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Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

A metal serving dish filled with a hearty Portuguese stew of white beans, chunks of meat, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. A spoon rests inside the dish, and it sits on a blue and white patterned plate.

People moving to Portugal tend to agonize over the same questions: Lisbon or Porto? Coast or city? Affordable or very affordable? Here’s one factor that doesn’t get enough attention: Porto has some of the best traditional Portuguese food in the country, and it’s food you can only really get in Porto. Yes, Porto has pizza, ramen, sushi, burgers, vegan cafés, brunch spots, and all the usual international options. You’ll also find Portuguese classics from across the country, including pastéis de …

A white and red Rede Expressos bus is parked at a bus station on a sunny day in Portugal. The bus station has a shelter and a few people sitting on benches. In the background, there are trees, residential buildings, and a tall apartment complex.

Following on from the article about getting around Portugal by train, I’ve put together a guide to getting around Portugal by bus. I’ve travelled extensively by bus here – taking buses throughout the country and even into Spain as well. Portugal has an extensive bus network that is made up of two types of buses which I think of as “local buses” and “coaches.” The coaches are usually for trips lasting for several hours but can be as little as …

Aerial view of a coastal area with a long sandy beach on the left, lined with sun umbrellas and calm blue water. On the right, there is a residential area with houses surrounded by greenery and trees. The scene extends to the horizon under a clear sky.

Nestled in the south of Portugal, the Algarve has long been a destination for those seeking sun, sea, and a touch of luxury. At the heart of this region lies the Golden Triangle, an unofficial term for the area encompassing the prestigious resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, along with the charming town of Almancil. The Golden Triangle is strategically located in the Central Algarve between Faro, the Algarve’s capital and home to the international airport, and …

A European Union border sign with the word "España" in the center, surrounded by yellow stars on a blue background. Graffiti at the bottom reads "OLIVENÇA É NOSSA, É PORTUGAL" in white paint. The sign is positioned in a rural area with trees and grass.

Drive over the bridge that crosses the Guadiana River, the river that separates Portugal and Spain, and you’ll be greeted with a sign welcoming you to Spain. Like the hundreds of other signs that are dotted along the Spanish border, it’s a blue sign with the word “España” surrounded by 12 gold stars: the EU symbol for unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe. This sign is slightly different, though. In contrast to the symbolism the 12 stars …

Panoramic view of a coastal landscape in Portugal with shallow water and boats anchored in the distance. Green patches of seaweed and sandbeds are visible at low tide. Houses with yellow roofs and a clear blue sky can be seen in the background.

The Eastern Algarve, starting from the charming town of Olhão and stretching to the Spanish-Portuguese border, offers a unique and enchanting lifestyle for those seeking a more laid-back and authentic Portuguese experience. While it may not be as crowded as the Central Algarve, the Eastern Algarve still boasts a fair share of tourists, striking a perfect balance between tranquility and vibrancy. Living in the Eastern Algarve means having access to a wide array of stunning beaches, although some may require …

A picturesque coastal scene shows a sandy beach surrounded by rugged cliffs and clear blue waters. White-washed buildings with red and yellow roofs overlook the beach from the cliffs above. People are sunbathing and enjoying the beach. Small plants are in the foreground.

The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. The Central Algarve is the vibrant heart of the Algarve region, offering a perfect blend of stunning beaches, world-class amenities, and easy access to both the eastern and western parts of the Algarve. With the majority of the population, including a significant expat community, residing in this area, the Central Algarve provides a diverse and dynamic lifestyle. One of the main draws of the Central Algarve …

A scenic coastal view featuring a secluded beach surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery. The calm ocean waves gently lap against the sandy shore under a bright blue sky with a few scattered clouds. Cliffside vegetation adds a touch of green to the landscape.

The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. Every region of the Algarve has its areas of natural beauty, but the Western Algarve, and in particular the Western Coast of the Algarve, is considered to be the more scenic part of the Algarve. It’s made up of rugged cliffs, a national park, and numerous small, often empty, and incredibly beautiful beaches. One of the most appealing aspects of the Western Algarve is its …

A simple minimalist room with a teal cushioned chair on the left, a wooden sideboard with open and closed compartments holding a decorative vase and a small sculpture in the middle, and a large, colorful Greek-style vase on the right against a white wall.

Anyone living in Portugal, whether they’re renting or have bought a house, will have to buy furniture at some point or another. Maybe you need to furnish an entire apartment or house, or maybe you just need one or two small things. Either way, the question is: where should you go to buy furniture in Portugal? The answer depends a lot on the type of furniture that you’re looking for, and where you are in the country. For some people, …

A silhouette of a person sitting on a swing by the beach at sunset, with one arm outstretched towards the empty swing beside them. The sky is a vibrant orange, and the sun is setting over the ocean in the background.

Saudade is a Portuguese word that’s often described as untranslatable but, open a bottle of wine with a Portuguese friend and, they’ll happily try to explain it to you. The truth is that saudade can’t be translated into a singular English word, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explain it in a few English words. Well, more than a few considering the length of this blog post. It’s a little like German words. Torschlusspanik, for example, literally means “closing gate …

A person wearing black-rimmed glasses looks upwards, with a contemplative expression. Above their head, "CONS." and "PROS." are written, separated by a vertical and horizontal line, suggesting a comparison chart. The background is grey and plain.

You’ve done your research, watched the videos, read the blog posts. Sunshine, beaches, cheap wine, €10 lunches. That sounds perfect. A little too perfect maybe? Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to love about Portugal. And I truly think it’s a great place to live. But the Portugal that’s advertised online—by lawyers, realtors, and YouTubers who’ve only been in the country for about five minutes—is very different from the reality. I think that’s why you sometimes see those Portugal SUCKS …

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

Getting Around Portugal by Bus: How It Works and When to Use It

Living in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle: Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo & Vilamoura Compared

Olivenza: The Town That’s Geographically in Spain but Culturally Portuguese

Living in the Eastern Algarve: Less Touristy, Cheaper, Close to Spain

Living in the Central Algarve: Here’s Why It’s The Most Popular Region for Expats

A Guide to Living in the Western Algarve

Where to Buy Furniture in Portugal: IKEA, Leroy Merlin and Local Alternatives

Saudade: The Word That Explains Why Portuguese People Are the Way They Are

16 Honest Cons of Living in Portugal That Nobody Talks About (and 11 Pros)