Can you believe it? This mind-blowing, soul-filling, whirlwind adventure remote working in Portugal started with…well, Instagram. I’d been following Noma Collective because their mission of slow travel really struck a chord with me. And when I saw they were running a competition giving away one trip for FREE…well, who was I to say no? After all, I’d done a similar trip to Barcelona the year before. When I saw that one of their trips was in Lisbon, I felt it in my bones. I was going to go. And now, one incredible month in Lisbon later, I’m going to tell you all of the details–and I even have a discount code for you!
Get $150 off your next Noma trip with code: DENAE150
I’m proud to partner with Noma Collective, and all opinions are my own <3
Remote Working in Portugal
Before we go any further, let’s chat! Lisbon–and Portugal at large–has seen an explosion of popularity in the digital nomad community. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to meet wonderful people and explore this incredible city. However, it’s impossible to ignore the very real concerns of locals regarding the rising cost of living and shrinking accommodation options–much of which is attributed to the huge influx of remote workers from abroad. I don’t have the answers, but I think that making an effort to experience your new destination as a home and not as a playground is a good place to start.
About Noma Collective
Noma arranges 2-4 week long group trips around the world for remote workers. If you’re interested in remote work and travel and intentional community, this is right up your alley! I asked for y’all’s questions via Instagram, and you did not disappoint! Here are some of the big ones:
This program is open to those with a part-time or full-time remote job who want to see the world! There is no age limit, although on average trips attract professionals in their late-20s to mid-30s.
No! Noma arranges editions all over the world. For example, this year, they also have editions in Buenos Aires, Belize, Barcelona, and Morocco. They release their trip calendar every year–go check it out to see what locations are in store!
Yep! Noma is meant to bring together like-minded people with similar priorities. It’s not a study-abroad or party-abroad program (although my edition certainly wasn’t afraid of partying 😉 ). Noma does not offer remote jobs, so you’ll need to have your own before applying.
This was my first experience with Noma, but I’d actually tried remote working in Portugal before, although that time was in a small beach town. I loved it and saw this was the perfect opportunity to go back!
Once you find the edition of your dreams, you fill out a lil get-to-know-you form and book a call with someone from Noma just to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Make sure to mention the discount code “DENAE150” during your call to get $150 off (make sure to mention it in your discovery call)!
What’s Included in a Noma Edition?
- Airport pickup and dropoff: This was so appreciated. As well-connected as the airport metro is, it felt so nice to not have to worry about navigating a new city with my luggage. And then on the way back…well I could look out the window and cry in peace instead of on public transportation.
- Orientation: Our community Manager gave us a brief overview of the program, culture and history of the city, let us know which events to look foward to. He chose a great mix of events–more on that later!
- Accommodation: Your own room with a dedicated working station and desk. It varies from edition to edition, but in Lisbon, there were two flats with 4-5 people each. And y’all…from the moment I got the keys, I was in looooove. It was so light and colorful (and the bed was super comfortable). I also appreciated that Noma was so responsive–i.e. temperatures were even lower than normal for Lisbon in March, so they bought us space heaters.
- Community Manager: Having a Community Manager was a huge reason why we were able to experience Lisbon as well as we did. Our CM, Pedro, was so energetic and goodhearted, and always available for questions. He selected all of the places for our family meals out and gave us tips on how to explore the city on our own time. From our first day orientation to our last day spontaneous trip to Belém, having a CM made unlocking Lisbon so much easier.
- Yoga Classes: Noma arranged for two yoga classes every week at the cutest studio, the Yoga Room. Our instructor spoke English and customized the classes based on what we asked for. The classes may have been early (and I may have accidentally slept through one or two, but they were such a lovely way to start the day feeling strong, and to bond with the others.
- A Like-Minded Community: Everyone who comes on these trips has a similar desire: to continue their careers while seeing the world through slow travel. Even though we all came from different backgrounds, having this in common meant we all had something to bond over. We keep in touch even now (Which Noma Collective makes easy with their Alumni network)!
Health and Wellness in Lisbon
Keeping up with a workout routine can be a challenge while traveling. What I love about taking mid-to-long-term trips like this was that it gave me the chance to settle into some sort of routine. Here are some ways that I kept my body happy while in Lisbon.
Embrace the Local Features
I’m a big believer in working with what you’ve got! If you’re in Seville, take flamenco classes. If you’re in Denver, go hiking! Did you know that Lisbon is nicknamed the “City of Seven Hills”? All of that elevation definitely kept me working hard. I made more time in my day to walk everywhere, and our flat was right next to the famous Eduardo Park, which was perfect for some peaceful morning runs.
