"Portimão, Portugal, is the home of Afro Nation, the biggest annual Afrobeats festival in the world - and this summer, I was one of the 40,000 festival-goers in attendance. Though dancing on the stunning beaches of Portugal to the sounds of Burna Boy and Tems live was definitely a bucket-list experience that I wouldn't have traded for the world, I'm not sure it's one I would repeat."
"Somewhere between day two and day three, it hit me: I was in Portugal, but I wasn't really seeing the country. My days weren't spent wandering tiled alleyways or eating salted cod by the water. Instead, I spent all my downtime resting at my resort, ordering food, getting dressed, and then heading back onto the beach - not for a swim, but for another 12 hours of music."
Summer travel centered on a three-day music festival in Portimão for Afro Nation, drawing 40,000 attendees. Tourism in Portugal reached record levels with over 31 million visitors in 2024, and coastal Algarve and Sintra remain popular attractions. The festival delivered unforgettable performances and beachside dancing to major Afrobeats artists, but festival logistics consumed most time. Days were spent at a resort, ordering food, preparing for shows, and attending long music sessions instead of exploring local sights or cuisine. Costs were notable: nearly $600 for tickets, high on-site prices, and expensive rideshares, yet the experience remained valued.
Read at Business Insider
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