 It’s quiet, small-town living but less than 90 minutes from the Lisbon Airport and the stunningly beautiful Silver Coast.
The glorious Silver Coast is a trendy relocation hotspot because of its extraordinary views, surfing, fabulous food, and historic setting.
English-speaking expatriates also enjoy Portugal’s high standard of living for less than they would likely pay back home.
Most Universities Don’t Offer Courses in English
Portugal has some of the finest and most affordable universities, and attracts students from around the globe. Many universities offer courses taught in Portuguese by default because the language is spoken in numerous countries other than Portugal. This is likely why there are fewer programs offered in English.
However, there are some universities that provide degrees in English, and instructors may choose to teach graduate courses in English to accommodate international students. Therefore, English-speaking students who want to study and live abroad will find Portugal a suitable place to live and learn.
English Use in Major Cities in Portugal
- Lisbon – Lisbon is Portugal’s largest and capital city. Lisbon is architecturally rich; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Medieval, and Postmodern buildings can be found in the Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historic boulevards and monuments along the main highways, particularly in the upper districts. Lisbon is home to several famous museums that hold world-class international collections. The National Museum of Ancient Art, with one of the world’s largest collections, and the National Coach Museum, with the world’s largest collection of royal coaches and carriages, are the cities two most visited museums. Other notable museums include the National Museum of Archaeology, the Museum of Lisbon, the National Azulejo Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Museum of Natural History & Science. Walking around Lisbon, travelers will most likely be amazine by the white-washed limestone buildings, narrow streets, and the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere in the city. In Lisbon, there will be no issue finding other English speakers.
- Porto – Located along the Douro estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centers and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, as the “Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge, and Serra do Pilar Monastery. The historic area is a now a Portuguese National Park. As Lisbon has many museums, Porto might as well be famous for its rich musical history. In 2001, Porto shared the designation “European Culture Capital.” The construction of the main concert hall Casa de Musica, designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, was initiated and completed in 2005 within the framework of these activities. The city has concert halls of exceptional beauty and elegance. As the Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco designed the Coliseu do Porto, which is an excellent example of the decorative arts. Many other notable venues include the 2005 opening of the new São João National Theatre, the Rivoli Theatre, the Batalha Cinema, and Casa da Musica. Usually the residents of Porto are warm-hearted, and fairly good in English. If all else fails, grab a bottle of Port, one of the city’s largest export-products, and enjoy a walk around the city. While in Porto, if you encounter someone, alcohol is a social lubricant, and in Porto, a city that is known for its port wine, there should be no shortage of wine, while you might find there is a shortage of English speakers.
- Villa Nova de Gaia – The city is situated south of Porto, and on the other side of the Douro River. There are several cellars, or wine caves, where the Port wine is stored and aged. These wine cellars are a huge draw for tourists. Other than the wine caves, the city has two famous museums: House Museum Teixeria Lopes – Diego de Macedo Gallery and Solar dos Condes de Resende. The city also features many different natural sceneries to enjoy. Villa Nova de Gaia is the Portuguese city with the largest amount of beaches, 17 beaches in