There was serious competition in the Readers' Choice Awards 2021, published annually by Condé Nast Traveller. But, according to readers, Portugal is the country “that just keeps getting better”.

Placing third in both 2019 and 2020, this year it took the number 1 spot. Based on reader votes, the country garnered a total score of 94.10 points, beating the likes of New Zealand, Croatia and Greece.

Portugal was recognised as a stable favourite, “with a growing appreciation not only of its beaches, but its food and wine, and with lesser-known corners such as the artistically inclined Melides on our radar alongside the obvious hotspots of Comporta and the Algarve”.

In the Algarve, the ranking highlights some of its prettiest spots, from Benagil cave in Lagoa to Odeceixe beach on the west coast and Ilha Deserta just off Faro. Find the full list of the Readers' Choice Awards 2021 here.

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