Portugal is the country to visit, according to users of the European Best Destinations website, who choose Braga, Porto, the beaches of Cascais and the Algarve, Madeira and the Azores as unmissable places to visit in 2021. Find out more about favourite destination ‘s in Europe below.

Visited by over six million travelers per year, European Best Destinations gathered analytics and search data from the past few months to create a ranking of the best countries to visit in 2021. According to the site’s users, Portugal distinguishes itself because of its natural beauty, gastronomy, a history that is rich in tradition and the magnificent sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Also according to European Best Destinations, a trip to Portugal is not complete without a visit to Braga, voted the Best European Destination of 2021 by the site, Porto and its historic heritage classified by UNESCO, the beaches of Cascais and the Algarve, “ideal for recharging batteries in the sun” and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores for lovers of nature tourism.

One of the prettiest cities in Portugal and in the whole of Europe, Lisbon is a mosaic of winding streets, open plazas, stunning churches and miradouro lookouts waiting to be discovered.

There’s beauty around every corner in Lisbon, whether it’s the slightly ramshackle kind of glamour you find in historic Alfama, or the grand beauty of landmarks such as the Tower of Belem, one of the oldest of Portugal’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The charming town of Sintra is nestled in the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra mountains west of Lisbon. This is where every tourist comes to live out their fantasy of wandering through a fairytale.

The area is best known for its collection of castles, most notably the colourful Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) and the more classical Quinta da Regaleira. One of the most distinct palaces anywhere in Europe, Pena especially can’t be missed.

Pretty as it is, there’s a more serious history behind Sinta, including tales of how the nobility were forced to flee on the eve of the country’s bloody revolution. The Initiation Well at the Quinta da Regaleira – a deep hole that resembles an inverted tower – has a dark side too: The design is said to reflect Dante’s nine circles of Hell.

The President of the Portuguese National Tourism Board, Luís Araújo, said: 

“More than a destination, Portugal is an experience that impacts the tourist, because our country has everything, for everyone. From North to South, inland or coastal, and islands, those who visit us want to return. And this ranking shows us that, notwithstanding everything that has happened in the last few months, tourists do not forget Portugal and are eager to return. And we will be here, as always, to welcome them safely and well”.

The ranking of the European Best Destinations website also includes France (2nd place), Greece (3rd place), Italy (4th place) and Croatia (5th place).favourite destination in Europe