Easter Tourism Smashes Records — Foreign Visitors to Portugal More Than Double as Spanish Drivers Surge 42 Per Cent
Foreign drivers entering Portugal more than doubled over Easter, with Spanish visitors surging 42 per cent. Short-term rental bookings tripled, spending rose 5 per cent, and the tourism sector is on track for 34 million guests and EUR 7 billion in revenue for 2026.
Portugal recorded a dramatic surge in foreign visitors over the Easter holiday, with the number of foreign drivers entering the country more than doubling compared with the same period in 2025. Spanish visitors led the wave, with a 42 per cent year-on-year increase, according to parking and payment transaction data covering 27 March to 7 April.
Who Came?
Spain dominated the visitor mix, accounting for 72.4 per cent of all foreign drivers — up 42 per cent from Easter 2025. Germany and France ranked second and third, continuing the traditional pattern of northern European holidaymakers heading south for the spring break. In terms of accommodation bookings, Spanish visitors held 24.4 per cent of the market, followed by Germans at 9.8 per cent and the French at 9.2 per cent.
Where Did They Go?
Lisbon, Tavira, and Cascais were the three most visited destinations. The data suggests the Algarve and Greater Lisbon remain the primary draws for short-break visitors, with Tavira's appearance near the top reflecting a broader trend of visitors exploring the quieter eastern Algarve.
How Much Did They Spend?
Payment transactions across the country — including purchases and cash withdrawals — rose 5 per cent compared with Easter 2025. Spanish and British visitors were the biggest spenders, accounting for 18 per cent and 14 per cent of total tourism-related transactions respectively.
Short-Term Rentals Tripled
The short-term rental market saw a particularly sharp spike, with bookings for the Easter period reported at three times the 2025 level. The surge is notable given Portugal's tightening regulation of Alojamento Local — the 6,765 cancelled short-term rental licences announced earlier this month in Lisbon did not appear to dampen national demand.
Hotels Held Firm
Northern Portugal's hotels reported an 80 per cent occupancy rate over the Easter break, broadly in line with 2025 levels. The stability suggests that while visitor numbers surged, much of the additional demand was absorbed by short-term rentals and road-trip tourism rather than hotel bookings.
The Bigger Picture
The Easter data reinforces a pattern visible across 2026: Portugal is attracting more visitors than ever, driven by a combination of competitive pricing, the ongoing Middle East conflict redirecting Mediterranean travel, and strong intra-Iberian flows. The tourism sector is projecting up to 34 million guests and 83 million overnight stays for the full year, with revenues potentially reaching EUR 7 billion.
The challenge for Portugal is whether its infrastructure — airports, roads, public transport, and housing — can absorb the growth without eroding the quality that attracted visitors in the first place.
Sources: Jornal Económico, IPDT, Jornal de Notícias, Renascença, Turismo de Portugal (TravelBI).
