Europe continues to attract American travelers thanks to its unique culture and customs, rich history, and natural beauty.
Spain, Greece, and Italy continue to be among the most popular European countries for visitors from the U.S.
But Portugal is also attracting Americans in huge numbers with 140,000 American visitors in November alone bringing the number of foreign tourists in Portugal to a record high.
Here’s why this stunning European country is seeing a record number of American travelers:
An Affordable Destination
According to the report from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute, there were more visitors from America than any other nation in Portugal in November.
They have reported that the number of U.S. tourists has grown significantly due to them finding the Southern European country cheap, sunny, and safe.
You get more bang for your buck in Portugal than in many other European countries.
One survey from last summer ranked Lisbon as the best value European city break for 2023 while the Algarve was awarded the honor of being the cheapest overall holiday destination in the Eurozone.
U.S. travelers can expect to pay around $10 to $20 per meal to dine in a local restaurant. A cup of coffee will cost around $1.10, and a beer will cost less than $2.
Good Year-Round Weather
Unlike many other European destinations, particularly those in Northern Europe, Portugal experiences very mild winters where the temperatures rarely go under 10ºC (50ºF).
Average winter temperatures are 16 ºC (60.8F) in the Algarve, while average summer temperatures are around 24 ºC (75.2F). This means that you won’t need to bundle up in winter clothing no matter what time of year you choose to visit.
Portugal also benefits from year-round sunshine, which means that whether you want to relax on its many beaches or explore its rich history of culture, you will have the weather on your side. Even in the coldest month of January, the sun shines for around 9 hours a day in the Algarve.
While it may be too cold to swim in the ocean you can take advantage of having Portugal’s beaches all to yourself during the winter months away from the overwhelming crowds that can descend on those same beaches in the summer.
Winter is also a great time of year for sightseeing in Portugal for the same reasons: low crowd levels and temperatures that are comfortable for walking and exploring without the unrelenting heat of the summer months.
Rich Culture And History
One of the main reasons to explore Portugal is its rich culture and history.
Despite their geographical proximity, each European country has its own unique culture and heritage, and Portugal is well worth exploring for this.
A lot of the architecture in Portugal dates to the 1500s–1800s when Portugal had a strong empire and highlights of the attractions to visit from this period include the Belém Tower in Lisbon which visitors can climb for a spectacular view and the Bolso Palace in Porto.
The 11th-century Castelo De São Jorge in Lisbon is a fascinating fortress and one of the city’s most significant historical attractions.
If you visit nothing else during your stay in Lisbon then make it this beautiful Moorish castle.
The people of Portugal are warm and welcoming to tourists, and from relaxing on the Algarve’s rugged beaches to wandering through Porto’s narrow winding streets, there is always something to see and do in this spectacular country.
Safe For American Travelers
Portugal is considered a very safe destination for American travelers.
Portugal boasts the lowest possible travel advisory level from the U.S. Department of State (Level 1) and U.S. citizens are simply advised to exercise normal precautions in the country.
The U.S. Department of State gives every overseas destination a travel advisory level ranging from Level 1: Exercise normal precautions to Level 4: Do not travel.
Like in most destinations, travelers in Portugal are at risk of petty theft and pickpocketing in the most popular tourist attractions, but outside of this, crimes against tourists are very rare in the country.
This means that you can feel safe traveling to Portugal as part of a couple or group, as a family, and as a solo traveler.
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