In bustling cities or quiet small towns, as a family or going solo, Portugal is full of reasons to fall in love and want to stay forever. Great healthcare, fantastic food, beautiful mountains and beaches, lovely weather, warm and welcoming locals, a reasonable cost of living — Portugal is just the best.
Portugal really is the best. It’s the top. It’s number one. It’s unrivaled… at a lot of things. And even if none of those other factors are enough to entice you to at least have an exploratory visit, you can’t ignore the fact that Portugal is quite literally documented as the best. In many ways.
The Biggest Waves
Portugal is the location for surfing. Other beaches can’t compete — literally. The mammoth waves at Nazaré hold the world record for the biggest waves ever surfed, some towering over 100 feet. If you’re a surfer, you’re in paradise. If you’re not a surfer, you can stand on the shore and watch the surfers and be thankful you have the sense to not try to conquer Mother Nature at her fiercest. Naturally, it’s a magnet for surfers and spectators, but don’t worry — Portugal also has hundreds of miles of coastline, so even if you prefer a quieter beach, you’ll have plenty of shore to choose from.
The Oldest Bookstore
Lisbon is home to Bertrand Bookstore, founded in 1732 and recognized as the oldest still-operating bookstore anywhere on earth. It’s both a tourist stop and a working shop, with shelves full of books. It’s great for anyone who loves reading, loves the smell of books, or just loves bragging to non-Lisboners that your new hometown holds the Guinness World Record for being bookish and charming.
Near-Unrivaled Safety
Safety is always top of mind, or at least lingering in the back of mind, for immigrants hoping to make their home in a new place. It should be comforting to know Portugal consistently lands among the top 10 safest countries in the world. The Global Peace Index ranks it highly for its low crime rate, high political stability, and positive social indicators. Don’t leave your doors unlocked, but only because you shouldn’t do that anyway — you can still have peace of mind when you’re taking late-night strolls on cobblestone streets or using public transportation.
Renewable Energy
Bit by bit, the world is moving away from fossil fuels and relying on clean, renewable energy, and if that’s something you care about, you should care about Portugal — it’s a world leader in the use of renewable technology. Portugal generates most of its energy from wind, solar, and hydropower, and it’s even been able to power the entire country with 100% renewables for as much as six days in a row. (Portugal does love its records.) Portugal isn’t just pretty — it’s smart, and it cares about the environment. That’s pretty appealing.
The Best Pastries
Accept no substitutes — if you want to taste the official best pastry in the world, you’ll be eating a pastél de nata in a charming seaside cafe in Portugal. Come for the pastry, stay for the surfing, the safety, the sustainability, and the pastry.
