Portugal isn’t just a dream destination for holidaymakers — it’s a country where you can live an incredible life surrounded by world-class food, wine, and local produce. Named the 5th best cuisine in the world by TasteAtlas in 2024/25, Portugal is a true paradise for food lovers. Buy a property here and you’ll have access to thriving seafood markets, innovative Michelin-starred restaurants, and fresh seasonal ingredients all year round.
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, many homeowners enjoy growing their own fruit, vegetables, olives, and even vines. Imagine picking ripe lemons, oranges, figs, almonds, avocados, and herbs like rosemary straight from your garden, or making your own wine. From lively Lisbon neighbourhoods to peaceful vineyard towns in the Douro Valley, Portugal offers a relaxed, affordable lifestyle where mealtimes are a true celebration.
Pastéis de nata, seafood, ginjinha Lisbon isn’t just Portugal’s capital — it’s a food lover’s paradise for everyday living. Imagine being able to pop into the sensational Time Out Market for a quick treat, or to pick up something special for dinner from the city's best chefs and producers. Living here means enjoying fresh seafood in your local neighbourhood restaurant, grabbing a pastel de nata with your morning coffee, or sipping ginjinha on a sunlit terrace at the weekend. Think grilled sardines, octopus rice, and bowls of caldo verde green soup around every corner.
Lisbon’s Michelin-starred scene is booming too, with Arkhe offering exquisite plant-based tasting menus, Grenache crafting French-Portuguese magic in Alfama, and Yōso serving delicate Japanese omakase experiences. With vibrant local communities and easy access to beaches, Lisbon offers food lovers an unbeatable urban lifestyle.
Why buy a property in Lisbon: Urban life blended with beautiful Atlantic beaches and buzzing culture, what's not to lov Nearby alternatives:Cascais — an upscale seaside town known for beachside fish feasts. Hidden foodie gem:Canalha is the hottest table in town, chef João Rodrigues uses high quality local ingredients to create exciting new dishes that everyone's talking about.
Francesinha, bacalhau, Port wine Living in Porto means a daily life built around tradition, local flavours, and community pride. Mornings often start at Mercado do Bolhão, where fresh fish and regional cheeses fill the stalls, and evenings end with a glass of Douro wine overlooking the river. Try a gut-busting Francesinha sandwich, then explore the atmospheric wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia. Beyond Port, the Douro Valley now produces stunning dry reds and whites — sample Quinta do Crasto or Niepoort. Michelin-starred Blind adds a touch of fine dining adventure, but most residents enjoy the everyday pleasure of rustic meals and vibrant market life.
Why buy a property in Porto: Affordable riverside properties, low cost of living, art, culture, and access to Douro wine country. Nearby alternatives:Vila Nova de Gaia — quieter streets but world-famous wine cellars. Hidden foodie gem: Adega São Nicolau — traditional Porto cuisine at its best.
UNESCO-listed Évora is the heartland of Alentejo wine and robust Portuguese flavours. Think slow-cooked black pork, creamy açorda, and olive oils so rich you’ll want to drink them. Alentejo wines — once underrated — are now some of Portugal’s best, with smooth reds and refreshing whites. In the town centre, historic restaurants like Fialho serve black pork cheeks in red wine and hearty bread soups, while weekly markets overflow with regional cheeses, meats, and fruit. Alentejo’s relaxed pace makes food a way of life, not just a special occasion, and Évora’s strong community spirit is ideal for anyone looking to slow down and savour every meal.
Why buy a property in Évora: Slower pace, grand squares, easy access to vineyards and countryside, real community feel and stunning Roman ruins. Nearby alternatives:Estremoz — a marble town with boutique vineyards. Hidden foodie gem:Taberna Típica Quarta-feira — famous for its long, no-menu feasts.
Fresh seafood, laid-back coastal living, traditional food culture
Living in Nazaré means embracing a daily rhythm built around the sea. The town’s fishing traditions run deep, and it shows in the food: grilled sardines, seafood stews, and razor clams caught just offshore. Local life is centred around the ocean, the daily fish market, and the casual seafront restaurants where families gather for long Sunday lunches. Nazaré isn’t just about summer crowds — year-round, it’s a tight-knit, welcoming community where you’ll quickly feel part of the neighbourhood. Property prices are still accessible compared to Lisbon or the Algarve, and the town’s lively but relaxed vibe makes it a great choice for buyers seeking authentic coastal Portugal.
