Porto: the best small city in the world

Ranked 9th in 2019 by the magazine Le Monocle, Porto reached with success in 2020 the first place among the plenty cities around the world with less than 250 000 people where it is great to live.

Internationally renowned, Porto is not only well-known for its life quality but also for its economic, cultural, environmental and infrastructural qualities.

The city offers a lifestyle different from the other places: people have their own way of living, quieter than the one from Lisbon.

Furthermore, the climate and the gastronomy gained popularity worldwide in 2020.

The ranking is based on 5 main and very important criteria:

1. The Accessibility
This factor consists in ranking the cities with the best international access. Porto has an easy connection to other places. For example, its airport is situated just 20 minutes away from the centre and the public transports are very easily accessible with many destinations along the country and abroad. The best beaches are just around the corner and the leisure activities are concentrated in a radius of winding historical streets, easily reachable on foot.

2. The Mayor Factor
What is also important for a city to be enjoyable, is a good mayor who provides everything from the best urban infrastructure to reassuring leadership during hard times. In Porto, the one in charge of this position is Rui Moreira, appreciated for his staunch defence of the city.

3. Warm and Welcoming
When someone moves to a new city, this person is usually looking for a good integration and a feeling of security. The best small cities are internationally minded and provide this in spades. Even though the ‘tripeiros’ are very hardworking and pragmatic, they have a good sense of community. It enables foreigners to feel at home and integrated. Porto offers much thanks to its avant-garde, artistic and craft-oriented nature and it is, indeed, a cosmopolitan and dynamic city.
4. Green Ambitions
Well-landscaped parks and squares improve the mental and physical well-being of townspeople. This factor emphasises access to nature, environmentally friendly infrastructure and a population concerned with sustainable development. The best small city in the world offers a wide variety of parks and gardens. Moreover, it’s important to know that Portugal is the best European destination for sustainable tourism.

5. Business Opportunities
This factor translates into the ambitious business-oriented mindset of the locals enabling the city to be the heart of Portugal’s economy. It is a blossoming creative centre which makes the Northern region the main contributor to the country's transactions.

To conclude, here are the 10 best small towns to live in:

1. Porto, Portugal
2. Louvain, Belgique
3. Itoshima, Japon
4. Lucerne, Suisse
5. Victoria, Canada
6. Lausanne, Suisse
7. Bâle, Suisse
8. Bolzano, Italie
9. Aalborg, Danemark
10. Bergen, Norvège

Written by Chloé ROSA, June 8th of 2021