*Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
#2
Economy
#2
Culture
#2
Safety
#2
Education
Explore Porto with moviinn
Porto is an elegant city, filled with history, and traditions - perfect for those with the most refined tastes.
Located in the north of the country, this is a prime location to live in: famous for its Port Wine, Porto is Portugal's second largest city, and it is filled with tradition, elegance, and history. The perfect place to build a balanced life.
–– Johan Syriani, Canadian Expat living in Porto
Lisbon Overview
Every step you take, you see something new
Morayo Sharma - Game Designer
This city is always surprising you. From its historic buildings, to its impressive art and friendly locals. This is a place where you can get inspired, where creativity blossoms, and where ideas come to grow. It is exciting to live in Porto - you always see something new, every step you take around town. History, culture and traditions collide in a perfect sized city.
Laid back - but professional - working in Porto
Eugene Bourcier - Copywritter
People generally love the work environment in Porto as it is the perfect mix between serious and relaxed. Portuguese people are laid back, but they also take their tasks and goals quite seriously - and in the north, work ethic is a bit different from the south, some say. Ready to discover it for yourself?
Every step you take, you see something new
Morayo Sharma - Game Designer
This city is always surprising you. From its historic buildings, to its impressive art and friendly locals. This is a place where you can get inspired, where creativity blossoms, and where ideas come to grow. It is exciting to live in Porto - you always see something new, every step you take around town. History, culture and traditions collide in a perfect sized city.
Laid back - but professional - working in Porto
Eugene Bourcier - Copywritter
People generally love the work environment in Porto as it is the perfect mix between serious and relaxed. Portuguese people are laid back, but they also take their tasks and goals quite seriously - and in the north, work ethic is a bit different from the south, some say. Ready to discover it for yourself?
City Stats summary
Porto Breakdown
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
Of course, everyone is aware of Portugal's current popularity, but if there's one city that truly embodies it, it's Porto. Proud like a Portuguese Winterfell but with the typical Portugal warmth, the capital of the North has been attracting a growing number of expats who have settled there. See for yourself why Porto has become the place to be.
Why Porto?
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
Porto is a great place for your children to study – and there are a lot of offers in terms of public and private schools. Public school placements depend on the place where you live, and there are great public schools to choose from. One of the top performing private schools in the country, Colégio Nossa Senhora do Rosário, is located here, as well as some of the best universities in Portugal.
Complete roadmap for education
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
Although Porto is a big city, it is also very safe to live here. Portugal in general is considered one of the safest countries to live in, in the world. People are friendly, crime rates are low, and violence is not common.
Porto offers security
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
Porto is well served in terms of public transports, with a great and very modern underground that gets you everywhere you need to be in the city, buses, bike lanes and smart options like electric scooters. Due to its compact size, it is also easy to go around town by foot – depending on where you work and live, this may be the best option.
Alternatives
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
The second largest city of Portugal is one of the best places to live in this sunny and friendly country. A great part of living in Porto is that you get to walk for miles by the river, and you can also enjoy the wonderful and lush gardens that are spread all over town. Porto is a very elegant and calm city, but it also has a vibrant and colorful nightlife. The weather is nice, the people are friendly, and you’ll easily fit in.
Cultural options
**Based on Bloom Consulting City Brand Ranking and PORDATA-INE
Porto is known for the production of the world renowned Port Wine from the Douro Region, and it is also the industrial and commercial hub of the north of the country. Porto’s metropolitan area is responsible for around 23% of the manufacturing industry of the country. Tourism represents an important part of the city’s revenue, as it stands out as one of the country’s most visited cities.
Business plurality
Ready to "moviinn" to Porto?
If by now you're almost convinced this is the place where you want to live, but you're filled with questions and doubts, it's time to get in touch with us. Find the right investment, the right visa option, get counseling on which steps you need to take according to your own specific case: our team is here to help!
