In January 2019, Raegan Rivers had a choice to make. Burned out from from living in New York City, she decided to move to Europe and had settled on either Lisbon or Amsterdam, both of which she’d never seen before. Taking a friend’s advice, Raegan ultimately landed in Lisbon with eight suitcases, two dogs, and a determination to make her new life in Europe work.
During Raegan’s first year in Lisbon, she fell deeper in love with wine, specifically smaller wine producers here in Portugal and started running pop-up wine events in Lisbon. During the pandemic, she began delivering wines in Lisbon in under 30 minutes and started bottling wines in the Bairrada region of Portugal. Her continuing love affair with wine ultimately inspired Raegan to obtain several wine certifications.
Photo by Jane Oberheim
As dreams of her own wine bar began to take shape, Raegan found herself returning to the idea of home. Lisbon felt like home, but her true hometown, before the bright lights of New York City, was Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Lisbon had a lot of bars but none based on her home state and its magical mystique. It was at this moment that The Bayou was born, named after the swamps that dot the Louisiana delta.
The Bayou opened on Mardi Gras, February 13, 2024. Located at the edge of São Bento and just above Santos (R. Poiais de São Bento 27, 1200-348 Lisboa, Portugal), The Bayou doesn’t have a sign, but its door is always open from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am every Wednesday-Saturday. Heavy red velvet curtains drape the front window, which is how you know you’ve arrived during the day. Like moonlight over the water, the light shining on the sidewalk just in front of the entrance guides you to the Bayou at night.
Photo by Jane Oberheim
Time seems to slow down as you step inside the bar, with the cool blues and greens evoking a feeling of languor and ease, inviting you to stay a while and make a new friend. Golden alligators lie in wait on the bartop, aiming to take a sip of your drink if you leave it for too long. Mardi Gras beads hang from the plethora of plants filling every corner. A beautiful archway leads to a mezzanine with a velvet sofa and gold-framed mirrors.
Once you explore The Bayou, you may find yourself asking why Louisiana as a bar concept isn’t already more of a thing. Louisiana’s mix of French, Spanish, and Creole heritage combined with its jazz and distinct gastronomy easily transports visitors to a distinct culture whether you’re in Lisbon or Istanbul. New Orleans is actually home to the world’s oldest cocktail known as the Sazerac, an enticing mixture of rye whiskey, absinthe, and creole bitters created in 1838. The Bayou proudly serves it along with nine other cocktails including the Hurricane, a blend of white or dark rum and grenadine, the Ramos Fizz, a gin-based drink with orange blossom water and vanilla, and a Brandy Milk Punch topped off with vanilla.
Photo by Jane Oberheim
Popular Louisiana bites will also soon be coming to The Bayou in the next couple of months, with plans to offer jambalaya, Po’ Boy sandwiches, New Orleans-style hot tamales, gumbo, boudin, and étouffée. Jazz brunches are also on the way with some serious Bloody Marys.
One of the most charming things about The Bayou is the intermittent visit by the iconic Tram 28 rolling right past the entrance. As you cool off with a refreshing taste of Louisiana in one of The Bayou’s elegant corners, the sound of Tram 28 adds its own rhythm to the nightly jazz of conversation flowing from this friendly new bar. It wasn’t Raegan’s original idea to go back to her roots when she moved to Lisbon, but the city is better for it because she did. Hopefully, The Bayou is here to stay.
On May 9, the ‘Barracuda’ submarine had its inauguration ceremony in Cacilhas, a 10-minute ferry ride from central Lisbon, after a two-year effort to convert it into a museum. Several dignitaries were in attendance including the Chief of the General Staff of the Armada, Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, who presided over the ceremony, and the Mayor of Almada, Inês de Medeiros. The Barracuda officially opened to the public on May 11 and welcomed 706 visitors! Visitors can now explore the interior of this unique vessel and get a glimpse of life on board a submarine.
The Barracuda’s Life at Sea
Commissioned in 1968, the Barracuda served the Portuguese Navy for 42 years, covering 800,000 miles including on the British lines, the Canary Islands, and the Western Mediterranean. This is the equivalent to circling the globe 36 times! In 2010, the Barracuda sailed on its last mission and will now serve as a proud addition to Portugal’s maritime heritage in a dry dock in Cacilhas, next to the frigate D. Ferdinand II and Glory. It is open for regular tours every Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm beginning on May 14th. At the time of writing, the cost of admission has not yet been announced.
Down the Hatch
One reason that it took more than two years to get the Barracuda ready for the public was due to its entry/exit point being a hatch where only person can pass at a time. This had previously prevented the submarine from being open to the public apart from scheduled visits with special permission. Two side entrances have now been created, which, while reducing some of the original thrill, ensure a safe and unique visit.
What Was the Barracuda Like?
