10 BEST Places to Live in Portugal (Updated 2023)
Portugal is the most underrated country in all of Europe.
There, I said it! And I totally back it up.
Having spent three months living in Portugal, I can say that it is one of the world’s hidden gems, and the exact reason why I wrote this insider guide of the best places to live in Portugal!
Whether you are a Digital Nomad or a soon-to-be-expat – this amazing country literally has something for everyone.
Let’s dive right into the coolest places to live in Portugal!
Staying Safe in Portugal
Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe. There’s a laid-back lifestyle here that for the most part the results in a friendly atmosphere.
But you never know when you can have an emergency, for example breaking your ankle on a run, getting food poisoning, or being involved in an accident.
That’s why, no matter where you travel or live, we recommend getting insurance from Genki.
Genki currently offers two insurance packages.
First, Genki Explorer is your travel health insurance that covers you in Portugal and in all countries in the world. Monthly subscriptions start as little as €39.30 and cover emergencies and medically necessary treatments while traveling.
Second, Genki Resident is your holistic international health insurance that includes everything from emergencies, medically necessary treatments, preventive care, as well as alternative treatments, and much more.
Fill out the form below to see just how affordable Genki insurance is!
Check out our ultimate guide to Digital Nomad Insurance!
#1 Lisbon
“The Portuguese capital has it all – drinking, dining, dancing, plus an amazing historic center. It’s definitely one of the best places to live in Portugal.“
Monthly cost of living in LISBON
$2,028/month*
cost of rent
in LISBON
$1,309/month*
Lisbon is a strong choice for anybody wanting the buzz you would expect from a capital city. There are so many cafes and bars to hide out in here that you will probably never get around to discovering them all!
It’s a big city, but Lisbon’s best areas for nomads include Baxa and Rossio; these downtown areas are where it’s at for top historic sights, pumping nightlife, cool coffee shops, and handy transport links. You may find it a little touristy, but mega fun.
Pros of Lisbon
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Always something going on
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A ton of places to eat
-
Super cool nightlife
Cons of Lisbon
-
More expensive than other cities
-
A load of tourists
-
Not sprawling (if that’s what you want)
There’s a growing tech scene going on in Lisbon. Google has a base here, and there are tech conferences – like the Web Summit – that happen here every year. If you’re into that, and networking with fellow nomads, you’ll love Lisbon.
You don’t have to get stuck working all day either. Hitting up the beach is easily done from Lisbon, so if you’re done with cafes for the day, head out to the sea!
Digital Nomad Tip
There are a ton of cool co-working spaces you can use in Lisbon, and Wi-Fi is easy to come by too. One of our top picks is Heden, a chill space with plenty of room for everyone – they even host talks as well.
#2 Porto
“The overlooked second city of Portugal is definitely on the rise with its stunning streets, iconic riverside location, and incredible food.“
Monthly cost of living in Porto
$1,569/month*
cost of rent
in porto
$899/month*
Porto is an industrial city with a famous football team, but people have discovered how totally beautiful the setting across the River Douro truly is. Tourism is on the rise here, but it generally has a more local feel than Lisbon.
Basing yourself north or south of the river will make a big difference. South in Vila Nova de Gaia is cheaper and much less touristy, for example. For a different vibe, set yourself up in the downtown district of Bonfim – chilled, close to the center, clean, and friendly.
Pros of Porto
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You can get around easily
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Good coworking spaces
-
Great food scene
Cons of Porto
-
Gets cold in the winter
-
Still quite a few tourists
-
hard to find nomad-friendly coffee shops for work
You probably don’t want to live in the very center of Porto. Like most major cities, this is where the biggest concentration of tourists are. Prices here are also higher. Living in any district slightly outside is going to be cheaper and less hectic.
Porto is a pretty small city, and one of the best things to do here is hop around its lively bars and restaurants. If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely love it here!
Digital Nomad Tip
Head to Porto i/o for a good coworking space – comes with a library, shared kitchen, and even showers. They’ve got a few locations around the city as well, making it super convenient.
#3 Faro
“Faro is the capital of the Algarve and comes with a ton of local beaches for one of the hottest places to live in Portugal.“
Monthly cost of living in Faro
$1,064/month*
cost of rent
in Faro
$618/month*
When it comes to the Algarve region of southern Portugal, Faro is one of the top destinations for digital nomads. It’s got a city feel but without all the urban sprawl – and unlike some coastal places, such as Albufeira, it doesn’t shut down in the winter.
The Cidade Velha is the historical center of Faro. It is the most beautiful part of the city, packed with restaurants and bars – it’s a lot of fun. For something less central, head downtown for cheaper rent and more shopping and cafes.
Pros of Faro
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Good travel options
-
Beaches on the doorstep
-
Warm weather
Cons of Faro
-
Quite a small city
-
Not a big nomad community
-
Very touristy in summer
Faro has a pretty good public transport system, as well as an airport, meaning that the rest of the Algarve – and further afield – is at your fingertips. Yes, it can be a little on the touristy side, but it’s never too hard to escape.
