An Expat's Guide to Portugal: What the Guidebooks Won't Tell You.
Let's go on a winding adventure from the deep green, umbrella-destroying north to the bright, bustling coast of the south... together.
Hello and thank you for being here! I’m Kimberly Anne—a U.S. expat who moved to Portugal solo in 2022, sight unseen and without a safety net. I started this Substack to document my own journey, but these days, I’m here to help you explore your own dreams of moving abroad. Thanks for joining me on the adventure! (Want more of the backstory? Click here.)
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First a quick intro for this particular article: WHEW!!! I really thought this would be a quickie but nope, it took me thirty-five hours to put this one together! With all the research, writing, links and photos… I hope you enjoy it!!!
Cities in Portugal
Portugal has three main “cities” and lots of smaller towns, which are sometimes referred to as villages.
Lisbon, located in the middle of the country on the coast, is the largest city with about 2.96 million people according to Wikipedia. Next is Porto. Porto is three hours (by car or train) north of Lisbon. However, the weather difference is huge. Porto rains over twice as much as Lisbon.
Porto is home to 1.7M people and the third largest city. Braga has about 200,000 citizens. Braga is located an hour northeast of Porto.
The Weather
If you’re from California or you’ve been there, this will be the best way to understand the weather in Portugal. Porto’s weather is similar to San Francisco, except it’s much damper and it gets even colder. Remember, California is a mostly a desert. Portugal is not. It’s quite humid. Lisbon’s weather is similar to Los Angeles and the Algarve’s weather is similar to San Diego.
Setting the Scene
I’ve spent time in the three major cities in Portugal and have traveled to smaller towns as well. I wanted to give you all a round-up. This is, by no means, a complete overview. There are many towns that I haven’t visited and a few I only visited for a few hours. However, I thought it would be fun to give you my opinions and tell you what I noticed about each place; both the positives and negatives.
It’s also important to note that whenever I go somewhere I often know immediately if I like or dislike a place. I don’t know if this response is based on intuition, the weather at the time, the noise, the people, nature, the food, the architecture or a combination of things. For example, I love architecture but I fell in love with Berlin and did not fall in love with Prague. Therefore, my feelings about a place may not match yours.
The one striking difference between Portugal and other European cities is the tiled houses. They’re known as azulejos.
My bestie was visiting recently and he’s not much of a traveler, nor does architecture bring him to tears like it does for me.
He said, “every European city looks exactly the same.” And I couldn’t disagree more. While I haven’t been to all, or even that many, European cities, I have been to enough. You could show me a photo of Berlin, Prague, Dresden, Paris, Lisbon, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome or London and I can easily tell them apart. Each looks as different to me as the sun and the moon.
I pointed out the tiled buildings to him, explaining how they were what makes Portugal stand out and he said, “They have those elsewhere, no biggie.” But he’s never been to another area where they have tiled houses so this was his first time actually seeing them in person. Plus, it’s what Portugal is known for.
Anyway, my point isn’t to bag on my bestie, I love him dearly even if we disagree on some things. My point is to point out what Portugal does have that makes it different from other European destinations.
Having a car. Unless you live in a city, and even then, having a car in Portugal is almost a must. I know plenty of people who don’t own cars here and I’m not saying you HAVE to but if you have a dog or if you love to travel you may find yourself renting a car if you don’t own one. Luckily car rentals are super affordable but a bit of a pain to pick up and drop off.
Here’s a quick/ish and dirty run-down from the north to the south:
Viana do Castelo
I love this little town. It’s located pretty far north, on the Atlantic and close to Spain. The old town center is super charming but small. I spent a couple of hours here with a friend and had some great Indian food but we were escaping the wild fires near Porto in September of 2024 so we didn’t spend much time there. Because it’s so far north it’s colder and wetter, but a great spot to easily jump over to Spain and more affordable.
Vila do Conde
This is such a gem. It’s an hour north of Porto on the Atlantic. Most people do love Vila do Conde. It’s picturesque and serene with a beautiful town center and parks. However, it gets quite cold in the winter and it’s become unaffordable to live there. I’d recommend having a car if you live here but you don’t have to because the metro does go out this far, so it’s easier to get to Porto and the airport. There’s also an outlet mall not far away.