Displaying the Barracuda in a dry dock allows the naval-curious to appreciate the actual size of war submarines, which is difficult to gauge when they are operational in water. Normally, only the periscope tower is visible when submarines surface in the Tagus River. The Barracuda was capable of descending to 300 meters and could remain submerged for up to 31 days. It had a crew of 54 but only 35 beds, utilizing a hot bunking system where crew members shared beds in shifts.
A side view of the Barracuda, Bosc d’Anjou, Flickr
Surprisingly, although the submarine carried 12,000 liters of water, all water was strictly for consumption since bathing was not an option, except for the commander and some personnel when docked. Space inside the submarine was extremely limited and meticulously organized. Claustrophobics need not apply!
If you’ve never set foot on a submarine before, now is your chance! Just take the short ferry ride across the Tagus from Cais do Sodré. While you’re there, why not enjoy a full day in the area?
During the first quarter of 2024, investment in real estate grew by 8% in Portugal, when compared to the previous year.
According to the data revealed by CBRE Consultancy Firm, investment in real estate increased by 8% in Portugal to 273 million euros. According to the firm’s CEO, this suggests that the market is recovering relative to last year.
The data shows that 80% of the total investment in 2024 comes and will come from foreign investors. Moreover, 36% of the total value of the investment comes from the office space sector. The retail sector followed close behind, accounting for 32% of the total value.
Hotels, student accommodations, and malls are still the top preferences for those looking to invest in Portugal.
This week, a group of climate activists decided to try and block the entrance of the Bank of Portugal (the country’s central bank), in Lisbon, in an attempt to protest against the Government’s investment in fossil fuels, and the lack of a “fair energetic transition”.
The blocking of the central bank’s entrance is supposed to be the first of a series of protests that, together, form a wave called “Student Spring for the End of Fossils”.
According to the group of activists, which calls itself the “End to Fossil Collective”, the demand is for the end of the use of fossil fuels by 2030, and for the end of the use of natural gas by next year. The alternative should be, according to them, a 100% renewable and free energy grid.
Moreover, the group stated that it will join a wave of student protests that has been taking place around the world, especially in the United States of America, which advocates for Palestine and a cease-fire. The “End to Fossil Collective” wants to “occupy places against a system that is comfortable with letting millions of people die in Palestine, and because of the climate crisis”.
It is important to note that, similarly to what happened when activists started occupying certain universities, for example, the police were called and proceeded with the removal and identification of the individuals that were trespassing and willingly hindering and trying to disturb the functioning of an institution that, according to the protesters, “is the one responsible for the investment in fossil fuels”. Furthermore, all were removed and identified, and two ended up being detained.
Taylor Swift performed in Portugal for two glorious nights on May 24 and May 25, 2024 in Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz, and she confirmed that it was her very first trip to Portugal! We started dreaming about what it would be like to take Taylor Swift around Portugal.com style through this amazing country that we call home. What are the can’t-miss locations that we believe Taylor just has to see? What would we show her that will make her want to return again and again? Come along with us and follow in the footsteps of our dream trip with Taylor through Portugal.
1. Pastéis de Belém
If there is one thing in Portugal fit for a pop queen, it is the practically perfect pastel de nata from the place that invented them—Pastéis de Belém (R. de Belém 84 92) on the west side of Lisbon. First invented by the monks in the nearby Jerónimos Monastery in 1837, the pastel de nata is the most delicious culinary invention to ever come out of Portugal, a flaky egg tart of goodness topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. This is why it should be, in our opinion, the first place Taylor should visit on her whirlwind trip through Portugal. If she wants to try more than one recipe, we also humbly suggest grabbing more pastéis de nata from across the street at Manteigaria (R. de Belém 31), which has several more locations throughout the city.
As Taylor asks us in “A Place in This World” from her eponymous first album, “Feeling lucky today, got the sunshine/Could you tell me what more do I need?” Trust us, Taylor, you need some pastéis de nata in your life.
Pro Tip: When visiting Pastéis de Belém, you can stand in the takeaway line at the left entrance (be sure to grab some cinnamon and powdered sugar packets) or wait in the much longer line to eat inside. You can also order online from Uber Eats or Glovo, but getting them fresh from the oven in person is always the best!
Photo by Anne Lotte (Flickr)
2. Pena Palace, Sintra
When we think of the epitome of fairytale castles at Taylor’s level, Pena Palace is at the top of our list. Castle exteriors do not get more unique than the multi-colored confection that sits atop the second highest peak in Sintra at 480 meters. Ferdinand II, the man inspired to build Pena Palace was considered one of the most cultured men of 19th century Portugal. He maintained a deep interest in the arts throughout his life, becoming ultimately called King-Artist by the Portuguese.
