The Cheapest Places to Live in Portugal Without Sacrificing Quality of Life
Hey everybody, this is Ismail Siddiky in Portugal, and today I’m going to show you the cheapest places to live in Portugal without sacrificing your quality of life. I have spent four years researching and traveling around Portugal, so you don’t have to. Come along on this journey as we look for places that don’t hurt the wallet as much. Let’s go.
Braga: A Hidden Gem
First, we are going to start northeast of Porto in the beautiful city of Braga. Braga is not as well-known among expats, who tend to favor Lisbon, the Algarve, or Porto, and for this reason, Braga is a hidden gem. This is not just a cheap place in the middle of nowhere but a beautiful town with a lot to offer. The city currently has a lot of development happening and is famous for its historic monuments, eye-catching landscapes, and quiet charm. Braga has a rich history dating back 2,000 years. It is increasingly attracting digital nomads and expats, but it still retains its authentic Portuguese character. You will find many different property types and houses for sale in Braga. So whether you are looking for a modern townhouse or a country house with a large garden, there are great options here that bigger cities just don’t have.
For rent, two-bedroom apartments start at around 500 euros a month, and you can find a fully furnished one starting at around 700 euros a month. For sale, two-bedroom apartments near the center that need refurbishing start around 90,000 euros. For something fully ready to move in, you are looking at the 120,000 to 200,000 range, depending on what they offer. When looking for a place to live, make sure you find one with a good energy efficiency rating, as this will help keep utility bills down. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant for one person costs an average of eight euros. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant, which is a three-course meal, costs around 30 euros. A domestic beer in Braga costs about 1.07 euros. Cheers to that!
Aveiro: The Venice of Portugal
Next, we go to the romantic and beautiful town dubbed Portugal’s Venice. I’m talking about Aveiro. Also known as the Portuguese Venice, Aveiro has channels of water that enter the city, where the traditional boats called moliceiros sail. It is well located on the Silver Coast, 250 km from Lisbon and 75 km from Porto. As you can imagine, life in Aveiro is usually calm, blessed with charm and romantic experiences. This city is near the beach, has a great university, good schools, and hospitals, but still feels like a small town.
Rent in Aveiro, on average, is 49.38% lower than in Lisbon. For rent, a one-bedroom apartment in the city can be found for around 500 euros and up to 1,300. For sale, the prices can range from 180,000 euros for a one-bedroom apartment to 300,000 for a four-bedroom house with a first floor and an attic. A meal for one person averages about seven euros at an inexpensive restaurant. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant with three courses is about 30 euros. A domestic beer in Aveiro averages around two euros. Though Aveiro is a small city with less than 80,000 people and might feel isolated for someone who enjoys the big city buzz, the city can feel quite cold and humid during the winter. If you are looking for a job, it can be difficult to find one in Aveiro in comparison to Porto or Lisbon.
Sines: Coastal Beauty
This next town on the Alentejo coast is the birthplace of the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. I’m talking about Sines, folks. Sines is a small seaside town on the Alentejo coast. You can travel to and from Lisbon in roughly one and a half hours, with a distance of only 159 km. In fact, many Lisbon residents spend their holidays in this area. The city is popular for fishing and surfing on its incredible ultramarine beaches. Would you like to know the best part? The population is significantly lower than in the other cities we’ve talked about.
For rent, you can find a two-bedroom apartment starting around 800 euros a month. For sale, you can find a three-bedroom apartment starting around 185,000 euros. This is a bit more expensive than the cities in the north because the weather here is a little better. It’s closer to Lisbon and right in the middle of Portugal. A meal for one person at an inexpensive restaurant is around 9.80 euros. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant with three courses is around 32 euros. A domestic beer is around 1.16 euros.
Santarém: Historic and Affordable
Next, located one hour northeast of Lisbon, is the Gothic monument city of Santarém. Santarém has stood out a lot since the pandemic, with the rise of remote work, as it is a much cheaper area than Lisbon, yet so near it. Many Portuguese have come to see Santarém as a potential new home. It is known for its Gothic monuments. New businesses are arriving, and at the same time, the younger population is moving here. In fact, Santarém is one of the cheapest cities to live in Portugal, which is very attractive for digital nomads. However, the day-to-day life here is still pretty much as it has always been in Alentejo – easygoing. Santarém is also a short drive from some exceptional wineries in the region.
The cost of living in Santarém is as follows: A meal for one person at an inexpensive restaurant is around eight euros. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant with three courses is around 45 euros. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for around 600 to 650 euros a month. Santarém does have hot summers but milder winters with less rain. Some of the coastal cities mentioned earlier have a lot of humidity and are plagued with mold problems and different insulation issues in houses. So, if you are not a fan of humid winters, I would highly recommend checking out a place like Santarém.
Figueira da Foz: Coastal Living at Its Best
Located right in the middle of the beautiful Silver Coast, this is one of the cheapest coastal cities in all of Portugal. I’m talking about Figueira da Foz. It is just 50 km from Coimbra, 200 km from Lisbon, and 140 km from Porto. It is a great option for those looking for an environment close to big cities but with silence and beautiful views. Figueira da Foz is a city of great tradition and historical importance, being one of the main cities to visit in the central region. This city’s extensive beaches attract people from all over the country, and the lifestyle here mainly appeals to those looking for a slower pace of life.
A meal for one person at an inexpensive restaurant costs around six euros per person. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant with three courses is about 24 euros. A domestic beer costs 1.75 euros. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for around 370 to 500 euros. A three-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for anywhere from 550 to 800 euros. For sale, two-bedroom apartments start around 100,000 euros, and a three-bedroom apartment starts at around 185,000 euros.
Ponta Delgada: Island Life in the Azores
Have you ever thought about living on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? Well, lucky for you, this next place is just that. Welcome to Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. In the summertime, it’s warm. In the winter, it’s mild, with occasional rainfall and only the occasional storm. The odd rough winter day is the only negative climate issue. Your utility bills will be much lower compared to mainland Portugal. Day-to-day shopping will cost you less since the VAT tax in the Azores is lower (18% vs. 23% on the mainland of Portugal). Made up of nine volcanic islands, the Azores has something for every taste, whether it’s exploring picturesque forests, hiking beautiful mountains, escaping into natural pools, or relaxing on one of the many beaches.
Just like any island, though, the weather can be unpredictable and change very fast. Healthcare is more limited than on the mainland, and formal processes like banking and residence permits can take longer. But hey, I’m just an island boy!
A meal for one person at an inexpensive restaurant averages around 9.75 euros. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant with three courses averages around 50 euros. A domestic beer averages around 1.05 euros. A one-bedroom apartment ranges from 200 to 900 euros. A three-bedroom apartment ranges from around 600 to 1,200 euros. For sale, three-bedroom apartments start at around 90,000 euros.
Conclusion
And those are some cheap places to live in Portugal with a good quality of life. If you want to see more blogs like this about Portugal, make sure to stay with my website. I’ll be writing more blogs like this every day on my website. My name is Ismail. We’ll see you next time.
Bye!!
