From Erasmus Student to Lisbon Tour Guide: An Interview with Elena Bicu
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 Lisbon, what it was like being a student there, and what her post-student life is like now. So, tell me a little bit about yourself I’m Elena. I’m originally from Romania and I moved to Portugal about six years ago. …
12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal
In this guide, we’ll take you on a fun and exciting journey through the best places to live in Portugal as an expat. We’ll explore the vibrant city life of Porto and the beauty of the North of Portugal, the peaceful charm of the Silver Coast, and the laid-back lifestyle of the Algarve in the south. Along the way, we’ll give you a taste of what life could be like in each of these amazing locations, so you can find …
Supermarkets in Portugal: A Guide to Online & Offline Shopping
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 Auchan. It’s often a good idea to check if there’s a supermarket near where you’re staying. This is especially true if you’re self catering or if you’re moving to Portugal long-term and either renting or buying. Don’t forget markets as …
9 of the Flattest and Most Wheelchair Accessible Places in Portugal
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 are older or who have mobility issues. Thankfully, there are a few places that are a little flatter and more suited to those that want to avoid the hills. You can also live in Lisbon and Porto if you choose …
10+ Expat Supermarkets & Online Shops For That Essential Taste of Home
No matter how much you try to deny it, and no matter how much you love Portuguese food, there are always things that you miss from home. It could be strong tea bags (British), Vegemite (Australians), Tayto crisps (Irish), sausages (Germans), or BBQ (Americans). Although you can find some of these things in the Portuguese supermarkets, particularly the larger supermarkets, you probably won’t be able to find the majority of things that you’re looking for. Thankfully, there are an ever-increasing …
Are there Costco Stores in Portugal?
Costco doesn’t have a store in Portugal, at least currently. There are, however, Costco stores in neighbouring Spain. Although Costco has stores in a handful of locations in Spain, the most popular store for people living in Portugal is the Seville store. If you live in Faro, the drive time to Costco in Seville is just a little over 2 hours. If you live in Lisbon, the drive time is around 4.5 hours, depending on traffic. For those living in …
How Much Do Groceries Cost in Portugal?
Groceries are one of the biggest day-to-day costs that most people have and so you may be wondering how much it’ll cost you to do your weekly shopping in Portugal. Most people assume it’ll be cheaper – after all, wages are lower in Portugal – but that often depends on where you’re coming from and where you shop. Groceries are cheaper when compared to the US and Canada, but that’s not necessarily the case when you compare grocery costs to …