What Portuguese Food Is Really Like (& 18 Dishes To Try)
Reality check before we dive in: Portuguese food is generally simple, fresh, and comforting rather than spicy or sauce-heavy. If you’re expecting Thai/Mexican “boom-pow” flavours every meal, you’ll think it’s plain. If you lean into great ingredients, grills, stews, soups, and the right regional spots, you’ll eat very well. This guide sets expectations honestly and shows you how to order for maximum flavour. There are hundreds of Portuguese dishes (and more than 365 ways to cook bacalhau alone), but most …
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An Overview of International Schools in the Algarve
Are you considering making the Algarve your family’s new home? You’re in good company! The Algarve’s expat community in this stunning region is growing, and with it, the number of international schools has risen, offering a variety of educational options for families from the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, and all over. While the Portuguese education system is excellent and accommodating to foreign students, you might prefer an international education for your children. This is often the …
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From Cruise Ship Musician to Practice Portuguese Co-Founder – An Interview with Joel Rendall
Practice Portuguese is one of the most comprehensive (and most popular) tools for learning European Portuguese. It’s something many people living in Portugal will be familiar with, but most people probably don’t know the story of how it came to be. In this interview, I chat to Joel Rendall about how he came to live in Portugal, the difference between life here and life in Canada, and his personal tips for learning Portuguese. Also worth mentioning: Practice Portuguese normally costs …
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The Portuguese Places Where English Is Spoken Most
One of the most frequently asked questions on Portugalist is: how widely is English spoken in Portugal? Can I get by with English or do I really need to learn Portuguese? You may have travelled or lived in other European countries like France or Spain where English isn’t always spoken. Portugal’s not like that. When it comes to speaking English as a second language, Portugal is the 9th most proficient country in the world, according to the EF English Proficiency …
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Getting Your Water Connected in Portugal
When you move to Portugal, sorting out your water supply is key, along with sorting out other utilities like electricity and gas and arranging home internet. In Portugal, water services are managed by local municipalities. This means you don’t get much choice with your provider; it depends on where you live. Each area has its own supplier, and information about your specific provider is available through your local municipality. For example, Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo looks after …
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10+ Great Podcasts For Learning Portuguese
Podcasts are a handy language learning tool to have your arsenal, particularly if you have some regular free time where you can listen to them such as during a commute to work. They can work well when used in addition to a Portuguese course, providing you with new vocabulary and repetition of things you may have already heard. The following are some of the top podcasts for learning Portuguese. We’ll start with European Portuguese, because this blog is about Portugal, …
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Portugal Trains: How to get around Portugal by Train
Portugal has a great train service. It’s old, and it’s a little slow in comparison to the trains in many other European countries, but it’s functional. Sometimes the air con even works as well! There are four different types of train in Portugal: Train routes run throughout Portugal and connect all of the major regions by rail. Not every town has a train station, but the majority of the large towns and cities do. If you can’t find a train …
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A Guide to Living in the Western Algarve
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 …
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Portugal VS Italy: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?
If you’re thinking about moving to a European country but you’re not sure which one, you may have short-listed Portugal and Italy. Both are beautiful countries with fascinating histories, excellent food, and a million other reasons to move there. But while that may make both countries great to visit, which is the better country to move to? The answer is: it depends. Both have their pros and cons, which this article will take a look at. Residency Visas In short, …
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Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship Through Parents or Grandparents
Have you ever dreamed of holding a European passport? If you have Portuguese roots, that dream might be closer than you think. Let’s dive into the world of Portuguese citizenship and discover how you can claim your heritage. The Portuguese Connection: Parents and Grandparents Got a Portuguese parent? You’re in luck! You’re likely eligible for citizenship through decent right off the bat. But what if your connection is a generation further back? Here’s where it gets interesting: you can indeed …
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