If you are a fan of beaches and life by the sea, Faro is for you. It’s within easy reach of pretty much all of what the Algarve has to offer.
Digital Nomad Tip
A lot of coffee shops in the Algarve – especially Faro – have Wi-Fi and are usually fine with people working in them. Faro also has the Faro Avenida Business Centre for coworking (10 Euros/day).
#4 Aveiro
“Famous for its canals – sometimes dubbed the Venice of Portugal – Aveiro is packed full of history and charm.“
Monthly cost of living in Aveiro
$1,047/month*
cost of rent
in Aveiro
$604/month*
Aveiro is all about its authentic Portuguese feeling. It is so close to Porto that you can get there on a day trip. Aveiro also has a ton of restaurants to dine in and some pretty cool bars to chill at.
Nomads should base themselves in the bustling city center. There are lots of apartments to rent here in Art Nouveau buildings. Your neighbors will be young professionals. There are pedestrianized streets to explore, too.
Pros of Aveiro
-
Not very touristy
-
Good place for Portuguese culture
-
Vibrant university town
Cons of Aveiro
-
Not on the coast
-
Less English spoken
-
Quite a small city
If you are you looking for some good nightlife in Aveiro, look no further than Mercado do Peixe. You will find an interesting fish market here in the day, while at night, things hot up with a lot of restaurants and bars to choose from.
If you want a bit more to explore, you can simply hop on the train all the way to Porto; it is a very easy day trip from Aveiro.
Digital Nomad Tip
Fusion Cowork in the city center is a great place for networking. There are loads of events that take place here every week, making it an interesting and useful place to use as your office.
#5 Coimbra
“Coimbra used to be the capital of Portugal. It is a pretty riverside city with a ton of history – one of the most interesting places to live in Portugal!“
Monthly cost of living in Coimbra
$1,217/month*
cost of rent
in Coimbra
$630/month*
It isn’t just about the history in Coimbra. You should head to this city if you are interested in nightlife. Home to the oldest university in Portugal, the students living in the area provide a lively energy to the streets.
A relaxed city with low-cost living, there is a lot of cheap accommodation to choose from. You could simply base yourself in the city center and be in easy reach of everything.
Pros of Coimbra
-
Lively festivals throughout the year
-
Cheaper than other places
-
Great nightlife
Cons of Coimbra
-
Not near any beaches
-
Not many nomad coworking options
-
Not always great weather
The history of Coimbra is pretty cool. There are a lot of medieval and Baroque buildings to explore, including the site where the first king of Portugal is said to be buried. There is culture too, including a distinct type of fado singing.
There are good public transport links, which mean that the coast – as well as Lisbon or Porto – are within striking distance of Coimbra.
Digital Nomad Tip
Nest Collective is a nice work environment if you are looking for a place to do a spot of work. It’s run by friendly staff and is a good place to get your head down or meet other remote workers.
#6 Ponta Delgada
“The capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada may be remote but is one of the most beautiful places to live in Portugal.“
Monthly cost of living in Ponta Delgada
$1,150/month*
cost of rent
in Ponta Delgada
$687/month*
If you are looking to get away from it all, the far-flung Azores might be just what you are looking for. Ponta Delgada is on the island of Sao Miguel, the largest in the archipelago, and makes for a good base to explore.
Despite being on a stunning island, Ponta Delgada is not that touristy. You can choose to live in the downtown Baixa district without the worry of tourist crowds, and with all the amenities you could want on your doorstep.
Pros of Ponta Delgada
-
Embrace the local culture
-
Live on by the sea
-
Explore the Azores at your leisure
Cons of Ponta Delgada
-
Buses are unreliable/irregular
-
Remote place to live
-
Cruises dock here regularly
Ponta Delgada is pretty far from the Portuguese mainland. It is pretty, with pastel washed buildings in its old town and the famous city gates by the marina. But if you want to get anywhere other than the Azores, it’s not the most convenient spot.
However, the Azores are amazing. Even just off the coast of Ponta Delgada, you can spot dolphins and whales – amazing!
Digital Nomad Tip
The cool unOffice PDL Business and Cowork Centre is the spot for Nomads. These guys want to help foster creativity and business; you even get free coffee, so it’s got to be good!
#7 Portimão
“A port city with a ton of beaches, Portimao is a perfect city in Portugal for nomads who love to work and then soak up the sun, sea, and sand.“
Monthly cost of living in Portimão
$1,232/month*
cost of rent
in Portimão
$711/month*
Another of Portugal’s Algarve cities, Portimao is a bustling coastal place that is popular with tourists. However, unlike other resort towns nearby – like Praia da Rocha – Portimao has a more laid-back, local feeling.
There is a historic center to Portimao which feels super Portuguese – it comes complete with cafe-filled plazas and all that stuff. Combine with funky shopping and pedestrianized streets and it’s a cool place to live!
