Portugal is a safe, expat-friendly country with stunning beaches, cities, popular beach towns and sleepy fishing villages. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best places to live nearby Lisbon based upon expats’ recommendations. They include Ericiera, Cascais, Seixal, Caldas da Rainha, Nazare, Costa da Caparica, Sintra, Setúbal, Peniche and towns like Carcavelos, Oeiras and Paço de Arcos.
Ericeira – the epitome of Portuguese surf culture. A stunning town, dotted with unassuming white houses that straddle winding cobbled streets. ‘Surf, eat, sleep, repeat’ – that is the mantra of Ericeira. The town is a hugely popular holiday destination, with the number of visitors increasing every year. The town is particularly busy during the summer months when the sun is shining and the waves are smaller.
Cascais is a seaside town near Lisbon. The town is very popular with tourists and wealthy Lisbon residents looking to escape the city. Some of the most expensive properties in the region can be found in Cascais. Cascais is located at the seaside and attracts many of Portugal’s rich and famous.
Seixal is a small, riverside town upon the southern banks of the River Tagus. The town is full of charm and feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Seixal has beautiful views across the river towards the city skyline. A twenty-minute ferry will take you across the river and into Lisbon.
Peniche Just over an hour by car from Lisbon, lies Peniche – the gem in Portugal surfing crown. Peniche’s unique geographical formation has made the town a hotspot for surfers. The town lacks a little of the charm found in Ericeira, but for most, the waves make up for this. Despitemaritime its size, Peniche houses a huge number of tourists throughout the year.
Setúbal Due to its close proximity to Lisbon, the port city of Setúbal is hugely popular with tourists and expats alike. This thriving historic town is at the heart of the Portuguese sardine industry and is famous for its sweet moscatel wine. Its atmospheric alleyways, tree-lined boulevards, and lively food markets attract many visitors throughout the year. And with a range of property types on offer, and at reasonable prices, it’s not hard to see why expats choose to settle here, too.
The Costa da Caparica is a long stretch of sandy beach, popular with surfers and tourists. The beach is lined by rows of highrise apartments. The town is said to be similar to Zandvoort in the Netherlands, only with better waves. There are a few options for getting into Lisbon from Caparica. A 40-minute bus ride will take you into the centre. A faster option would be to take a taxi or drive yourself, which would take approximately 15 minutes. The Costa da Caparica is a popular place to live, as it’s close to the beach and city. If you’re looking for co-working spaces, this town is a good option.
Sintra High up, above the green canopy of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, is Sintra. This jaw-dropping fairy-tale town presides over the landscape with graceful authority. Property prices in Sintra reflect those in popular Lisbon neighbourhoods. The demand for living within this historical artefact has sent real estate prices skyward. Just under fifty minutes by train from Lisbon, Sintra has become a hive for tourists. Holidaymakers flock to the town to marvel at the stunning medieval architecture and panoramic views. Sintra offers a unique living experience, in one of the most popular tourists destinations in Portugal. You’ll find a few coworking spaces, as well as world-class cafes and restaurants.
Towns like Carcavelos, Oeiras and Paço de Arcos have expanded rapidly in the last decade or so. The newer neighbourhoods (eg those round St Dominic’s School and the new IPS) are often dormitories for Lisbon commuters, but each has its bustling original centre as well. With a bit of luck you will find a good flat or house at considerably less than Cascais prices, there will be a hole in wall shop down the road selling everything from salt cod to clothes pegs, and you’ll be able to walk the children to school in the morning, or catch public transport. And after all, the train or the A5 motorway will take you quickly and easily to Cascais – or indeed to Lisbon. In fact, many foreigners live in the capital itself and love the combination of sophistication and slightly down-at-heel charm.