Porto
I live here so I have a lot to say about this amazing city; both good and bad. It truly reminds me of San Francisco, where I’m from although it is significantly smaller than the metropolitan area of SF. I live in the easternmost area of the city and can walk to the West (the beach) in ninety minutes or to downtown in about twenty. The city is vibrant and fun, full of bakeries and vegan restaurants galore. The parks here are, by far, the nicest I’ve ever seen throughout my life. I wrote a much more in-depth article about Porto for International Living. It hasn’t been published yet but you can find my other content here.
The negatives: It rains for much of the year in Porto, it’s windy, damp and in the winters it gets quite cold. In 2024 it rained for ten months straight. This year, 2025, it only rained for six months so far. And the rain is like no other rain I’ve seen before. It comes at you sideways. It’s an umbrella destroyer. I own plastic pants, otherwise four layers of clothing can be soaked through in an instant. I always say Chicago and Seattle have nothing on us!
Guimarães
This is a stunning town and called the birthplace of Portugal. Of all the towns I’ve visited here, this may be my favorite of the north. It’s forty minutes northeast of Porto and thus farther from the airport. I can’t describe this town adequately. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it just felt right being there. There’s a lovely town center but also a super cool area on top of a hill. And a castle, oh the castle! Honestly, if you’re visiting Portugal, please don’t miss this gem!
It’s colder in the winter and warmer in the summer since it’s inland but honestly, if I could justify it, I’d live here.
Braga
I always say if I’d visited Braga before I signed my apartment lease in Porto I would have ended up there. But I visited right after I signed my Porto lease. I spent several weeks in Braga and luckily the weather was perfect, even in December, which is not typical for anywhere in the north. Braga is located twenty minutes north of Guimarães but still forty minutes northeast of Porto.
The town square is stunning with landscaped flower beds. The old town which stretches along the side of the town square is filled with your typical winding streets and ancient charm. This city holds a special place in my heart. I brought my dog and it was surprisingly dog friendly. They even let me carry him while perusing inside a Zara.
The only negative for me, and I’m sure this would be different for others was the expat meet-up I attended. I’m a single person, I moved here alone and 100% of the expat meetups everywhere are filled with couples. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there are some places where I’ve felt welcome and included and others where I haven’t. Braga, unfortunately, was the latter. I met one other solo female and she was the least welcoming to me.
In contrast, I’ve been to several expat meetups in Porto. One in particular was not a good experience and I won’t name names. But the Expats Everywhere (if you haven’t heard of them, they’re a gold mine!) meet ups are lovely. I met one of my good friends there and she’s in a couple 🤗
Braga has some amazing vegan restaurants as well and I met some other super cool expats while eating. The town is very walkable though the price of an apartment rental in the center is high now. Maybe because of my negative expat meet-up experience or maybe because I’d already signed my Porto lease, in the end I knew Braga wasn’t where I was meant to be.
Amarante
I hate to be a jerk. I know a lot of people who say they love Amarante but I am not one of them. It’s built along two sides of a river with a magnificent bridge. But remember how I’m a “feeling person”? Well, I just didn’t get the “feels” in Amarante. It’s forty minutes east of Porto and for some reason it’s known for its baked phallus cakes. Enough said.
Aveiro
This is the area I may end up living in the future. I love the town so much. They call it “the Venice of Portugal” and I really wish they wouldn’t. First of all it’s nothing like Venice, except for the small canal. Secondly, it has its own charm and should be known for that but… whatever gets the tourists there I guess.
Aveiro has a thriving expat community and is more affordable than Porto and some of the “bedroom communities” surrounding Porto.
The main town area is adorable. Maybe it’s because it was one of the first towns I visited after moving to Porto, but Aveiro has a special place in my heart.
It’s only fifty minutes south of Porto and close to the ocean. There’s the cutest little fishing village close by and some incredible beaches as well.
The fishing village, Costa Nova, almost deserves its own paragraph. It boasts the cutest little striped houses. On one side is a lagoon and on the other is a stunning beach. I’ve spent a bit of time here and often bring people who are visiting because of Costa Nova’s unparalleled charm.