We have no doubt that Taylor would appreciate the artistic energy radiating from Pena, although we hope that she can get a special early entrance to the palace before it opens to the public at 9:30 am. If she can take a car straight from Pastéis de Belém to the gates of Pena Palace, this would get her there before the crowds, as this is one of the most popular places for tourists in all of Portugal.
The romantic Pena Palace and the surrounding Park of Pena, with trees from every continent, feels like the perfect happy ending for Romeo and Juliet from Taylor’s “Love Story” on Fearless, her second studio album. Just say yes to Pena Palace, Taylor.
Pena Palace. Photo by Mark Lawson (Unsplash)
3. Monserrate Palace
While Pena Palace may seem like the perfect happy ending to a love story, Monserrate Palace, only fifteen minutes away by car, is the kind of place you would escape to with your lover. Yes, we mean that “Lover” from Taylor’s seventh album. As Taylor says, “This is our place, we make the rules.”
Monserrate inspired poetry by Lord Byron, who visited in 1809, and its secluded location surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens in Portugal make it an ideal getaway.
There is one particular room at Monserrate where we can imagine Taylor with her piano, writing her next best-selling album. Whether she visits with a lover or uses Monserrate as a muse, this would surely be an unforgettable stop on Taylor’s journey through Portugal.
Monserrate Palace. Photo by Håkon Åreskjold (Unsplash)
4. O Faia
What better way to introduce Taylor to Portugal than taking her to a special fado performance at O Faia (R. da Barroca 54 56), one of Lisbon’s most popular fado houses? O Faia has it all: fabulous fado singers, tasty Portuguese cuisine, including a selection of seafood, and friendly service from beginning to end. Fado is truly the music of the Portuguese, with its mix of heartbreak, longing, and deep feelings poured out in its lyrics—something that is second nature to Taylor in her music. We have a feeling she’s going to love it!
Fado, Beth Macdonald, Unsplash
5. Museum of Mechanical Music
To help inspire Taylor on her continuing journey of musical innovation, we would highly recommend a stop one hour outside of Lisbon at the Museum of Mechanical Music in the small town of Pinhal Novo. Private collector Luis Cangueiro spent over 30 years putting together a one-of-a-kind collection of antique music boxes, organettes, gramophones, and much more before opening his own museum in 2016. While this may seem like a strange stop on her itinerary and is not directly inspired by one specific Taylor song, it’s the incredible opportunity to see more than 600 mechanical instruments from the late 18th century to the middle of the 20th century all in working order that we think will inspire Taylor to make even more fantastic music from a different perspective.
The Museum of Mechanical Music is usually only open on weekends and national holidays from 3-6pm, with guided tours starting at 3:30pm, but we are sure that Taylor could get a special private tour.
Photo by Becky Gillespie
6. Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach
We would be remiss if we didn’t take Taylor to one of Lisbon’s gorgeous beaches on her first visit to Portugal, but we know that we’ve got to take her far from the crowds to a secret getaway, well almost completely secret. Like Taylor’s song “I Know Places” from her 1989 album, we know places where Taylor won’t be found, where “they’ll be chasing their tails just to track us down.” Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach does get its share of visitors, but this magical strip of sand surrounded by tall cliffs in Sesimbra will hopefully keep the paparazzi at bay.
If Taylor arrives early in the morning, she will likely be joined only by locals looking for a quiet dip before starting their day. This is the enchanting Portugal that we think is sure to bring Taylor back for another concert one day.
Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, Vitor Oliveira, Wikimedia Commons
7. Café de São Bento
Picking one restaurant where Taylor can truly enjoy herself in Lisbon is a tall order indeed, but we think she might enjoy this unassuming place that transports you to another time from the moment you enter. Café de São Bento (R. de São Bento 212) has been serving high-quality traditional Portuguese fare including tasty steaks since 1982. We think that Taylor will appreciate the fact that this restaurant has no windows on its exterior, helping her keep her profile low while enjoying this charming, cozy spot known for its attentive service and delicious chocolate cake.
This also seems like a place that both Travis and Taylor would enjoy if he is able to visit her while she is performing in Lisbon.
Final Thoughts
We hope that Taylor enjoys our “Taylor-made” tour of Portugal and gets to visit a few of these places that make Portugal such an unforgettable place to visit. We know that her Eras Tour performances lit up the city of Lisbon, and we hope that returns to our beautiful city again in her free time, taking in its majestic views and relaxing on its beaches. And, of course, the pastéis de nata. Welcome to Portugal, Taylor!
Bacalhôa Buddha-Eden is the largest oriental park in Portugal and Europe! It also has Europe’s largest and richest Buddhist statue collection!
So, if you ever visit the country, don’t even hesitate to include it on your must-visit list! You’ll love it, and you’ll definitely want to come back!
Keep reading to discover why this natural park and simultaneously open-air gallery will enchant you on the spot. You’ll also find out how you can get there and how much the tickets cost!
