The city of Porto has been winning over the hearts of many Portuguese and foreigners, who move there to study or in search of a better quality of life. And that is no coincidence. The Invicta, as it is known, was voted three times (2012, 2014 and 2017) as European Best Destination.
Porto is one of Portugal’s most beautiful cities, and some would say its most beautiful. Although smaller than Lisbon, it has plenty of great bars, restaurants, shops, and cafés. This is a city that breathes culture, scores highly in regard to green areas and transport systems and a small but growing network of bicycle lanes.
Porto’s proximity to the beach makes it popular with surfers and those that want to be by the coast. The Douro Valley and cities like Guimarães and Braga are both easily accessible, and perfect for day trips or weekends away. It’s also close to Northern Spain, particularly Galicia, with Vigo and Santiago de Compostela both within a 2-and-a-half hour drive from Porto.
If you are moving to Porto to study or to work, be prepared to experience one of the best cities in Europe.