Portugal has soared in popularity over the past decade, especially among American travelers. With postcard-perfect coastlines, colorful cities like Lisbon and Porto, and a cost of living once far lower than its Western European neighbors, it seemed like the last undiscovered gem of Europe.
But in 2025, that image is starting to fade.
Behind the tiled facades and Instagram reels lies a growing tension between booming tourism and local reality. For the first time, travelers are starting to ask: Is Portugal still worth visiting right now?
The answer depends on your expectations—but here’s the truth: Portugal is struggling with overtourism, and it’s changing the travel experience dramatically. Let’s unpack what’s really happening—and why you might want to reconsider visiting this year.
Read here Tips for living in Portugal as Digital Nomad, best things to know before visiting Portugal, best Portugal sim card for tourist and the best Portuguese food
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1. Overtourism Is Changing the Soul of the Cities
Once quiet and community-driven, Lisbon and Porto have become crowded, noisy, and gentrified. Narrow streets designed for carts are now gridlocked with tuk-tuks and scooters. Entire neighborhoods feel more like theme parks than communities.
What this looks like:
Locals being priced out by short-term rentals
Long lines at landmarks like Belém Tower or Livraria Lello
Cafés and restaurants prioritizing tourists over locals
Travelers report feeling like they’re just part of a tourist conveyor belt—and not experiencing anything authentic.
2. Prices Are No Longer “Budget-Friendly”
Portugal was once Europe’s best-kept budget travel secret. But thanks to global attention, remote workers, and real estate speculation, prices have skyrocketed—especially for tourists.
Airbnb in Lisbon (night) From 2015 €40 to €120+ in 2025
Dinner for 2 (with wine) From 2015 €25 to €60–80
Taxi from airport From 2015 €10 to €25–30
Coffee and pastry From 2015 €1.50 to €4.50+ in tourist zones
In short: Portugal isn’t cheap anymore, especially in Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve.
3. Locals Are Pushing Back Against Tourism
While Portugal still ranks high in hospitality, the mood is shifting in tourist-saturated neighborhoods.
What’s happening:
Graffiti like “Tourists go home” has appeared in central Lisbon.
Protests against gentrification and housing crises are frequent.
Locals in Alfama and Bairro Alto are increasingly vocal about noise, overcrowding, and displacement.
Why Americans feel it:
English-speaking tourists are often perceived as Airbnb users or digital nomads contributing to rising costs. While most locals remain polite, some interactions now feel cold or transactional.
4. The Airbnb Problem Is Out of Control
Entire districts in Lisbon and Porto have been hollowed out by short-term rentals. That means:
Fewer grocery stores and laundromats
More tourist traps and souvenir shops
Entire apartment blocks sitting empty between bookings
Even many “locals” you’ll meet are other travelers or expats, giving the cities a strangely rootless feel. The cultural exchange you’re looking for? It’s harder to find.
5. Cultural Hotspots Feel Like Tourist Factories
Portugal’s most iconic sights have lost much of their charm. Crowds, high prices, and a sense of performance over authenticity now dominate the experience.
Examples:
Sintra’s palaces are now limited-entry, time-slot-based affairs—often rushed and overcrowded.
The Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon can have wait times exceeding an hour, even with skip-the-line tickets.
Livraria Lello (famous for inspiring Harry Potter) charges for entry, is mobbed with tourists, and bans photography inside.
What used to be magical now feels managed.
6. Infrastructure Is Struggling to Keep Up
Portugal wasn’t built for mass tourism—literally.
What this means:
Trams and buses are often too crowded for locals or daily use.
Narrow sidewalks become bottlenecks in Lisbon’s historic districts.
Small villages in the Algarve are now swamped with cars and Airbnb guests without proper parking or sanitation systems.
Result:
The experience for travelers is now more frustrating than free-flowing, especially during summer.
7. Digital Nomads and Remote Workers Are Changing the Culture
Portugal, especially Lisbon, has become a hub for remote workers, with tech entrepreneurs and freelancers flooding in. While this community brings energy and investment, it also:
Increases cost of living
Creates cultural echo chambers where expats interact mostly with each other
Alters the character of traditional neighborhoods
If you’re visiting Portugal hoping for small cafés and elderly locals chatting in Portuguese, you may find yourself instead surrounded by MacBooks, English menus, and avocado toast.
8. The Algarve Is Overdeveloped and Overhyped
Once Portugal’s coastal gem, the Algarve is now showing the downsides of overexposure.
Current issues:
Hotel and apartment sprawl is crowding out nature
Tourist towns like Albufeira and Lagos are dominated by party culture
Some beaches are packed to the point of discomfort by 10 a.m.
Seasoned travelers now say the Algarve has lost the peace and authenticity that made it special.
So… Should You Skip Portugal Entirely?
Not necessarily. But you should skip the obvious parts and manage your expectations.
If you still go:
Travel in the shoulder season: late April to early June or September to October.
Avoid peak tourist zones: Explore beyond Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Learn some Portuguese: It shows respect and earns smiles.
Stay in guesthouses or locally owned hotels over Airbnb.
Respect noise, space, and pace—Portugal’s charm lies in its slow rhythm.
Where to Go in Portugal Instead (or Alternatives Nearby)
If you’re looking for a more grounded, relaxed experience, try:
Évora
Ancient Roman ruins and traditional cuisine
Fewer tourists, more locals
Easy day trip from Lisbon or multi-day escape
Coimbra
Historic university town with a lively, youthful feel
Great food, peaceful gardens, and riverside walks
Aveiro
Called the “Venice of Portugal,” this colorful canal city is scenic but far less crowded than Lisbon
Serra da Estrela
Portugal’s highest mountains offer hiking, lakes, and remote villages—no crowds, no stress
Galicia (Spain)
Just north of Portugal, Galicia offers wild beaches, incredible seafood, and warm hospitality with fewer tourists
Final Thoughts
Portugal is still beautiful, rich in culture, and full of unforgettable experiences—but it’s not immune to the pressures of mass tourism. In 2025, the most popular places are under strain, and travelers are beginning to feel the cracks in the experience.
If you visit with intention, avoid the hotspots, and aim for slower, more sustainable travel, you’ll still find Portugal’s magic. But if you’re expecting quiet charm, affordability, and authenticity in Lisbon or the Algarve? You may leave disappointed.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.