Why Visit Bacalhôa Buddha Eden?
Buddha Eden is a true natural oasis! Its 86 acres (35 hectares) of land are filled with statues and sculptures scattered throughout the gardens.
Can you imagine that more than 6,000 tons of marble and granite were used to create them?! Just picture their grandiosity! Some are literally giant! In fact, at the end of the central staircase, there’s a huge Buddha statue of 69 feet (21 meters) tall!
There’s also a central Japanese-style lake where you can observe koi fish. The lake is adorned with sculpted dragons that rise out of the water.
If you visit the African Sculpture Garden, you’ll step into a realm dedicated to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. They are known for their hand-sculpted works of art that embody the connection between the physical and the spiritual worlds. The African Garden consists of over 200 artworks from various African countries!
Visitors can also enjoy a Modern and Contemporary sculpture garden, where you’ll admire artworks signed by Alexander Calder, Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick, and others.
Let’s not forget about the hand-painted terracotta soldiers, a copy of the Terracotta Army buried in 210-209 BCE with Qin Shi Huang to protect him after death. In addition, Buddha-Eden also has several Pagoda Towers that make for quite spectacular Asian views!
In short, you definitely have to reserve a whole day or at least a few hours for this park to enjoy its beauty, reconnect with nature, and embrace the oriental culture, art, and traditions! You’ll definitely want to take your time to appreciate the spectacular waterfalls and admire the unique flora and fauna!
Bacalhôa Buddha-Eden Garden. Photo by FABIAN KRONENBERGER (Flickr)
Wine-Tasting
But wait – how could we forget?! There’s also a vineyard in the park – an impressive one, we must say! We’re in Portugal, after all, right?!
Buddha Eden is actually owned by Bacalhôa, one of Portugal’s most famous wine brands! As such, you’ll have the possibility to taste their wines in the shop.
Bacalhôa Buddha Eden – Location, Hours, Prices
Bacalhôa Buddha Eden is located in Quinta dos Loridos, close to Peniche and Obidos. For more comfort, we strongly recommend renting a car to get there.
However, if you prefer a guided tour, you can book one that includes a tour through the Buddha-Eden Garden and Obidos, which is definitely worth the visit! These tours usually include transportation too.
If you’re visiting between May and September, you should schedule your trip sometime between 9 am and 6:30 pm. If you’re visiting between December and April, make sure to arrive there between 5:30 pm.
The Buddha-Eden ticket costs 6 EUR. Children under 12 can enter for free. There’s also a train tour that costs 6 EUR. Although it sounds like an activity for kids, we strongly recommend taking advantage of it! You’ll have the opportunity to see the whole garden from the train and then return to the entrance on foot. This way, you won’t get too tired. Since the garden is quite large, this is undoubtedly worth considering.
The official Bacalhôa Buddha-Eden website mentions that picnics are not allowed in the park. Nonetheless, there’s a restaurant with an all-inclusive buffet service where you can have lunch.
Last year, a friend of mine invited me to the Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon for the first time. I had been to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and knew the incredible story of Calouste Gulbenkian, the British-Armenian businessman who was once the richest man in the world and fled his home in Paris during World War II to spend the rest of his life in Lisbon. When Gulbenkian died in 1955, his will set up an international foundation in his name that would act so as to “benefit the whole of humanity.”
It is through the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation that the Gulbenkian Orchestra was formed in 1962 and the Gulbenkian Choir was organized in 1964. The Gulbenkian Orchestra currently has 66 instrumentalists and plays with some of the most prestigious musicians in the world, while the Gulbenkian Choir presently has around 100 singers. When you attend concerts in the Grand Auditorium, you will have the privilege to see the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir perform along with the visiting national and international musicians.
I loved the experience of putting on a fancy dress, walking into the glorious Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and listening to some of most beautiful orchestral music ever composed. I loved staring out at the beautiful garden behind the stage and having a glass of wine during intermission. I loved gliding out into the evening with the harmonies still floating in my mind. And I couldn’t wait to go again. Today, I want to explain how you can have this experience too.
Photo by Becky Gillespie
How can you apply for season tickets at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Grand Auditorium?
Season tickets for the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir series typically go on sale for the final six days of May each year. In 2023, these dates were May 26-31, 2023. The final deadline for the application last year was May 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm. At the time of this writing, the website to apply for season tickets has not yet been updated for 2024, but we believe that applications for 2024 will occur at a similar time this year.
To make a request for a “subscription” for the entire season, you must submit an online form. In order to do this, you will need to create a MyGulbenkian account. To do so, you simply need to include your email address and activate your account by clicking on the link in the first email that you receive. Once you create a MyGulbenkian account, you will receive updates about when season tickets will become available. Be sure to also keep checking the Gulbenkian website for updates in the first three weeks of May.
