Gap year in Portugal

Portugal is blessed with everything that makes a country a good travel destination: Incredible food, fascinating culture, world-class beaches, and lively cities. Portugal's welcoming atmosphere, from the cobblestone streets of Lisbon to the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve, will bring your Portuguese studies to life!

Portugal has a huge variety of fun destinations to suit every traveller's needs and expectations. For students looking to learn Portuguese in a lively, trendy setting filled with other students from across the world, our partner school in Lisbon is waiting for you. If you’re looking for a beach holiday, with the incredible Algarve Coast just minutes from your accommodation, check out our partner school in Faro!

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Language studies in Portugal: Gap year 

Portuguese is a language on the rise. With over 260 million speakers, it is the 8th most widely spoken language in the world. Learning Portuguese will give you the key to exploring a huge portion of the world, and will open professional doors for you no matter your career. 

A gap year in Portugal is the best way for you to immerse yourself in this increasingly popular language. You’ll be using your skills daily, in real-life situations: from ordering your morning pastry in a bustling cafe to making new friends on a night out. When you return home, you’ll wonder why you found Portuguese so difficult in the first place!

Cost of living for your gap year in Portugal 

Among Western European countries, Portugal has a fairly low cost of living, making it a great choice for language students on a budget. How much you spend on a gap year will depend largely on where you choose to stay, with central locations in larger cities being marginally more expensive than smaller towns and villages. 

Students living in the capital, Lisbon, should budget to spend between 500 and 800 euros a month, not including accommodation. In other areas, students can expect to pay significantly less, for example, you should budget around 400 to 600 euros for a month in Faro without accommodation. 

What makes Portugal special for a gap year

So, what makes a gap year in Portugal unique? Have you ever spent a day snacking on pasteis de nata while touring beautiful, famous castles? Or how about a relaxing day at the beach followed by a delicious meal of bacalao before an exciting night out? Portugal stands out simply because it has it all: culture, history and party culture, all in one country. On a more practical note, Portugal is the only country where you can learn Portuguese in Europe, so if you’re in Europe and want to save on flight, or outside of Europe and want to explore the whole continent – Portugal is for you.

Cultural life in Portugal 

People from Portugal are generally quite proud of their culture, and it’s not hard to see why! Whether it’s the aforementioned (incredible) food, the age-old history of the country, the art, poetry, and music in its cities, or just the people themselves — There is something for everyone. Speaking about the people, when you travel around the country and meet locals, you’ll find them to be laid-back, friendly, and open!

The weather in Portugal 

In most of Portugal, the weather is similar to the Mediterranean, with warm, sunny days in the summer, and mild refreshing days in the winter. However, due to its location next to the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal rarely experiences the excessive summer heat that can be found in some of its neighbours. So, whichever season you travel, you know that your gap year in Portugal will be in a comfortable climate!