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Published 17 Mar 2024 · Updated 20 Jul 2025
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?
10.4 million to 34.0 million tourists visit Portugal each year.
- In 2017, Portugal welcomed 21.6 million visitors, showing impressive growth that continued until 2019, reaching 27.1 million.
- However, the 2020 pandemic caused a decline in tourists, with the visitor count dropping to 10.4 million.
- With the easing of travel restrictions, 2021 witnessed a moderate recovery, attracting 16.3 million visitors. In 2022, Portugal saw a substantial rebound, with the number of visitors soaring to 28.9 million, almost returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- Portugal witnessed a continued bounce-back in its tourism sector in 2023, as total tourist arrivals climbed to approximately 32.5 million.
- In 2024, Portugal welcomed 34.0 million visitors, marking a 4.6% increase over 2023 and a 25.5% increase over 20191.
How many people visited Portugal in 2024?
- As of May 2025, Portugal has welcomed 11.8 million visitors year-to-date, up from 11.4 million in the same period of 2024, representing a 2.6% increase.
| Monthly Guest Arrivals in Accommodation Establishments in Portugal (2025) | |
|---|---|
| Month | 2025 Guests (millions) |
| Jan | 1.6 M |
| Feb | 1.8 M |
| Mar | 2.3 M |
| Apr | 2.9 M |
| May | 3.2 M |
Source · Note: These figures represent monthly guests at tourist accommodation establishments in Portugal, not individual visitor counts.
How many people visited Portugal in 2024?
Over 34.0 million tourists visited Portugal in 2024.
- This reflected an increase of 4.6 % compared to 2023, which recorded 32.5 million visitors.
- When compared to the 2019 peak of 27.1 million visitors (pre-pandemic), this marked a 25.5 % growth in tourist arrivals compared to five years prior.
How much do tourists spend in Portugal every year?
In 2024, tourism spending reached $27.7 billion, a 10.4% increase over 2023’s $25.1 billion, and a 35.8% increase over the 2019 level of $20.4 billion.
- 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 $25.1 billion, respectively2.
How much did visitors spend in Portugal in 2024?
Tourists spent approximately $27.7 billion in Portugal in 2024.
- This represented an increase of 10.4% compared to 2023, which recorded $25.1 billion in tourist spending.
- Compared to 2019, when tourist expenditure was $20.4 billion, the 2024 figure indicated a 35.8% growth in revenue from tourism.
How much does it cost to visit Portugal?
Spending while traveling in Portugal is around $100 to $150 per person, per day, covering accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities:
- Daily Budget (Independent Traveler): According to a 2025 update, Portugal’s average daily cost is $116 per person, including lodging, food, transport, and basic sightseeing.
- One-Week Trip for Two: An analysis of 2025 itineraries estimates a 7-night stay for two people costs about $4,100 total around $293 per day for the pair, or $146.50 per person per day
Where do visitors to Portugal come from?
The United Kingdom consistently leads as the top source of inbound visitors to Portugal, followed by Germany, Spain, the United States, and France.
- In 2024, Portugal welcomed 10.2 million British visitors, 6.3 million German visitors, 5.5 million Spanish visitors, 5.2 million visitors from the United States, and 4.5 million French visitors3.
Portugal Tourism - Economic Impact
- In 2024, Portugal’s tourism sector contributed €60.6 billion to the national economy, equivalent to 21.3 % of GDP.
- The industry supported 1.2 million jobs, meaning nearly one in every four positions in Portugal is linked to tourism.
- International visitors spent €27.7 billion, while domestic tourism added another €22.2 billion, for total tourism receipts of €49.9 billion.
Impact of Coronavirus - Portugal Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- When the pandemic hit in 2020, arrivals in Portugal dropped drastically to 10.4 million visitors, and expenditure fell to $8.8 billion. This marked a decline of roughly 61.6% in visits and a decrease of around 56.9% in spending.
- In 2021, there was a modest recovery, with 16.3 million arrivals (a 56.7% increase) and $11.8 billion in expenditure (a 34.1% increase). Although these were improvements from 2020, they remained well below pre-pandemic levels.
How long do tourists stay in Portugal?
- Tourists stayed in Portugal for an average of 2.60 nights per visit in 2024. By comparison, in 2023 the average length of stay was 2.62 nights.
Portugal Tourism Statistics - International and Domestic
In 2024, Portugal recorded 88.3 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations.
- Domestic visitors contributed 28.5 million overnight stays, representing 32.3 % of the total, while international tourists account for 59.8 million overnight stays, making up 67.7 % of the total.
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Why do people visit Portugal?
Visitors to Portugal come for a variety of reasons, with leisure and recreation by far the most common:
- 50.1 % of trips are for leisure, recreation, or holidays, drawn by Portugal’s beaches, cultural sites, and culinary experiences.
- 38.2 % are visiting family or friends (VFR), reflecting the country’s strong diaspora ties and welcoming communities.
- 7.2 % of visits are professional or business travel, boosted by growing conference and incentive-tourism offerings.
- 3.3 % travel for other reasons (education, shopping, etc.), highlighting niche interests in Portugal’s educational programs and retail experiences.
- 1.0 % of trips are for religion/pilgrimage, drawn to historic monasteries and sacred sites.
- 0.2 % are for health, including wellness retreats and medical tourism.
Top Attractions in Portugal
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon: This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts approximately 2 million visitors annually, making it one of Portugal's most visited landmarks.
- Oceanário de Lisboa: The Lisbon Oceanarium welcomes around 1.3 million visitors annually, recognised as a leading marine attraction in Europe.
- Palácio Nacional de Sintra: Located in Sintra, this historic palace receives about 1 million visitors annually, highlighting its enduring cultural significance.
- Algarve: The Algarve region attracts approximately 4 million visitors annually, with its beaches, cliffs, and natural beauty being key draws.
- Torre de Belém, Lisbon: This historic tower sees an estimated 500,000 visitors annually, reflecting its importance in Portugal's maritime history.
References
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments (Eurostat tin00171) · ec.europa.eu ↑
- Tourism Satellite Accounts in Europe — 2023 report edition (Eurostat) · ec.europa.eu ↑
- OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2022 — Portugal · oecd-ilibrary.org ↑