Finally, it is important to know that not all first-year applications for season tickets are accepted due to limited availability. Because of this, we advise you to try and apply as early as possible within the six-day window that the Gulbenkian is accepting applications for season tickets. If your season ticket application is not accepted, you can always buy individual tickets, which go on sale about three weeks after the season ticket deadline has passed.
If you do get accepted to purchase season tickets, congratulations! Multibanco/ATM reference numbers will be issued by email and text message, and you will need to pay within a 48-hour window in order to secure them. After the payment, tickets will be sent by registered mail to the the address given. You will be given the same seats for the entire season.
How much are season tickets to the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir?
Prices have not yet been announced for 2024/2025, but prices for the 2023/2024 season were 475€ for Zone 2, 420€ for Zones 1, 3, and 5, 385€ for Balcony, and 350€ for Zones 4 and 6. This includes 22 concerts for 1 person, and you can choose between the Afternoon Subscription with events at 7:00 pm and the Night Subscription with events at 8:00 pm.
Concerts for these subscriptions are usually held on Thursday evenings. These events start on time and you are not allowed to enter the Grand Auditorium once the doors are closed, unless otherwise indicated by the room attendants. If you are late, please be advised that you may have to sit in a different seat and will only be let in at an appropriate time in order not to disturb the concentration of the musicians.
Photo by Becky Gillespie
Are there any other packages available besides the season tickets?
There is also a Sunday subscription option that includes five concerts. You can choose between the Morning Subscription with events at 12:00 pm and the Afternoon Subscription with events at 4:00 pm. The Great Interpreters subscription includes six concerts on specific, pre-determined dates. Prices for the 2023/2024 season were 310€ for Zone 2, 265€ for Zones 1, 3, and 5, 215€ for Balcony, and 165€ for Zones 4 and 6. Other available subscriptions include the Piano Series (7 recitals), Met Opera Live in HD (includes 9 transmissions), Schubertiade (includes 4 concerts), World Music (includes 5 concerts), String Quartets Festival Pass (includes 6 recitals), and the Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas Pass (includes 2 recitals).
What happens if I am not home when my tickets are sent by registered mail?
If you miss the delivery of your season tickets to your home address in Portugal, a non-delivery slip will be placed in your mailbox, and you will need to pick up your season tickets at your nearest post office. Alternatively, you can opt to have your tickets delivered by email, which is the option that we recommend.
Once I secure season tickets, can I renew them for the next season?
Yes. Once you are approved and pay for your first series of season tickets, you will be approved automatically for the next season if you choose to renew. Only first-time applicants will only be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. So, make you sure you don’t delay if you are sure that you would like season tickets.
Where does the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir perform?
The Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir perform all concerts in the Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation located on Avenida de Berna right next to the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.
What types of concerts are included in the concert series?
The 22-concert season ticket series include a wide range of classical music across different centuries and continents. You can hear Beethoven paired with Mendelssohn one week followed by Ravel, Benjamin, and Janáček the next. Many performances include renowned musicians from around the world including pianists, violinists, and sopranos. The Gulbenkian Choir often accompanies the orchestra with a varying number of members depending on the performance.
Photo by Becky Gillespie
How long does each performance last?
Concerts usually vary last between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours. Most, but not all, concerts have an intermission of around 10-15 minutes.
What facilities are available at the Grand Auditorium?
There is cloakroom that is free of charge in addition to a Foyer Bar that opens one hour before the performance and during the concert intermissions. Concertgoers can also enjoy a lovely terrace just off of the Foyer Bar. Do your best to get to the Foyer Bar as soon as intermission starts so you have time to order and finish your drink before the second part of the concert.
Having a wine during intermission at the Grand Auditorium, Photo by Becky Gillespie
What is the smoking policy of the Calouste Gulbenkian Grand Auditorium and Museum?
There is a strict no-smoking area inside the Grand Auditorium, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, and the Main Building? You will need to go onto the terrace to smoke.
How accessible is the Grand Auditorium for people with limited mobility?
The Grand Auditorium at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is well equipped for people with limited mobility. Not only does it have indoor and outdoor access ramps, but it also has public toilets adapted for wheelchairs and parking spots near the venue for people with mobility issues. Stairlifts and wheelchair lifts are also available.
Final Thoughts
Much of Lisbon’s cultural scene is hidden behind closed doors unless you know where to look. When I first moved to Lisbon, I didn’t know where to see classical music or theater, let alone where I could find tickets.
It was easy to find new museums but harder to access the schedules for ballet and opera. While it is one of the most striking venues in the city for musical performance, and home to one of the world’s most important private art collections, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Museum, including its Orchestra and Choir, in Lisbon are still relatively unfamiliar to most tourists compared to Praça do Comércio, Belém, and Sintra. Hopefully, this article will introduce you to an entire musical world amidst the stunning garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in the heart of Lisbon. Buy a pair of season tickets and treat your friends to an experience they won’t forget for 22 weeks a year.
