Whether it’s Alheira (meat dish) or Pastelaria (cakes), Portuguese food is absolutely divine. Most Portuguese have an intense sweet-tooth which means you’ll find delicious baked goods at every street and café. Lisbon is a foodie’s utopia, and at every corner you’ll find ornate kiosks provisioning local parks with drinks and snacks, neighborhood pastelarias serve classic sweets made by hand, rustic tascas, as well as several international cuisine offerings.

Portugal offers possibly the lowest cost of living in Western Europe. Just about everything, from accommodation to groceries, is affordable. Food costs are generally low and many cities and towns in Portugal, including Lisbon, continue to have large, thriving traditional markets, as well as supermarkets. A couple’s grocery budget can run from about $200 a month, depending on how you choose to buy. Of course, if you opt for a more luxurious night out, there are variations, but generally the cost of living is affordable yet immensely comfortable.

Lisbon is brimming with history. Its architecture is not only aesthetically pleasing, every inch of it tells a story. You can enjoy century-old wooden trams and iron funiculars that still make their way through this gorgeous city. Or bask in the historical wonders by wandering through the Baixa district, where age-old herbalists, haberdashers and tailors still roam the beautiful streets.

The Portuguese are a warm and welcoming people. They’re excellent hosts, always looking
for opportunities to invite you over for a delicious meal. Most of the younger Portuguese
speak English, so communication is not an issue. So never worry, if you’re looking for a
coffee break, you’ll always find a local friend willing to share it with you.

Picturesquely situated on the western edge of Europe, Lisbon is the continent’s sunniest capital city, boasting an average of 2,799 hours of sunshine a year. Portugal as a whole has mostly wonderful weather, interspersed with some rain and only a few hot months.