Portugal has been voted as one of the top 10 countries to visit in 2018 by the leading travel reference Lonely Planet.
With an increasing number of people discovering the benefits of Portugal, not only as a beach resort in the Algarve but also as a top city break destination in Lisbon and as the ideal place for a rural break to discover more of Europe, it comes as no surprise that the country has been highlighted by Lonely Planet for 2018.
Portugal comes in third place in the list, coming behind Chile in the number one spot and then South Korea in second place, but is the first European country to make the top ten.
According to Lonely Planet: “Portugal has emerged from the long shadow cast by neighbouring Spain, seizing the spotlight as a dynamic centre for art, culture and cuisine.
“A spate of artfully designed museums have opened in the past two years, there’s now a celebrated microbrewery scene, and rock-star Portuguese chefs are creating culinary buzz from Lisbon to the glittering beaches of the Algarve (seven new restaurants received Michelin stars in 2017). Heightening Portugal’s appeal are its incredible affordability and its natural wonders: in 2016, more than 300 beaches earned the coveted Blue Flag rating and two new biosphere reserves were named. It’s no surprise everyone is talking about this small, seafaring nation.”
The wide range of things to do in Portugal for all ages and budgets makes the country one of the most sought after destinations for 2018. Whether you are looking for exciting days in the city, to explore the natural beauty of the Atlantic coast or simple want to sit back and soak up the sun on one of the beaches – Portugal really has it all – not just for 2018, but every year!