Lifestyle in Portugal

Almost deserted beach in Portugal named among world’s most beautiful

If it feels as though there are no almost-deserted beaches left in Portugal, but one beach proves otherwise. Just a few minutes’ drive from Cabo da Roca, in the municipality of Sintra, this stretch of sand remains one of the great secrets of the Portuguese coast.

5 castles in Portugal to visit this summer

There’s something special about climbing up onto a castle wall on a clear day, feeling the warm breeze and looking out across miles of open countryside. In summer, castles in Portugal take on a new energy. They become natural viewpoints, striking backdrops for photographs, and meeting points between history and landscape.

Where should you go on holiday in July in Portugal?

For many people, July is the “official” month for summer holidays. Schools are closed, the days are long, the sea is warmer, and the calendar fills up with festivals.

Portugal among OECD countries with real wage growth

Pre-tax wages increased in 35 countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including Portugal, between 2024 and 2025, according to the latest data released by the international organisation.The average wage rose in all OECD countries between 2024 and 2025 in nomina

02/07/2026

Finance

Natural treasures in Portugal: destinations worth visiting

Portugal is much more than popular beaches and historic cities.

The best natural pools in Portugal

Portugal might be famous for its long Atlantic beaches, but not everyone fancies sand in their shoes or battling windy afternoons. That’s where the country’s piscinas naturais come in.

Lisbon’s best Blue Flag beaches in 2026: swimmable spots near the city

You don’t have to drive down to the Algarve to find some of the best Blue Flag beaches in Portugal.

The Wolf by Vale do Lobo: new modern pub in the Algarve

A new contemporary pub and gastro bar has opened in the Algarve this summer, with The Wolf by Vale do Lobo now welcoming guests at the established Vale do Lobo resort.

Birth rate vs. death rate: what is happening in Portugal?

In May 2026, 9,216 deaths were recorded in Portugal (37 of which were of residents living abroad), 209 fewer (-2.2%) than in the previous month and 445 fewer (-4.6%) than in the same month last year. The figures were released this Friday (12 June 2026) by the National Statistics Institute (INE) and also show that the birth rate is declining.

30/06/2026

Lifestyle

Lisbon least affordable capital amid high rents and living costs

Lisbon’s appeal has grown steadily in recent years, but the numbers for 2026 show a city where wages are struggling to keep pace with the basic cost of a comfortable life.Recent data from Tradingpedia underlines how housing costs, both for renters and buyers, are at the heart of an affordability cri

11.4 million people reside in Portugal: 1.6 million are foreigners

Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) has updated the number of residents in Portugal to over 11.4 million people, following the inclusion of 1,597,539 foreign nationals.

26/06/2026

Lifestyle

Guide to Portugal’s only national park

If you ever hear someone say Portugal doesn’t have a proper national park, they’ve simply not made it up to Gerês.

This mountain village is the capital of natural pools in Portugal

There’s a village in Serra da Estrela with more than a dozen natural swimming pools linked by hiking trails. Clean, icy water tumbles down the hillside, filling rock pools that look almost hand-carved.There’s no airport, no five-star hotels, and no queues outside museums.

7 lesser‑known Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve

The Algarve leads Portugal again in 2026 for Blue Flag beaches, but most people still gravitate towards the big resort names.

The best beaches for families in Portugal

Eight best family-friendly beaches in Portugal

Portugal’s Atlantic coastline stretches for more than 800 kilometres, and it isn’t all wild surf and dramatic cliffs. There are plenty of safe beaches in Portugal for children, especially in the Algarve, around Lisbon and along the sheltered lagoons of the south.

Rising longevity creates new property segment in Portugal

Longevity has been rising in Portugal and, as a result, a new segment is emerging in the real estate market.

Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve in 2026

Across the western cliffs, through the resort coastline, and all the way to the barrier islands, the Algarve once again dominates the national Blue Flag list. In 2026, dozens of beaches and marinas across the region have received the award, confirming the Algarve as Portugal’s benchmark for wat

Vale do Lobo: the perfect place for a ‘playcation’ in the Algarve

Active family holidays are having a bit of a moment.

Portugal’s new Blue Flag beaches: coastal and inland finds for 2026

Portugal’s newest Blue Flag beaches for 2026 stretch far beyond the usual Algarve suspects. This year’s additions to Portugal's Blue Flag recognitions include wild Atlantic sands in the north, river beaches in central Portugal, and freshwater reservoir spots in the Alentejo.Rodanho Beach, Viana