Coimbra
Be still my heart. Before moving to Portugal I had three places on my list to settle. Porto, Braga and Coimbra. Remember, I’d never set foot in the country before moving here so I had no idea what to expect. I did make a pact with myself however.
I said, “I will end up wherever I find the perfect apartment.” Which is why and how I ended up in Porto.
I didn’t have the chance to visit Coimbra until late last year (as I found my Porto apartment one month into my adventure) but I fell in love with it. Coimbra is a college town and most well known for this. It’s also quite hilly, which a lot of people hate, but I happen to love. And it’s built on a river!
The winding streets, the architecture, the charm… I would definitely consider moving here, though it is far from the airport. It’s about an hour or ninety minutes (depending on traffic) south of Porto, and a tad inland; a forty minute drive to the beach.
I wish I had more to say about this charming place but I haven’t spent much time there yet. One of my closest friends is moving to the countryside there soon and I hope to explore more.
I should mention that my run in with “Miss America” happened in Coimbra; and no, not a famous Miss America; a rude woman whom I gave the name to in order to stop referring to her as “that woman” in this post.
Nazaré
Nazaré is a beach town about ninety minutes north of Lisbon. And it’s most known for its gigantic waves and surfing. I literally drove through. I wanted to get a taste. Making my way down to the beach I found a slew of vanlifers and since I used to be one, I parked near them. There’s a great parking area where they can park for free, facing the ocean.
As I made my way onto the beach I noticed a lot of signs warning people to stay away from the ocean. I grew up on a beach and the waves seemed quite high to me but I’ve heard they get much bigger on some days. I sat on the beach for a bit, at a safe distance from the water’s edge and let my thoughts drift with the waves.
On my left there was a jetty and that extended further toward the water and eventually I made my way up to walk above the water’s edge. Looking down I witnessed several Japanese tourists, rushing down on the sand to pose for photos in front of the formidable onslaught.
Nazaré had a distinct “beach town” vibe and reminded me of the many beach towns along the coast of California. And while I get the draw, I’m not a beach town girl.
Óbidos
This is a stunning town built within the walls of a castle about an hour north of Lisbon.
Back in 1990 (I’m okay with dating myself) I experienced my first city of this type when I visited and fell in love with Porto Venere in Italy, here’s a video of PV, that’s not mine.
You gotta like hills and inclines in order to explore Óbidos and it’s absolutely worth a trip. Here’s a great Óbidos video to give you an idea because I was not able to take many great photos.
However, I did not get to explore as much as I would have liked because Óbidos IS NOT DOG FRIENDLY! I hadn’t had my morning cup of joe and no one would even serve me a to go coffee while I stood in a doorway, not daring to enter because they were yelling at me “no dogs allowed”. I tried five different places 😞 Now… I am not one of those people who think dogs should be allowed everywhere but I do believe when there’s a willing, paying customer who’s not allowed to enter with a dog, there could be work-arounds. But nope, not in Óbidos.
This isn’t a town people move to but it is absolutely a town worth seeing without a dog!
Caldas da Rainha
I wanted to love this town, I really did. I have a friend who knows some expats who moved here and love it. Caldas is only about forty minutes north of Lisbon.
The pluses—it’s a diverse town and I love that. It has some really beautiful areas. There’s a gorgeous park with a small lake and some lovely architecture. I found a delicious restaurant that served vegan food and allowed dogs! While I ate on the cute, bustling side-street, dozens of people with dogs floated by.
I would even say that Caldas is one of the most dog friendly towns in Portugal that I’ve ever been to. —please note the #1 friendliest dog town I’ve discovered thus far is Vigo in Galicia in Spain.
There are all the best stores in Caldas too. The ones you have to drive out of your way to get to when you live in Porto or Lisbon. From Mercadona to Leroy Merlin to JOM.
I also accidentally happened upon an amazing farmer’s market, happening in a square.
The downside—it felt and looked run down to me. And not that type of run down that old cities have, the kind where graffiti has been allowed to proliferate and the cities funds have not gone to keeping the city in tip-top shape.
