Where to Live in Portugal

Two people with backpacks stand at a railing overlooking a scenic cityscape of Lisbon with red-tiled roofs and a body of water in the background. One person has a suitcase beside them. The sky is partly cloudy, and the scene suggests travel or sightseeing.
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Last updated on September 20, 2024

Thinking about moving to Portugal?

In this guide, we’ll take you on a tour of Portugal’s best spots to live. We’ll chat about what life’s really like in each place – from costs to culture, and everything in between.

Ready to find your next home in Portugal? Let’s go!

Regions of Portugal

The North

The North of Portugal is where tradition meets innovation. Porto, the region’s crown jewel, charms with its historic riverside, world-famous port wine, and vibrant cultural scene.

Braga’s religious heritage, Guimarães’ medieval beauty, and the Douro Valley’s stunning landscapes make the North a diverse gem.

While winters can be damp and gray, the North is perfect for those who love cooler weather, hearty cuisine, and a lower cost of living compared to the south.

View of the Ribeira district in Porto, Portugal, featuring colorful buildings on a hillside, the Dom Luís I Bridge on the right, and boats floating on the Douro River under a clear blue sky. The scene is busy with people along the waterfront.
Porto
A vibrant street in Braga shows colorful buildings with varied facades, including red, blue, and brick. People walk along the cobblestone pavement, passing by shops, a yellow awning, and a café. The sky is clear blue, suggesting a sunny day.
Braga
Two adjacent multi-story buildings with decorative wrought-iron railings on balconies against a clear blue sky. The left building, characteristic of Portugal, is partially covered with turquoise tiles, while the right building has a more traditional stone facade.
Guimarães

Central Portugal

A sketched map of Portugal shows various black location pins with city names including Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Monsanto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Figueira da Foz, Nazaré, Leiria, Caldas da Rainha, and Tomar. Icons depict local activities or features, such as surfing in Nazaré.

Central Portugal offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and affordability. Cities like Coimbra, with its ancient university, and Aveiro, known as the “Venice of Portugal,” provide urban amenities with a small-town feel.

With lower property prices and living costs than Lisbon or the Algarve, Central Portugal is gaining popularity among expats looking for authentic Portuguese living and great value for money.

A good way to break up Central Portugal is between the coast (known as the Silver Coast) and the interior or inland areas, which offers a more traditional side of Central Portugal.

A historical town square with a central statue atop a tall pedestal surrounded by a circular garden with yellow flowers. The background features colorful multi-story buildings, outdoor café seating, and people walking under a bright blue sky.
Coimbra
A lively canal scene in Aveiro featuring several gondolas and boats docked in the water, with people walking along the promenade. Historic buildings with varied architectural styles line the waterfront under a clear, sunny sky, bringing to mind the picturesque charm of Portugal's coastal towns.
Aveiro
Aerial view of a large, sandy beach curving along the coastline with clear blue waters in Portugal. A small town with red-roofed buildings lines the left side of the beach, and lush green hills form the backdrop. The sky is mostly clear with scattered clouds.
Nazaré

Lisbon & Nearby

Black-and-white hand-drawn map illustrating various locations in Portugal, including Ericeira, Sintra, Estoril, Cascais, Costa de Caparica, Lisbon, Almada, and Setúbal. Icons depict activities like surfing and kiteboarding, landmarks, and a sailing boat.

Lisbon and its surrounding areas offer the best of both worlds: a vibrant capital city experience and beautiful coastal living. The city itself is a cultural melting pot, known for its historic charm, thriving startup scene, and fantastic food.

Nearby, you’ll find the posh Cascais, family-friendly Oeiras, and the stunning beaches of the Lisbon Coast. Further away you’ll find locations like the fairytale-esque Sintra, the beach resort of Costa da Caparica, and the fishing town of Setúbal.

A charming street scene in Lisbon, Portugal, with a vintage yellow tram labeled "28" traveling along cobblestone tracks. The backdrop features colorful buildings, including a red one, trees with autumn foliage, parked vehicles, and a quaint urban atmosphere.
Lisbon
A scenic view of Cascais with sandy beaches and clear blue skies. Three people sit on benches in the foreground, enjoying the ocean view. Visitors relax on the beach, and boats float in the water. The lively town is adorned with charming buildings and palm trees.
Cascais
A sandy beach in costa da caparica, Portugal stretches out beside a calm ocean, with gentle waves nearing the shore. There are a few people scattered across the beach and in the water. In the background, several buildings and apartments line the beachfront under a clear sky.
Costa da Caparica

The Alentejo

A hand-drawn map showcases various illustrated landmarks and locations in Portugal. Points include Portalegre, Elvas, Vila Viçosa (wine barrels illustration), Évora (ancient temple), Beja (castle), and Vila Nova de Milfontes (couple on bench, scenic view).

The Alentejo is Portugal’s best-kept secret, a vast region known for its unhurried pace of life, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Here, rolling hills of olive groves and cork oaks give way to white-washed towns and rugged Atlantic coastlines. It’s a paradise for food and wine lovers, boasting some of Portugal’s finest culinary traditions.

