Visited in February of 2019 the week before Carnival. Great time to visit as there were hardly any tourists and only a few other travelers. Downside is a lot of the restaurants aren't open and some tours are shut down. Upside is you get to live like a local in a insanely touristy town 10 months of the year. We were able to grab a very nice 1 bedroom apartment in the old town center with a kitchen for 150 euros for 5 nights (30 euros/n). Probably 10-15 restaurants were open in the old town, including the main grocery store. It appeared most everything was getting ready to open for Carnival, which probably marks the end of the lowest season (Few days after New Year's to Carnival). We did all the touristy stuff, and saw no other International travelers but a few random couples and one Chinese tour bus that overnighted (Right as COVID was taking hold...) We walked the walls and saw less than 20 people in 2 hours. If you want to avoid the crowds you can't beat Dubrovnik in the winter.
Pros and Cons of Living in Portimao Portugal
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Pros of Living in Portimao
Affordable to live Very safe Fast internet Warm now Warm in the spring Good air quality on average Nomad List members liked going here a lot Spacious and not crowded Very easy to make friends Very easy to do business High quality of education Great hospitals Roads are very safe Great freedom of speech Democratic Everyone speaks English Safe for women Family friendly Very friendly to LGBTQ+
Cons of Living in Portimao
Not much to do Gets cold in the winter Not many Nomad List members go here Many people smoke tobacco -
I lived for 2 years in Lagos (a very nice town, but a ghost town in winter). The only cities livable all year round in the Algarve are Portimao and Faro (and Portimao seems much more enjoyable to me).
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I am reading the comments and it is true; the Praia da Rocha area has a "Miami or California vibe"; It needs to have more parks and bike paths; but in general I also think that it is the best place to live in Algarve as a digital nomad all year round.
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We are an Italian couple (recently moved to Portimao a few months ago). We love the Praia da Rocha area (it has a resemblance to Miami but in a small way). Spectacular beaches warm water, low cost of living. highly recommended.
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We love living in Praia da Rocha it is a very beautiful city and you have everything at hand (there are more beautiful towns in the Algarve, but they do not have all the comforts to live all year round, just like Portimao. Portimao is a working-class town , and Praia da Rocha is more of a resort town (both could be better cared for, but in general lines it is fine)
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We are a couple from Denmark who decided to move to the Algarve in 2020 (in the pandemic); we live in many places (Tavira, Lagos, Albufeira, before finding our favorite place: Portimao). We live in the Praia da Rocha area; an area full of life "all year round"; where we can make friends of all nationalities. A very safe area with all the comforts of a big city (without being a big city). We are in love
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I moved to Portimao about 1 year ago (in the Praia da Rocha area) and I couldn't be happier. Locals are super friendly and it is very easy to make friends. The parties are incredible and there are many sports to do (at affordable prices). There is sunshine 300 days a year, the average internet speed is 100mb, and the cost of living is approx € 1600 (including the rent of 700 for a 1 bedroom apartment). Now I plan to move here after visiting other places in the Algarve (Lagos, Carvoeiro, Vilamoura, Albufeira), I think that Portimao is the best to live all year round (and the most fun).
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I have been living in the Algarve for 3 years. I have lived in Lagos Albuferia, Faro and now Portimao. All the towns are extremely beautiful and the climate is spectacular. But if I had to choose one to live all year round, it would undoubtedly be Portimao. (not the prettiest, but you have everything and it makes your life easier). It also has its charm (it looks like a small Miami from the 80s). Of all the areas of Portimao to live, I prefer Praia da Rocha.
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Já estou em Portimão há 6 meses e posso dizer que encontrei o sítio ideal que combina qualidade de vida com trabalho remoto. Estou a considerar ficar por cá. Recomendo.
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Portimao best place for digital nomads. Everything you need, international community, many activties and sports, and great cost of living
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