About Move to Algarve

Hi, I’m Amy! Great to see you on my blog and following my ‘Move to Algarve!’ adventures.

I’ve been travelling to Portugal for over 12 years! My first trip was back in 2009 to Lisbon and Porto, and I’ve loved the place ever since! Portugal was also the first place that I travelled abroad with my now husband, Simon and so it holds a special place in both of our hearts.

Douro Valley Vinyards
Livin it up in the Douro Valley Vinyards!

Hi there! My name is Amy. I’m a sun seeking digital marketer and blogger who escaped to the Portugal, and this is my website. I currently live in Porto, have a great dog named Blake, and I love Sangria (and soakin’ up the sun!)”

Relocating to Portugal

For a long time, I have struggled with my health due to stage 4 endometriosis, and one thing that really helps is the sunshine. Needless to say that UK winters were almost intolerable for me and so I have wanted to live in the Iberian peninsular (Spain or Portugal) for many years.

But it’s not just about the weather – I also love Portuguese food and culture (OMG have you ever tried their pastel da nata?!?!). One of my lifetime ambitions is to become fluent in another language as well and I knew that I would only really be able to achieve this by living abroad.

Fast forward to 2020 and what I call the ‘Brexit-Coronvirus shit show!’ With the end of the transition period looming and the introduction of visas, living in Europe was about to get a whole lot more complicated for Brits. It was the push I needed to make the move and I rented an apartment in Lisbon and gained residency in December 2020.

Starting my Blog – Move to Algarve

I started my blog ‘Move to Algarve’ because I realised that a lot of people were also looking to relocate to the Algarve and other parts of Portugal and I wanted to share my knowledge to help the out. My blog is also a resource for travellers too, with city guides and tips for the best travel destinations in Portugal.

Finding the Dream Destination

My original intention was to move to the Algarve, but the more place I see in Portugal the more destinations I fall in love with!

I honestly really love Lisbon, but I found it a little too busy and expensive for property. Lisbon is cheap by UK standards, but expensive by Portuguese standards. As we are looking to buy a property here, we decided to cross Lisbon off the list.

Portugal solo travel guide featured
Here’s me walking along the Obidos Aqueduct!

Since I gained Portuguese residency, I have been travelling around Portugal, looking for my dream destination. In the last 18 months I’ve travelled all along the Algarve and the Lisbon coast. I’ve also had the chance to explore inland destinations such as Evora and Coimbra.

Living in Porto!

My search for the dream place and the dream house in Portugal continues! Maybe I will end up somewhere like Portimao in the Algarve, or maybe I will end up buying an apartment in Aveiro! Watch this space….

But for now, I’m based in Porto where I plan to go to Porto University to improve my Portuguese. Porto is a vibrant city with a healthy mix of locals and an international population. It’s got great shopping, nightlife and Port – of course!

The next step will be for me to bring the dog and husband over from the UK, so keep following my adventures and see you in Portugal 😉

Welcome to my Website!

Welcome to Move to Algarve! It’s a special website written by someone with experience living in Portugal – for those of you who also want to make the move. It has a sprinkling of Portugal travel advice for the tourists out there too. My website answers your questions about:

  • Travel in Portugal – Lisbon, The Algarve and Beyond
  • Getting Portuguese Residency and Citizenship
  • Health Care in Portugal
  • The practicalities of living in Portugal such as banking, phones and shopping
  • Learning the Portuguese Language
  • Buying Property in Portugal

I have recorded all of my tips and experiences in the hope to help others Move to Algarve. If you are considering relocating to Portugal you will not regret it! Have fun!

Top Travel Destinations

If you are travelling through Portugal, check out some of these articles on my favourite Portugal travel destinations:

  • Lisbon – The Capital city of Portugal is full of delights such as Belem, Castelo Sao Jeorge and Bairro Alto (party on!) Need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Jump on a train to Carcevelos beach and relax. Check out my Lisbon Solo Travel guide.
  • Sintra – Take a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip or spend a few days in this gorgeous city. Don’t miss Castelo do Mouros and Pena Palace (my favourite site in the whole of Portugal!)
  • Evora – The university city of Evora is history buff’s heaven including the Cathedral, bone chapel and well preserved Roman temple known locally as the Diana Temple.
Amy Evora Diana Temple
In from of the Roman Ruins in Evora
  • Porto – Thriving nightlife, great shopping and a UNESCO World Heritage historical centre. Not to mention the Port wine cellars! Porto is one of my favourite destinations and my current home town. Check out this Porto Itinerary for 3 days.
  • Faro – This former sleepy fishing village is now a vibrant coastal town full of restaurants and bars that thrives in the summer months with the influx of holiday makers. It’s well connected by train so a great base for exploring the Algarve. Read about how to spend one day in Faro – it’s worth it for just a weekend trip!

I hope that you enjoy my blog.

Obrigada!