Hidden corners of Portugal you might not know yet (but you’ll love if you work there)

When people talk about Portugal, the usual trio pops up fast: Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. And honestly? They deserve the hype.

But here’s the underrated part of working in Portugal: once you actually live there, your “normal life” starts to include weekend escapes to places you’d never heard of… and suddenly you’re collecting little favorite spots like it’s a new hobby.

So if you’re planning to move to Portugal for work, save this list. These are some of the most beautiful (and less obvious) regions to explore — the kind of places that make your relocation feel like a whole lifestyle upgrade.

1) Costa Vicentina: the wild Algarve (without the crowds)

If you love dramatic cliffs, long empty beaches, and that “I can breathe again” feeling, the Costa Vicentina is your place.

It’s part of a protected natural park, which means: fewer resorts, more raw nature. Think surf towns, coastal hikes, and sunsets that look fake (in the best way).

Best for: beach lovers, surfers, slow weekends, nature resets
Don’t miss: Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, Aljezur

2) Alentejo: slow life, wine, and the best starry skies

The Alentejo is Portugal in soft focus. Rolling fields, whitewashed villages, olive trees, wineries, and a pace that forces you to relax — even if you’re a “busy brain” person.

It’s also one of the best places in Portugal to enjoy night skies, because the light pollution is low and the air feels… cleaner.

Best for: peace, food & wine trips, countryside vibes
Don’t miss: Évora, Monsaraz, Vila Viçosa

3) Serra da Estrela: yes, Portugal has real mountains

Surprise: Portugal does winter too. The Serra da Estrela is the country’s highest mountain range, and depending on the year, it can even get snow.

If you’re based in Lisbon or Porto, this is the perfect “change of scenery” weekend: mountain towns, hiking routes, cozy food, and that calm you only get when you’re surrounded by nature.

Best for: hiking, winter escapes, mountain views
Don’t miss: Covilhã, Manteigas, Guarda

4) Central Portugal: medieval towns with serious main-character energy

The center of Portugal is full of places that feel like a time jump: castles, stone streets, ancient walls, and viewpoints that make you stop mid-walk.

This region is massively underrated, mainly because it’s not always the first stop for tourists — which is exactly why it’s so enjoyable.

Best for: history lovers, photography, calm road trips
Don’t miss: Óbidos, Tomar, Castelo Branco

5) Aveiro & the lagoon coast: “Venice vibes” but calmer

Aveiro is one of those places that’s perfect for a weekend when you want something cute, walkable, and low-effort.

Canals, colorful buildings, cafés, and a nearby coastline with wide open beaches — it’s a soft, easy kind of beautiful.

Best for: relaxed weekends, beach + city combo, aesthetic strolls
Don’t miss: Costa Nova (striped houses!), Barra, the old town

6) Braga & Guimarães: northern culture with a local feel

Northern Portugal has a different energy: greener landscapes, stronger “local life” vibes, and a lot of history that feels alive.

Braga is youthful and lively, while Guimarães is one of the most historic cities in the country — and still super easy to explore in a day.

Best for: day trips from Porto, culture, food, city vibes
Don’t miss: Braga’s viewpoints, Guimarães’ old town & castle

7) The Azores: the reset trip you’ll eventually take 🌿

Okay, this isn’t a quick train ride — but if you work in Portugal long enough, you’ll hear someone say:

“Have you been to the Azores yet?”

And once you go, you’ll get why people are obsessed: volcanic landscapes, lakes, whales, hot springs, and that feeling of being far away from everything — in a good way.

Best for: nature lovers, mental reset trips, once-in-a-lifetime landscapes
Don’t miss: São Miguel (Sete Cidades, Furnas), Pico, Terceira

Working in Portugal means discovering it for real

When you move abroad, travel stops being “something you plan twice a year” and becomes something you do naturally.

A free Saturday turns into:
a quick bus ride, a rental car with friends, a beach you didn’t know existed, a new favorite restaurant, a quiet village where people actually smile at strangers.

That’s the magic of working abroad: you don’t just visit a country — you live it.

Want to work in Portugal and start your own Portugal era? 🇵🇹

At CityJobOffers, we share international job opportunities in Portugal — from customer support and tech roles to content-related positions and more.

Many roles come with relocation support (and yes, that can include help with accommodation, paperwork, and getting started).

Your job might be the reason you move.
But Portugal might be the place where you build a new version of your life.

Ready when you are. 💛