City overview
Culture and Lifestyle in Porto
The "Invicta" (which means "the undefeated city") combines late-night entertainment with astonishing museum experiences.
Exploring the cities best views
Sightseeing in Porto
Porto offers several options for tourism
Porto has stunning views awaiting its newcomers - such as Jardim do Morro, where you get to overlook the city’s infamous wineries, this is a place where you can hang out with friends and enjoy a sunny afternoon on the grass. Looking at the Douro river is a special experience, and you’ll get one of the best views of the city from the Jardim do Passeio das Virtudes.
Nightlife
Eclectic nightlife
Porto's night offers experiences for everyone
Porto’s nightlife is exhilarating and diverse: you can find everything from bars, to nightclubs, and exciting venues. Most of the nightlife takes place downtown, in old houses and buildings that really make you feel like you’re partying in a traditional Portuguese city. It is very eclectic - from parties on rooftops and sunsets, to outdoor events and clubbing in old churches - you’ll find everything in this town. And of course, nothing like starting the night off with a nice glass of Port Wine to get you in the mood.
Museums and Exhibitions
Cultural options
Porto has a full pack of cultural activities
Porto is home to some of the most beautiful museums in the country - such as the Serralves Foundation, which has a beautiful garden and an impressive selection of artwork throughout the year. The city has a great cultural program and you won’t get bored anytime soon. The Botanical Garden is a place that you cannot miss during the day, and at night, you will find giant lanterns, light design, video mapping and interactive experiences in an evening show.
Exploring the cities best views
Sightseeing in Porto
Porto offers several options for tourism
Porto has stunning views awaiting its newcomers - such as Jardim do Morro, where you get to overlook the city’s infamous wineries, this is a place where you can hang out with friends and enjoy a sunny afternoon on the grass. Looking at the Douro river is a special experience, and you’ll get one of the best views of the city from the Jardim do Passeio das Virtudes.
Nightlife
Eclectic nightlife
Porto's night offers experiences for everyone
Porto’s nightlife is exhilarating and diverse: you can find everything from bars, to nightclubs, and exciting venues. Most of the nightlife takes place downtown, in old houses and buildings that really make you feel like you’re partying in a traditional Portuguese city. It is very eclectic - from parties on rooftops and sunsets, to outdoor events and clubbing in old churches - you’ll find everything in this town. And of course, nothing like starting the night off with a nice glass of Port Wine to get you in the mood.
Common Questions about Porto
The cost of living in Porto is slightly lower than Lisbon, but it stands very near. Depending on whether you are sharing an apartment, or renting by yourself, your monthly rent may vary from 300 - 1000€ a month. And that’s just for housing. For the rest of your expenses you will need around 500€ a month (groceries, restaurants, transportation, etc.), which means that a comfortable salary in Porto will be around 1500€.
People in Porto are known for their mobilization and interest in social issues - it is very common to see demonstrations for social causes in the streets of this city. This causes a ripple effect - the city is filled with open minded people, and in terms of LGBTQIA+ issues, there is a lot of welcomeness and progressiveness.
It is a great city to live in, for expats from all walks of life. It is great for older couples, and younger couples as well, for families and young entrepreneurs. It has everything you need to live comfortably: great weather, lots of green spaces, landscapes, riverside avenues, schools and a very inviting lifestyle. You’ll find peace and quiet even in a street in the center, but you’ll also find a vibrant and lively city with lots of cultural events and activities all throughout the year.
Both are great choices for your kids, but you have to consider that public schools generally teach in Portuguese (although all of them offer English classes). So, for that reason, it is common for expats to choose to enroll their kids in international and private schools, due to the opportunity to have their kids being taught in English. However, you may want your kids to fully integrate and learn the language, and if that’s the case, a public school is a great choice and a financially smart one.
Foreigners looking to buy a home in Portugal face no restrictions - you'll only be required to have a fiscal number (also known as a NIF or número de contribuinte). There is usually no extra paperwork or criteria you need to meet in order to purchase a home.