I visited, wondering if I could add Caldas to my “look to move here?” list and now I can say, no. No, I cannot. But that doesn’t mean others won’t love it. It’s affordable, it’s cute, it’s diverse and it has a thriving expat community.
Ericeira
This is another beach town along the coast, about forty minutes north of Lisbon. But for some unknown reason I liked Ericeira much more than Nazaré. Feeling, timing… who knows for sure. I arrived on a Saturday and it was pretty crowded but I managed to find a space. There was a lovely outdoor artisan market happening along the boardwalk and I even nabbed a lovely handmade ceramic mug for my bedside. Of course the best thing about the market was that I could bring my dog!
I then wandered through the old town which was absolutely delightful. The beaches were packed of course, since it was a beautiful warm, but not too hot day. Unfortunately I don’t have any photos, only video.
Santo Isidoro
This is a very small town about fifteen minutes from Ericeira. And as I write at the end of the article, small towns located close to bigger ones would be called “bedroom communities” in the US and they’re called that here too—but… And this is a huge but! In America the suburbs mostly contain cookie-cutter sprawling houses or apartment buildings. In Portugal, most tiny towns are freaking adorable. There will be a house and then a coffee shop. Another house and then a restaurant. It’s all much more walkable and set up for life without the reliance of cars. You can walk to the corner store and get food, then the café for your morning coffee and at night a group of friends may meet in a bar. And all of these things are mere steps from your front door.
The person I purchased the ceramic mug from in Ericeira lives in Santo Isidoro. It’s less expensive and still close to the beach and Lisbon but it’s also so small I can’t even find a website or much of a wiki page for it.
I ended up in a very cool airbnb there for the night simply because it was the only place I could afford. And I’m glad I did because it’s super cute!
Lisbon
I’m not sure what I can say about Lisbon that’s not already been said. It’s a gorgeous city and I love it so much. The weather is much better than it is in Porto. The cost of living is quite high compared to the rest of Portugal. It has much more of a go, go, go vibe. All that said, every time I visit, I consider living there. It’s the largest city in Portugal but according to “size explorer” it’s still smaller than San Francisco.
And it doesn’t feel too big, to me anyway. I find it a very walkable city and was lucky enough to spend several months there during which I explored quite a bit. There’s a lovely castle, gorgeous winding streets, fantastic food, great co-working spaces and some beautiful parks.
My favorite area is Graça and I’ve spent quite a bit of time there. But I also love Alfama, Estrela, Baixa and Belém.
It’s a city I think everyone should visit, at least once in their lifetime!
Sintra
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Sintra exceeds all the hype. It’s a quick jaunt from Lisbon but bring a jacket because it has its own micro-climate especially on the backside of Pena Palace.
Sintra dates back to the Moorish occupation complete with its own Moorish Castle but wait there’s more! There are six castles/palaces to see there! I’ve tried and failed to see them all on two separate occasions. I’d recommend two (if not three) full days to see all the castles and explore the gorgeous town.
The most famous is Pena Palace and it absolutely looks like a Disney castle out of your favorite, or least favorite, fairytale. Don’t skip this one. Even if you have just one day and it’s late and you’re worried it will be packed with tourists (it will be); still don’t skip it! I prefer the outside architecture to the ornate furnishings of the interior but that’s just me. So this past time I skipped the line to go inside.
The first time I went was at the end of November and it was not crowded at all but it was flipping cold, overcast and raining, obscuring the gorgeous views of the valley below. And yet it was still worth it, one hundred and fifty percent.
The second time was just last month and a friend, who lived there for a few years told me not to skip Quinta da Regaleira so my bestie and I went there first. In retrospect we should have hit Pena first (it would have been less crowded) but we watched some youtube video that recommended going to Pena later in the day (they were incorrect). I knew better, but still listened.
Although… it did work out because we met the most amazing couple at Quinta da Regaleira and spent the rest of the day with them. The woman, Susan Jo was running circles around me and David. It was wild, she had so much energy and was in phenomenal shape. She and her partner had traveled the world and continued to do so. This was the end of a six week trip through Portugal. They also sail for the half of each year to Mexico. I was glued to every word. I could tell they were around our ages or maybe a little older so I finally leaned over in an Uber we were sharing and asked.
