Webinar with Andrew & Vera
Spotlight on Porto, Portugal
Spotlight on Porto: What It's Really Like to Live Abroad in Portugal
March 26, 2026 | The Good Life Abroad
If you've ever dreamed of cobblestone streets, riverside sunsets, and a slower, richer way of life — Porto, Portugal might just be calling your name. In our latest webinar, founder Andrew Motiwalla sat down with Vera Suarez, The Good Life Abroad's Community Manager in Porto, for an inside look at what it truly feels like to live — not just visit — this extraordinary city.
Whether you missed the live session or want to revisit the highlights, here's everything you need to know.
Why Porto?
Porto is Portugal's second-largest city, but it carries a spirit all its own. Vera, who is Portuguese herself, put it beautifully: "Porto has a very strong identity. People from the north are very open, authentic — they are a bit loud, but in the best way."
Beyond its warm-hearted locals, Porto offers stunning architecture, world-class food and wine, and a layered cityscape full of hidden cafés, river views, and centuries of history waiting to be discovered. It's also one of Europe's most popular destinations for retirees — and after spending time here with The Good Life Abroad, it's easy to understand why.
Where You'll Stay
The Good Life Abroad's Porto apartments are located right in the heart of the historical center — a prime, walkable location that puts you within reach of everything. A few highlights:
5 minutes to Bolhão Market, Porto's most beloved traditional market
7 minutes to the main shopping street, lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops
20 minutes on foot to the riverfront — or a quick metro or Uber ride
A coffee shop attached to the complex for your morning ritual
A central courtyard where neighbors (your fellow travelers!) naturally gather
All apartments are modern, fully equipped, and include high-speed Wi-Fi, laundry, and everything you need to settle in and live like a local. The Porto program runs as a two-week short stay (15 days, 14 nights) — perfect on its own, or as part of a longer Portuguese adventure when combined with our month-long program in Lisbon.
Community Life: What's Included
The Good Life Abroad is built around three things: a great apartment, a curated community of fellow travel lovers, and a local expert who ties it all together. In Porto, that expert is Vera.
Here's a taste of what's included in the program:
Tuesday Lunch Club — A beloved Good Life Abroad tradition. Vera selects local restaurants you'd never find on your own, pre-orders a spread of Portuguese dishes, and makes sure everyone leaves with a new favorite food (and a great story).
Historical Walking Tour — Porto was Portugal's first capital, and the history here is everywhere you look. A local guide brings it all to life.
Port Wine Cellar Visit — You can't come to Porto without learning (and tasting) the wine that made this city famous. A proper cellar visit is included.
Portuguese Cooking Class — Learn to make traditional dishes, then sit down to enjoy them over lunch — with wine, of course.
Coastal Day Trip — One of the Tuesday lunches takes the group to a non-touristy coastal town, where you'll explore a traditional market and taste dishes like cataplana (a rich seafood stew) and arroz de marisco, Portugal's answer to paella.
All scheduled activities and meals are included in your program fee. The only extras are optional tours — like the much-talked-about Douro Valley day trip.
Don't Miss: The Douro Valley
If there's one optional experience that came up again and again in the webinar, it's the private Douro Valley excursion. The Douro Valley is the only region in the world where Port wine can legally be produced — and the landscape alone is worth the trip.
The full-day tour includes a visit to a winery, a traditional regional lunch, a boat ride on the Douro River, and sweeping views over terraced vineyards. Vera described it simply: "Even if you don't like wine, it has beautiful landscape, beautiful views — it's really really worth it."
As a Good Life Abroad traveler, this is a private, members-only excursion with a top-notch local guide. Pricing (under €200/person) is available in your trip portal once you book.
Your Community Manager: Vera
One of the most consistent things Andrew hears from returning travelers: "I'm afraid to go to another program — no one can be better than my community manager."
Vera is the heartbeat of the Porto program. She's available Monday–Friday via WhatsApp to answer questions, make tailored recommendations, and point you toward the city's best-kept secrets. At the start of every program, she sits down individually with each traveler to understand what they want to get out of their time in Porto — whether that's theater, hiking, football matches, or the best wine bars in the city.
"The Good Life Abroad is not a tour," Andrew explained. "It's an independent exploration with the support and guidance of a local friend."
Getting Around & Day Trips
Porto is small, walkable, and well-connected. The metro runs close to the apartments, Ubers and Bolt are affordable, and the surrounding region is full of easy day trips:
Braga & Guimarães — Medieval northern towns steeped in Portuguese history (Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal)
Aveiro — Known as the "Portuguese Venice" for its colorful canals and boat rides
Gerês National Park — Stunning nature about an hour away, ideal for hiking
Lisbon — A quick train ride to Portugal's vibrant capital
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Porto is wonderful — but it's not for everyone, and Andrew was refreshingly honest about that in the webinar.
This is not a tour. There's no bus. You navigate, walk, and explore independently — with support.
There are hills and cobblestones. Porto is a city of layers. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.
Some basic smartphone comfort is helpful. WhatsApp for community communication and Google Maps for navigation are the two essentials.
Pets are not permitted in the apartments — but a "bring your own housing" option exists for pet owners who still want to participate fully in the program.
Who Is This For?
The Good Life Abroad Porto program tends to attract groups of around 15 travelers, with roughly one-third being solo travelers. The community is welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely mixed — couples, solo adventurers, and everyone in between. If you've ever considered retiring in Portugal, this is also a wonderful way to truly test the lifestyle before making any big decisions.
Ready to Experience Porto?
The Good Life Abroad Porto program runs in March, April, May, September, and October — the best months for comfortable weather (think 60–70°F / 15–21°C).
👉 Watch the Full Webinar Recording Here
Questions? Reach out to the team — they'd love to help you plan your Good Life Abroad.