You have decided to move to Portugal! ☀️ But now it is important to decide where in Portugal you want to live. Should you live in Lisbon or Porto? Both cities have numerous advantages, which is why we will compare the cities for you in this blog. Hopefully this will help you decide which Portuguese city suits you best. Don’t have a job in Portugal yet? Then be sure to check out our vacancies abroad. We have vacancies in both Lisbon and Porto. 😜
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Living in Lisbon vs. living in Porto: the atmosphere
If you go to work in Lisbon, you have the opportunity to discover this cosmopolitan city full of expats, digital nomads and tourists. You will meet many new people in Lisbon, especially in the summer. So making international friends is very easy there! There is a hipster vibe in Lisbon and you will find many trendy places including vegan cafes and famous nightclubs.
Porto, on the other hand, is a traditional city. Of course you will also encounter plenty of expats and tourists here, but there are more locals with whom you can have a nice chat and practice your Portuguese. Porto is a quieter city, so if you are a party animal, Lisbon will probably suit you better! After all, there are more nightclubs and bars in Lisbon. In any case, in Porto you will certainly find enough bars where you can have a party with your friends. In general, there is a more relaxed atmosphere in Porto.
Living in Lisbon vs. living in Porto: advantages and disadvantages
To be honest, it is also very difficult for us to make a choice. Living in Lisbon is of course a different experience than living in Porto, but the cities are actually quite comparable. Both cities have a lot to offer, but below you can read about the biggest advantages!
Porto is smaller than Lisbon and this means that it is also a lot less busy. You will still see many tourists in the summer, but nowhere near as many as in Lisbon. Another big advantage is the cost of living. Living in Porto is cheaper than living in Lisbon. If you go to work in Porto, you can find a room for as little as €200 a month!
Porto is also known for its delicious port wine (which you can sample in every bar and restaurant in the city). Did you know that some people even say the food is better than in Lisbon? If you live in Porto, you may feel that there are fewer sights than in Lisbon, and that is true. However, you can visit a number of special sights in Porto, including the famous Harry Potter bookshop! It is definitely worth taking a look.
Lisbon is a bigger city and people from all over the world live there! What we like most about this city is that each neighbourhood has its own character and atmosphere. From Bairro Alto to Alfama, it seems like you are in a completely different city in each neighbourhood! Since the city is so big, it is also a lot busier. There are more things to do, more places to go and more people to meet. What’s more, Lisbon is also closer to the Algarve, one of the most beautiful regions in Portugal. Perfect for a weekend getaway!
In short, many expats live in Lisbon and events for expats are regularly organised. So you will never be bored in this beautiful city!
Living in Lisbon vs. living in Porto: the weather
Despite the fact that Lisbon and Porto are only a few hours’ drive apart, the weather can be quite different. Since Lisbon is in southern Portugal, it can get very hot. Lisbon is even called the sunniest capital in Europe!
Summers in Porto are cooler and much less sticky. Porto is located in the northern part of Portugal. Here you can enjoy lovely summer weather and it is not too hot.
In which Portuguese city should I live?
Both cities have a lot to offer and ultimately you can decide for yourself where you want to live and work in Portugal. It doesn’t really matter whether you find a job in Lisbon or a job in Porto, because either way you are in for a fantastic adventure! And maybe you can even try both, working in Lisbon for a while and then moving to Porto the following year. That way you will eventually find out which city suits you best! 😜
