15 photos that show why tourists are swarming to Portugal like never before

• In 2016, travel writers predicted that Portugal would be a hot spot for tourists.
• This year, the country saw a record-breaking number of visitors.
• Planned travel for the first quarter of 2018 is already up by 86% compared to last year.

Portugal has quickly become a top destination for tourists.

And it's not just over the summer - travelers are making their way to Portugal during its off-season in larger numbers than ever before. According to American Express Travel, planned trips to Portugal are up 86% for January through March 2018, compared with the same period this year.

Colder temperatures are a trade-off for shorter lines and lower prices for accommodations during the off-season.

Below, we've compiled photos from the photo-sharing app EyeEm to show the gorgeous sights Portugal has to offer year-round.