Portugal is a friendly and safe nation for ex-pats and it comes off as a haven with its dazzling beaches, quaint cities, lovely beach towns, and historical fishing communities.
The search for the best places to live in Portugal has been a constant for many. For those considering moving to Portugal, you might want to consider your needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences before settling on an option.
Some might have the golden beaches of the Algarve in their preference, maybe an island life in Madeira or the Azores, perhaps a place to even retire to. While others may have a lively city life in their minds and opt for popular destinations such as Porto, Lisbon, or Coimbra.
Portugal is a continually popular nation with ex-pats from all parts of the world, and to help you with your choice of where the best place to live is, we’ve added up a list of the best places to live in Portugal. The results here are based on a majority of factors such as living costs, healthcare, climate, security, family life, and other factors. Here we have a list mentioning the 10 best places to live in Portugal.
1. Lisbon
For anyone looking for a buzz, Lisbon is quite a sturdy choice and that is obvious since it’s the capital city. There are plenty of cafes and bars to hang out over here, so many of them that you will probably never finish discovering them all.
It’s a huge city, but Lisbon’s best spots for ex-pats include Baxa and Rossio; these downtown areas stand on top of historic sights, vibrant nightlife, trendy coffee shops, and useful transport links. It might come off as a little touristy, but it’s always very fun.
2. Porto
An industrial city with a well-known football team, Porto has been discovered for having a gorgeous setting along the River Douro. The tourism industry here is constantly rising but it mostly has a more local vibe as compared to Lisbon.
You’ll find a huge difference making your way through north or south of the river. South in Vila Nova de Gaia is more affordable and quite less touristy, for example. For a separate vibe, take a path through the downtown district of Bonfim that is chilled, near the center, neat, and friendly.
3. Faro
Faro falls among the top destinations for digital ex-pats when it comes to the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It has the feel of a city but doesn’t contain all the urban chaos and it also doesn’t shut down during winter unlike some coastal places, such as Albufeira.
The historical core of Faro is the Cidade Velha. It is the most astonishing segment of the city, dense with restaurants and bars, it’s quite much fun. For something mildly central, find your way downtown for more affordable rent and a greater number of shopping and cafes.
4. Aveiro
All about the authentic Portuguese energy, Aveiro welcomes you with a blast of its pure energy. It is pretty close to Porto so you have the choice of getting there on a day trip. Aveiro also has tons of restaurants to dine in and some pretty trendy bars to chill at.
Nomads could base themselves in the happening city center. There are a great number of apartments to rent here in Art Nouveau buildings. You’ll come across neighbors who are young professionals. You can always explore around the pedestrianized streets.
5. Coimbra
Coimbra is a university city with centuries of pedigree which is both lovely and vibrant. The streets are historical and they echo the haunting melodies of the fado as the night sets in into every corner of the ancient walls.
The university shifted here from Lisbon in 1537 and its glorious library is certainly worth a visit. The students add liveliness to this city during term-time, even though they also make the property prices move up to a certain extent.
6. Oporto
Oporto is a city with a romantic blend of vibrant homes, narrow paths, and stairways that zigzag above the hills. It’s the place where the port was formed, and the wine cellars about the banks of the Douro, which are opened every day for tastings. Its airport has gotten several European awards for standards of the resource.
7. Ponta Delgada
If you’re searching for a way to escape it all, the far-flung Azores might be just the right option for you. Located on the island of Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada is the largest in the archipelago, and it just as well makes for a good base to explore.
Despite being on an amazing island, Ponta Delgada is not as touristy a place. You can opt to be living in the downtown Baixa district without having to worry about tourist crowds, and with all the facilities you could want, right at your doorstep.
8. Portimão
Portimao is another of Portugal’s Algarve cities, it is a happening coastal place that is quite touristy. However, contrary to other resort towns nearby, such as Praia da Rocha, Portimão has a more relaxed, local feeling.
There is a historic core to Portimao which gives a super Portuguese feeling, it comes in whole with cafe-filled plazas and stuff as such. Mixed with funky shopping and pedestrianized routes and it’s a trendy place to live!
9. Braga
Braga has a lot of history going on. It holds one of the oldest cathedrals located in Portugal, which was built in the 12th century. All connected by quaint cobbled streets, the cathedral is just one among the host of landmarks here.
Since Braga is a compact city, you could always choose between living in a village on the outskirts of the city, making your way towards Briteiros, or head straight to the University Quarter, with plenty of young professionals and students making the atmosphere there a fun one.
10. Funchal
If your idea of Funchal was an old school, Portuguese place, then you should know that there’s plenty of modern stuff going on here too. High-quality restaurants and five-star hotels make the place pretty much cosmopolitan to settle yourself in Portugal.
When it comes to finding a home area in Funchal, the Lido area has decent bus linkages, so you can get into the city center pretty easily. But if you are someone who’s into nightlife, then the Zona Velha or Old Town is just the spot for you.
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