I’ve officially reached intermediate level of Portuguese this year! In celebration of completing another milestone as an American living in Portugal, I’m sharing 5 everyday moments where speaking Portuguese has made my life easier (and a lot more fun).
Let’s get into it:
1. Exploring New Restaurants
Before moving to Portugal, I read dozens of posts claiming you don’t need to know Portuguese because “everyone speaks English.” I have some pretty strong opinions on that one, but I’ll keep it short: it’s simply not true.
Can you technically live here without learning the language? Sure.
But is it because everyone speaks English? Nope.
The best example is what happens when you start exploring restaurants around Portugal. The common language is Portuguese (obviously), and that’s what connects locals and immigrants from around the world.
Portugal’s food scene is incredibly diverse — from Japanese to Argentinian to Moroccan, Indian, and beyond. Wherever I go, I can order in Portuguese, read the menu, and talk with the staff. When I visit traditional Portuguese restaurants, knowing the language means I get to try more dishes, ask questions, and connect with the culture on a deeper level. Sticking to English limits what could be a truly magical culinary experience.
2. Finding a Place to Live
In our Resource Guide for Americans Moving to Portugal, we highlight Idealista as one of the best ways to find housing. What we don’t mention is that the app works in multiple languages — and that choice can make a difference.
If you communicate only in English, you might notice higher rental prices or slower replies. Having basic reading and writing comprehension in Portuguese helps you better understand property details, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine effort in connecting with locals. It’s one of the easiest ways to set yourself apart (and sometimes save money) when looking for rentals.
3. Traveling Through Portugal
Learning Portuguese as an English-speaking immigrant truly makes a difference when you start traveling around the country.
It’s not just about speaking; it’s about reading and listening too. Think of all the signs, timetables, tickets, and announcements you encounter while traveling. Knowing the basics makes navigation so much easier.
My husband and I have visited tiny villages where Portuguese is the only language spoken, and we’ve done it confidently because we know the essentials. Sure, there’s still a little charades involved, but we always find our way. Here’s a travel experience where speaking Portuguese was a must for getting the most out of our Alta Mora visit:
Even if you’re brand new to the language, understanding pronunciation is a game-changer. Portuguese words rarely sound like they look when read phonetically from English. For example, those famous custard pastries — Pastel de Nata — are pronounced “PAHSH-tell deh NAH-ta,” not “PASS-tel DA NA-ta.” Once you learn these basics, reading maps, ordering food, and even chatting with locals becomes so much smoother.
I’m especially grateful that pronunciation and the alphabet are among the first lessons in Portuguese with Anita’s course. It makes navigating daily life feel easier from day one.
4. Embracing Café Culture
I originally called this one “eavesdropping,” but really, it’s about embracing café culture.
It’s part of Portuguese life to start your day slowly with a bica (espresso) or galão while watching the world go by. This is where locals catch up, chat about the news, and ease into the morning.
When you understand even a little of what’s being said, you feel more connected to the rhythm of everyday life. Plus, cafés are a perfect place to tune your ear to pronunciation — it’s like a real-world language lesson disguised as people-watching.
My article that dives into 7 of the best ways to learn European Portuguese talks a bit more about café culture and how you can incorporate Portuguese into your daily life.
5. Learning About Portuguese Culture
If you’re moving to Portugal, why not really experience it?
One of the best parts of living here is the endless list of free and local cultural events: festivals, lectures, art shows, concerts… many of which are only advertised in Portuguese.
Some of my favorite experiences have been entirely in Portuguese:
- Festival Pedra Dura (Lagos) – science lectures, exhibits, and live DJs. This was my first time attending full lectures in Portuguese, and it was so cool to learn about our solar system in a new language.
- Arte Doce (Lagos) – regional desserts and music. This festival is welcoming to all, and many of the small sweets bakers speak only in Portuguese. Learning about their desserts was a special treat thanks to speaking the same language.
- Fabulez Open Mic (Lisboa) – community nights filled with poetry and music. This is a great community to join if you’re wlw and moving to Lisboa. There are several members that speak English, but many of the open mic performances are only in Portuguese (both Brazilian and European)
- NOS Alive – top-tier festival with Portuguese side stages. This is our favorite festival of the year, and it brings in huge names like Pearl Jam, Olivia Rodrigo, Muse, Justice, Anyma, and more. The side stages, fun contests, and comedians are all performing in Portuguese. Without a basic understanding of the language, you’ll only experience a portion of the fest.
- Carnaval in Loulé – colorful parades and political satire rooted in history. Everyone we spoke to at Carnaval (including the news stations and police) spoke in Portuguese and being able to connect with them throughout the day made this experience feel like a true cultural immersion.
Without understanding Portuguese, I’d miss so much context — the humor, the stories, the meaning behind the art. These moments make Portugal feel like home, and the language makes them come alive.
Ready to Experience Portugal Like a Local?
Learning Portuguese is about connection and feeling at home in your new country, more so than focusing on grammar and vocabulary. It’s the difference between watching life happen around you and truly being part of it.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start, this is it. For Black Friday, my favorite language program — Portuguese with Anita — is offering 50% off her complete course bundle (you’ll find it at the bottom of the page).
This bundle takes you from beginner to conversational and beyond, with easy-to-follow lessons, pronunciation guides, and real cultural context at your pace. It’s the same course that helped me feel confident ordering coffee, navigating train stations, and chatting with neighbors in Portuguese.
✨ Don’t miss it — the 50% off deal is only available for a limited time.
Start learning today and make your Portugal experience even richer:
👉 Learn more about Anita’s course here.
Here’s a quick video with more tips on how to assimilate in Portugal as an American moving abroad:
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Note: this is not a sponsored blog. I truly love Anita and her course that much. We’ve since become friends and collaborate on different projects together.
This post does, however, contain affiliate links to Anita’s course. That means that I receive a commission for each course you buy from this link at NO extra cost to you (in fact, the 50% off bundle is the best deal you can get)! I just want to be as transparent as possible!