Best Cities to Live in Portugal: Where Should You Move from the UK?

Choosing where to live in Portugal is about more than finding sunshine and an attractive property. The right location needs to work for your everyday life: your job, your children’s education, your housing budget and the people you want around you.

For UK movers, Lisbon and Porto are natural starting points for city life; Braga and Coimbra deserve a look for a smaller-city routine; and Faro, Lagos and Tavira offer different ways to experience the Algarve. 

Aveiro is another option for a more compact urban setting. Near Lisbon, Cascais is worth comparing if coastal living is a priority.

There is no single best city for everyone. This guide offers a practical shortlist, explains the compromises and helps you connect your location choice with the realities of moving your household from the UK.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is for people considering a move from the UK to Portugal, including families, couples, retirees, remote workers and people still deciding whether to rent or buy. It is especially useful if you have enjoyed holidays in Portugal but have not yet tested what ordinary life there would feel like.

The recommendations below are editorial suggestions based on the type of lifestyle each location may suit, rather than an official ranking. Housing availability, school places and transport services should be checked for your intended neighbourhood and moving dates.

Best cities to live in Portugal: a quick comparison

Location	Worth shortlisting for	Main attraction	What to investigate before committing
Lisbon	People who want capital-city life	A large urban setting with varied neighbourhoods	Housing budget, noise, hills and the daily commute
Porto	People who enjoy culture and an established city atmosphere	A historic northern city centred on the Douro	Winter comfort, steep streets and property access
Braga	Families and people seeking a smaller-city routine	A northern base with a historic centre	School locations, work options and whether you need a car
Coimbra	People drawn to a university-city setting	History, academic character and central Portugal	Hills, student activity and the exact neighbourhood
Aveiro	People wanting a compact city near the Atlantic coast	Canal-side surroundings and a smaller urban scale	The journey to the beach, workplace and airport
Faro	People wanting an Algarve city base	An urban centre near the region’s main airport	Flight noise, beach access and the surrounding neighbourhood
Lagos	People prioritising beaches and outdoor life	Western Algarve coastal surroundings	Summer crowds and year-round rental terms
Tavira	People seeking a smaller eastern Algarve city	Historic streets and a riverside setting	Beach connections and access to specialist services
Cascais*	People wanting coastal living near Lisbon	A seaside setting within reach of the capital	Housing costs and the real door-to-door commute

Cascais is a town and municipality, included because it is a useful alternative when comparing the best places to live in Portugal. The Algarve is a region, not a city.

1. Lisbon: a starting point for capital-city living

Lisbon is worth exploring if you want your move to include restaurants, cultural activities and the variety of a large urban area. For someone who enjoys London’s energy, it may offer a more familiar type of daily routine than a small coastal location.

However, choosing “Lisbon” is only the start. A flat on a busy central street can feel very different from a residential home farther from the visitor attractions. Judge neighbourhoods by the trips you will actually make: work, school, food shopping and appointments.

Before signing a tenancy, walk the area in the evening and at commuting time. Check how much uphill walking is involved and whether an attractive older building has a lift, comfortable indoor temperatures and enough storage.

Moving consideration: ask your mover to assess the exact address. Narrow streets, restricted stopping space and stair access can affect furniture delivery.

2. Porto: for people who want a distinctive northern city

Porto is an appealing candidate if you enjoy historic architecture, a river setting and urban life. Its centre sits around the Douro, while the wider urban area extends towards the Atlantic. These surroundings help explain its appeal, although a beautiful city-break location is not automatically the right residential neighbourhood. Background on Porto.

When comparing living in Porto with Lisbon, use equivalent properties and daily routines. Compare the same number of bedrooms, similar condition and a realistic commute. A broad city reputation tells you less than the home you can actually rent.

Visit during a less sunny period if possible. Look closely at heating, ventilation and signs of damp in any property, and think about whether steep streets would suit everyone in your household.

Moving consideration: measure stair turns, entrance doors and lift interiors before deciding that a large sofa or wardrobe should make the journey.

