{
  "version": 1,
  "note": "Editorial comparisons of cities and broader regions. Rent figures are source medians per square metre, not current asking rents or monthly quotes. Compare area, period and typology before using them.",
  "places": [
    {
      "review_status": "current",
      "review_warning": null,
      "next_review_due": "2027-01-26",
      "id": "lisbon",
      "name": "Lisbon",
      "region": "Lisbon & Central",
      "url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/lisbon",
      "markdown_url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/lisbon.md",
      "for_visitors": "A sun-bleached capital of hilltop viewpoints, rattling trams and tiled façades you can wander for days without repeating yourself.",
      "for_movers": "Portugal's most cosmopolitan, best-connected city — buzzing and international, but with the rents to match.",
      "best_for": [
        "City breaks",
        "Digital nomads",
        "Culture"
      ],
      "known_for": [
        "Trams",
        "Fado",
        "Azulejos",
        "Miradouros",
        "Pastéis de nata"
      ],
      "updated": "2026-07-30",
      "verification_scope": "Rent figures reconciled against the named INE release only; other city guidance was not checked by this verification.",
      "rent_benchmark": {
        "source": "Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696",
        "period": "12 months to March 2026",
        "checked": "2026-07-30",
        "medians": [
          {
            "area": "Lisboa",
            "eurPerM2": 17.22,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "17,144 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Oeiras",
            "eurPerM2": 15.42,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "3,163 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Amadora",
            "eurPerM2": 13,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "3,327 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Odivelas",
            "eurPerM2": 12.75,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "2,540 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Loures",
            "eurPerM2": 11.79,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "3,285 registered leases"
          }
        ],
        "assumption": "Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises.",
        "attribution": "Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)"
      }
    },
    {
      "review_status": "current",
      "review_warning": null,
      "next_review_due": "2027-01-26",
      "id": "porto",
      "name": "Porto",
      "region": "Porto & North",
      "url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/porto",
      "markdown_url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/porto.md",
      "for_visitors": "A granite, river-cut city of tiled churches, port lodges and a UNESCO old town that rewards aimless wandering.",
      "for_movers": "Lisbon's soulful, more affordable rival — characterful, increasingly international and easier on the wallet.",
      "best_for": [
        "City breaks",
        "Foodies",
        "Value-minded movers"
      ],
      "known_for": [
        "Port wine",
        "Ribeira",
        "Azulejo churches",
        "Bridges",
        "Francesinha"
      ],
      "updated": "2026-07-30",
      "verification_scope": "Rent figures reconciled against the named INE release only; other city guidance was not checked by this verification.",
      "rent_benchmark": {
        "source": "Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696",
        "period": "12 months to March 2026",
        "checked": "2026-07-30",
        "medians": [
          {
            "area": "Porto",
            "eurPerM2": 14.29,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "7,574 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Vila Nova de Gaia",
            "eurPerM2": 10.77,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "4,418 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Matosinhos",
            "eurPerM2": 12.2,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "2,751 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Maia",
            "eurPerM2": 9.71,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,586 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Gondomar",
            "eurPerM2": 8.82,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,456 registered leases"
          }
        ],
        "assumption": "Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises.",
        "attribution": "Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)"
      }
    },
    {
      "review_status": "current",
      "review_warning": null,
      "next_review_due": "2027-01-26",
      "id": "algarve",
      "name": "The Algarve",
      "region": "Algarve",
      "url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/algarve",
      "markdown_url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/algarve.md",
      "for_visitors": "Portugal's sun-soaked south coast — golden cliffs, hidden coves and some of Europe's best beaches.",
      "for_movers": "The country's most established expat heartland, with English widely spoken, sunshine almost guaranteed and a town for every budget.",
      "best_for": [
        "Beach holidays",
        "Retirees",
        "Families",
        "Golfers"
      ],
      "known_for": [
        "Beaches",
        "Golf",
        "Sea caves",
        "Retirees & expats",
        "Year-round sun"
      ],
      "updated": "2026-07-30",
      "verification_scope": "Rent figures reconciled against the named INE release only; other city guidance was not checked by this verification.",
      "rent_benchmark": {
        "source": "Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696",
        "period": "12 months to March 2026",
        "checked": "2026-07-30",
        "medians": [
          {
            "area": "Albufeira",
            "eurPerM2": 12.14,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "970 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Lagos",
