5 Best Places to Retire in Portugal
Summary: Portugal is celebrated for its welcoming attitude and lack of discrimination, making it a favorite among expats. The country offers a range of living options from the more expensive Lisbon and Cascais to the less costly Porto, both providing beautiful beaches and excellent public transit. Expats recommend spending a few weeks in a base location to explore and get a feel for the different areas.
"Say Yes to Portugal! The Portuguese are known for their interest in and welcoming attitude towards all peoples; this is one place where discrimination is rarely seen and people will love you for your smile and interest in their country. The most expensive urban area is Lisbon up to Cascais; less expensive urban area is Porto. Better weather in the Lisbon/Cascais corridor yet both offer gorgeous beaches, in-town living with short walks to all services and restaurants, and great public transit. The quaint residential areas are all over the place, where you can live in a village and walk to the stores and cafes. You truly must come here to explore it for yourself. Most people spend a couple weeks or a month at a base location and then visit areas to get a sense for them," advised one expat in Portugal. Here are 5 of the best places to live in Portugal according to expats on Expat Exchange:
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Portugal Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Portugal
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Portugal
- Best Places to Live in Portugal
- Real Estate in Portugal
- Guide to Real Estate in Portugal
- Pros & Cons of Living in Portugal
- Cost of Living in Portugal
- Health Insurance in Portugal
- Best Places to Visit in Portugal for Christmas Cheer
- Christmas in Portugal
- Dengue Virus in Portugal
- Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Portugal
- More Advice about Retiring in Portugal