Page last updated: 17 March 2024
Often hailed for its rich culture, stunning coastline, and historic cities, Portugal has witnessed a strong tourism performance every year. Drawing millions of tourists worldwide, it has long stood as one of Europe’s popular destinations.
How many tourists visit Portugal every year?
Over 18.3 million international tourists visited Portugal in 2023.1
- In 2017, Portugal greeted 15.4 million visitors and continued to show growth, reaching 17.3 million by 2019.
- However, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline, with the visitor count dropping to 4.2 million.
- With the easing of travel restrictions, 2021 witnessed a moderate recovery, attracting 6.3 million visitors.
- In 2022, Portugal saw a significant rebound, with the number of visitors soaring to 16.3 million, almost returning to pre-pandemic levels.2
- Portugal witnessed a continued bounce-back in its tourism sector in 2023, as international tourist arrivals climbed to approximately 18.3 million. This reflects a 12.2% growth over the previous year and surpassed the number of visitors in the pre-pandemic year.
How much do tourists spend in Portugal every year?
Tourism spending in Portugal typically reflects the number of visitor arrivals.
- From 2017 to 2019, spending increased from $17.8 billion to $20.4 billion, showcasing steady growth.
- However, the 2020 pandemic caused a drastic reduction, with figures falling to $8.8 billion.
- As travel conditions improved in 2021, there was a recovery in spending to $11.8 billion.
- The upward trend continued in 2022 and 2023, with spending reaching a notable $22 billion and $23 billion3, respectively.
Where do visitors to Portugal come from?
Spain consistently leads as the top source of inbound visitors to Portugal, followed by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.4
- In 2019, Portugal welcomed 2.5 million Spaniards, 2.2 million Britons, 1.8 million French, 1.7 million Germans, and 672,000 Dutch visitors.
- However, 2020 brought noticeable declines from all these countries, largely due to travel restrictions and health considerations. The most significant drops were among visitors from Spain (878,000) and the UK (492,000).
- In 2021, a gradual recovery started to emerge, with increases from all the top source countries. Despite not reaching pre-pandemic levels, it’s crucial to note that the number of Spanish tourists increased to 1.3 million, indicating that regional travel was recovering.
Portugal Travel Resources
How many people visited Portugal in 2022?
- Portugal experienced a remarkable rebound in tourism in 2022, welcoming 16.3 million visitors.
- When compared to the figures in 2021, this marked a significant 157% increase, yet reaching only 94% of the total seen in 2019.
How much did visitors spend in Portugal in 2022?
- Tourist spending substantially rose in 2022, with visitors contributing a total of $21.97 billion to Portugal’s economy.
- This represented an 86% rise from the $11.81 billion recorded in 2021 and surpassed the pre-pandemic spending by 7%.
Impact of Coronavirus – Portugal Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- When the pandemic hit in 2020, arrivals in Portugal dropped drastically to 4.2 million, and expenditure fell to $8.8 billion. This marked a decline of roughly 75.7% in visits and a decrease of around 56.8% in spending.
- In 2021, there was a modest recovery, with 6.3 million arrivals (a 50% increase) and $11.8 billion in expenditure (a 33.7% increase). Although these were improvements from 2020, they remained well below pre-pandemic levels.
Top Attractions in Portugal
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon: A masterpiece of Manueline architecture, this monastery is a must-see for its historical and cultural significance.
- Oceanário de Lisboa: Recognised as one of the largest aquariums in Europe, offering a deep dive into marine life.
- Palácio Nacional de Sintra: Located in the mystical Sintra mountains, this palace is a blend of various architectural styles, reflecting centuries of Portuguese history.
- Algarve: Known for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, scalloped bays, and sandy islands, the Algarve offers some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
- Torre de Belém, Lisbon: A symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, this fortified tower is iconic for its ornate architecture and historical significance.