A few months ago, we covered Lisbon’s coworking scene. While it doesn’t have as many coworking spaces as Portugal’s capital city, Porto shines for its wide array of creative places to work. It also has good coverage on the Croissant app, where monthly plans start at 29€ for 10 hours a month. Croissant gives it members access to more than 500 spaces around the world and Porto currently has 7 coworking spaces using Croissant.
Beyond having a membership that allows to hop between spaces, there are also dozens of coworking spaces throughout Porto that offer day passes, hot desks, fixed desk plans, and private offices. Several spaces also offer multiple locations under the same membership such as Vertical Coworking and Porto i/o (see below). Porto packs quite a coworking punch despite its relatively small size. While visiting or living in Porto, you have the choice between working right in the heart of the tourist district, down by the Douro River, or even beachside in Matosinhos. Ready to work? Let’s look at our favorite coworking spaces in Porto right now.
1. Facts Coworking
Facts Coworking in Boavista is one of our top two favorite coworking spaces in Porto for its beautiful location and easy access to a number of things nearby. Located a 3-minute walk from the metro and right next to Casa da Música, Facts Coworking has several large windows bringing in ample natural light. It has been a player in the Porto coworking scene since 2010, quite a feat in an industry that often sees spaces come and go within a few years.
Our love for Facts Coworking is twofold: not only does it have a dedicated helpful staff, but it also has a lot of amenities that make it easy to feel at home. Enjoy an aquarium phone booth (you heard that right!) and a chill-out room complete with a TV, Playstation, and a ping pong table. There is even a shower if you need it. Choose between shared desk plans starting at 88 € per month or private offices with 24/7 access. You can pay quarterly for a discount or stick with monthly payments. Printing services are also available.
Pedro Kok, Casa da Música, Porto, Portugal, Flickr
Location: de 5 de Outubro 185, 4100-175 Porto, Portugal
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members (weekdays only): 9 am – 7 pm, 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Shared Table for 6 Coworkers – 88 € per month if you pay quarterly/ 100 € per month if you pay monthly, Shared Table for 2 Coworkers – 110 € per month if you pay quarterly/ 120 € per month if you pay monthly, Individual Table – 138 € per month if you pay quarterly/ 150 € per month if you pay monthly, Private Office – from 400 €/month
Accepts a Croissant Membership? Yes, but log on to the app early because this place is popular
2. Temporada
Temporada in Cedofeita might be small compared to Facts Coworking, but it has a whole lot of heart and a unique way to charge its members. Each person who wants to use the space can do so for just 2 € per hour. Because of this, no free coffee is available. No fixed monthly plans are offered. The staff also often serve fresh, delicious food at a fair price.
Situated in a nice area close to public transport, with car and bicycle parking nearby, Temporada creates a great sense of community with the perfect setup for drop-ins, digital nomads, and local residents who can stop by for a couple of hours and get some work done. Enjoy the multifunctional design, lovely music, natural light, and an incredible backyard. Be prepared to be welcomed not just as a client but as an important person in the Temporada community.
Coffee, Tyler Nix, Unsplash
Location: Rua da Torrinha 151, 4050-611 Porto, Portugal
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm (Monday-Thursday), 9:30 am – 10:30 pm (Friday), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: 2 € per hour, or you can purchase a card for 20 hours for 29 €
Accepts a Croissant Membership? Yes
3. Porto i/o
Porto i/o has three locations in Porto: Downtown, Riverside, and Seaside. While it is not offered on the Croissant app, it is one of the best options if you’re looking for variety in some of the best locations in Porto. Porto i/o Downtown opened in 2010 followed by Riverside in 2016 and Matosinhos in 2017.
The Downtown location is located in a refurbished 19th century building with stone walls and high ceilings. Get the best view of Douro River and the old town from a gorgeous 16th century penthouse with an endless balcony at the Riverside location, the site of many port-wine deals in the past. Finally, the Seaside location turned an 18th-century warehouse formerly used to store canned fish and wine transported from the Porto de Leixões into an ideal hub 100% powered by renewable energy sources. Want to go surfing on your lunch break? You can do it at Porto i/o Seaside.
Matosinhos, Alvaro Polo, Flickr
Location: Porto i/o Downtown: R. de Cândido dos Reis 81, 4050-152, Porto i/o Riverside: Rua do Infante D. Henrique 73 4o andar, 4050-492, Porto i/o Seaside: Rua de Brito Capelo 1127, 4450-070, Matasinhos
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 10 am – 6 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Monthly Access (10 am – 6 pm) – 95 €, Fixed Desk – 150 €, Private Office – 225 € (min. requirement 6 months). Please note that only the Fixed Desk option includes 24/7 access
Accepts a Croissant Membership? No
4. Selina Navis
Selina Navis in the Vitória neighborhood is a wonderful coworking haven with lots of great cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops nearby. Selina is part of the Selina chain of hotel/coworking space hybrids around the world. Selina has five different locations in Portugal alone and Selina Navis is located right around the corner from the Selina Porto hotel. A visit to Selina Navis includes complimentary fresh coffee, tea, water, and access to phone booths to take meetings. There are also community events that you can join each week with a diverse international community.
