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The Algarve has once again secured international recognition after being named World’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2025 World Travel Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most desirable coastal regions.
The announcement was made during the global awards ceremony held in Bahrain in December 2025, where tourism destinations from across the world were recognised for excellence.
This latest accolade marks the fourth time the Algarve has won the title, having previously received the award in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
The achievement places the southern Portuguese region ahead of global competitors as the most frequently awarded destination in this category.
The World Travel Awards are widely regarded as one of the most authoritative benchmarks in the travel and tourism industry, with winners selected through votes from travel professionals, industry bodies, media, and consumers worldwide.
In 2025, the Algarve emerged as the top destination from a shortlist of 19 nominated beach locations, including internationally recognised regions such as Thailand, the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Cancun, and the Philippines.
The result highlights the Algarve’s continued appeal in an increasingly competitive global tourism market.
The region’s success is closely linked to its approximately 200-kilometre Atlantic coastline, which offers a diverse range of beaches, from long sandy stretches to sheltered coves bordered by limestone cliffs.
Beaches such as Praia da Marinha, regularly ranked among Europe’s most scenic, have become emblematic of the Algarve’s natural beauty. The area also benefits from a mild climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, supporting year-round tourism activity.
Beyond its beaches, the Algarve has developed a broad tourism offering that includes golf resorts, water sports, coastal trails, historic towns, gastronomy, and nature reserves. These factors have helped the region maintain consistent visitor demand while appealing to both leisure travellers and longer-term residents.
Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, noted that the award “demonstrates the region’s ability to combine lifestyle, infrastructure and long-term vision, making it attractive not only to tourists, but also to international investors and families seeking a sustainable base in Europe.”
Portugal’s broader tourism sector also benefited from strong international recognition at the 2025 awards, with several regions and hospitality brands receiving honours across multiple categories. The Algarve’s latest win contributes significantly to the country’s overall tourism profile, reinforcing Portugal’s position as one of Europe’s most resilient and high-performing destinations.
Stannard continued: “Portugal’s tourism and hospitality sector has been further strengthened by investment through Portugal’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme.
“Golden Visa investors are supporting key sectors like this and in return receiving benefits such as freedom of movement across the 29 EU Schengen region countries and a pathway to permanent dual EU citizenship.”
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