Latest Articles

24 Must-Read Books Set in Portugal

A woman with sunglasses and a braid is lying on a striped blanket at the beach, reading a magazine. She is wearing a white sweater and appears to be relaxed, with the sea and sky in the background.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

Portugal has been the setting for numerous captivating novels that bring its essence to life. These books, especially those written by Portuguese authors, offer an immersive experience into the country’s soul, perfect for those wishing to learn more about its …

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Is Zillow Used in Portugal?

A laptop displaying the Zillow logo on its screen is placed on a table. The background is blurred, suggesting an indoor setting with natural light and possibly trees or plants visible through windows. The logo features a stylized house icon and the text "Zillow" in blue.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

For Americans buying a new home in Portugal, whether residential or for investment, you might first think of using Zillow, the leading property portal in the U.S. and Canada, familiar for its extensive listings and user-friendly interface. However, this Zillow …

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From Russia to Portugal: How Tatiana Bogomazova Mastered the Portuguese Language

James Cave
June 4, 2024

Tatiana Bogomazova grew up in Siberia in Russia, but a chance Erasmus trip led her to the Algarve and then onto Lisbon. Discovering a passion for the Portuguese language, she soon mastered the language, eventually sitting the C2 exam and …

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From Erasmus Student to Lisbon Tour Guide: An Interview with Elena Bicu

A woman wearing a colorful dress sits on a ledge with her right arm raised and smiling. She is outdoors, with a scenic backdrop of buildings with red rooftops and palm trees under a clear sky.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

Lisbon tour guide Elena Bicu moved from Romania to Lisbon for her Erasmus but loved it so much that she decided to make Lisbon her permanent home. In this interview we look at how she almost didn’t end up in …

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How to Practice Writing in Portuguese

A woman with glasses, wearing a grey sweater, is seated at a wooden table in a library. She is writing in a notebook, with several open books and a tablet beside her. Bookshelves filled with books are visible in the background.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

Like reading, listening, and speaking Portuguese, writing is its own skill. It’s possible to excel in the other three areas, but be terrible at writing in Portuguese. Unless you live in a Portuguese-speaking country, and work in a Portuguese-speaking job, …

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Supermarkets in Portugal: A Guide to Online & Offline Shopping

Continente supermarket at Vasco da Gama shopping centre in Lisbon
James Cave
June 4, 2024

If you’re visiting Portugal for the first time, you may not know what all of the Portuguese supermarkets are. Some names you’ll probably recognise (Lidl and Aldi, for example), but you may never have heard of Continente, Pingo Doce, or …

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Living in Portugal Without A Car

James Cave
June 4, 2024

A lot of people that dream of moving to Portugal dream of ditching the car and relying on public transport instead. And you can do this with varying degrees of success, depending on where you live and how determined you …

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9 of the Flattest and Most Wheelchair Accessible Places in Portugal

A narrow cobblestone street lined with whitewashed buildings in varying states of disrepair. The buildings have shuttered windows, and one at the end of the street features a blue door. A bright blue sky is visible overhead.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

Portugal is an incredibly hilly country (Lisbon, like Rome, is said to be built on seven hills, for example) with lots of narrow, cobbled streets. While this can be charming to look at, it’s not particularly appealing for those who …

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Is Lisbon Noisy? Where Are the Noisiest & Quietest Neighbourhoods

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair is wearing a gray tank top and holding two white pillows over both of her ears. Her facial expression appears frustrated or annoyed. She is indoors, with a neutral-colored background.
James Cave
June 4, 2024

Lisbon, with its vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes, can sometimes be a noisy place, posing a challenge for light sleepers. It’s crucial to do your homework before settling on a rental space, whether it’s an apartment rental or an Airbnb, …

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Be Brave! 18 Weird Foods to Try in Portugal

James Cave
June 4, 2024

A big part of visiting a new country, is trying all the different foods and Portugal has plenty of great foods that you should try. Portugal also has a few weird dishes as well, including dishes that are cooked in …

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