Living in Viseu
The city
With its green parks and age-old trees, Viseu is a garden city located in the heart of Portugal. It also boasts a privileged location, in the Dão Wine Region, where award-winning wines are produced.
The city has a population of 100,000 inhabitants and was elected Portugal’s healthiest, safest and best quality of life city by Portuguese consumers in 2018.
Viseu is known for its traditions and crafts, but also for its strong entrepreneurial and technological component. It is a welcoming and romantic city, of myths and heroes, with a rich historical heritage. From the tradition of the Linen Museum and Casa da Ribeira to the interactivity of the Quartz Museum. From the contemporary art of Quinta da Cruz to the narrative of the Almeida Moreira Museum and the City History Museum. From the discoveries of the Archaeological Collection and the Silgueiros Museum to the authenticity of the Keil Amaral Museum. From the grandeur of the Grão Vasco National Museum to the precious sacred art of the Cathedral Treasury and the Misericórdia Treasury.
Keep up to date with the schedule of events at Viseu's Municipal Museums.
Viseu is a city with a wealth of culinary offerings, delighting visitors with dishes as varied as Lafões Veal, ‘Chanfana’, roast lamb, codfish on cornbread and the ‘Bôla’, a brioche-style bread filled with different cured meats.
The Fontelo sports park and Santiago Urban Park offer facilities for various sports. The region also offers exceptional conditions for river and mountain sports such as BMX, trail running, mountain climbing, orienteering, canyoning, canoeing, and geocaching.
Viseu has a dynamic nightlife, with offerings for all tastes and ages.
Cost of living
The average cost of living is around €500 per month.
Accommodation
Room in flatshare: €300/month on average
Food
Supermarket expenditure: approx. €200/month
Lunch in the cafeteria: €4,80.
Lunch in a restaurant: €6,50 (approximate price)
Bread: €0,19
Coffee (espresso): €0,90
Transportation
Bus ticket: €1,60 (approx. value)
Local events
‘Janeiras’ carolling (January)
Tons de Primavera (‘Shades of Spring’ - March)
Festival de Teatro Jovem (Youth Theatre Festival - May)
Cavalhadas de Teivas e Vildemoinhos Procession - Feast of São João (June)
Que Jazz é Este? Viseu Jazz Festival ((at Aquilino Ribeiro Park) (July)
Feira de São Mateus (August and September)
The Feira de São Mateus is a fair which has taken place every year in Viseu for the past 626 years. Further information available at feirasaomateus.pt
Festa das Vindimas (Grape Harvest Feast - September)
Outono Quente - Arts, music and theatre festival (October)
Feira dos Santos (Saints’ Feast - 11 November)