3. Braga: for a smaller-city lifestyle in northern Portugal

Braga deserves a place on your shortlist if you want a city setting without choosing Lisbon or Porto. Its historic character may appeal to households looking for a regular local routine rather than a holiday-focused environment.

For families, the useful questions are practical: can you reach the school comfortably, is there space nearby for children to play, and how does the area feel after dark? For working households, start with your employment arrangements before falling in love with a property.

Include Braga in your housing search if you want alternatives to the two largest cities, but check current listings before assuming that any particular home will be inexpensive. A newer, larger property can change the comparison considerably.

Moving consideration: a suburban address may offer more straightforward delivery access, but check gates, gradients and parking individually.

4. Coimbra: for a university-city atmosphere

Coimbra is worth considering if you like the idea of a historic city shaped by university life. It can appeal to people who want a recognisable urban centre while exploring a different pace from the capital.

Choose the neighbourhood with care. A lively student street and a quieter residential area may serve very different needs. Families should check actual school arrangements; retirees should test the walk to everyday services and investigate healthcare access.

If walking is part of your ideal lifestyle, do the relevant routes yourself. A short distance on a map may still involve a steep climb, steps or uneven paving.

Moving consideration: provide photos of the street and the route from the delivery vehicle to your front door, particularly for properties in older areas.

5. Aveiro: for a compact urban setting near the coast

Aveiro may suit people who want a smaller city and enjoy the idea of canal-side surroundings. Its position offers a different setting from Portugal’s hillier historic centres, but you should still assess the individual property and daily travel routes.

Do not assume that living in Aveiro means you will be able to walk from your front door onto an ocean beach. Compare a city-centre home with homes nearer the coast according to how you intend to spend your week.

For remote workers, confirm broadband at the actual address, find a workable desk space and check noise during working hours. For anyone travelling frequently to the UK, factor the airport journey into the decision.

Moving consideration: inspect storage and room dimensions before shipping an entire UK household into a smaller apartment.

6. Faro: for an Algarve city base

Faro is a useful starting point if you want to explore living in the Algarve while keeping an urban base and proximity to its main airport in mind.

The key question is whether you want a city routine or a beach-focused one. Choosing Faro does not mean every property has immediate beach access. Check how you would travel between your home, the coast and the places you use regularly.

Visit shortlisted homes at different times of day. Investigate road and aircraft noise, parking and the availability of an appropriate long-term tenancy.

Moving consideration: confirm when you will receive the keys before agreeing a delivery window. Allow for a storage option if your property arrangements are still uncertain.

7. Lagos: for beaches and an outdoor lifestyle

Lagos belongs on the shortlist if easy access to coastal scenery is central to your move. Its western Algarve setting can appeal to households that want walking, beach visits and time outdoors to be part of normal life.

Test the location in more than one season if you can. Consider summer activity, winter routines and whether the exact rental you are viewing is available throughout the year.

Lagos has a railway terminus on the Algarve line, but the existence of a station does not answer whether your particular home will work without a car. Check current services and the complete route to your workplace or other regular destinations. Lagos transport background.

Moving consideration: tell your mover about apartment complexes, controlled entrances and any restrictions on unloading.

8. Tavira: for a smaller eastern Algarve setting

Tavira is worth exploring if you are drawn to historic streets and a riverside setting rather than a large metropolitan environment. It may suit people who value a more compact daily routine.

Check what “close to the beach” means for the home you are considering. Depending on the beach and starting point, the journey can involve an onward connection rather than a straightforward walk from the centre.

For a permanent move, assess access to groceries, appointments, hobbies and friends. These are the details that determine whether a smaller location feels convenient or limiting.

Moving consideration: distinguish vehicle access from walking access. A home that is easy to reach on foot may require additional planning for a large removal vehicle.

9. Cascais: a coastal alternative near Lisbon

Although Cascais is a town rather than a city, it is worth comparing with Lisbon if you want a coastal setting while retaining access to the capital.

