--- title: "World Travel Awards 2026: Portugal Named Europe’s Leading Destination" description: Portugal is Europe's Leading Destination 2026. See all Portuguese World Travel Awards winners by region, from Porto and the Douro to the Algarve. image: https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hubfs/The%20Yeatman-1.png --- [![svgexport-1 (2)](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/svgexport-1%20(2).png?width=319&height=45&name=svgexport-1%20(2).png)](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/)   ![support](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/icons/support.png?width=22&name=support.png)Contact our Team: +351 22 6102075 - [Best Sellers](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/best-sellers-wine-tours-in-portugal) - [Cruises](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/cruises-tours-portugal) - [Wine & Food](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/wine-food-tours) - [Luxury Tours](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/luxury-wine-tours-portugal) - [Culture & Heritage](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/culture-heritage-tours) - [Short Breaks](https://tours.winetourismportugal.com/short-breaks-in-portugal) # World Travel Awards 2026: Portugal Named Europe’s Leading Destination Posted by: [Alexandra Monteiro](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/author/alexandra-monteiro) ![Post Date](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hubfs/icons/post-date.png) 19 Oct 2026, 16:30:32 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Portugal has been named Europe's Leading Destination 2026 at the World Travel Awards, winning the title for the second year in a row. Known as the "Oscars of Tourism", the World Travel Awards have recognised excellence across travel and hospitality since 1993.  [![Porto, Portugal](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Porto%20Portugal-1.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Porto%20Portugal-1.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-porto-douro-valley-tour-private-3-hour-boat-trip) Porto, Portugal © ESBProfessional via Envato ## Portugal Voted Europe’s Leading Destination 2026 for the Second Year in a Row The winners of the 33rd edition were announced at the Europe Gala Ceremony 2026, held on 17 October 2026 in Kotor, Montenegro, with Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort as event partner. Beyond the top prize, Portuguese cities, regions, hotels, and experiences collected awards from the north of the country to the islands. Below, we group the main winners by region, so you can see where Portugal shines and plan your next trip accordingly. [![Plan Your Private Tour](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/491068/2e42c04e-3408-46fb-862a-42bb5da07e68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/2e42c04e-3408-46fb-862a-42bb5da07e68) ### Porto & Douro: Europe's Leading Cultural City and Award-Winning Wine Hotels [![The Yeatman](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Yeatman-1.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20Yeatman-1.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-porto-douro-valley-tour-private-3-hour-boat-trip) © The Yeatman Porto was named Europe's Leading Cultural City Destination 2026, while the [Douro Valley](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-douro-valley-tour-with-2-hour-river-cruise) and Vila Nova de Gaia took home some of the country's top hotel awards. For wine lovers, this is the region where Port wine cellars, terraced vineyards and award-winning stays meet. | Award | Winner | | --- | --- | | Europe's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction | Passadiços do Paiva (Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark) | | Europe's & Portugal's Leading Business Hotel | Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel | | Portugal's Leading Luxury Hotel | The Yeatman | | Portugal's Leading Boutique Hotel | Six Senses Douro Valley | | Portugal's Leading Design Hotel | Octant Douro | | Portugal's Leading City Hotel | InterContinental Porto - Palácio das Cardosas | ### Lisbon: Europe's Leading City Destination 2026 [![Pestana Palace Lisboa](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pestana%20Palace%20Lisboa.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Pestana%20Palace%20Lisboa.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-lisbon-premium-tour) © Pestana Palace Lisboa [Lisbon](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-lisbon-premium-tour) was voted Europe's Leading City Destination and Europe's Leading Cruise Destination 2026. The capital and the nearby Estoril coast also collected several European hotel awards, including Europe's Leading Hotel. | Award | Winner | | --- | --- | | Europe's Leading Hotel | Estoril Vintage Hotel | | Europe's Leading Design Hotel | 1908 Lisboa Hotel | | Europe's Leading Luxury Business Hotel | Pestana Palace Lisboa | | Europe's Leading Sustainable City Hotel | Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel | | Portugal's Leading Conference Hotel | Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon | | Portugal's Leading Green Hotel | Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel | | Portugal's Leading Heritage Hotel | Hotel Avenida Palace | | Portugal's Leading Hotel Residences | The Residences at Sheraton Cascais Resort | | Portugal's Leading Lifestyle Hotel | LUMEN Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show | | Portugal's Leading Serviced Apartments | OnJ S. Lázaro Lisboa | ### [![Explore Our Tours](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/491068/c097bcba-5b56-444e-8e8a-270e5f4dd7fa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/c097bcba-5b56-444e-8e8a-270e5f4dd7fa) ### Alentejo: Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction and Wine Region Hotel [![L'AND Vineyards](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LAND%20Vineyards.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=LAND%20Vineyards.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/6-day-premium-tour-in-alentejo) © L'AND Vineyards The [Alentejo](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/6-day-premium-tour-in-alentejo) won two of the most relevant awards for wine and slow travel: Dark Sky Alqueva was named Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction, and L'AND Vineyards was voted Europe's Leading Wine Region Hotel 2026. | Award | Winner | | --- | --- | | Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction & Responsible Tourism Award | Dark Sky Alqueva | | Europe's & Portugal's Leading Wine Region Hotel | L'AND Vineyards | | Portugal's Leading Boutique Resort | Sublime Comporta | ### Algarve: Europe's Leading Beach Destination 2026 [![Pine Cliffs Residences](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pine%20Cliffs%20Residences.