“I’m seventy-eight,” Susan Jo said with a smile.
And I truly feel like that moment changed my life. Meeting them changed my entire outlook on life. I’m fifty-nine and that means I should have another twenty years at least, of traveling ahead of me.
This is where I touch on my dad again who’s ninety-one and still travels close to full-time around the world. ****Ooops I have to update this, as I just found out he died this morning, but until recently he was traveling around the world (from age 70/ish to age 90/ish).
I’m not saying it’s possible for everyone given health and financial issues; but it can be possible and that’s all I need to hear.
Quinta da Regaleira is gorgeous and I’m so glad we experienced it but there’s also a lot to see. There’s a gothic palace, a park, a chapel, an initiation well and tunnels galore. It’s truly one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever seen.
I explored the town a little when I went with my friend Tricia but there’s still so much more to explore so Sintra is on my “will definitely go back for several days” list.
David and I were able to find an affordable airbnb that wasn’t directly in town but was only a ten minute Uber from Pena. And that’s the way I recommend you get around for sure. I had my car but there’s almost no parking around the castles and tons of traffic on busy days. There are motorized tuktuks but they’re very expensive at €20 per person whereas the Ubers are €5.
Lastly, a Portuguese friend of mine lived in Sintra for several years. He now lives in Porto and has lived in a handful of other places around Portugal. Yet he still maintains that Sintra was his favorite place to live. It’s very close to Lisbon, there’s tons of hiking and he was able to have a nice house with a big yard for his dog.
Setúbal
Setúbal is 35-50 minutes south of Lisbon (depending on traffic).
I was only here for a short time but I stopped because I suspected I may want to add it to my “I’d live here” list and I was not wrong. I loved Setúbal so hard!
Again, it’s that feeling thing. The old town is adorable. I drove through and stopped to grab some vegan Lebanese food. I ran into a group of local men who were surprisingly kind, helpful and respectful. They even recommended the Lebanese place because the place they were eating came up on google as having vegan offerings but it didn’t.
I just liked the vibe. It was a Sunday in October and quite quiet. I found a lovely park and drove through a bit of the town. I don’t have a lot more to say because I really didn’t spend enough time there but I plan to go back and explore further.
The Algarve
The Algarve, is the southern most portion of Portugal along the coast. Most people love it and want to live there but I do not and here’s why…
It’s unbearably hot in the summer, though for the rest of the year the weather is usually quite good. It’s crowded with expats, so much so that it’s challenging to find anyone speaking Portuguese. I don’t like that. I understand not everyone will agree with me and that’s okay but I prefer hearing, learning and attempting to speak Portuguese.
And now for the controversial thing I’ll say… not only is Lagos and almost all of the Algarve filled with expats, it has the highest amount of British expats in Portugal. And not just any Brit. We all have amazing British friends or you may be an amazing British person yourself but… and first, before I dig this hole for myself I’m going to tell a story.
When I was twenty years old, back in the early 90’s I traveled through Europe. In doing so, I learned quite quickly that American travelers were not revered. Nope, we were despised, even back then. And that’s because most of the American travelers were gap year teens who acted rude, entitled and spent most of their days and nights in a drunken stupor. I was on a ship from London to Amsterdam and had to dodge projectile vomiting from drunk twenty-somethings. My partner at the time told people we were from Canada (which I did not agree with doing by the way).
I get that people of a certain culture behaving badly can often lead to stereotypes and it’s not my intention to bag on Brits. However, before I experienced it myself, I was told the Algarve was full of drunk Brits. And then I saw it firsthand.
There are several main towns in the Algarve and many smaller ones. From the West to the East the main towns are: Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Faro (which has an airport) and Tavira.
You will, most likely need a car to live in the Algarve unless you live in one of the towns and don’t travel much.
Since it’s a seasonal area, some restaurants do close for the winter.
And… prices are higher in the Algarve. Cost and demand.
Lagos
I’ve spent almost two months in Lagos so far and I love it there, I really do. Mostly it’s because I have a good friend there who owns an amazing farm that I really looked at as paradise. She’s ten years older than me but wakes at the crack of dawn and works her ass off whipping that acre of land into shape. It’s constant work by the way. She also runs a dog hotel and is a dog groomer. To say she’s busy is an understatement.
