Lockdown has worn us all out, but Portugal has been easing off on its rules and so it’s time to get out there again. Whether you want to meet some new friends or the love of your life, there’s no better time than now to meet people. You may be feeling a bit rusty after so many months of Netflix so here are some tips and ideas on where to meet people in Portugal.
Dating in Portugal
The hardest part of dating is finding people. Luckily, since the lockdown has been so severe, online dating apps have skyrocketed in popularity. Portugal has many apps that will help you here. There are internationally known apps like Tinder, OkCupid, or Happn, but there are sites that are even more popular than these in Portugal such as Meetic.pt which is among the most popular dating apps in Portugal.
But there are people, especially people in their 40s and older, who you wouldn’t find on dating sites. For them, it is best to go to an event or a group meetup and try to engage them in person. This is also true if you moved to Portugal’s countryside, as there are fewer people in one place. Check out local events, ask around in pubs, or see local notice boards. And whatever you do, don’t give up hope.
Dating in English
You might also want to brush up on your Portuguese. While many people, especially those of younger generations, know English fairly well, you might find it difficult to talk to everyone. But before you learn a whole new language, you can try meeting people from the Expat communities. This is an especially good approach in the most popular cities for ex-pats in Portugal such as Lisbon, Faro, or Setúbal. Together, there are more than 400,000 ex-pats in Portugal many of whom have the same experience (and dating difficulties) as you have.
Where to go on a date in Portugal?
Portugal is in many ways like any other place when it comes to dating. People meet up in cafés and restaurants (whose terraces will be opened on April 5th). But Portugal has more to offer. Many would-be couples meet up in parks and on beaches – sometimes the most romantic thing you can do with someone is to just walk around and talk. Finally, keep an eye on your calendar, because on April 19th Portugal will open outdoor fairs and markets, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, and more. So if you won’t have any luck until then, there will be new opportunities opening up soon.
Making friends in Portugal
Lockdown has ended many friendships and new ones were mostly out of reach. But now that Portugal’s rules are easing off, there is no better time to get out there and make some new friends. Meetup.com hosts hundreds of events where you can meet people and have fun doing it. Similarly, you might want to join Facebook groups with your interests or groups with ex-pats living in Portugal. People in these groups often organize events (and if not, you can be the first one to suggest them). While many places won’t be open for a long time still, there are many cafés, restaurants, and pubs that will gladly serve you a takeaway. Parks, beaches, and food fairs are perfect for casually meeting acquaintances and from April 5th you can even visit museums and art galleries.
