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Gap Year Programs in Portugal

Portugal is a place that seems to have it all for the gap year hopeful: delicious food, a pleasant climate, generous health and welfare benefits for residents, progressive social justice policies, and a well-established, predominantly English-speaking expat community. Add to that already impressive list the opportunity to live in a European country with easy access to Africa, striking views along the Atlantic coast, and tourist-friendly, historic regions well-known for their history and their culture—and you’ve got the makings for an amazing gap year in Portugal!

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23 Gap Year Programs in Portugal

Portugal
9.53749 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all...

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6534 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

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Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
9.7651 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more th...

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Semester at Sea
9.5332 reviews

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus

Join Semester at Sea on this global journey and make the world YO...

EF Gap Year
104 reviews

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Semester in Europe (The Pathfinder)

Explore Europe, ignite your passions, and discover your path forw...

Volunteer World
8.7512 reviews

Volunteer World

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...

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Linguistic Horizons
9.888 reviews

Linguistic Horizons

Custom Internship Placements in Europe

Unlike other "cookie-cutter" internship programs, we secure custo...

Oyster Worldwide
101 reviews

Oyster Worldwide

Marine Conservation in Portugal

Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are kille...

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Natucate
81 reviews

Natucate

Volunteering in Portugal – Wolf Conservation

Travel to magnificent Portugal, make an active contribution to en...

Absolute Internship
921 reviews

Absolute Internship

Intern in Lisbon with Absolute Internship

Our award-winning program gives students the opportunity to spend...

Korea GapYear 한국갭이어 KGY
00 reviews

Korea GapYear 한국갭이어 KGY

Gap Year Programs Around the World

The gap year culture is now widespread in Korea! Thanks to Korea ...

TrekEpic
00 reviews

TrekEpic

Trek the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal

Experience the wonders of Portugal's southern coastline with our ...

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Latest Program Reviews

EUROPE 2024!

by: Britta Bailey - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Semester in Europe (The Pathfinder)
10

I had THE BEST experience travelikg with EF gap year this past summer. I made my best friends whom i still travel with to this day and learned so much about myself and the world. I highly recommend if you can!!

A Guide to Gap Year in Portugal

Popular locations

In a country with so much to offer, it would be tempting to spend your entire gap year in Portugal traveling from city to city—especially visiting the most popular places like Porto, Lisbon, Braga, Coimbra, Sintra, and Madeira.

Porto is famous for its wine and exquisite architecture. Lisbon, where many Portugal gap years are spent, boasts the beautiful hand-painted tiles known as azulejos—and a vibrant nightlife. Braga, with its religious festivals, and Coimbra, known for its 500-year old university, are lesser-known but will stun you with their beauty and culture. There are wonderful things to see in every area of the country, but there are a few places you’ll definitely not want to miss!

Sintra. The resort town of Sintra is located near enough to Lisbon to be accessible as a weekend trip, but you’ll want to stay much longer than that once you make your way into the mountains for which the town is named. Poems have been written about the beauty of the Palace of Mafra’s Convent, while landmarks like the Pena Palace is an inspired example of the area’s Moorish influences. If you want to walk along the sea cliffs or hike in the foothills, you can do that, too. Sintra is truly a town with something for everyone—but especially for those seeking some outdoor adventure.

Madeira. The sweet, fortified wine that comes from Madeira is a prize for those who enjoy a good port, but that’s not all that this archipelago of four small islands off the coast has to offer. A mix of volcanic inlets, wild terrain, hiking trails, museums, and seaside communities, Madeira is a must-see for anyone who would enjoy scouting for lizards, eating fresh seafood, or listening to traditional music while surrounded by high cliffs and pebble beaches. And if scuba diving is your thing, why not consider spending your gap year in Portugal getting certified to work as a scuba instructor?

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