‘Tourism Oscar’ – 5 Portuguese attractions among the best in Europe

Portugal leads the list in one of the World Travel Awards categories, competing only with Poland, Switzerland and France.

The World Travel Awards are the most important awards in the tourism industry-receiving a nomination is almost as important as being nominated for an Oscar. With each passing year, Portugal has won more and more international distinctions and this year has been no exception.

About a week ago, the World Travel Awards announced the nominees of the 2024 edition — and our country leads one of the categories. There are five Portuguese attractions competing for the title of Best Adventure attraction in Europe, a category that has been won by Passadiços do Paiva since 2018.

The other attractions in competition in this category are Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (in France), Kalevala (in Poland) and the Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt, Switzerland. One of the National nominees is Dino Parque Lourinhã, the largest outdoor themed exhibition in Europe, which has been a success since its opening in 2018.

Another of the nominees isn’t exactly surprising. We are talking about the Paiva walkways, which cover 8.7 kilometers. An incredible stretch, surrounded by wild nature, on the Left Bank of the Paiva River.

Still in this world of innovative routes, the Mondego walkways stand out, which opened to the public in 2022. With a route of 12 kilometers along the river, the route passes through localities such as Videmonte, Trinta, Vila Soeiro and Barragem do Caldeirão.

Praia das Rocas, in Castanheira de Pêra, is also nominated for best adventure tourist attraction in Europe in 2024. This beach has a little bit of everything, but the heart of the complex is the almost kilometer-long lake. This is precisely where the 2,100 square meter wave pool is located.

The Fragas de São Simão, in the municipality of Figueiró dos Vinhos, are another of the spots in the contest. On this unprecedented route, you can find walkways, a river beach “with a magnificent mirror of water” and a viewpoint.

Voting for the 2024 World Travel Awards is now open and runs until February 4. You can vote online.

Click through the gallery to see more images and details of the named attractions.