Her place is gorgeous. She has a small one bedroom house, the dog hotel (with heated floors), a caravan for guests, a separate standing yoga studio, an amazing outdoor kitchen, an outdoor bathroom (it’s not really outdoors but it’s a separate structure) and an outdoor shower (this one is really outdoors but beautifully crafted. She has a fish pond, almond trees and even two pigs. One is named Kevin Bacon. He’s not for eating, she’s a vegetarian and rescued them.
Before I had a place to live, I stayed in her caravan for six weeks. She’s created an absolute paradise. She paddle-boards and kayaks in the summer and mountain bikes and hikes in the winters.
You can have this kind of life in many places in Europe.
My friend has tons of expat and Portuguese friends who visit her on a regular basis. She’s created a beautiful life for herself there.
The town itself is really quite adorable. I’ve explored it a fair amount. It’s very small but quaint and has some of the basics needed, like a cool movie theater. You do have to drive to get to a bigger market, go to the veterinarian or doctor and run errands.
There’s a really cool (and huge) weekly indoor farmer’s market and also a fantastic organic produce store/stand.
One of the biggest draws is the coastline, it’s breathtaking. Again, you’ll have to drive unless you stick to the beach across the highway from town. Lagos boasts stunning hiking trails and is a great place for those who love to live life outdoors!
Portimão
This is the second biggest “city” in the Algarve. It’s the closest “city” to Lagos and while I haven’t spent much time there I like it. However, it’s more modern and doesn’t have the same historic charm.
Still I’ve heard the beaches are great and I’ve heard it can be affordable.
Monchique
I really love Monchique. It’s absolutely adorable. This town is in the mountains near Lagos and built on a hill so you will have to do some uphill trekking. There’s a water spring which people go to in order to fill up their containers but the special water is also sold in all the stores for a premium.
But the whole vibe of this town is artsy, a little hippie and a little bohemian. For example, I walked into a hidden cafe that was also selling cool used clothing, chakra prints and incense.
And Monchique is where the famous (and spectacularly talented) ceramists Tara and Sylvain Bongard have their workshop and sculpture garden.
The negative about living in the area is that fires sweep through and decimate houses every ten years or so :( But the fires don’t hit the town itself and it’s a wonder to visit!
Albufeira
I wanted to love Albufeira, I really did. I attended an amazing Nomad Festival there. The beaches are gorgeous and the town itself is absolutely stunning—but…
At night it’s teeming with drunks (see my comments above about drunk Brits). And during the day, after places open, there are hawkers and tchotchke sellers. But not cool tchotchkes, mostly touristy crap. I did find some super affordable reusable bags made out of old saris but other than that…
The architecture is exquisite (it reminded me a bit of Greece) and the food is really good but oh my, the tourists and drunkards have completely overrun the place. And this was in late October.
I can’t see going back unless I have to.
Faro
I’m so sad to say that I didn’t like Faro. Granted I spent only an afternoon there but it was packed full of tourists (again, in late October) and tour groups and I couldn’t find the “old town”. It’s the biggest city in the Algarve so maybe that’s why.
But going on “feelings” it didn’t do it for me.
However, I had someone who lives there reach out to me on Substack and she sang Faro’s praises so please do not take my word for it!
The only airport in the Algarve is located there.
Santa Luzia
I ended up in this tiny, one street town, that’s only fifteen minutes from Tavira because of a friend I met on Substack,
!It’s super cute, super tiny and located on the same river as Tavira. It’s even closer to the beach!
Barbara ended up moving to Santa Luzia over three years ago because it was more affordable and flatter than Tavira.
The town is known for its polvo (octopus) and I’ll be honest, that makes me sad. Even before I became a vegan I stopped eating octopuses.
But anyway—the town is super cute regardless and Barbara is awesome!
Tavira
Tavira is my favorite town in the Algarve. It’s the farthest East, thus closest to Spain and I’ve been there twice.
There’s no beach you can walk to. You have to take a short boat ride to access the beach but I’ve heard very few people are on the beach for this reason. A woman recently told me it’s her favorite beach.