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Pine%20Cliffs%20Residences.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/3-day-tour-in-the-algarve-with-a-private-cruise) © Pine Cliffs Residence The [Algarve](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/3-day-tour-in-the-algarve-with-a-private-cruise) was named Europe's Leading Beach Destination 2026 and was the Portuguese region with the most resort and villa awards. Its winners range from family resorts to luxury villas along the coast between Lagos and Quinta do Lago. | Award | Winner | | --- | --- | | Europe's Leading Lifestyle Hotel | Hyatt Regency Vilamoura Algarve | | Europe's Leading Hotel Residences | Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort | | Europe's Leading Resort Villas | Dunas Douradas Beach Club | | Europe's Leading Villa Resort | White Shell Beach Villas | | Europe's Leading Sports Resort | Cascade Wellness Resort | | Portugal's Leading Resort | Quinta do Lago | | Portugal's Leading Luxury Resort | Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection | | Portugal's Leading Beach Resort | Hotel Quinta do Lago | | Portugal's Leading Family Resort | Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa | | Portugal's Leading Family & Wellness Resort | Cascade Wellness Resort | | Portugal's Leading All-Inclusive Resort | AP Adriana Beach Resort | | Portugal's Leading Villa Resort | Dunas Douradas Beach Club | | Portugal's Leading Hotel Suite | Infinity Penthouse @ Conrad Algarve | ### [![Plan Your Private Tour](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/491068/2e42c04e-3408-46fb-862a-42bb5da07e68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/2e42c04e-3408-46fb-862a-42bb5da07e68) ### Madeira Island & Azores: Europe's Leading Island and Adventure Destinations [![Reid’S Palace, a Belmond Hotel](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reid%E2%80%99S%20Palace%2c%20a%20Belmond%20Hotel.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Reid%E2%80%99S%20Palace%2c%20a%20Belmond%20Hotel.png)](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-tour-in-madeira-island) © Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel [Madeira](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-tour-in-madeira-island) was once again named Europe's Leading Island Destination, and the Azores won Europe's Leading Regional Adventure Tourism Destination 2026. In Funchal, Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, was named Portugal's Leading Hotel.  ### Other Portuguese Winners at the World Travel Awards 2026 Portugal's national tourism board, its flag carrier, and several Portuguese travel and hospitality companies were also recognised at the European level.  | Award | Winner | | --- | --- | | Europe's Leading Tourist Board | Turismo de Portugal | | Europe's Most Romantic Resort | Pousada Mosteiro Amares | | Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel Operator, Amazing Evolution & Hotel Management Company | Amazing Evolution | ## Why Visit Portugal, Europe's Leading Destination in 2026? Portugal's awards are best understood in person. In a single trip, you can taste Port in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, take in the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, and stay at award-winning wine estates in the Alentejo, with short travel times between each region. [Portugal](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all) is also one of the most peaceful and safest countries in the world. It ranked 7th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.  At [Wine Tourism in Portugal](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all), [we design private, tailor-made wine tours](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/customize-your-tour-or-experience)across Porto and the Douro, Lisbon, the Alentejo and beyond, so you can focus on the wine, the food and the landscapes. Explore our tours or contact our team to start planning your trip to Europe's Leading Destination 2026. [![Explore Our Tours](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/491068/c097bcba-5b56-444e-8e8a-270e5f4dd7fa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/c097bcba-5b56-444e-8e8a-270e5f4dd7fa) ### World Travel Awards 2026: Frequently Asked Questions 1. Which country won Europe's Leading Destination 2026? Portugal won Europe's Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards 2026, for the second year in a row. 2. Where were the World Travel Awards Europe 2026 held? The Europe Gala Ceremony took place on 17 October 2026 in Kotor, Montenegro. 3. Which Portuguese hotel won Europe's Leading Wine Region Hotel 2026? L'AND Vineyards, in the Alentejo, won the award. Topics:   [World Travel Awards](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/world-travel-awards) [Michelin Green Star Portugal winners](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/michelin-green-star-portugal-winners) [Europe's Leading Destination 2026](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/europes-leading-destination-2026) [World Travel Awards 2026 Portugal](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/world-travel-awards-2026-portugal) ![Alexandra Monteiro](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Foto.png?width=130&name=Foto.png) ### Written by: [Alexandra Monteiro](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/author/alexandra-monteiro) Alexandra is a marketing specialist with a global mindset and a deep appreciation for culture. With a Master’s in Commercial Management and Marketing - and another in Chinese Studies - she effortlessly connects strategy with storytelling. A true travel enthusiast, she finds inspiration in Eastern traditions and brings that same sense of curiosity and detail to her work. At Wine Tourism in Portugal, she blends her love for discovery with a passion for sharing Portugal’s wine culture with the world. ### Related Articles: [World Travel Awards: Portugal voted “Europe’s Leading Destination” in 2025](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/world-travel-awards-portugal-voted-europes-leading-destination-in-2025) [![World Travel Awards: Portugal voted “Europe’s Leading Destination” in 2025](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hubfs/valverde-sintra-palacio-de-seteais.png)](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/world-travel-awards-portugal-voted-europes-leading-destination-in-2025) ### Blog Notifications Receive our blog articles by email with wine, food & travel advices! 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