This study examines the role of academic tourism in shaping international student mobility, using the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) in Portugal as a case study. Academic tourism is defined as temporary stays (less than one year) at higher education institutions outside students’ usual countries of residence. The research addresses the influence of academic tourism on the international mobility of students and identifies key factors contributing to their satisfaction and mobility decisions. The study employed a quantitative methodology, distributing online questionnaires to international students at IPB between January 2023 and June 2024. Data collection focused on evaluating the impact of academic tourism on institutional attractiveness, student satisfaction, and the likelihood of repeat engagement. Findings indicate that while demographic factors such as gender and academic discipline do not significantly affect participation in mobility programs, perceptions of institutional quality and the associated tourism experience strongly influence student satisfaction and the intention to return. A significant positive correlation was found between students’ overall satisfaction and the quality of their tourism experiences, suggesting that cultural and leisure components play a meaningful role in the academic mobility experience. The results imply that higher education institutions can enhance international mobility and student satisfaction by integrating cultural and tourism-oriented activities into academic programs, thereby increasing their competitiveness and appeal to international students.