Pros of Portimão
-
Striking distance of beaches
-
Overlooked by tourists
-
Authentic feel
Cons of Portimão
-
Not a lot to do nearby other than beaches
-
Low-key so maybe easy to get bored
-
Outskirts of the city aren’t that nice
While Portimao does get its fair share of tourists, they are actually mainly attracted to nearby Praia da Rocha, just three kilometers along the coast. There may be daytrippers, but don’t worry; they will be gone by the evening.
Portimao is actually a great transport hub. This makes it a breeze getting to less-touristed beach destinations, like Lagos or Faro.
Digital Nomad Tip
There’s a place called AllWork in Portimao that’s great for getting some work done. Near the Marina, it’s a decent way to become part of the community of nomads and start-ups that call this city home.
#8 Braga
“It may be one of the oldest cities in the country, but Braga’s nightlife makes it one of the most exciting places to live in Portugal!“
Monthly cost of living in Braga
$1,212/month*
cost of rent
in Braga
$645/month*
There is a lot of history going on in Braga. It boasts one of the oldest cathedrals in Portugal, which was built in the 12th century. That’s just one of the host of landmarks here – all connected by charming cobbled streets.
Braga is a compact city, so you could choose to live in a village on the outskirts of the city – towards Briteiros – or head to the University Quarter, with a lot of young professionals and students creating a fun atmosphere.
Pros of Braga
-
Loads of history and culture
-
Charming streets and cafes
-
Very affordable to live here
Cons of Braga
-
You’ll need to know some Portuguese
-
Not a massive expat hub
-
It’s a small city
If you’re a fan of shopping as well as history and culture, don’t worry – there are plenty of places you can spend your money in the fashionable University Quarter of the city. When you’re done with that, you can get the train out to Porto if you like!
Set on the Costa Verde, getting to the coast itself isn’t too hard if you’ve got your own set of wheels – or simply hop on the train.
Digital Nomad Tip
Factory Braga is a welcoming hub for digital nomads, focusing on people who often work by themselves and helping them become part of a community. Sounds good to us!
#9 Funchal
“The biggest town on the famous island of Madeira, Funchal has loads to offer off-duty Digital Nomads!“
Monthly cost of living in Funchal
$1,522/month*
cost of rent
in Funchal
$907/month*
If you were thinking that Funchal was an old school, Portuguese place, there’s a lot of modern stuff going on here too. Top restaurants and five-star hotels make this a pretty cosmopolitan place to base yourself in Portugal.
When it comes to where to live in Funchal, the Lido area has good bus connections, so you can get into the city center quite easily. But if you are into nightlife, then the Zona Velha – or Old Town – is the place for you.
Pros of Funchal
-
Year-round warm weather
-
Beautiful setting
-
A good spot for watersports
Cons of Funchal
-
Port of call for cruise ships
-
Island life can feel isolating
-
Not a lot of places to work as a nomad
There is a ton of things to do in Funchal. Combine farmers markets, tropical gardens and historic cathedrals with cool and colorful festivals like Carnival with its samba beats.
You will also find a cable car to Monte, for when you want some amazing views of the city and its natural amphitheater setting.
Digital Nomad Tip
For somewhere to take yourself and your laptop, Cowork Funchal is a good choice. Great atmosphere, the perfect place to get to know other people, super fast Wi-Fi. Plus, it’s set in a renovated old school, which just makes it even cooler.
#10 Setubal
“Setubal is a rough-around-the-edges port city, making for one of the most authentic places for nomads in Portugal.“
Monthly cost of living in Setubal
$1,394/month*
cost of rent
in Setubal
$736/month*
Life in Setubal rotates around the sea. Home to Portugal’s largest fish market, this town has its roots in working-class industries. The fishing harbor is a colorful place to explore, and there is a modern waterfront to stroll along.
If you’re interested in living in Setubal as a Digital Nomad, you should consider the center of town. Not only the oldest area, this is also where you’ll find a train station, museums, and eateries. Bonfim is quieter and more local – and also has its own train station.
Pros of Setubal
-
Learn about real Portuguese life
-
Close to natural attractions
-
Cheap cost of living and rent
Cons of Setubal
-
Not exactly a beautiful city
-
Not a lot of English spoken
-
Trains aren’t very frequent
Just because Setubal may have an industrial, working-class past, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here. There is a beautiful Old Town to discover. Out of town is the stunning Parque Natural da Arrábida.
Like many places in Portugal, there is more than meets the eye to Setubal. Look past its industrial side and find something that reflects the heart of the country.
Digital Nomad Tip
Troino Central Station Coworking provides a place for Nomads to work that’s right by the sea. It’s bright, colorful, and modern, with a nice homely feeling that makes it a good place to get to know other remote workers.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to live in Portugal
Whether you are looking for pristine beaches or pulsing cities – Portugal literally has it all!
While Lisbon gets the most attention (and deservingly so!), this is a country with tons of cities to offer for all types of people!
Did we miss any of the best cities to live in Portugal? Let us know below!
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Hi
Your article is very interesting. Keep it up your good work.
Regards
Anjan Das