Why buy a property in Nazaré: Fresh seafood daily, walkable town centre, affordable homes compared to other coastal hotspots. Nearby alternatives:Peniche — another fishing town with a slower, surf-centric lifestyle. Hidden foodie gem:Maria do Mar — beloved for home-style seafood cooking just steps from the beach.
Octopus, fresh seafood, traditional Algarvian dishes Tavira offers a rare kind of Algarve living: peaceful, authentic, and deeply connected to the sea. Residents stroll to the Mercado Municipal to pick up the freshest octopus, clams, and oysters, or enjoy seasonal Algarvian dishes in relaxed, family-run tavernas. Living here means days spent outdoors, eating seasonally, and knowing your fishmonger by name. Tavira combines the charm of a historic fishing town with the everyday pleasures of sunny coastal living.
Why buy a property in Tavira: Beautiful, slower-paced Algarve life with real community, endless beaches, charming Moorish architecture and unbeatable seafood. Nearby alternatives: Olhão — another seafood giant with a Gustave Eiffel-designed market. Hidden foodie gem:Marisqueira Fialho — locals' secret for piled-high seafood platters.
Leitão assado, Bairrada sparkling wine Tiny Mealhada is Portugal’s roast pig capital — and trust us, it’s worth the pilgrimage. Sample succulent leitão assado at Pedro dos Leitões, accompanied by a glass of crisp Bairrada sparkling rosé. The region’s traditional producers like Campolargo and Luis Pato have put Portuguese bubbles firmly on the wine map. Perfect for buyers looking for affordable countryside homes near Coimbra.
Why buy a property in Mealhada: Great food, green hills, and proximity to university town Coimbra. Nearby alternatives:Anadia — another pretty Bairrada village with great wine cellars. Hidden foodie gem:Rei dos Leitões — another stellar spot for piglet perfection.
Cherries, country living, farm-to-table culture Fundão offers a genuine slice of rural Portuguese life, far from the tourist trail. Set against a backdrop of cherry orchards and mountains, it’s perfect for buyers seeking wide open spaces, local markets, and a strong sense of tradition. The town is famous for its cherries — with a full cherry festival every June — but it’s the daily life that charms most: shopping at the market, sipping coffee in the square, and enjoying simple, hearty mountain food. Fundão’s cost of living is low, and you’ll find a growing community of artisans, eco-farmers, and remote workers drawn by its affordability and natural beauty.
Why buy a property in Fundão: Stunning countryside, slower pace of life, emerging farm-to-table food scene. Nearby alternatives: Castelo Branco — a larger hub with more services but the same rural charm. Hidden foodie gem:Restaurante As Tílias — seasonal dishes made from local mountain produce.
Rustic Minho cuisine, Vinho Verde wine Guimarães may be known as Portugal’s birthplace, but it’s also a secret food lover’s haven. Here, rustic Minho dishes and tangy Vinho Verde wines reign supreme. Visit Mercado Municipal de Guimarães to see the local food culture in full swing — think homemade piri piri sauces, buckets of live rabbits, and seasonal plums sold off the back of a cart. Michelin-starred Palatial nearby in Braga elevates traditional northern flavours with creative flair. Guimarães is ideal for buyers looking for a friendly, small-town feel with lively food traditions.
Why buy a property in Guimarães: Storybook architecture, affordable homes, and cultural buzz. Nearby alternatives: Braga — Portugal’s happy, youthful city packed with restaurants. Hidden foodie gem:Cor de Tangerina — a vegetarian restaurant inside an old convent.
Espetada, scabbard fish, Madeira wine On the lush island of Madeira, Funchal’s food scene blends tradition and innovation. Try espetada beef skewers grilled over bay laurel, black scabbard fish with banana, and sip Madeira wine — one of the world's great fortified wines. Mercado dos Lavradores is a feast for the eyes with exotic fruits, sugarcane, and fresh seafood. Living here means embracing island rhythms, growing your own bananas and avocados, and enjoying juicy farm-to-table produce year-round.
