A stretch of the Portuguese coastline has just been crowned the World’s Leading Beach Destination 2025 at the World Travel Awards, often nicknamed the “Oscars of Tourism”. The region now holds this global title for the fourth time, which puts it ahead of classic long‑haul spots like the Maldives and Turks and Caicos.
The world’s best beach destination for 2025
In 2025, the Algarve was crowned the World’s Leading Beach Destination after a global vote involving tourism professionals, specialist travel journalists and regular travellers. It stood out against 19 other nominated destinations, including heavy hitters such as the Maldives, Seychelles, the Galápagos Islands, Thailand, Cancún in Mexico, Zanzibar, Maui, and Porto Santo in Madeira.
Record‑breaking awards and global recognition
The Algarve’s 2025 title made it the only beach destination in the world to have won the World’s Leading Beach Destination award four times.
On top of that, the Algarve has picked up ten awards as Europe’s Leading Beach Destination over the past decade, showing a decade of near‑continuous recognition. Each award cycle keeps the region in front of tour operators, airlines and travel media, which feeds back into more routes, investment and visitor numbers.
What makes the Algarve coastline special
Voters consistently highlight the mix of dramatic scenery, good infrastructure, relatively easy access and a broad range of things to do beyond lying on a sun lounger. The Algarve’s coastline stretches for around 200 km, and the big advantage is that it doesn’t all feel the same as you move along it.
- In the western part, you get those dramatic ochre cliffs, sculpted rock arches and sheltered coves that show up all over postcards and drone footage.
- Around the central area, beaches are backed by pretty villages and resorts with long, walkable stretches of sand.
- To the east, in the direction of Spain, the shore flattens out, with wide sandy bays and pristine barrier islands.
Beach experiences in the Algarve
One of the reasons the Algarve keeps getting awards is that it works for very different types of travellers on the same stretch of coast.
- Classic luxury resort areas come with marinas, beach bars, water parks and organised boat trips.
- There are also low‑key fishing towns like Tavira, where things feel calmer once you step back from the seafront.
- Along the coast, you’ll find the Algarve's top Blue Flag beaches, caves and rock formations that you can visit by kayak, surf breaks in the west, and coastal trails on the cliffs.
Sustainability, accessibility and environmental quality
The people running tourism in the Algarve talk a lot about balancing visitor numbers with protecting the coast. Local authorities highlight a focus on preserving natural resources, looking after environmental quality and improving accessibility so more people can actually enjoy the beaches.
In practice, this shows up in things like protected stretches of coastline, Blue Flag spots, rules around new construction in sensitive areas, and a push to keep water quality and beach facilities to a high standard. It is still a busy, popular area with all the usual pressures of development, but there is at least an active conversation about how to make things more sustainable.
Why the Algarve is so popular with British travellers and expats
For anyone in the UK or northern Europe, the Algarve feels close enough for a long weekend rather than a once‑in‑a‑lifetime blowout. British travellers have had a soft spot for this region for years, and it has become a top choice for US buyers, too.
- Lower day‑to‑day costs, which work well for beach holidays, winter escapes and longer stays.
- Short, frequent flights with plenty of departure airports and competitive fares outside peak school holidays.
- English is widely spoken in the main towns, which smooths the first months before your Portuguese gets going.
- A well‑established British and international expat community, so it’s easy to find social circles, services and support.
- Easy beach access and a sunny climate, so everyday life can include coastal walks, sea swims and café terraces.
Living in the Algarve is becoming a reality for many foreigners who've had enough of grey weather and increasing prices. Relocating to southern Portugal comes with its pros and cons, however, so it's important to factor these in before making the big move.
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