Portugal during the spring. A total of 6,680 responses were collected, updating the results of the first wave of the study, which placed Portugal as the third most sought-after destination between July 2025 and June 2026. In the most recent study, Portugal ranks fourth among countries such as Italy, Spain, France and Greece. Among the main reasons tourists choose a holiday destination are safety, affordable prices and packages, the welcoming nature of the people, and unique culture and nature, according to Publituris. More than just a beach destinationIn Portugal, the reasons for visiting have changed. Whereas Portugal was previously sought after mainly for its beaches and good weather, most travellers now choose to understand the culture and discover Portuguese heritage. In second place, with 18% of preferences, are the sun and beach, followed by nature and the outdoors. The reasons for visiting vary by nationality: Brazilians cite a desire to experience Portuguese cuisine, while British and Spanish tourists opt for the sun and beach. Younger people, on the other hand, are more interested in outdoor activities linked to nature. Travellers over 55 are more interested in culture and heritage. Planning the tripWhen it comes to planning trips to Portugal, independent bookings remain the predominant mode. 55% of travellers book transport and accommodation separately. The use of artificial intelligence to create holiday plans has also grown, especially among those planning longer visits to the country. Interest in transport and accommodation packages represents around 26% of respondents, while all-inclusive packages stand at 18%. However, although 33% of respondents plan their trip, 61% say they come to Portugal without any plans. Duration and budget of the stayRegarding trip duration, 57% of tourists plan trips lasting more than seven nights. Regarding budgets, most visitors plan to spend between €1,500 and €2,000 in Portugal.
