Welcome to Lisbon and to Portugal. As time goes by in your new home, you will see – and feel - what a unique country Portugal can be. As in your home town, there are things you will always remember from being “typically” Portuguese, from being our way of living, enjoying, working, travelling, being friendly. The Portuguese passion for football, the pleasure for a good and long meal, the love for going out and live fully the pleasant weather all year round… or the unfortunate slowness of bureaucracy!! The fact of being a sea-oriented country has a remarkable influence on the way of being and of living – the rain can be a real influence on the traffic flow or simply in one’s mood. You will always remember the daylight of Lisbon, a light that has fascinated so many film directors and photographers. One possible explanation is the fact of being stuck between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic waves they say.

Take the time to visit the city’s museums, understand the way Lisbon was built, and then rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. When looking for an address, remember the doors are numbered from the river inland. Feel the spirit and the past glory of the Portuguese Discoveries when strolling in the Belém area on a sunny day. All these details make a big difference in the way you learn about the Portuguese. If you live along the way to Cascais or Sintra, take advantage of all that seafront, cycle paths by the ocean and the proximity to the large foreign community living there (and still take the time to come for a stroll in Lisbon). The ancient warehouses on the riverfront in Lisbon have been recovered into pretty restaurants, trendy shops or nightclubs, and are worth the visit. Up to the north of Lisbon, still on the riverfront, you’ll find a modern part of town – Nation’s Park, the former EXPO’98 site recovered into a modern business and leisure area, under the impressive Vasco da Gama bridge.

Take the time to visit other towns and places. Portugal is a rather small country (around 700 km from the north to the Algarve), making it easy to travel and take weekend breaks with so much to see. You will be surprised by the diversity of the landscape, of the people and of gastronomy. We will be delighted to advise you on what to see, and sincerely hope to have your feedback on your own discovery of our country. With the spirit we once discovered others, a few centuries ago….

Your Lisbon Relocation Office team. Advice from “locals”.