Tourism in Portugal

Portugal attracts many tourists each year. In 2006 alone the country was visited by 12.8 million tourists. Tourism is very important in Portugal.

The main tourist areas are the Greater Lisbon (Lisboa), the Algarve, Portuguese Islands (Madeira and Azores), Greater Portugal and Northan Portugal (Porto e Norte) and Alentejo.

After Barcelona, Lisbon is the European city attracting most tourists, with 7 million tourists sleeping in the city's hotels in 2006. In the past few years Lisbon has surpassed the Algarve as the most visited tourist region in Portugal. Porto and Northern Portugal are areas on increasing popularity for tourists. Most tourists in Portugal are British, Spanish or German, they are not only in search of the sun but also for the culture, the fantastic mediterranean food, the famous wine, nautical tourism and business.

Tourism Regions

Costa Verde - The Portuguese green coast comprises all the northern coast of Portugal from the estuary of the Minho River to the city of Porto.

Costa da Prata — Silver coast. The coast of central Portugal from Porto to Lisbon.

Costa de Lisboa — Lisbon coast. The coast of the capital city and its important suburbs.

Montanhas — Mountainous and interior regions of northern and central Portugal, namely Serra da Estrela and Trás-os-Montes.

Planícies — The Portuguese plane region of Alentejo in the south.

Algarve — The southern coast of Portugal.

Madeira — The Madeira islands.

Açores — The Azores islands.