Before committing, try the full journey you would make to work or school. Being near a rail route is useful only if the first and last parts of the trip also work for your household.

Compare current homes carefully, including ongoing building charges where relevant. If a particular school is part of your reason for choosing the area, confirm admissions and travel arrangements before choosing the property.

Moving consideration: check building management requirements, lift dimensions and unloading arrangements before delivery day.

Which location suits your household?

Your priority	Start by comparing	The decision to make first
A varied urban lifestyle	Lisbon and Porto	Which neighbourhood and housing budget work together?
Family routines in a smaller city	Braga, Coimbra and Aveiro	Where are the appropriate schools and everyday services?
An Algarve home with an urban base	Faro	Do you prefer city convenience or immediate beach proximity?
A coast-focused lifestyle	Lagos and Cascais	Can the home and transport costs fit your budget year-round?
A smaller eastern Algarve setting	Tavira	Are the services and travel connections sufficient for your needs?
Retirement	Coimbra, Faro and Tavira	How accessible are healthcare, shops and social activities?
Remote work	Any shortlisted location	Is the address suitable for work, and are your work arrangements approved?

These are starting points for research. A well-chosen neighbourhood in another city may suit you better than a poor fit in your initial favourite.

How to compare the cost of living in Portugal

For best Cities to Live in Portugal, housing should be the first line of your budget, but it should not be the last. Compare the complete monthly cost of living in each shortlisted location using the same household assumptions.

Include rent or mortgage payments, utilities, internet, groceries, transport, school costs where relevant, healthcare arrangements and visits back to the UK. Separately, allow for the one-off costs of moving, temporary accommodation and setting up your home.

Avoid combining a city-centre apartment in one location with an out-of-town house in another and treating the difference as a city-wide cost comparison. Property size, condition, location and tenancy length all matter.

Budgeting when your income is in pounds

Portugal uses the euro. If your salary, pension or savings are in pounds, exchange-rate changes affect how much your Portuguese expenses cost in sterling.

For illustration only, a €1,500 monthly expense would cost about £1,304 at £1 = €1.15, or about £1,429 at £1 = €1.05, before transfer fees. These are hypothetical rates, not a current exchange-rate quotation.

Build some room into your budget rather than relying on one favourable conversion.

Should you rent or buy when moving to Portugal?

Renting first gives you time to experience ordinary life before making a long-term property decision. It can be particularly useful if you are unsure about the neighbourhood, school journey or seasonal atmosphere.

When searching, compare established property portals with local estate agents and confirm that listings are for the tenancy period you actually need. A holiday let is not the same proposition as a year-round home.

View the property where possible. Check furnishings, heating and cooling, ventilation, noise, stairs, storage and the condition of appliances. Ask what is included in the rent and obtain the terms in writing.

If buying, use an independent legal adviser to investigate the property and explain the contract before you commit. The UK government specifically recommends considering advice from a Portuguese lawyer registered with the relevant professional body. GOV.UK: buying and renting property in Portugal.

What should UK citizens check before relocating?

Your right to live in Portugal needs to be addressed separately from choosing a home. British citizens planning a new move should check the visa and residence route that applies to them. People with EU nationality or existing protected residence rights may have different requirements.

Also confirm healthcare arrangements and get advice on how a move affects employment, tax and any UK income. Remote workers should discuss the proposed arrangement with their employer before treating an overseas move as approved. The official GOV.UK Living in Portugal guide is a useful starting point for residence, healthcare and working arrangements.

Planning removals to Portugal from the UK

Once you have shortlisted a location, start planning what will move with you. Furniture decisions are easier when you know the size, furnishings and access arrangements of the destination property.

Decide what is worth shipping

Compare the cost of moving each larger item with its condition, personal value and likely usefulness in the new home. Check room layouts and doorway measurements before shipping bulky furniture.

If you will rent furnished accommodation initially, consider whether some belongings should remain in storage until your long-term plans are settled.

