Porto

Neighbourhoods

• Central: Baixa, Cedofeita and Bonfim, close to cafés and nightlife
• Residential: Boavista and Foz do Douro, quieter with larger apartments and sea air
• Student areas: Asprela and Paranhos near the university campuses
• Value: Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos and Maia, all connected by metro

What to expect

A one-bedroom in the centre usually costs 950 to 1,300 euros a month. Landlords ask for a NIF and often two or more months upfront. Many older buildings have no central heating, which matters in Porto's damp winters.

Monthly budget

A single person renting alone typically needs 1,700 to 2,100 euros a month for a comfortable lifestyle. Sharing a flat can reduce that to about 1,100 to 1,400 euros.

• Rent: the biggest expense, but lower than Lisbon
• Groceries: about 280 euros per person
• Eating out: lunch menus from 9 to 12 euros, a francesinha around 12 to 15 euros
• Transport: 40 euros for a metropolitan pass

Saving money

• Shop at Bolhão market and neighbourhood grocers
• Choose places slightly outside the centre along a metro line
• Cafés are cheap: an espresso (cimbalino) is usually under 1 euro

Main sectors

• Technology: software companies, product teams and nearshore engineering centres
• Industry and manufacturing: textiles, footwear and automotive parts across the north
• Tourism and wine: hotels, restaurants and the port wine houses in Gaia
• Health and research: university hospitals and research institutes such as i3S

Salaries

Pay is slightly below Lisbon. Mid-level professionals typically earn 1,300 to 2,500 euros gross a month, with senior tech roles higher.

Networking

The UPTEC science and technology park, Porto Tech Hub conference and local coworking spaces are good places to meet employers and founders.

Public transport

The Metro do Porto is a light rail network that runs to the airport, Matosinhos, Gaia and Maia. STCP buses fill in the gaps, and CP trains link São Bento and Campanhã stations with Braga, Guimarães and Aveiro.

• The Andante card works across metro, buses and trains
• A monthly metropolitan pass costs 40 euros
• The airport is about 30 minutes from the centre by metro

Other options

• The centre is walkable, though very hilly
• Uber and Bolt are cheap and common
• The funicular and historic trams are fun but mainly for visitors

Everyday life

Porto feels more local and less polished than Lisbon. Evenings often mean a glass of wine by the river in Ribeira, a concert at Casa da Música or a walk along the ocean promenade in Foz.

Food and drink

• Try the francesinha, tripas à moda do Porto and fresh fish in Matosinhos
• Visit the port wine cellars in Gaia
• Explore the restored Bolhão market

Weekends

• The Douro Valley vineyards, about 90 minutes inland
• Braga and Guimarães by train
• Beaches from Foz to Espinho

Festivals

São João on the night of 23 June is the city's biggest party, with fireworks, grilled sardines and plastic hammers.