“… for workations and bleisure. I first went to Lisbon on vacation over ten years ago, and now Portugal has become my second home, both professionally and in my spare time.. I also met my Portuguese partner here. Impressions from Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira.” Claudia Brüggen
View of Porto city and Douro river with traditional boats with port wine barrels and sailing ship from famous tourist viewpoint Marginal de Gaia riverfront. Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
We are sitting on the banks of the Tagus River, the waves are glistening, and my gaze follows the boats as they head out to the Atlantic. There is a feeling of happiness and of new beginnings in the air. I am in Lisbon, meeting with a client for whom I have been designing souvenir collections for over four years – professionally, I have also been at the heart of Portugal’s tourism boom for years. 2024 was the most successful year for tourism here, with 31.6 million visitors – twice as many as in 2013.
So when, a few years ago, tuk-tuks started filling the streets of Lisbon, I had to admit to myself that the city was no longer an insider tip. Today, part of me longs for my all-time favorite places that are now hopelessly jam-packed. The other part of me is still full of anticipation for Lisbon as a familiar friend and exciting flirt. The city always has something new to offer, and at the same time, I can never get enough of the azulejos, the hand-painted tiles, and the panoramic views from the city’s seven hills.
Intersection point of two Bica Funicular. The Elevador or Ascensor da Bica is a popular tourist attraction in Chiado District, Lisbon. Tagus river on background.
Lisbon has also been a hotspot for bleisure travellers and remote workers for years. Amazing restaurants and dreamy beaches meet a creative and booming start-up scene. There is no shortage of co-working spaces, communities, and industry events, such as the Web Summit tech conference – however there is a shortage of affordable housing, with an average Portuguese income of only €1,162 net (at the beginning of 2025). Since the start of the pandemic, house rentals in Portugal have risen by 43% and more. My Portuguese friends see the reason for this in political failure, by attracting foreigners with tax breaks or the Golden Visa program, without paying attention to the population. More and more young Portuguese natives are leaving the country, and politicians are trying to counteract this. It is questionable whether this will be successful.
Rising Porto
We continue on to Porto, my partner’s hometown. He tells me that the former fishing district of Ribeira and the city center (Baixa), now highlights of Porto, were still very run-down up until the 1990s. There used to be no signs of the many cafés and restaurants that make the neighborhoods so attractive today. At the time, major redevelopment measures were also intended to stop the population decline and promote tourism. An economic upswing did indeed begin. From this perspective, it would be too simple to say that the problems in Porto were caused by tourists and investors.
Lisbon: renovated building
In terms of remote work, Porto is catching up fast. Between 2017 and 2021, it witnessed a 148% growth in the ranking of the most popular destinations for digital nomads (Turismo de Portugal). Rents are cheaper here than in Lisbon, and locals and travelers still mix, for example on Rua da Galeria de Paris. Additionally Porto has beaches. And in general, unlike the more posh Lisbon, the people of Porto are more down-to-earth, straightforward, humorous, and like to swear.
Porto: Azulejos on a building
Workation paradise Madeira
Madeira has undoubtedly undergone the biggest image change in recent years. For a long time, the island attracted pensioners, but today it is one of the top destinations for remote workers. The local government also contributed to this during the pandemic by providing empty hotels and developing coworking and co-living spaces, etc. The town of Ponta do Sol declared itself the world’s first Digital Nomad Village in 2021 and is still active today.
I, too, have given my heart to Madeira. Warm summers, mild winters, spectacular hiking trails, water sports — perfect for unwinding while connecting with like-minded people. But yes, Madeira’s new popularity has also caused prices here to rise. However, travelers can also do a lot to promote sustainable tourism – whether by using public transportation instead of tuk-tuks or staying in hotels in lesser-known neighborhoods instead of Airbnb apartments in the center. But that’s a topic for another article
Claudia Brüggen …
… is a travel journalist, illustrator, and copywriter specializing in psychology and health.
She has been living and working independently since 2018 and spends a large part of the year traveling.
Bleisure Tips
In Lisbon: 8 Marvila – Creative center in an industrial building, similar to LX Factory before it became a tourist hotspot. Fado dinner at Casa de Linhares.Ending the day at the beach in Porto? Visit the Lapa Lapa or Praia da Luz restaurants. Bosco Porto, complete with a bar, towers over the city rooftops.
WOW Porto: Cultural center with seven museums, restaurants, and cafés, incl. picture-perfect views.
On Madeira (big photo), hike the PR 8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail – tip: begin during dark to catch the sunrise. Dreamlike gardens: Madeira Botanical Garden and Monte Palace Madeira.
