The British newspaper The Telegraph identified a destination in Portugal as the most “saturated” by tourism. The city in question, once considered a hidden jewel, now has a high flow of visitors, which, according to the publication, has impacted its authenticity.
The journalists consulted highlight that the number of tourists has grown exponentially in recent years, making the historical alleys, traditional restaurants and increasingly crowded iconic locations. According to preliminary data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Portugal received 31.6 million tourists in 2024, of which 6.3 million were in this city.
The impact of tourism on the city of Porto
The British newspaper points out that the city of Porto, famous for its bridges, the wine and the blue and white tiles that decorate churches and buildings, has lost part of its character due to mass tourism. Journalist Oliver Balch exemplifies this change with a personal experience: seeing a group of American tourists enter a traditional Tasca, take photographs for Instagram and praise the bifanas without proving them, realized that fate was no longer a well -kept secret.
This tourist explosion brings economic benefits, but also challenges. The climb of accommodation prices, the decharacterization of the historic center and the pressure on local services are some of the negative effects that ‘Invicta’ residents have felt in recent years.
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Algarve: a refuge still untouched in Portugal
On the other hand, the same British publication praises the southwest region of the Algarve, especially between lakes and Sagres. This area, integrated on the Vincentian coast, remains a refuge for those looking for tranquility and a more authentic contact with nature.
The journalist points out that, unlike Vilamoura or Albufeira, places dominated by mass tourism and British presence, this part of the Algarve still preserves a peaceful atmosphere. “If the word ‘Algarve’ brings you to mind golf fields, crowded beaches and English bars, then it is in the wrong place,” writes Oliver Balch.
The low presence of large resorts and hotel chains near the beaches has allowed to maintain the natural beauty of the region. The landscape is described as a sanctuary of cliffs, sand dunes and Mediterranean vegetation, where one can enjoy the true spirit of the Portuguese coast.
Is tourism uncharacterizing cities?
The article of not focuses only on Portugal. Several European historical cities have been analyzed, and this Portuguese destination appears alongside places such as Venice, Seville and Saint Tropez, which also suffer from excessive tourism.
Venice, for example, is described as an extreme case, where the number of visitors exceeds twice the inhabitants. The newspaper blames the combination of cheap flights and the fame of social networks by this phenomenon. In contrast, the Italian region of Umbria is pointed out as a still preserved destination, due to its less accessibility.
Tourism and Economics
The discussion about the impact of tourism on historic cities has been a recurring theme. While some argue that tourism is essential for the local economy, others warn of the risks of mischaracterization and gentrification, where residents are pushed out of their own cities due to increased cost of living.
Like many other European cities, this destination faces this dilemma. How to balance the growth of tourism with the preservation of local identity? This is the big question that imposes itself for the future of the city.
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