Could it be its charming streets paved with history? Is it its multicultural population and their scrumptious cuisines? Or is it about living the dream without it costing a fortune? Yes, yes, yes, and more.
I have a couple of friends who've decided to pursue their Portugal dreams—one is already there, the other is well on her way. I'll miss them but will happily visit.
“What I love the most about Portugal is what they advertise the least about Portugal: the country’s colonial past and its present-day cultural diversity,” says Toby, a transplanted Harlemite. “Portugal is a wonderful blend of Lusophone African cultures from far-flung places including Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, Goa, and, of course, Brazil.”
After a two-year delay due to the pandemic, Toby made his move to Lisbon this past January, and he’s not looking back. A tech entrepreneur, he’s found his favorite jazz spot, meetups with others in the tech space, and enjoys his cuisine of choice—Cape Verdian—whenever he pleases.
Food rules no matter where you are in Portugal because of the diversity and, in some cases, religion, which informed the recipe of one of the country's most coveted foods. In the 15th century, when Portuguese Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or leave the country, many remained secretly loyal to their religion instead. To avoid attracting attention, they developed alheira, a non-pork sausage made from bread and other meats, now a staple of traditional Portuguese cuisine.
But it’s not just the food that propels outsiders to become insiders. Sometimes it’s an informed whim.
“I’ve never been,” says Lynn, a Coloradoan who’s relocating sight unseen. “Some of my relatives have and they always say to me, ‘You should go. You would like it.’ ” Lynn had just finished ordering cartons to pack up her things to put into storage. Her plan is to try it for a few months. “I figured I’d go and see. I know it’s a cliché, but you only live once.” Her first stop? “Lisbon, and then I think I’ll check out Porto.”
Not all of us are brave enough for such a leap, but there’s no denying that this “it” destination is striking a chord with travelers. Check out this list for a soft landing in Portugal—it includes history, language lessons, invaluable tips on moving abroad, and a couple of great novels for entertainment.
Travel and Language
Modern day Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, was the first European city built with seismic safety in mind. In 1755, Portugal was hit by an earthquake that would measure nine on the future Richter scale. Located in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has a rich history that dates to prehistoric times. The first people never left their country, but were integrated into the many societies that came to Portugal over time. History of Portugal will familiarize English speakers with the events and personas that built the Portuguese kingdom.
In Portugal: Essential Travel Tips, Sam's Travel Guide on Portugal, you'll find all the information you need about must-visit locations such as the best beaches, islands, and souvenirs, as well as things to avoid. Learn about restaurants and cuisines and great hotels. This listen will leave you well prepared to visit the country of your dreams.
More than just a listen, Portugal - Art & Culture is a listening tour that takes you along the coast via Albufeira and Lagos, then the journey goes inland to Aljezur. In Lisbon, explore the narrow streets of the city with the "Electricos" and visit the "Torre de Belem." Portuguese kings spent summers in Sintra, where their residences were surrounded by gardens full of flowers. The Convento de Cristo in the castle of the Knights Templar and the Mosteiro de Batalha are on your route north, the "cradle of the country." The old town of Porto is a World Heritage Site. A famous bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel connects the city with Vila Nova de Gaia, where the port wine cellars are located. Cheers!
As you embark on your journey to Portugal, what could be better than tips from a local? Oporto, also known as Porto, has been cited again and again as a special place to see, to explore, and to wine and dine. Mariana Lambertini offers the inside scoop on Oporto from a local point of view. She doesn't give you exact addresses or store hours (they could change). Instead, she shares her expert knowledge. To get the most out of your trip, she advises that you slow down, stay in one place, and get to know the people and the culture. Greater Than a Tourist - Oporto Portugal: 50 Travel Tips from a Local will prepare you for your next destination. Ready?
If you want to learn Portuguese fast and in a variety of fun ways that actually work, then pay attention. Portuguese: Learn Portuguese for Beginners lets you maximize your chances of learning Portuguese in less time than it would take reading textbooks. For easier learning, it's divided into three parts that include a guide to grammar, short stories for beginners, and more than 1,000 phrases for everyday living in Portugal and Brazil. Have fun while you grow your vocabulary and get the best out of your travels. It comes with a PDF you'll find in your library.
Learn Portuguese for Beginners Easily & in Your Car! is perfect for people who feel they have no time to learn a new language. It contains more than 500 common Portuguese phrases and words that will help you in everyday life and travel. Each phrase is pronounced slowly and multiple times so that you can really learn the correct pronunciation. It includes categories such as renting a car, what to say in an emergency to a doctor, business dialogue, lessons for kids in school, and hobbies. It comes with a handy PDF you'll find in your library.
Novels Set in Portugal
In the thrilling Two Nights in Lisbon, a woman named Ariel Price wakes up in Lisbon, alone. Her husband is gone—no warning, no note, not answering his phone. She starts with hotel security, then the police, then the American embassy, at each confronting questions she can’t fully answer: What exactly is John doing in Lisbon? Why would he drag her along on his business trip? Who would want to harm him? And why does Ariel know so little about her new—much younger—husband? The one person in the world who can help Ariel is the one person she least wants to ask. With sparkling prose and razor-sharp insights, bestselling author Chris Pavone delivers a stunning and sophisticated international thriller that will linger long after the surprising conclusion.
House of Silence takes place right outside of Lisbon. Two inspectors, Isabel Reis and Aleksandr Voronov, find the victim, Marta Numes, in a river. She was a youth center worker known as Gifted with special abilities (the Gifted are usually considered suspicious). When they look into her past, the inspectors learn that she was connected to a group of Gifted women, young and telepathic, and all missing. Was Marta helping these girls or harming them? Are they all dead? Get lost in this twisty story with Portugal as a backdrop. And beware of the Gifted.
Relocation Tips
Living Abroad is a useful, honest, laugh-out-loud funny guide for anyone who’s considering a move from the United States to a new country. The author's years of experience both as an expat and as a writer make for a book that is truthful, realistic, funny, and sensitive. It's estimated that more than 3 million Americans yearly decide to try living in another country. Many move abroad for economic reasons, some to start a new life or “reinvent” themselves, and some are just seeking new experiences in the wake of COVID-19. The goal is to provide the listener with the good and the bad—not to persuade you to become an expat or not—but to provide enough insight to decide what might be best for you, using entertaining and informative real-life examples to illustrate what is true and what is not so true.
This is the definitive guide for anyone dreaming of living in paradise when they retire. Whether motivated by a desire for adventure or the need to make the most of a diminished nest egg, more and more Americans are considering an overseas retirement. Kathleen Peddicord shows how living in an unconventional retirement destination can cost less than a traditional home in Florida or Arizona. She addresses all of the essential issues, including opening a bank account, finding a home to own or rent, researching and understanding your tax liability, obtaining health insurance and medical care, and avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls. How to Retire Overseas is the ultimate guide to making retirement dreams come true.
How to Live Abroad and Thrive with Passive Income will completely empower you and give you all the knowledge you need (and more) to move to a foreign country with confidence. Author Pierre Blake has crafted these groundbreaking life lessons and strategies over the past 10 years while living in seven countries and traveling to nearly 50. When Blake isn’t authoring books, he’s in the Maldives swimming with sharks and sleeping in pristine water villas, living in Tokyo for extended deep dives into Japanese culture (mostly food), exploring ancient castles in the South of France on a luxury Rhône River cruise where all expenses are paid, and taking naps every afternoon for as long as he wants because he has complete control over his time. Blake’s hardest decision in life is deciding where he will explore next. Maybe it could be yours too.