            "eurPerM2": 12,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "493 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Lagoa",
            "eurPerM2": 10,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "307 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Portimão",
            "eurPerM2": 11.62,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,440 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Loulé",
            "eurPerM2": 12.06,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,638 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Tavira",
            "eurPerM2": 11.42,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "596 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Olhão",
            "eurPerM2": 8.65,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "507 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Faro",
            "eurPerM2": 9.8,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,247 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          }
        ],
        "assumption": "Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises.",
        "attribution": "Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)"
      }
    },
    {
      "review_status": "current",
      "review_warning": null,
      "next_review_due": "2027-01-26",
      "id": "madeira",
      "name": "Madeira",
      "region": "Islands",
      "url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/madeira",
      "markdown_url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/madeira.md",
      "for_visitors": "A dramatically green Atlantic island of cloud-forest hikes, sea cliffs and year-round spring weather.",
      "for_movers": "A mild, safe, surprisingly affordable island that's quietly become one of Europe's friendliest bases for remote workers.",
      "best_for": [
        "Hikers",
        "Digital nomads",
        "Mild-winter seekers"
      ],
      "known_for": [
        "Levada walks",
        "Funchal",
        "Madeira wine",
        "Digital Nomad Village",
        "Mild climate"
      ],
      "updated": "2026-07-30",
      "verification_scope": "Rent figures reconciled against the named INE release only; other city guidance was not checked by this verification.",
      "rent_benchmark": {
        "source": "Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696",
        "period": "12 months to March 2026",
        "checked": "2026-07-30",
        "medians": [
          {
            "area": "Funchal",
            "eurPerM2": 13.6,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "1,153 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Santa Cruz",
            "eurPerM2": 10.66,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "254 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Câmara de Lobos",
            "eurPerM2": 8,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "87 registered leases; thin data, so treat it as indicative; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          },
          {
            "area": "Calheta",
            "eurPerM2": 6.13,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "65 registered leases; thin data, so treat it as indicative; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded"
          }
        ],
        "assumption": "Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises.",
        "attribution": "Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)"
      }
    },
    {
      "review_status": "current",
      "review_warning": null,
      "next_review_due": "2027-01-26",
      "id": "cascais",
      "name": "Cascais & Estoril",
      "region": "Lisbon & Central",
      "url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/cascais",
      "markdown_url": "https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/cascais.md",
      "for_visitors": "A polished seaside town a short train ride from Lisbon — sandy bays, marina cafés and an easy Riviera air.",
      "for_movers": "The Lisbon area's most family-friendly coastal address, packed with international schools and English-speaking expats — and priced for it.",
      "best_for": [
        "Families",
        "Affluent expats",
        "Seaside city breaks"
      ],
      "known_for": [
        "Beaches",
        "Sailing",
        "International schools",
        "Affluence",
        "Estoril casino"
      ],
      "updated": "2026-07-30",
      "verification_scope": "Rent figures reconciled against the named INE release only; other city guidance was not checked by this verification.",
      "rent_benchmark": {
        "source": "Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696",
        "period": "12 months to March 2026",
        "checked": "2026-07-30",
        "medians": [
          {
            "area": "Cascais",
            "eurPerM2": 16.5,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "4,034 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Cascais e Estoril parish",
            "eurPerM2": 18.15,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "parish aggregate; 1,817 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Carcavelos e Parede parish",
            "eurPerM2": 17.05,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "parish aggregate; 1,051 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "Alcabideche",
            "eurPerM2": 13.86,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "parish aggregate; 552 registered leases"
          },
          {
            "area": "São Domingos de Rana",
            "eurPerM2": 13.33,
            "typology": "all typologies",
            "note": "parish aggregate; 614 registered leases"
          }
        ],
        "assumption": "Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat, 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat and 110 to 180 m² for a three-bed house or villa. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises.",
        "attribution": "Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal)"
      }
    }
  ]
}