Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Evergreens

3 really good reasons why Americans are visiting Portugal in record numbers

This is why you should add Portugal to your bucket list

By
Portugal city
SZimmermann_DE / Pixabay

Portugal is a gorgeous country nestled on the Iberian Peninsula. Its irresistible charm, safe streets, and gorgeous weather have made this country one of the top international travel destinations for Americans over the past few years. In fact, according to Reuters, nearly 140,000 travelers from the United States visited Portugal in November, bringing the number of foreign tourists in the country to a record high. But what makes Portugal so special? 

Lisbon
Leonhard_Niederwimmer / Pixabay

Portugal is affordable

Portugal stands out as a remarkably affordable destination, and the country offers a budget-friendly haven for travelers seeking high-quality experiences without breaking the bank. In fact, the city of Lagos recently made our list of 2024’s most affordable vacation destinations. You’ll find reasonably priced hotels, charming guesthouses, and affordable hostels without compromising on comfort or authenticity. Dining in the country is also a delight for the wallet, and you can find delicious meals at local markets and eateries for a very affordable price.

Recommended Videos

Additionally, public transportation, including buses and trains, makes it easy to explore everything the country has to offer without worrying about shelling out money to rent a car or hail a cab.

Portugal
Julius_Silver / Pixabay

There are several amazing places to explore

No matter what you are looking for, Portugal has something for you. If you are interested in city life, then you can check out Porto. This coastal city is known for its cobbled streets, bustling nightlife, and wonderful shopping opportunities.

If you want to enjoy the warm weather, then head over to The Algarve, which has golden beaches and rugged cliffs where you can soak up the sun all year round. The Douro Valley, adorned with terraced vineyards and a sparkling river, is heaven for wine connoisseurs looking to indulge in locally-sourced vintages

Nature enthusiasts can venture into the lush forests of the Azores or explore the incredible volcanic landscapes of Madeira for an escape like no other. Whether you want to hike, bird watch, or engage in water sports, Portugal’s natural beauty promises unforgettable moments. A few of the other best places to visit in Portugal include Lisbon, The Minho, and Sintra.

lisbon
Pixabay

Warm hospitality, friendly people, and amazing food

Portuguese hospitality is known for its warmth and authenticity. Visitors will find themselves welcomed with open arms, creating a strong sense of home away from home. The country’s food scene is equally inviting, featuring a wide array of dishes. You can indulge in fresh seafood along the coast, savor the iconic Pastel de Nata pastry, and enjoy the flavors of Portuguese wines and cheeses. The combination of friendly locals, amazing food, and a calm atmosphere adds an extra layer of charm to a visit to Portugal.

lisbon
Freesally / Pixabay

Schedule your trip to Portugal today

Are you ready to plan a trip to Portugal? Luckily, any time of year is a great time to visit this incredible country. One of the best travel tips for visiting the country, however, is to choose your preferred season based on the experience you are seeking. During spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) you will find milder weather as well as fewer crowds. Spring offers vibrant landscapes while fall offers pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.

If you visit in the summer (July to August), just be aware that this is the peak tourist season, so you will likely experience more crowds as well as higher temperatures. Winter (November to March) provides milder temperatures and is the perfect time to enjoy a quieter experience exploring the country’s historical sites.

Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio
Topics
Travel
The Art of Doing Nothing in Kyoto
the art of doing nothing in kyoto hanami street

My first trip to Kyoto was an exhausting three-day bender. I rose at 5 a.m. to see the sunrise from Fushimi Inari, spent a small fortune Ubering between temples, and probably snapped a terabyte’s worth of photos of geiko, monks, and monkeys. I departed the ancient city with the nagging feeling that I had simultaneously seen everything and nothing—a regret akin to rushing through a magnificent dinner.

When I returned this past summer with my girlfriend, I kept in mind Kipling’s advice to the traveler: “The first condition for understanding a new country is to smell it.” With the UNESCO sites safely ticked off, I wanted to savor Kyoto slowly. Mornings in coffee shops with a book. Afternoon strolls through Gion to admire art, watches, and antiques. Dinners at out-of-the-way izakaya, perhaps followed by nightcaps at bars recommended by waiters. Like a Heian roué, I would lounge, loiter, and lollygag my way through Kyoto.

Read more
Travel
Canyon de Chelly: A Beautiful Place With a Powerful and Tragic History
Peter Horan

From the rim of Canyon de Chelly, the view is almost impossibly beautiful. Sheer red sandstone walls plunge hundreds of feet toward a green ribbon of cottonwood trees and cultivated fields. Ancient stone dwellings cling to narrow ledges high above the canyon floor. It’s the sort of landscape that makes you reach for your camera before you’ve even begun to understand what you’re looking at.

But Canyon de Chelly is much more than another spectacular Southwestern landscape. People have lived here for nearly 5,000 years, and unlike most of the great archaeological sites of the Southwest, this is still a place where families live, farm, and maintain deep connections to their ancestral homeland. It’s also the setting for one of the most tragic chapters in American history.

Read more
Travel
I tried FlipSide’s luggage: its clever compartments changed the way I organize my trips
A set of three FlipSide luggage travel bags

Organizing items in your suitcase or backpack should be a one-time thing, but that’s rarely true. Even if you save space by rolling your clothes and arrange your gear in a Tetris-like formation, things seem to explode the second you land at your destination and unzip your bag. Even worse, dirty laundry and souvenirs make you rethink your whole packing strategy, and staying at multiple properties means that you’ll have to do it over and over again. Thankfully, the FlipSide luggage suite tackles this issue—but did it really make packing easier for me?

I’ve spent much of 2026 testing three of the brand’s bags, including the 22-inch Ryan Carry-On, 26-inch Ryan Checked Bag, and the FlipSide Backpack. And I’m delighted to share that in a world of premium bags to choose from, these actually made a difference. This is largely due to one design element that both improved and simplified my packing experience — a zippered divider that let me split each bag into two distinct packing areas. 

Read more