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Living in Lisbon

1 | Excellency in Education

Lisbon offers students a qualified network of both public and private universities and research centers, promoting close collaboration with higher education institutions of international standing (such as MIT or Carnegie Mellon). The Lisbon MBA was created through a partnership between Nova University Lisbon, the Catholic University of Portugal, and the MIT Sloan School of Management, which offers the 6th best MBA in the world according to the Financial Times ranking. The Universities and research centers in Lisbon intensively encourage exchange between teachers, students and researchers through various international cooperation programs, especially Erasmus. 

2 | Cost of Life

Lisbon is one of the cheapest cities in the European Union, quite affordable in comparison to other European capitals. 

3 | Accommodation and Housing

Lisbon offers student residences, principally located in the city center, with easy access to the various campi around the city. Lisbon also boasts numerous internationally acclaimed hostels offering high-quality accommodation at reduced prices.

4 | Sporting Opportunities and Great Climate

In Lisbon, the sun shines approximately 239 days a year! Lisbon enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is known for its unique light. It’s a city with a diverse offering of restaurants and bars with excellent cuisine. Lisbon is the sunniest capital in Europe and offers the opportunity to practice sports such as jogging, biking, hiking, golf, horse riding, football or skateboarding. Its closeness to the river and the sea also allows for rowing, canoeing, surfing, sailing or kitesurfing. Two of the most spectacular coastal sites of Europe are situated in Guincho (25 min. away) and Ericeira (35 min. away), the latter being the largest surfing reserve in Europe.

5 | Friendly People and a Welcoming City

Lisboners are friendly and spontaneous. 42% speak two foreign languages and at least 23% speak three. The most spoken foreign languages are English, French and Spanish. Lisbon is home to numerous communities from Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Ukraine, India and China, among others.

6 | Culture and Creativity

History is present at every corner when we walk through Lisbon’s old neighborhoods of Baixa, Alfama and Castelo. At night, you can easily find places to hear Fado, Lisbon’s typical musical genre, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity in 2011. There is always something happening in Lisbon, from major concerts to film and music festivals. Lisbon has a wide range of cultural facilities, shops and places of leisure with strong links to the city’s traditional neighborhoods. It is a truly creative city with a variety of cultural events and over 75 museums and galleries.

7 | Safety

Security is one of Lisbon’s strengths, it is a safe capital. Portugal has low indicators for violent crime, being rated as the 3 rd safest country in the world (Global Peace Index).

8 | A Green City

The city has a network of station points to supply electric cars and of cycle paths connecting residential areas to services and green areas. Besides the city’s major green areas – Monsanto Forest Park and the Bela Vista Park (site of the Rock in Rio music festival) – there are also several parks and gardens of historic and artistic interest, where you can relax and enjoy the city.

9 | Leisure and Entertainment

Lisbon hosts events (many of international notoriety) throughout the year for a diversity of audiences (E.g.: the Rock in Rio festival, NOS Alive, Web Summit). Along the Tagus waterfront are numerous places to dine, drink or dance, such as the Alcantara Docks. The area of Bairro Alto, home to the city’s original Fado houses, is now full of bars and small res­taurants.

10 | A Cosmopolitan City Open to the World

Lisbon is not only Europe’s Atlantic hub, but also that of Africa and the Americas. Portuguese explorers set sail from the Tagus river in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to give “new worlds to the world” (Luis de Camões, in “Os Lusiadas”). Lisbon has always welcomed new people and cultures, lending its inhabitants a spirit of great openness towards foreigners, as evidenced by the many favorable testimonies of those who work or study here.

Fonte: Study in Lisbon

Study in Lisbon Lounge - International Students Services

The Study in Lisbon Lounge, created by the Lisbon City Council, has the purpose to help international students and researchers upon arrival by providing access to information and services such as visa, passport and immigration services, housing options, contact embassies, or healthcare.