Which region of Portugal is best for families with children?

It depends on what your family wants. Lisbon suits city life and the widest choice of school systems. Cascais gives sea, space and many international schools close to Lisbon. Ericeira is a small surf town with a slower pace. The Algarve offers a warm climate and long beach seasons. Start with the feel of the place, then look at the schools.

Which part of Portugal has the most international schools?

Of the regions we cover, the Lisbon and Cascais area has the most international schools. The Algarve also has a good number, mostly in the west and centre of the coast. Ericeira has none in the town itself, but two nearby schools run buses.

Should I choose the school or the region first?

Most families choose the region first, because the place decides your daily routine and commute. Then pick a school within reach of where you want to live.

Golden sandstone cliffs and turquoise sea at Praia da Marinha, in the Algarve

Regions

Where in Portugal do you want to live?

Before the school, there is the place. Choose the light, the sea and the streets your children will grow up in.

Portugal gives families very different lives: a capital of trams and hills, a coast of bays and bicycles, a surf town, a long southern summer. Each region below tells you how it feels to live there with children, what they love, and which schools are within reach.

Know the school you want? Go straight to all schools.

Lisbon
Seven hills, one river and a school for every flag.
The capital: trams, parks, museums and the widest mix of school systems in one city.
Explore Lisbon
Cascais
A coast of bays, bicycles and long beach afternoons.
The Atlantic coast west of Lisbon, with a train line into the city and many international schools.
Explore Cascais
Ericeira
A white-washed surf town where children grow up salty.
A small surf town on the Atlantic, with local colégios and international schools a bus ride away.
Explore Ericeira
The Algarve
Golden cliffs, warm water and a long, easy summer.
Portugal’s south coast: sixteen municipalities, soft sand and a settled international community.
Explore The Algarve

More regions of Portugal are on the way.

Common questions

Which region of Portugal is best for families with children?: It depends on what your family wants. Lisbon suits city life and the widest choice of school systems. Cascais gives sea, space and many international schools close to Lisbon. Ericeira is a small surf town with a slower pace. The Algarve offers a warm climate and long beach seasons. Start with the feel of the place, then look at the schools.
Which part of Portugal has the most international schools?: Of the regions we cover, the Lisbon and Cascais area has the most international schools. The Algarve also has a good number, mostly in the west and centre of the coast. Ericeira has none in the town itself, but two nearby schools run buses.
Should I choose the school or the region first?: Most families choose the region first, because the place decides your daily routine and commute. Then pick a school within reach of where you want to live.

Lisbon: Photo: Berthold Werner / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cascais: Photo: CALIN STAN / Unsplash · Ericeira: Photo: Juntas / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Algarve: Photo: Klugschnacker / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0