🇵🇹 Western Europe
Cities & towns in Portugal
Where you land inside Portugal matters more than the country itself. Browse the most popular cities for American expats, or take a 60-second quiz to surface the top 5 that fit your lifestyle.
Find your city in Portugal
Answer 8 quick questions about pace, beaches, transit, and budget — we'll rank the top 5 cities.
Lisbon
Pop. ~550,000
Hilly, sun-soaked capital with a huge American expat scene and walkable historic neighborhoods.
Walkability
9/10
Beach access
6/10
Expat community
10/10
Housing cost
7/10
Porto
Pop. ~230,000
Smaller, more atmospheric northern city — cheaper than Lisbon with a strong food and wine culture.
Walkability
8/10
Beach access
6/10
Expat community
7/10
Housing cost
5/10
Cascais
Pop. ~210,000
Coastal commuter town outside Lisbon — beachy, family-friendly, and very expat-heavy.
Walkability
7/10
Beach access
10/10
Expat community
9/10
Housing cost
8/10
Algarve (Lagos/Tavira)
Pop. ~450,000 region
Southern coast known for beach towns, retiree communities, and 300+ sunny days a year.
Walkability
6/10
Beach access
10/10
Expat community
9/10
Housing cost
6/10
Braga
Pop. ~190,000
Affordable university town in the north — historic, small, and very Portuguese.
Walkability
7/10
Beach access
3/10
Expat community
4/10
Housing cost
3/10