Portugal is situated on the Iberian Peninsula, in the south of Europe.
As of 2022, the population of Portugal has 10,134,948 residents, while the country itself stretches over 92,345 square kilometers.
According to Wikipedia, the country has a total of 151 cities.
English is a language that is widely spoken across this nation.
The country is known for many things, but some of the more important factors are the fact that the country is a major producer of port wine, and is considered to be old-world in the wine-making business.
The country has very low levels of crime and most crimes are non-violent in nature.
Road crimes are by far the worst crimes in Portugal, accounting for 34% of crime, while homicide is one of the lowest types of crime in the country at 1%.
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10 Safest Cities in Portugal
The following cities have been selected based on surveys conducted on individuals who have traveled the country.
In addition, the cities have made it onto the list due to their high standard of living, good educational system, good infrastructure, and great public transportation.
1. Lisbon
Lisbon is a coastal city characterized by hills.
The city offers residents a high standard of living and safety.
The city is most notable for several factors, such as its colonial history, Fado music, and ornate architecture.
There are a plethora of job opportunities in the city and many jobs offer some of the highest paying salaries in Portugal.
Across the board, the city ranks high in terms of safety and low in terms of crime.
The most common crime in this city is corruption.
Property crime and violent crime are both extremely low.
Women should have absolutely no reason to feel unsafe when walking alone during the day or evening in this city.
The education system is excellent and so is healthcare.
2. Braga
Braga is located in the far north of the country.
The city is not as crowded with tourists as other bigger cities in Portugal.
It offers a deep culture and rich history with a high standard of living as well.
It is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and offers affordable living in a smaller type of city.
There are two major problems in this city: not many residents speak English and, due to its location, it can get pretty cold in the winter.
In terms of crime, there has been a steady rise over recent years.
The most popular type of crime in this city is property crime such as car thefts, things stolen from cars, vandalism, theft, and bribery.
The murder and homicide rate is extremely low.
Traveling during the day is very safe but a fair amount of caution should be practiced at night.
3. Porto
Porto is a city located in the northwest of Portugal and is a coastal city.
The city is most noted for its port wine production and stately bridges.
The city is host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is known for its great healthcare, being a very safe place to live and travel, as well as being a very affordable city to live in.
Property crime overall is very low and violent crime is nearly nonexistent in this coastal city.
There are some property crimes that may be a slight cause for concern, such as theft out of vehicles, vandalism, and theft of property.
And, while it is extremely safe to walk alone during the day in the city, caution should be exercised during day.
A great feature about this city is that English is widely spoken.
4. Ponta Delgada (the Azores)
Ponta Delgada is located on São Miguel Island.
This city is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal.
This beautiful city is a wonderful mix of the old and the new with quaint little shops, restaurants, cafes, and parks.
It is considered to be one of the safest cities in this country.
While there has been somewhat of a sharp increase in crime in the city over the past few years, it is not sharp enough to make a significant difference.
And, it is predominantly linked to the use of drugs.
Both violent and property crimes remain relatively low and women are absolutely safe when walking around alone, during the day and evening.
5. Funchal (Madeira)
This city is the capital city of the Madeira archipelago.
It is most known for things like its wine cellars, hills, and harbor.
This city is very vibrant and a major tourist attraction.
Crime here is exceptionally low for both property crime and violent crime.
It is extremely safe to walk alone during the day and evening.
There has been very little increase in crime over the last few years.
It is the beautiful surroundings that make this city a family-friendly place.
The only two drawbacks are that life here can feel very isolating and there are not as many job opportunities on the island.
6. Aveiro
Aveiro is a colorful city in the western part of Portugal.
The city is located along a lagoon by the name of Ria de Aveiro.
There are several canals that run through the city and it is best known for the colorful boats that run along the canals as well as nouveau buildings.
The city offers a relatively high standard of living, paired with affordability and low rental fees.
It is another great example of a city with very low crime levels.
Overall, the city has a low crime index and a high safety index.
Property crime and violent crime seem to be equally low in this city.
The only downfall about living in this city is the fact that very little English is spoken by the locals, the healthcare could be better, and it is relatively far away from the coast.
7. Portimão
Portimão is located in the southern part of Portugal in the Algarve region.
It is a port city that is known for the fact that it is located very close to several beaches and its busy port.
Fishing and trade are two of its primary employers.
The city is a relatively safe city and has an extremely low property crime index and violent crime index.
Another great feature about this city is that it has some of the best weather conditions and climate in all of Portugal.
It is the second largest city in the Algarve and residents may need a vehicle to get around.
Overall, it is a very safe city and safe for women who travel alone as well.
8. Coimbra
Coimbra is located in central Portugal and is a riverside city.
It used to be the capital of Portugal. Interestingly, the city has a preserved medieval town.
One of the biggest advantages of living in this beautiful and historic city is that it isn’t overrun by tourists.
It is one of the most affordable cities to live in Portugal and is host to one of the oldest universities in Portugal.
The city boasts excellent nightlife, good healthcare, and is extremely safe.
There is little to report about this city in terms of crime.
Even though the city has a very low crime rate, tourists and visitors are advised to practice a relative amount of precaution in this city.
Women are absolutely safe when traveling alone during the day and evening.
9. Maia
Maia is a city and municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area.
It is considered to be one of the safest cities in Portugal to visit and move to.
Much like the other cities on this list, Maia offers very little to report in terms of property and violent crime rates.
In addition, there has been very little in terms of an increase in crime in this city over the last few years.
The country has advised that normal precautions should be followed when visiting this city.
Both property and violent crimes are very low and women traveling in this city are relatively safe.
10. Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia is located in the Porto District in the Norte Region.
The city is known for its port wine production, good standard of living, good education system, and amazing food.
For the most part, this city is relatively safe.
However, the city has seen a spike in crime over the last few years.
In this crime trend, the use of drugs and dealing with drugs seems to be the major factor pushing up the numbers.
Vandalism, theft, and bribery seem to be on the rise in this small city as well.
However, violent crime levels are extremely low, and apart from the crime mentioned above, there seems to be very little else, in terms of serious crime in this city.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Portugal
When traveling to Portugal, reasonable caution should be practiced:
- Remain vigilant for natural disasters – forest fires
- Remain aware of accommodation scams
- Always carry a photo ID
- Be wary of petty crime in high tourist areas
- Always leave passports at the hotel or at your accommodation. Never carry it with you.
Portugal Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Portugal Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular food in Portugal?
- Francesinha
- Leitão assado
- Açorda
What is the top tourist destination?
Lisbon.
What wine is Portugal famous for?
The country is most known for its port wine production.
Thank you for the the swift informative facts which helped me immensely figure which city to visit
Living in Lisbon, I can vouch for its high standard of living and safety; the city’s rich history, vibrant Fado music scene, and stunning architecture make it a joy to call home.
As someone who’s lived in Coimbra for years, I can vouch for its safety. It’s a charming city with a strong sense of community and very low crime rates.
Lisbon definitely deserves a spot here. Despite being a bustling capital, its neighborhoods feel surprisingly secure, especially around historic areas like Alfama.