The professional tourism community chose the best destination among 19 applicants.
The Portuguese Algarve, often referred to as the “California of Europe”, has been named the world’s best beach destination for 2025. According to The Daily Mail, this sunny region in the south of the country has long attracted tourists with its golden beaches, picturesque cliffs, historic towns, affordable prices, and convenient flights.
In the current World Travel Awards ceremony in Bahrain, held on December 6, the Algarve beat Mauritius – known for its white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons – and won the title for the third consecutive time. It is noted that this is the region’s fourth victory overall, making it the only beach destination in the world to have won the award four times.
Thus, the Algarve has surpassed iconic resorts such as the Maldives and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which each have three awards.
The professional travel community chose the best destination among 19 candidates, including Thailand, Cancun, the Seychelles, the Philippines, and Zanzibar. The Algarve boasts over 150 beaches, including the popular Praia da Falésia with its red cliffs and the spectacular Praia da Marinha.
It is said that about 3.7 million Britons visited Portugal last year, which is approximately 17-18% of all foreign tourists. The good news for travelers is that tickets to Faro Airport can be found for as low as £18, and the flight from the UK takes less than three hours.
For example, Wizz Air offers flights from Gatwick to Faro for £18, allowing you to enjoy the winter sun. In winter, the temperature in the Algarve typically ranges between 11°C and 16°C.
In May, when daytime temperatures reach 22-24°C, tickets from Gatwick can be found for as low as £26.
Andre Gomes, President of the Algarve Tourism Bureau, called the victory “a special moment for the entire region.” According to him, this award is the result of many years of teamwork and confirmation that the Algarve holds the global leadership among beach destinations. He added that along with the award, the region also receives an additional responsibility – to protect natural resources and exceed the expectations of guests.
Portugal is also a leader among places to live
The success of the Algarve coincided with Portugal’s ranking as one of the top five countries in the world for retirement in 2026. Additionally, it was ranked third in the list of the most attractive countries for purchasing vacation homes.
With over 300 sunny days a year, a relaxed lifestyle, and still competitive property prices, Portugal is attracting more and more British people. Currently, there are approximately 47,409 British expats living in the country.
The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is approximately £186,000, and according to Rightmove, the south coast remains the most popular destination for foreign buyers.
