Is Portugal the California of Europe?

If you hang out with well-travelled individuals then the phrase ‘Portugal is the California of Europe‘ doesn’t come as a surprise. 

Well, for us, we cannot agree more! Those who have been to Portugal can attest to the fact that the country gives off California vibes.

The warm weather, expansive coastline perfect for surfing, and has its own ‘Golden state bridge!’ Surprised? Tag along to find out why indeed Portugal is crowned as the California of Europe.

What Makes Portugal the California of Europe?

The similarities between Portugal and California are astounding, right from the climate, beaches, and even nature. 

You will find plants and hills that are almost identical in both places. While California is relatively larger than Portugal as a country, there are so many similarities that they share. Let’s discuss.

Similar weather and geography

What attracts most ex-pats to Portugal is the fair weather all year round. This is one factor that Portugal and California have in common. 

While Portugal is in Europe and California in North America, these two destinations have a cool Mediterranean climate that is appealing to most people. 

The weather is relatively similar, but Portugal experiences more hours of sunshine per year than California, and also winter is less harsh. 

Similar to California, Portugal is home to beautiful mountains and other amazing scenery that is common in the Mediterranean climate. 

Similar Vibes

The cities in Portugal; Lisbon and Porto have a lot that will make them appear as California’s twin from Europe. 

First off, both Lisbon and Porto are home to a diverse population with a thriving urban culture and nightlife similar to California. 

The cosmopolitan cities of Portugal are different from other rural towns, Lisbon is bustling with life and has embraced the western lifestyle. 

Other than that, Portugal has an expansive beach that attracts surfers from all over the world. The beaches are not only for surfers; you will find families spending a good time down at the beaches. 

Southern California Turns into the Algarve Coast

One could easily assume that southern California and the Algarve in Portugal are cut from the same cloth. 

Right off the bat, the Algarve is also the southern part of Portugal and shares several similarities with southern California. 

One common thing that immediately sticks out is the beautiful and expansive coastlines that both destinations have. 

To be fair, Algarve has the best coastlines of the two, but this doesn’t take away the fact that southern California has some breathtaking coastline and beaches too.

Again, both of these destinations are massive surfing spots with tides that attract the best wave riders from the world.  The warm lovely beaches, gentle sea breeze, and moderate climate altogether add to the destination’s allure. 

Lisbon Has its own Golden Gate Bridge

As if all the similarities were not enough, you should know that Lisbon has its own suspended red-painted bridge across the Tagus river that closely resembles the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Fact is, the two bridges are not the same however if you lean your head to the right and slightly squint your eyes they could look alike. By now you surely understand why Portugal is considered the California of Europe. 

When it comes to a comparison between Portugal and California as far as quality of life is concerned, both places are good to live in. 

Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.

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