Choosing a city is one of the first and most personal decisions when you move to Portugal. The right place depends less on rankings and more on your stage of life.
In this four-part conversation, Elena Bykovets, CEO and Founder of RelyOn Relocation®, talks with Ivana, a guide to Portugal who has lived in five Portuguese cities over nine years.
In this first part, they focus on remote workers: where the community is strongest, whether you need a car, and which places balance energy and calm.
Elena: Ivana, thank you for joining me. Before we talk about cities, could you introduce yourself?
Ivana: Of course. I came to the Algarve for a two-week vacation and stayed. That was nine years ago, and I’ve lived in five cities since.
Elena: That’s exactly why I invited you. When I arrived, I also lived in four places before choosing my base. Many of our clients are unsure where to settle, and it really depends on lifestyle.
Ivana: I couldn’t agree more. Travelling somewhere and living there are very different things. A single person, a family with small children or a retiree all need different things from a place — and people planning a move want to know what to expect.
Elena: Let’s start with remote workers. What would you recommend?
Ivana: Many digital nomads came after COVID. Internet is good almost everywhere; what matters most is community — international connections, meetups, events — so they don’t feel lonely. That’s why Lisbon is usually the first city they consider. It’s big, cosmopolitan, and the international community is very strong, especially if you’re single.
Elena: I notice that too. Our office is in Saldanha, and the community there feels young: people in coworking spaces, meeting in cafés, chatting over lunch.
Ivana: Yes, and you can build professional connections too. But a big city also means traffic and a faster pace. If you don’t want that every day, the Cascais line — the towns along the coast — is a great option. You go to Lisbon when you want events and new people, and come back to the beach when you want to slow down. You get both.
Elena: Oeiras is popular with students and remote workers, Carcavelos too, then Algés, Estoril — the whole line.
Ivana: Yes. And public transport here is very good, especially around Lisbon — important for people from the States, who are used to needing a car for everything.
Elena: That’s important. In Lisbon you can easily live without a car. Uber and Bolt rides can start from around three euros. From my experience, if you don’t drive far every day, owning a car can cost more than using ride apps.
Ivana: And parking in central Lisbon is a real challenge. Once my husband and I got stuck in a narrow street, and he was almost in tears. With Uber, you just arrive.
Elena: What about Porto?
Ivana: Porto has a growing international community. Life is slower than in Lisbon, cosier and more charming. The food is amazing, and it’s usually a little less expensive. Five or six years ago, the community wasn’t like this.
Elena: One of our team members lives in Porto and loves it, and several clients have chosen it as their base. New developments and renovation are making it more attractive.
Ivana: I agree. And I can’t skip my beautiful Algarve — especially Lagos. It has a relaxed, slightly hippie spirit.
Elena: But is it dynamic enough for digital nomads?
Ivana: Yes, if you like surfing and the ocean. Lagos has a strong, young community and several coworking spaces. The downside is that it’s more touristic, so some months of the year are much quieter.
Elena: And Madeira?
Ivana: Madeira is perfect for people who love nature and hiking. It’s calmer than Lisbon or Porto, but lively all year. It depends on your character: slow beach life, or nature with community.
Elena: I’d add that Madeira, as an island region, offers incentives to attract entrepreneurs, so it can work well for solo business owners.
For remote workers, the lesson is simple: the internet will follow you almost anywhere in Portugal, but community will not. Lisbon and the Cascais line offer the strongest networks, Porto a calmer rhythm, and Lagos and Madeira the ocean or mountains close by.
In Part 2, Elena and Ivana turn to families with children — and to a topic every newcomer asks about sooner or later: the weather.
If you are still deciding where to start in Portugal, a consultation with RelyOn Relocation® (AMI 24842) can help you compare locations calmly and choose a base that fits your lifestyle.