Selina is also pet-friendly, cozy, and has a nice internal balcony. The tables are big enough to spread out and focus on finishing your work so you can get out and enjoy all that Porto has to offer.
Eduardo Vales , Entrance to Selina Navis Cowork, Flickr
Location: R. de José Falcão 199, 4050-215 Porto, Portugal
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 8 am – 9 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Day Pass – 15 €, Dedicated Desk – 220 € per month, Meeting Room – 10 € per hour. Please note that only the Fixed Desk option includes 24/7 access
Accepts a Croissant Membership? Yes
5. Dot Work
Dot Work in Mafamude on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River is where ideas are born. If you would like to finish your work and then go for a stroll around the riverside, Dot Work will work for you. Choose from a variety of memberships including a virtual space that allows you to use Dot Work as an address or a mailbox to receive your packages. Book meeting rooms for an hour or pay for a monthly hot desk or fixed desk.
Due to its location on the opposite side of the river, there is a higher concentration of Portuguese employees and freelancers using the space, so if you’re looking to tap into the local community of start-ups, artists, and entrepreneurs, in addition to practicing your Portuguese, this could be the place for you!
Yuri Rapoport, A view of Vila Nova de Gaia from Dom Luis I bridge, Flickr
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 8 am – 6 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Virtual Space (Handling mail) – 100 €, (Handling mail + using the space as your home address), Hot Desk – 250 € per month, Fixed Desk – 475 €, Meeting Room – 10 € per hour. Please note that only the Fixed Desk option includes 24/7 access.
Outsite Cowork Cafe in Bonfim has a sister location in Lisbon. Like its counterpart down south, Outsite Cowork Café is part of a hotel and the Porto location is also known as M.Ou.Co. Not only does the Porto location offer a workspace with indoor and outdoor seating, but it also has phone booths, meeting rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, a coffee bar, comfortable chairs, a yoga room, and even a pool. This is the only space we found in Porto that opens at 7:30 am. There are no monthly passes available, but you can buy a weekly pass.
The spirit of rock and roll is in the air at M.Ou.Co. and you can attend exhibitions devoted to different musical eras after your workday. If you stay at the hotel, you can enjoy the music library with different vinyl records. You can even take five records to your room and listen to them on your own.
Outsite Coworking – a beautiful space to work, Photo provided by Outsite
Location: R. de Frei Heitor Pinto 67, 4300-252, Porto
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 7:30 am – 11 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Half Day Pass (Only valid after 3:00 pm) – 10 €, Day Pass – 15 €, Weekly Pass – 60 € (Unlimited access from Monday to Sunday), Monthly Pass – 150 €, Flexi Pass (10 days, valid for one year once activated) – 125 €, Meeting rooms – upon request. Please note that only the Fixed Desk option includes 24/7 access.
Accepts a Croissant Membership? Yes
7. Vertical Coworking
Vertical Coworking has two locations in Firmeza and Bolhão, but Bolhão is currently closed for renovation. It is a full-scale operation that offers private meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, lounges, phone booths, and over 270+ coworking desks across both locations.
The location in Firmeza also has something very rare indeed: apartments adjacent to the coworking with options for large groups and companies to come and stay for coworkations. Parking including a charging station for electric cars is available in addition to space for bicycles and motorbikes. When you work with Vertical Coworking, you also get access to the Vertical community of over 1,000+ members.
Still want more? Vertical Coworking also dedicates itself to positive interaction between its guests. It has ample space for events topped off with a 150m2 rooftop terrace at Firmeza. Bring your community vibes!
Dai Ke, Unsplash
Location: R. da Firmeza 369, 4000-225 (Firmeza), R. Guedes de Azevedo 131, 4000-272 (Bolhão); Please note that the Bolhão location is currently closed for renovation
Hours of Operation: 5 pack Hot desk and day rate members: 8 am – 7 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: 5-Day Pack with 24-hour access – 86.10 €, 10-Day Pack – 159.90 €. Please note that the day packs must be used during the month in which they were purchased, subject to advance booking. If you book a room with the adjacent Firmeza Coworking & Flats, you will be given one free day pass.
Accepts a Croissant Membership? Yes
8. Circus Network
Circus Network in Massarelos has a lot going on all under one big tent. Not only does it manage 16 artists, providing everything they need for creative projects in illustration, street art, and design, but it also organizes mural paintings, workshops, artist residencies, and exhibitions.