There are some hills but mainly up to the castle. The town itself is built on two sides of a river and when I first arrived, I thought it was pure magic. There’s a lovely town square with a park and a pagoda. The streets are lined with shops and apartments. The architecture is lovely and my photo below does not do it justice.
Up on the hill is a castle with a beautiful park and crazy cool views.
Last time I was there (last month) I ate at a delicious restaurant right on the river that had a wonderful vegan dish. It’s called Terraze if you’re ever in the area. I also love the Japanese restaurant Natsu, they have amazing ramen.
I don’t know what it is about Tavira (that feeling again) but this little town just calls to me. I’ve stayed on both sides of the river and while the castle side is my favorite, there are many things to see and do on both banks.
Bedroom Communities
Smaller communities near urban centers earn the "bedroom community" label both in America and Portugal, but that's where the similarities end.
While US suburbs typically feature endless rows of identical homes and sprawling apartment complexes, Portugal's small towns possess an undeniable charm. The layout feels more organic and more chaotic since they were built before cars.
A café might sit next door to someone's home, with a family restaurant just around the corner. Everything operates on a pedestrian scale, designed for people rather than vehicles. Daily errands become pleasant strolls. Picking up groceries, grabbing your morning cafe and meeting locals for evening drinks all happen within easy walking distance of where you live.
These little towns actually remind me a lot of city neighborhoods, both here in Porto but also when I lived in San Francisco. When I lived in the Castro district and also in the Haight in SF, I just walked around the block and got everything I needed. It’s the same way in my neighborhood in Porto. Within walking distance are my pharmacy, three major markets, two fruit stands, my manicurist, my massage therapist, my florist, my dog groomer and a ton of friends. I realize all of that makes me sound entitled and I acknowledge that I am very fortunate! I could not afford any of those things when I lived in California. I also want to state that every single business I frequent is Portuguese owned.
A Word About the Coastline
The coastline of Portugal really does remind me of the California coastline. It’s so similar but, it’s actually prettier; which is hard for me to believe.
I have friends here who say “I wish I could visit California” and I tell them, they have that beauty here. I know it’s not the same thing, they’re mostly thinking of Hollywood but I find it interesting and helpful to know the coastline of Portugal rivals that of California, Oregon and Washington (though not by length).
Conclusion
There are so many amazing places I’ve yet to discover in Portugal but hopefully this article gave you a taste of where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. It’s my wish this will help you on your adventure. As I keep mentioning, for me, a place is all about the feeling. It’s that instant connection, or disconnection, that has nothing to do with a guidebook and everything to do with intuition.
While I’m happy in my Porto apartment for now, I don’t know if I’ll remain here and I’m open to more exploration. Who knows what the future holds, I may even have to leave Portugal if my visa renewal doesn’t come through. But I think it will and after it does I will have to see if my future lies in Aveiro, Setúbal, or somewhere I haven’t been yet.
But my point is this: forget what you’ve heard, and don't listen to anyone who tells you all of Europe is the same. Portugal has a soul all its own, and the only way to truly understand it is to find the places that call to you. Maybe it’ll be a city or maybe a small town. Perhaps you’ll love the coast or you’ll prefer inland. North, south, east or west, it’s a very big, small country.
A final note: I’m not telling anyone to move here or even encouraging people to do so but I do hope you’ll visit. And if you find your home here, I get that too. However, the world is a big, beautiful place and there are so many amazing places to live in it!
Resources
Weather: Lisbon vs Porto
Expat’s Everywhere YouTube Channel to Discover Everything Portugal
Óbidos YT Video (not mine)
Someone else’s Great Sintra post!
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Cost of living: Article here
Healthcare (or lack thereof) here.
Safety—article here.
Polarization—too much hate and anger
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Part 6—Your Move Abroad: The Ultimate Checklist
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***Disclaimer: My writing, and podcasts are based on personal experience and are for informational purposes only. I am not a lawyer. Please seek professional advice before making decisions about moving abroad. I am not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
"Porto rains over twice as much as Lisbon." - no wonder you miss the sun!!!!
Excellent writing! I don’t think time will allow me to see everything you’ve shared but a few day trips are planned! 🙏