Portugal has recently gotten a lot of attention as a hot spot for digital nomads and tech startups. That street cred was only bolstered when Web Summit announced they were relocating from Dublin to Lisbon. My first trip to Lisbon was in 2014 for the annual Coworking Europe conference.
Portugal: A New Hub for Digital Nomads
Sure, Lisbon offers a wide variety of coworking spaces, maker spaces and accelerators. It’s called the “new Barcelona” because it’s also a subtropic climate, provides for a low cost of living and has easy access to the beaches of the Algarve. Millennials are moving here in droves, however, for more than just those perks and a hot food scene.
In particular, there’s a burgeoning nomad community in the city, comprised of freelance workers from all over the world who base themselves in the capital for months or even years at a time. As Lisbon has gained popularity and become more expensive, Porto has become a great Portuguese alternative for remote workers.
Porto: More Than Just Port Wine
Porto is located is the northern coast of Portugal and you may know its name from the famous Port wine. Yet the history of the city dates back to roman times and as a result of an intense commercial activity it developed quickly throughout the centuries.
Doist named Porto to their list of the 9 Best Locations for Digital Nomads. Friend of Coworkaholic, Johnny FD, compiled a great review of Porto, determining that visitors would experience a more affordable and authentic Portuguese experience.
Another friend of Coworkaholic, Ed Pizza also checked out Porto this year, on his way to Web Summit and recapped a great itinerary if you only had one day in Porto. This fall, Selina also opened their first European location…guess where? Porto. Offering a walkable and clean city with plenty of English speakers adds to why Porto is a great choice for remote workers.
Top 10 Coworking Spaces in Porto, Portugal
EU-Startups has compiled their list of the Top 10 Coworking Spaces in Porto, Portugal. The list compares quite well to the top rated coworking spaces in Porto, Portugal on Coworker.com.
Cool.Office: Located between the Antas and Areosa neighborhoods, its easy to get to by car and public transport. Cool.Office is in a historical building which was totally refurbished. They focus on entrepreneurs, freelancers and small companies. There’s also a student vibe, thanks to being close to the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics. Their event calendar is full of workshops and events that range from photography to drawing.
Address:Rua de Costa Cabral 2075
Prices: Starting from €8 per day
CRU – Cowork: CRU Coworking is an interesting space for creative industries freelancers as its both a coworking space and an urban design store. In addition to the usual coworking amenities, there are photo studios and a screen-printing workshop. Thanks to being near the famous Rua Miguel Bombarda, the “Art Street”, CRU Coworking cultivates a unique environment for creators, artists and entrepreneurs alike.
Address:Rua do Rosário, 211
Prices: Monthly prices range from €40 to €130
Facts Coworking offers an excellent option for those who prefer to stay away from the downtown bustle. Located next to the Casa da Música metro station, they provide workspace, meeting rooms and a kitchen that doubles as a lounge space. If you bike to work or like to go to the gym during lunch time they also showers. Last but not least, what would a coworking space be without a ping pong table?
Address:Rua 5 de Outubro, 156
Prices: Prices from €12/day
Muratto Open Space Porto: Muratto is a design company which offers open space tailored for designers, architects, and artists. The irreverent, stylish and comfortable environment, fosters a sense of creation, communication and cooperation. The different areas within the coworking space have been designed and decorated using materials from the Muratto brand and their partners.
Address:Rua Pedro Homem de Melo 242
Prices: Varies, starting as low as €3.50/day
Office Lab: Office Lab is located just on the other side of the river, near the town Gaia and the famous Port wine caves. You’ll find a large and modern coworking space providing a full set of amenities. The team behind Office Lab offers assistance, support and additional space as your company grows.
Address:Rua Dr. Ferreira De Macedo 42
Prices: Monthly prices start at 103€
OPO Lab: This coworking space opened in 2010 with a focus on design, engineering, architecture and digital fabrication. Their Fab Lab is fully equipped with 2D CNC / 3D CNC machines and other types of large, industrial equipment. They also provide creative consultancy with professionals who specialize in computer aided design, digital manufacturing and electronic tools.
Address:Rua D. João IV, 643
Prices: Start at €10 per day
Porto i/o is one of the best known coworking spaces in the city. It all started when local architects, builders and carpenters helped renovate their first location’s building. Porto i/o fosters a great sense of community with events, offering a perfect mix of location, space and partnerships. Porto i/o has two locations: one located in the historical centre of Porto, and the another with beautiful views of the Douro River.
Address:Rua Cândido dos Reis, 81 and Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, 73
Prices: Range from €12,50 (per day desk) to €130 (monthly workspace)
Typographia Cowork: One of Porto’s most popular coworking space, due to a great location and areas for people who prefer to work in a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Located in Cordoaria, a century’s old building in the heart of the Historic Centre, they offer dedicated areas for meals, lounge area, communal spaces and an outdoor patio with a privileged scenario of inspiration and contemplation of the city. Members say that Typographia is more than an office, but a space for sharing knowledge, reflecting social and economic dynamics.
Address:Campo Mártires da Pátria, 144-A
Prices: Prices start at €25 and go up to €115
Uptown Guest Office: The mission of Uptown Guest Office is to provide the quality of a private office with the touch of an intimate environment. It is located in the heart of the city and it aims to provide its members with peace of mind and quality of life. They also have extra amenities, such as showers.
Address:Rua Sá da Bandeira 612
Prices: Longer stays are preferred so check the available spaces and get a quote.
WOW – Work On Wood is a space curates a philosophy of the “Interpretation Centre of Wood”. Managed in partnership with NOW_ No Office Work, this is a unique coworking space fordesigners, stylists, decorators and makers. It’s a result of listening to a variety of different audiences. Member companies are encouraged to provide content and knowledge to generate discussion on cultural impact as it relates to their industries.
Address:Bairro do Amial, Estrada da Circunvalação 9543
Prices: Monthly prices start at €150
The post The Top 10 Coworking Spaces in Porto, Portugal was first published on Coworkaholic.