Portugal's Best Tourism Villages

The Best Tourism Village label from the World Tourism Organization (UNTourism, formerly known as UNWTO) recognises the finest rural destinations worldwide.

The award is valid for 3 years and its aims are to:

• Add value to rural destinations and local communities through the tourism sector;
• Guarantee international visibility for the regions;
• Encourage the building of networks and connections between different rural areas.

The label goes to rural destinations that stand out for their environmental, cultural and heritage quality, as well as for their ability to promote tourism sustainably.

In 2023, Portugal won 4 new Best Tourism Village labels.

Portuguese award-winning villages

Ericeira, Mafra

Vila da Madalena, Pico

Sortelha, Sabugal

Manteigas, Guarda

These places join the list of Portuguese towns and villages already recognised in the 2021 and 2022 editions:

• Cumeada, Reguengos de Monsaraz – 2021;
• Castelo Rodrigo, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – 2021;
• Castelo Novo, Fundão – 2022.

The initiative also has an Upgrade programme that brings together places with great tourism potential which did not manage to meet the requirements to become #Best. One more Portuguese town and one more village feature in this improvement programme:

• Ferreira de São João, Penela;
• Vila de Frades, Vidigueira.

To enter the initiative, municipalities must submit the online application form available on the UNTourism website.

Did you know about this initiative to promote tourism in rural areas?

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