Living in Alentejo
Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.
Read the full article here
17 04 2023
Calm days, no crowds, and fresh air. There is a lot to love in this region of Portugal. Know all about living in Alentejo as an ex-pat.
If you’re considering moving to Portugal and seeking tranquillity, this is it. One of Portugal’s most underrated regions, with long plains and medieval castles, Alentejo is a perfect place for enjoying Portugal’s true essence. In this article, we are going to present to you all about living in Alentejo.
Read till the end to pick your favourite among the five districts; Santarém, Portalegre, Évora, Setúbal, and Beja. Get to know the highlights of each region, the cost of living, things to do, and what it’s like to live in absolute peace. Happy reading!
Get to know the Alentejo region
Alentejo, the south-central region of Portugal, has long been known as a peaceful area, where nature meets tradition. However, as time goes by and Portugal is getting more popular, people start realizing its potential.
It was 2019 when Forbes noticed this hidden gem and described it as “the new place to go in Portugal”. Rich Lisbon families have long chosen the empty beaches and plains of Alentejo for holiday houses, long weekends, and wine tasting.
And now, as the entire world is falling in love with Portugal, and as the new Golden Visa rules favour Alentejo real estate market, more and more foreigners are turning their heads here.
But what is it really like to live in Alentejo? First of all, you must get to know the region.
The Alentejo region covers a large part of the country and is known as the heart of Portugal. Located between the Centro region, Lisbon until the border with the Algarve, Alentejo is made up of 5 districts, each named after their capital cities:
Santarém (the southernmost part only);
Portalegre;
Évora;
Setúbal (the southernmost part only);
Beja.
A curious fact about this region is that Alentejo has the lowest population density in Portugal. Perfect for those looking for some alone time!
To dig deeper into Portugal’s geography, you can check out the map on KipperTree's home page.
The heart of Portugal, Alentejo is a region of plains, agriculture, and small villages. The Alentejanos have a very rich culture and are warm and friendly like nowhere else in Portugal.
Not to mention, the food here is the best! Maybe the north of Portugal can compete, but Alentejo is definitely a place where you cannot get enough of the delicious traditional dishes.
Take a look at this video by Visit Alentejo and see with your own eyes what I’m talking about. Click here
Why are ex-pats moving to Portugal?
Especially in the last decade, Portugal has become extremely popular. People from all over the world are spending their vacations in Portugal, and some decide to stay forever.
Among the main reasons why Portugal is so popular are:
Spectacular landscapes;
Idyllic climate;
Traditional Cuisine;
Cost of living and quality of life.
Not to mention that many foreigners can obtain tax benefits via the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime.
Cost of living in the Alentejo region
Alentejo is one of the less expensive areas in the entire country. In fact, many of the main cities in Alentejo are listed as some of the cheapest cities to live in in Portugal. Even so, the cost of living in Portugal is already considered low when compared to other European countries.
Take a look at the table below for some estimates of how much it costs to live in Alentejo
It’s important to remember that these values are estimates from our own experience and research on Idealista. Values may vary greatly depending on the city you’re living in and your own spending habits.
Find out what it’s like to live in each district that is a part of Alentejo.
Setúbal
Although Setúbal is not entirely part of Alentejo, the southernmost part of the district is officially Alentejo.
The Alentejo coast covers part of Setubal
The Setúbal region comprises half of the Alentejo coast and has several of the largest cities in the Alentejo region. It is very close to Lisbon, the capital, so it is more developed and busy.
Besides the city of Setúbal, the main towns of this district (on the Alentejo part) are Grândola, Santiago do Cacém and Sines.
Évora
The Évora district is exactly what people think of when they think of Alentejo. No surprise, the city of Évora is the capital and one of the most important cities in the entire Alentejo region. This vast district is characterized by its many long plantations, wine production, cattle raising, and rural tourism, located only 130km away from Lisbon (82mi).
Besides being a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful ancient buildings everywhere, Évora is a wonderful place to live. Although not yet as famous as it should be among ex-pats, this calm city is safe, charming, and with its own personality.
In the middle of its Roman monuments and medieval buildings, Évora holds one of the first universities in Europe, the University of Évora, founded in the 1500s. And while many Portuguese take their degrees there, the institution also accepts foreign students.
Also, in the city of Évora, there is one of the largest public hospitals in Alentejo, as well as many offers in private healthcare. In general, Alentejo is slowly opening up to the modern globalized world, while keeping its traditions strong.
Living in Évora could be great if what you’re looking for is a peaceful lifestyle, not completely isolated and far enough from crowds.
Santarém
With easy access to nature and quality of life, Santarém truly deserves the attention it’s getting. Part of this district belongs to the Centro region, but still, much of Santarém is in Ribatejo, the northernmost part of Alentejo.
The Santarém district has stood out a lot since the pandemic and the possibility of working at a distance. As it is a much cheaper area than Lisbon, yet so near it, many Portuguese have come to see Santarém as a potential new home.
As for the capital of the district, the city of Santarém, new businesses are arriving at the same time that the younger population is moving here. In fact, Santarém is one of the cheapest cities to live in in Portugal, which is very attractive for digital nomads.
However, the day-to-day life here is still pretty much as it has always been in Alentejo: easygoing.
Beja
This small city of Beja, as well as the entire Beja district, is known for its low cost of living, agriculture, and pleasant atmosphere. Beja is the main city of the so-called Baixo Alentejo and borders the Algarve region.
The city has its own life, but at a slow pace and without much movement. There are some interesting historical monuments to visit, squares, and good restaurants with the best local food and wine.
In addition to the interior of the district, the Beja district also has its portion of the Alentejo coast. This is where some of the most beautiful coastal villages in Portugal are located, which especially attract surfers and digital nomads. Definitely, a place to consider. Why not meet in person before deciding?
Portalegre
Portalegre is isolated in the Alto Alentejo region, on the Spanish border and far from the Portuguese metropolises. Wheat, barley, olive oil, and cork productions paint the district’s landscape. A curious fact is that the city of Portalegre is the capital of a Portuguese district with fewer inhabitants across the country.
Even so, the city has its independent daily routine, very calm, a Polytechnic Institute, a district public hospital, and commercial centres with shops and restaurants. Not everyone likes living in a small isolated town like Portalegre, but if that’s you, you’ll definitely love it here.
Something worth mentioning that surely lights up Portalegre is its people. You won’t find friendlier people in Europe than the Portuguese, and the Alentejo people are the icing on the cake. You’ll feel at home at once.
Living on the Alentejo coast
While Alentejo is mainly referred to as an agricultural area, it is also home to some of the most beautiful coastal zones in Portugal.
The Alentejo coast is a great region to live in with wild nature, cinematographic beaches, and strong waves, the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is definitely a place to consider spending some time. Surfers, backpackers, campers, and trailer travellers, in general, are the ones who enjoy the Alentejo coast the most.
But that doesn’t mean that high-class tourism stays behind. It’s not uncommon to come across 5-star hotels in this area. Besides, the Alentejo coast has been attracting some rich and famous celebrities like George Clooney and Christian Louboutin to buy their own properties here.
Take a look at the main places to live on the Alentejo coast:
Melides: compared to Saint Tropez in the 50s by the New York Times in 2021;
Zambujeira do Mar: one of the most charming small towns on the Alentejo Coast;
Sines: home to one of the most important ports in Portugal, alongside Lisbon and Porto;
Vila Nova de Milfontes: a small town and famous vacation destination for Portuguese families from Lisbon.
To find out more about the Alentejo region read the full article here