Why buy a property in Guimarães: Subtropical gardens, water sports, mountain hikes, and endless sea views. Nearby alternatives:Câmara de Lobos — a postcard-perfect fishing village. Hidden foodie gem:Aconchego Restaurante — old-school Madeira cooking with local wine pairings.
Ginjinha, chocolate, medieval charm In Óbidos, you can literally sip history. This medieval town is famed for ginjinha — a cherry liqueur often served in edible chocolate cups. Festivals celebrate everything from medieval battles to chocolate masterpieces. Stroll the cobbled streets, buy fig cakes from old ladies, and eat rustic stews in atmospheric taverns. Easy access to the West Coast beaches seals the deal.
Why buy a property in Óbidos: Fairy-tale living, boutique hotels, and stunning surf spots nearby. Nearby alternatives:Caldas da Rainha — bustling market town famous for ceramics. Hidden foodie gem: A Nova Casa de Ramiro — romantic traditional restaurant with regional specialities.
Settling in Lamego means living surrounded by Portugal’s most iconic and breathtaking vineyard landscapes. Think steep terraces, grand quintas, and river vistas. Dry table wines are now as celebrated as Ports, with estates like Quinta do Crasto and Ramos Pinto offering world-class bottles. Daily life means shopping at local markets, eating freshly baked bola de Lamego (soft meat-stuffed bread rolls), and enjoying slow afternoons overlooking the river terraces. With its peaceful, traditional character, Lamego is perfect for buyers who want to live among vines — not just visit them.
Why buy a property in Lamego: Vineyards on your doorstep, stunning scenery, and a relaxed, traditional way of life. Nearby alternatives:Peso da Régua — the lively heart of Douro wine tourism. Hidden foodie gem: Casa Relíquia — home-style Portuguese cooking with Douro wine pairings.
Choco frito, seafood, Moscatel wine A working fishing town with serious culinary credentials, Setúbal serves up seafood like nowhere else. Feast on choco frito (fried cuttlefish) and fresh clams, and don’t leave without sampling sweet, aromatic Moscatel de Setúbal wine. Mercado do Livramento is a dazzling spectacle: tuna heads as big as small cars, jewel-like sardines, and swordfish bigger than you are.
Other reasons to move to Setúbal: Beaches, dolphin-watching, and a buzzing local life. Nearby alternatives: Sesimbra — a quieter, beachier alternative where everyone is still mad for fish. Hidden foodie gem: Tasca da Avenida — inventive seafood with a daily-changing menu.
Why move to Portugal?
Beyond its irresistible food and wine culture, Portugal offers a dream lifestyle. Affordable compared to its European neighbours, it boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, friendly locals, and one of the safest environments in Europe. Healthcare is excellent, transport links are strong, and there’s a huge range of settings to suit every buyer — from bustling Lisbon to sleepy vineyard villages. Plus, Portugal’s Golden Visa and D7 visa schemes have made it even easier for internationals to settle here. Need more reasons? Check out 5 great reasons to buy property in Portugal.
Portugal’s best wine regions to watch
Portugal’s wine scene is thriving, and small producers are driving a golden era of innovation.
Ribatejo (Tejo): Vast vineyards producing elegant reds and whites. Look out for Quinta da Alorna and Casa Branco.
Douro Valley: Still home to world-famous Ports, but now offering thrilling dry wines from stars like Quinta do Crasto and Barca Velha.
Alentejo: Big, bold reds, now among the country’s finest.
Dão: Fruity reds and fresh whites made by a new generation of playful young winemakers.
Bairrada: Crisp sparkling wines and iconic rosés like Mateus and Lancers.
Next up:
Our favourite budget properties in Portugal
Find your sunshine for less with our carefully curated list of the latest budget properties for sale in Portugal this month.
From a cosy 3-bedroom apartment with direct pool access in Albufeira, to a small farm with vineyard and guest annexe in the green hills of Paredes de Coura, here are our favourite budget properties for sale in Portugal this month.
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