Why move to Lisbon
Home to the alfresco city of Lisbon, this region is full of vibrant, sunny neighbourhoods and boroughs each bequeathed with an idiosyncratic history, characterful culture and a unique set of natural resources.
The success of Portugal’s capital city is illustrated by the sheer volume of urbanisation around Lisbon’s cultural centre. It’s both the smallest region in mainland Portugal and the most densely populated. The area encompasses the estuary mouth of the River Tagus, its ports, nature reserves and beach resorts, and smaller cities like Setubal, Almada, Cabo de Roca and Seixal. There’s also a small national park called Park of Arrabida and World Heritage sites such as Sintra.
Lisbon city boasts world famous culture and is home to nearly 600,000 inhabitants. Fado, for example, is both a specific musical art form and a way of life that promotes spontaneity and freedom of expression. Jeronimos Monastery is a symbolic monument of Lisbon’s history – its construction was financed by the 16th century spice trade started by Vasco de Gama’s trip to India. This is where the famous Pastel de Nata egg custard tarts were invented, and you can still buy one at the bakery here! Lisbon is internationally revered for striking a welcome balance between traditional heritage and progressive thinking.
Interesting neighbourhoods include Alfama, where traditional Moorish tiled buildings speak of the Lisbon’s humble beginnings. The Baixa-Chiado district, which is home to Parque Eduardo VII and the Jardim Amália Rodrigues (tropical botanical gardens), the Santa Justa – a vertical outdoor elevator – and the Praca do Comercio Square. And Azulejo, home to the National Museum, Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery are but a tram ride away.
Budget airlines fly into Lisbon from all over Europe and the US. Photogenic yellow trams run through the centre, and buses and rail networks link the entire region. Lisbon is one of the sunniest cities in Europe, but you’ll rarely find such a vibrant hospitality scene with exciting restaurants and lively bars so close to the cooling coastline. The nearest beaches are Praia de Carcavelos, Praia da Conceição and Costa da Caparica – all accessible using public transport and under an hour’s journey away. Each of them offer calm waters lapping slender beaches next to charming resort towns. There is also more thrillingly rugged coastline of cliff-framed bays and battering surf, although it is a little harder to reach.
Setubal is a former ancient settlement that has developed into a hub for enterprise linked to Lisbon by commerce and transport. It’s a port town made successful through wine exports and is also home to several conservation areas including estuaries formed by the River Sado, with dolphin watching viewing points, and the Arrabida National Park. Almada looks across the River Tagus directly opposite Lisbon and you can reach it using the 25 de Abril Bridge, making it a fast-growing suburb. Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe and a significant landmark to people sailing the coast. It features a huge jutting rock face bravely challenging the Atlantic head-on; climb it and you will be amply rewarded with an extraordinary panoramic of the whole region.
Local cheese, salt cod pastries and stuffed squid or cuttlefish are dishes you should definitely try alongside one of the many wines made in the nine regional DOC’s. Soak up the artistic atmosphere of a city that some have hailed as the “new Berlin.” There’s plenty of properties to choose from, the question is, which of the stylish districts do you want to live in?