Compare removal quotations on the same basis

A useful quotation should reflect the volume of goods, packing requirements, collection and delivery access, destination and scheduling needs. Ask what is included for dismantling, reassembly, unpacking, customs administration and any additional handling.

Ask whether a shared-load or dedicated vehicle service is available for your route and dates. Discuss the delivery window before making commitments that depend on your furniture arriving on a particular day.

Check customs documents before collection

Do not assume that used household belongings can be moved without paperwork. The UK government notes that a baggage certificate may be needed when importing personal belongings into Portugal. Ask the appointed customs agent to confirm the documents and any relief conditions applicable to your shipment before dispatch. GOV.UK: importing personal belongings to Portugal.

Share the delivery details early

Provide the full address, floor level, lift dimensions, parking information and photographs of difficult access. Mention long carrying distances, narrow lanes and gated entrances so that the delivery can be planned accurately.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best city to live in Portugal for someone moving from the UK?

The strongest choice depends on your daily priorities. Compare Lisbon and Porto for a larger-city lifestyle, Braga and Coimbra for a smaller urban setting, and Faro, Lagos and Tavira for different Algarve experiences. Shortlist two or three locations, then compare real homes and everyday journeys rather than choosing from holiday impressions alone.

Is Lisbon or Porto better for living?

Choose according to your work, housing and lifestyle needs. Lisbon offers the setting of the capital; Porto offers a distinctive northern city environment. Compare suitable properties, the commute, indoor comfort and neighbourhood atmosphere. Neither is automatically the better choice for every family or budget.

Which Portuguese city is cheapest to live in?

There is no reliable single answer without specifying the household and property. Add Braga and Coimbra to your search if you want alternatives to Lisbon and Porto, then compare current like-for-like listings. Include transport and other recurring costs: a lower rent can be offset by needing a car or paying for longer journeys.

Where should families live in Portugal?

Begin with school suitability, admissions, housing and the school run. Braga, Coimbra and Aveiro are useful smaller-city candidates; Lisbon and the surrounding area may also suit families whose work or school requirements point there. Confirm the actual school place before committing to a home chosen mainly for its location.

Where should British retirees consider living?

Coimbra, Faro and Tavira offer different starting points, depending on whether you prefer a university-city setting, an Algarve urban base or a smaller eastern Algarve location. Test access to healthcare and shops, and consider slopes, stairs and how you will maintain a social life throughout the year.

Is the Algarve a good place to live permanently?

It can be, if the specific location works beyond the holiday season. Compare Faro, Lagos and Tavira separately and investigate year-round housing, transport, appointments and everyday services. Visit outside summer before making a permanent decision if possible.

Can I live in Portugal without a car?

Potentially, if your home is well placed for your regular journeys. Start by examining suitable neighbourhoods in Lisbon and Porto, but check the actual route to work, school and shops. In smaller or more dispersed locations, test evening and weekend transport as well as daytime services before deciding against a car.

Should I buy furniture in Portugal or bring it from the UK?

Compare replacement cost with a removal quotation based on your actual inventory. Good-quality or sentimental furniture may be worth taking if it fits the new property. Large items that will not fit, duplicate furniture and items unsuitable for your first home abroad may be better sold or stored.

How much do removals from the UK to Portugal cost?

The cost depends on shipment volume, packing, route, access and scheduling. A few items and a full household need different arrangements. Request an itemised quotation and check the delivery window, customs administration, storage options and any access-related charges before comparing prices.

What if my Portuguese property is not ready for delivery?

Tell your mover as soon as the uncertainty becomes clear. Ask about storage, handling charges and how a later delivery would be scheduled. Avoid relying on an unconfirmed key handover date when arranging dispatch.

Planning your move with Reloux

The best place to live in Portugal is the one that works for your ordinary week: your home, your budget and the way you want to spend your time.

When you have a destination in mind, contact Reloux to discuss your move from the UK. Share your inventory, preferred dates and destination access details so the team can assess your requirements and provide a quotation for the proposed service.