As part of its mission to bring multi-talented people together, it also hosts a coworking space where 10 different freelance creatives can work to encourage a dynamic and inclusive environment. Every coworking member of Circus Network gets a dedicated locker, table, and chair in addition to access to the entire common space including a kitchen and outdoor expression area (the first we’ve seen at a coworking space). The coworking hours are the same as the store/gallery.
Jorge Bastos, Jardim do Carregal, Flickr
Location: Rua do Rosário 54, 4050-522, Porto, Portugal
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 10 am – 7 pm (Mondays-Saturdays only)
Prices: Day Pass – 20 €, Hot Desk – 100 €, Team of Two Using 1 Desk – 150 €
9. Work Wise Coworking & Offices
Work Wise Coworking & Offices moves away from the creative side and back to a more typical professional office set-up right in the center of Porto. They offer the typical coworking accoutrements such as free tea and coffee and crank up the wow factor with comfortable chairs, a huge terrace right next to reception, and stunning views over the city (with even a peak at the water in the distance).
Work wiser here with a fantastic coffee machine, Coworking Thursday events, and comfy beanbags. Find your perfect work spot or impress your clients by booking a modern meeting room starting at 19 € per hour. You can even use Work Wise as your mailing address and have packages delivered to the coworking for very reasonable 19 € per month (if you pay for the entire year in advance.
Porto, Jure Tufekcic, Unsplash
Location: R. de Sá da Bandeira 706 6D, 4000-432, Portugal
Hours of Operation: Hot desk and day rate members: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm (weekdays only), 24/7 access to fixed desk members
Prices: Day Pass, 12 € (scheduling in advance is required), Virtual Office – 19 € (annual membership), 39 € monthly, Hot Desk – 89 € (Monday-Friday, 9:30 am – 6:30 pm only), 119 € per month, 24/7 access, Private Office – Check the list and contact Work Wise, Meeting Room – Starting at 19 € per hour. Check the full list of meeting room prices.
The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has proposed a 35-hour workweek.
Among the 4 law proposals that were presented by the political party on May 1st, there was a proposal for a 35-hour workweek across several sectors.
Paula Santos, the party’s parliamentary leader, stated that the “PCP will move forward with four legislative initiatives precisely to reinforce the rights of those who work, legislative initiatives that deal with the issue of working hours, because it is necessary to ensure that there are conditions for effective coordination between professional, personal, and family life.”
According to her, the national holiday (May 1st) was certainly, because of what it represents, “a day of great struggle for workers, in defense of their rights, for more wages, but also a fight against exploitation, injustice, and inequalities.”
Note that this holiday, which is a national and international holiday (although not in every country), marks and commemorates the International Workers’ Day. Hence, because of its significance, the PCP decided to propose a 35-hour workweek without any reduction in salary for both the public and private spheres.
The document states that this 35-hour workweek is already a reality for the Portuguese public administration and for many private companies. However, there isn’t yet a protective law that grants it for those who do not have it.
The current system seems to be outdated. The PCP believes that the advancement of science and techniques allow us to produce more, with more quality, increasing effectiveness and efficiency and, therefore, innovation and technology can and should be used to improve the life of workers.
Furthermore, the PCP states that the daily working day cannot be of 10, 12, 14, or even 16 hours, in addition to the very high pace of work that is imposed. This, of course, does not allow for a sustainable work-life balance. Hence, such regimes and mechanisms must be eliminated.
Following this line of thought, the political party also proposed a reinforcement of the rights of workers who work shifts or divided shifts (i.e. 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon, not being paid for the entire working day), or night work, limiting the use of these types of mechanisms to situations that are properly justified and not for the benefit of the employee.
These proposals from the Portuguese Communist Party intend to establish a path forward and a necessity to remove outdated and exploitative norms from the Portuguese Labor Code, which, in turn and hopefully, will allow for strengthening the rights of workers.
Wine tourism is increasing in the Portuguese region of Alentejo.
According to the data that was recently revealed by the Alentejo Region Wine Commission, wine tourism grew by 27% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
This type of tourism, which was somewhat confined to the Douro region for years and years, is expanding.
Now, wine enthusiasts from all over the world go beyond the Douro region and book more and more guided tours to the Alentejan vineyards and cellars. They look for workshops, wine courses, and wine therapy, among other things.
Interestingly, the data shows that 50% of these new tourists are Portuguese. The remaining 50%, on the other hand, is composed of Brazilian, North American, Swiss, Spanish, French, Belgian, English, and Canadian tourists. Note that the number of Canadians alone grew by 75% in 2023.
There are currently three itineraries available: Rota de São Mamede in Portalegre, Rota do Guadiana in Beja, and Rota Histórica in Évora.
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