The Alentejo can be sliced in many ways, but one way to think of it is in terms of the Coastal Alentejo and the Interior Alentejo.

Ancient Roman temple ruins with tall stone columns standing in an open square under a clear blue sky. Nearby are white buildings including a church with a bell tower and some parked cars. The setting has a historic, timeless feel.
Évora
Aerial view of Castelo de Portalegre in Portugal, showcasing its stone walls and courtyard with people gathered inside. Beyond the castle, you can see the town's red-roofed buildings and the picturesque landscape of Portugal under a clear blue sky.
Beja
A historic stone building with two bell towers, a clock, and multiple arched windows stands under a clear blue sky in Portugal. In front of the building, a white van is parked on the cobblestone street. The structure showcases baroque architectural details.
Vila Viçosa

The Algarve

Black and white illustrated map of Algarve, Portugal, with main locations marked using pins: Alcácer, Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira, Faro, São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Vilamoura, Albufeira, Portimão, Silves, Monchique, Sagres, Lagos.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, golden beaches, world-class golf courses, and a laid-back lifestyle, it’s no wonder the Algarve is a top expat destination.

A good place to begin your search is by thinking about the Algarve in three sections: The Eastern Algarve, Central Algarve, and Western Algarve.

Popular locations:

A picturesque square in Lagos, Portugal, featuring a calm reflecting pool in the foreground, whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs, and a prominent church with two bell towers against a clear sky. Sparse trees and a statue are also visible in this charming scene of Portugal.
Lagos
A sunny day in a spacious, open plaza in Tavira with stone flooring, reminiscent of Portugal. Two people on bicycles are in the foreground. The background features a building with white arches and a red-tiled roof. Some trees and a few scattered benches are visible around the plaza.
Tavira
A sunlit plaza in Silves outside the town hall bordered by colorful trees, including one with orange flowers, features a central monument and a tree-lined pedestrian area. Vehicles are parked on the street, and the surrounding architecture includes yellow and pink buildings.
Silves

Madeira

A black and white hand-drawn map of Madeira Island highlights locations such as Porto Moniz, Santana, Santa Cruz, Funchal, Ponta do Sol, and Porto Santo. Icons represent activities like hiking, traditional houses, cable cars, and a cruise ship.

Known for its eternal spring-like climate, lush landscapes, and dramatic coastlines, Madeira is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The capital, Funchal, provides all the amenities of a modern city while maintaining a relaxed, small-town feel.

Madeira is increasingly popular among digital nomads and retirees, attracted by its safe environment, mild weather, high quality of life, and walking routes.

A lively town square with a central stone monument surrounded by trees. The area features a checkered pavement, multiple parked vehicles, and several pedestrians. In the background, there's a mix of historic buildings including a tower with a red roof and a pointed spire.
Funchal

The Azores

The Azores, a group of nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic, is Portugal’s best-kept secret for those seeking an adventurous yet peaceful lifestyle. These lush green islands offer breathtaking landscapes, from crater lakes and hot springs to rolling pastures and dramatic coastal cliffs. The Azores are perfect for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those looking to escape the fast-paced modern world. While more remote than mainland Portugal, the islands still offer modern amenities and are well-connected to Europe and North America.

A scenic landscape in Portugal features a clear blue lake surrounded by lush green hills and mountains under a bright blue sky with a few scattered white clouds. The serene water mirrors the surrounding greenery, creating a tranquil natural scene.
São Miguel
A wooden gate set in a dry stone wall opens to a lush, green pastoral field under a partly cloudy sky. More fields and pastures can be seen stretching out to the distant horizon, reminiscent of the serene landscapes in Portugal.
Terceira
A scenic view of lush green farmland on Pico, Azores, divided by hedgerows on a sloping landscape leading to a coastline with deep blue ocean waters. A few scattered houses and farm buildings are nestled amidst the patchwork of fields, with hills in the background and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Pico
A picturesque coastal town in Faial with white and red-roofed buildings nestled along a curved shoreline. Clear turquoise water gently laps against the beach, and lush greenery covers the surrounding hills. The sky is partially cloudy, casting soft light over the scene.
Faial
A picturesque coastal village in Portugal, nestled between lush green hills and the turquoise sea. Small white houses with red roofs dot the landscape, alongside winding roads and a sandy beach. The clear blue sky meets the vibrant ocean at the horizon.
Santa Maria
A donkey with large ears peeks over a rustic stone wall in a grassy rural area. The donkey appears calm and curious, standing amidst green foliage with an open field in the background. The scene is serene, evoking a pastoral countryside ambiance.
Graciosa
A scenic view of a quaint Portuguese village with white buildings and red roofs, featuring a prominent white church with a bell tower. The village is nestled against lush green vegetation, and a calm body of water is in the foreground.
São Jorge
A scenic coastal view of Fajã de Lopo Vaz on Flores Island, Açores, Portugal. The image shows a concrete platform extending into a calm bay surrounded by lush, green hills. Several boats are anchored in the water, and a few people are visible on the platform.
Flores
Aerial view of a coastal town in Portugal featuring orange-roofed buildings densely packed along the shoreline. The town is bordered by lush green vegetation in the foreground and the vast blue ocean in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Corvo

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