From five-star stays and award-winning resorts to sustainable retreats and Portugal’s growing medical tourism
Clifftop retreat
Overlooking Praia do Barranco das Belharucas in Albufeira, 3HB Falésia Beach offers a peaceful setting for couples and families seeking a relaxing Algarve escape.
Surrounded by pine trees and dramatic cliffs, the five-star hotel combines contemporary interiors with panoramic sea views.
Guests can choose between two restaurants – Falésia, serving buffet meals, and The View, offering a buffet breakfast and an à la carte dinner centred on grilled specialities – as well as two terrace bars.
Facilities also include outdoor swimming pools, a gym, games room, and children’s playground.
Algarve shines at Portugal’s top tourism awards
The Algarve celebrated a successful night at the 2026 Publituris Portugal Travel Awards, with tourism businesses across the region receiving some of the industry’s highest honours. Viceroy at Ombria Algarve was named Portugal’s Best Five-Star Hotel, whilst Verdelago Resort won Best Resort.
Ombria Algarve
Other winners included Vilalara Grand Hotel (Best Beach Hotel), Palácio de Tavira (Best Boutique Hotel), The Els Club Vilamoura (Best Golf Course), Vilamoura Marina (Best Marina), and Zoomarine (Best Theme Park). Isolete Correia, CEO of Vilamoura World, also received the Belmiro Santos Award for her contribution to establishing Vilamoura Marina as one of Europe’s leading nautical tourism destinations.
One with nature
Built using taipa, an ancient and sustainable rammed-earth construction technique, Vale Palheiro – Earth Resort occupies a 60-hectare estate less than 2km from Aljezur.
Inspired by the traditions of the Costa Vicentina and designed with sustainability at its core, the resort offers a peaceful retreat between the mountains and the sea.
Accommodation ranges from units designed primarily for two guests to larger options sleeping four or five people, providing an authentic nature-based escape in one of the Algarve’s most unspoilt landscapes.
Portugal among top medical tourism destinations
Portugal has been ranked 25th in the “Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations in the World 2026” list by international platform Travel and Tour World, reinforcing its position as a leading health tourism destination.
The ranking highlights the country’s high-quality healthcare, internationally accredited hospitals, and specialised treatments.
Faro joins Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga, Funchal, Aveiro, Cascais, Setúbal, and Évora among the Portuguese cities recognised for their role in the sector, driven by growing international demand for reliable, affordable, high-quality healthcare.
Key specialities include reproductive medicine and fertility treatments, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics, cardiology, oncology, dentistry, ophthalmology, rehabilitation, and wellness programmes.
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