Portugal's Algarve and Madeira rank in global top three for boat tourism

A new global ranking released in June 2026 by TUI Musement together with market‑research firm Appinio placed Portugal’s Algarve at 3rd and Madeira at 4th among the world’s best destinations for boat excursions. The study, which analysed more than 1,150 verified traveller reviews collected between May 2024 and May 2026, gave Algarve a score of 8.78 and Madeira 8.72, behind Thailand’s Phuket (1st, 8.89) and Khao Lak (2nd, 8.80). The results highlight Portugal’s growing reputation in leisure tourism, especially for coastal and marine experiences.

In parallel, the Algarve region continues to benefit from strong tourism activity, hosting festivals, beach parties and new local initiatives such as a bike‑sharing system in Loulé. These developments support the region’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors.