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If you’re a history buff with a distinct love for all things European, and cobbled streets, ancient sites and fairytale medieval castles make your heart beat faster, then budget-friendly Portugal will probably be high on your list of places to visit this year .
It is not only affordable by Western European standards, but also based on the latest data shared by Google, the homeland of the Lusophones is the fourth most searched destination worldwide at the moment, surpassing tourism giants such as Egypt, Thailand and even trendy Croatia.
Portugal has never been as popular as it is right now, and you might be wondering what sets it apart from the rest and why it’s about to become one of Europe’s tourist hotspots by 2024:
A cultural hotspot that has been overlooked for far too long
Located at the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Portugal is an ancient country with a history of more than 2,000 years, from Roman times to modern times, and a cultural relevance that is often downplayed compared to Spain, France, Italy and the like.
In a way, it’s surprising that Portugal didn’t explode in popularity much sooner: while Portuguese history isn’t in the average history book, this was a major naval power across the pond, with an empire that also stretched to the Americas. as parts of West Africa and Asia.
During the Age of Discoveries, Portugal amassed one of the greatest resources in Europeand the legacy of colonialism, even if controversial, is still visible in the cities, where majestic imperial palaces stand and ornate, gold-laden churches and their whitewashed towers speckle the cityscape.
If anything, much of the country still acts as a window into the past, offering visitors to Europe some of the Old World charm they so desperately crave.
Portugal is incredibly diverse
Each destination in the country is distinguished by its appeal and tourist offer.
Built on seven hills, as dictated by Roman policy at the time, Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is essentially a Open air museum packed with historic sights, such as Alfama, a hippie neighborhood known for its narrow, colorful houses, and the ancient hilltop Saint George’s Castle.
Porto, in the north, is the place to sample Portuguese food as it is home to a number of award-winning eateries, including Dona Mira And Casa Nandaand it is set in the surrounding countryside, dominated by rolling green hills, where the world famous Porto wine is made.
Want to beat the crowds and mingle with the locals?
You’ll probably want to add off-the-beaten-path towns like Aveiro, dubbed the Portuguese Venice for its elongated canals and flamboyant gondolas, and Evora and its perfectly preserved 1st-century Roman temple to your list.
Don’t get us started on Portuguese nature. It certainly deserves its own section.
A small country with beautiful nature
From the snow-capped peaks of the Serra da Estrela to the sunny south coast, Portugal has some of the most diverse breathtaking natural beauty everywhere in Europe, despite its small landmass.
You could literally spend your entire life exploring the country without ever checking off your bucket list in its entirety.
For beaches and a subtropical coastal atmosphere, head to the laid-back Algarve, a warm year-round destination with postcard-perfect golden sand crescents and picturesque seaside villages bordered by a clear blue Atlantic Ocean.
Can’t wait to get out into nature and is walking your thing?
A visit to the beautiful, densely forested, mountainous island of Madeira, a part of Portugal that lies off the coast of West Africa, should definitely be on your itinerary (find out why here).
Let’s get the majestic wilderness of the Azores: with its pristine beaches, deep calderas, in other words landscapes and Atlantic nature, it is a remote, unspoilt archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that also flies the Portuguese flag.
Portugal is quite affordable as a tourist destination
Last but not least, Portugal can be considered an affordable European destination.
Southern Europe is usually associated with high hotel prices and high consumer prices, but this is not true in Portugal, where the daily cost of a mid-range holiday averages $44, and tourists are expected to pay for it. $130 per night for rooms.
Hostels are even cheaper, averaging $55 in popular tourist cities, and according to Budget your tripa week-long ‘budget’ trip to Portugal for two people costs around $858, excluding flights, if luxury travel isn’t an absolute must.
In fact, Lisbon was just crowned the cheapest city trip in Europe Recently, based on a survey of 173 cities carried out by the British Economist Intelligence Unit, and given that this is the capital, the country’s most visited destination, and where prices tend to be higher, it confirmed that Portugal is indeed a bargain is.
Do you want to get inspiration for your next trip? Discover here which are the five cheapest cities in Portugal.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
