Suppose you are a digital nomad and are thinking about moving to Portugal. In that case, you have made the correct decision, as Portugal has an easy process for their entrepreneurship visa, the D2 Visa. Moreover, the beauty of the whole country is captivating. To solve your problem of selecting a suitable city from so many beautiful towns, we will provide brief information about the 10 best cities in Portugal for digital nomads to work and live in.
Here are the 10 best cities in Portugal for digital nomads:
1. Ericeira
Our list of the best cities in Portugal for digital nomads to work and live begins with Ericeira, also known as “Onde O Mar É Mais Azul”, because of its blue sea. It mainly a small fishing town located about 35 kilometers from Lisbon. This town is the hottest location for digital nomads. This little town is the main attraction for surfers and is regarded as “World Surf City” by ISA (International Surfing Association).
There are bars and restaurants all around the city, allowing you to try and enjoy all kinds of drinks and food. Ericeira is also famous for its nightlife, as the bars remain open and offer many other things to do at night.
2. Lisbon
Lisbon is regarded as the best city for most nomads to live in, as it is the capital of Portugal and is characterized by its shoreline and cosmopolitan lifestyle. In 2020, Lisbon ranked 3rd for being the best location in Europe to be visited by digital expats and nomads. It is regarded as the most loved by the nomads, providing 84 working spaces. It is the largest city in the country with a population of 5 hundred thousand people. The city is famous for its historic infrastructure and beautiful scenes of Tagus River with a mild climate the whole year.
Famous locations to visit in Lisbon include:
Chiado and Bairro Alto, Principe Real, Alfama, Alcántara, Belem, and Garcia, all these locations are magnificent and worth spending time at.
Meanwhile, Sintra is a place for those more into trees and mountains. Still, one thing must be considered regarding Sinatra: it has a microclimate different from Lisbon and may be colder and rainier.
Almada is another heartwarming southern coast location and is relatively cheaper than central Lisbon.
3. Madeira Islands
The Madeira Islands are a group of a few isolated islands located around 350 miles from Lisbon in the middle of the ocean. Madeira Islands have been ranking first for seven years as the most beautiful island destination for nomads and expats in all of Portugal. Madeira is the largest city in archipelago and is famous for its beautiful, volcanic hills and forest.
These islands have more than 80 working spaces and provide beautiful sites for hiking and surfing, thus expanding your refreshment activities.
4. Porto
Number four on the list of the best cities in Portugal for digital nomads to live and work is Porto, the port wine’s homeland. Porto is an alternative to Lisbon, costing less to live in but providing the same amenities as in Lisbon. It is the second largest city in the country having a population of 1.7 million. Famous locations to visit are Porto’s historic center called UNESCO World Heritage Site, port wine and beautiful site on Douro River.
It is an amazingly heart-stealing city containing heritage from all around the globe.
5. Algarve
The Algarve is located on the southern coast of Portugal and is famous for its beaches. It has beautiful scenery with mountains and vegetation, enchanting visitors and providing an excellent environment for work and living there. It is known for its golf courses, water sports and sea food. It has a population of around 450 thousand and tourism is the backbone of its economy.
Moreover, the people are amiable, so your chances of seeing an English-speaking man increase.
Famous destinations to visit in the Algarve are:
Faro
Farro is a highly developed location with an airport, good healthcare conditions, and beautiful infrastructure.
Albufeira
Albufeira is famous for its nightlife and shopping.
Portimão
Portimão is the second-largest city after Faro, even with a population of around 5,000 people. Sometimes the population may be in surplus due to the tourists.
6. Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a part of the majestic Azores in Portugal located on the island of Sao Miguel. The city ranks higher in the list of the best places for digital nomads to work and live. It is located around 850 km from Lisbon and is regarded as a paradise due to its charm and beauty.
This little paradise costs around 1500 euros per month for living, 40% lower than that in Lisbon, and provides the same amenities. It is an attractive location for the expats and nomads who are more into eco-tourism and outdoor activities.
7. Nazare
Nazare is located between Porto and Lisbon, reflecting both cities. If you are more into surfing, golfing, and looking for a peaceful life, Nazare is the best place to reside. The town attracts more tourists in summer and is famous for of its traditions and festivals. First is “festa da Nazare” which takes place in September and the second is “procissao da Nossa Sehora da Nazare, which is a religious event in October. It has a population of 15 thousand.
8. Braga
Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal, established in 16 B.C. It costs 30 to 40% less than Lisbon and may cost 500 euros for a one-bedroom apartment. This city is known for its religious background and a differential culture. Braga is known to have a famous pilgrimage site called Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary. It has a population of 200 thousand and is home to the expats and nomads interested in history and religion.
Braga is the best choice for you if you love history and want to enjoy it along with modern living.
9. Setubal
Setubal is another location that has been very popular among digital nomads and expats due to its relatively comparable lifestyle to Lisbon and lower cost of living. It costs around 10 to 25% less than Lisbon, with minor differences in its lifestyle. It is located on estuary of Sado River. The city is rich in history and has two important historical places such as Monastery of Jesus and the Castelo de Sao Filipe.
Setubal is known for its beaches and fresh seafood, and it is also famous for the Mercado Do Livramento, the oldest market in Portugal, established in 1876.
10. Coimbra
The last city on our list of the best cities for digital nomads and expats to work and live in is Coimbra, famous for having the oldest university in Europe and its Roman architecture. It is a safe, quiet, relaxing city, only 2 hours from Lisbon by train. Coimbra is known for its traditional music played at its bars and restaurant. It is also a home to important historical places such as Coimbra Cathedra and Biblioteca Joanina. The city has a beautiful old town with narrow streets and its ancient architecture.
It also ranks higher in the list of best cities for digital nomads but can be costly, charging about 5000 euros per month.
Conclusion
So, our list of the best cities in Portugal for digital nomads to work and live ends here. Most digital nomads are aware of famous cities like Lisbon, but in this list, we have provided details about all the other beautiful places nomads and expats love to choose for their work or move to. Information about their famous locations and their costs has been included. It depends on you to decide which of these locations suits you better if you shift to Portugal as a digital nomad or expat.