Yoga Classes in Lisbon
Like I mentioned Noma included 2 yoga classes/week at the beautiful Yoga Room. I wanted to explore other options as well, and some other girls on the program tipped me off about the Kynd Space and I 10/10 recommend! The space is so beautiful and they have an amazing intro offer: €30 for 10 days of unlimited classes!
Staying Healthy Abroad: Travel Insurance
Thankfully, I stayed safe and sound during this month abroad! But it’s always nice to know that someone has my back if something goes wrong. If you’re thinking about doing a short-term trip with Noma, or you’re just living the remote work lifestyle in general, definitely look into SafetyWing. They’ve been nothing but helpful to me!
Meeting New People in Lisbon
Socializing With Noma
One of my favorite things about Noma is the built-in community! I can’t tell you how valuable it was to have a group of people to explore the city with from Day 1. Every week, our Community Manager arranged an (optional) brunch, dinner, and Friday night drinks that were meant to help us discover the best Lisbon restaurants while also having the chance to chat and get to know each other. It worked! As the month went on, we got closer…and we even all rented a villa in the Algarve (I can’t believe I just typed that sentence) so that we could celebrate a month of adventure and new friendship.
Lisbon Digital Nomad Meetups
Lisbon has been branded a “digital nomad hotspot”, and well…we remote workers love to network! I found the Lisbon Digital Nomads Meetup group to be really helpful. A bunch of us from Noma went to their weekly after-work drinks series, but the Meetup group hosts other events like a run club, comedy nights, and more.
Things to Do in Lisbon
These are just a handful of my favorite activities I got up to while in the Portuguese capital.
Estufa Fria
At €3.50, this botanical garden is a budget-friendly activity in Lisbon. It has definite Tardis-engergy (read: looks bigger on the inside). The bonus was that it’s right in the middle of Eduardo Park, which was only a 2-minute walk from our flat. This is the perfect place to spend a peaceful afternoon. I’d even suggest going on a rainy day to get an even more atmospheric experience.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
If you love museums but also love variety, this museum is an absolute gem! An avid traveler, Calouste Gulbenkian collected many antiquities and oddities over his adventurous life. After leaving Turkey in 1896 to escape persecution against Armenians, Gulbenkian eventually settled and spent the remainder of his life in Lisbon. After his passing, his incredible collection was transformed into this museum. I spent a contemplative afternoon admiring paintings, jewelry, tapestries, ceramics, navigation equipment, manuscripts, and more from far reaches of history. It’s quite delightful!
Tip: Museum admission is free on Sundays after 2 p.m.
Tip #2: After your visit, skip the museum cafe and walk a couple blocks over to Pepicon Patisserie for the most deliciously lush cakes you will ever eat. I was in heaven! It will be impossible to choose between their red velvet or carrot cake, so I’d suggest bringing a friend to split with 😉
Lazy Quiosque Afternoons
Now that I’ve experienced the quiosque life, I never want to go back. These small buildings are peppered throughout the city in parks or at the famed miradouros (lookout points). You can buy a range of snacks, sandwiches, coffees, beers, or cocktails, depending on how big they are and what they offer. These beautiful buildings took my work/life balance through the roof! This is where I learned the value of a long lunch break. Sitting in the sun, sipping my coffee, and simply doing…nothing. Some of these lazy afternoons make up my fondest memories of Lisbon. There are some truly beautiful locations throughout Lisbon, but my all-time favorite is the Quiosques das Amoreiras.
Excursions in Lisbon with Noma
Each Noma edition offers additional excursions, at your own expense. I knew I couldn’t say yes to everything (there was also a pastry workshop and a ceramics workshop), but I made sure to book the excursions I thought would add joy to my trip.
Sintra/Cabo da Roca/Cascais Day Trip
This was the priciest of all the excursions, but soooo worth it! Our private guide Igor (who was hilarious, by the way) picked us up in the morning and then spent the entire day showing us some of the most jaw-dropping sites in the surrounding area. Sintra–a hilltop city with a dramatic climate all its own–was our first stop. We paid a visit to the iconic Pena Palace and then still had time to taste some of the classic foods–your girl drank cherry liqueur (Ginja) out of a chocolate cup!
Then, it was back in the van for a little bit of sightseeing along the coast (where I may or may not have almost fallen down a hill), a tasty lunch break, and then a stop at the Edge of The World: Cabo da Roca. The most westernmost point of Europe, this place felt almost spiritual (except for the parking lots and busker playing Wonderwall). You could just sit there and stare across the sea, thinking of all the people who embarked on that journey when they had no idea what lay beyond.
After, it was time for our final stop–the luxe and famous seaside town of Cascais. No photos from here, I’m afraid, because my phone had died, but it was lovely.
We arrived back in Lisbon that evening thoroughly tired out and thoroughly satisfied. If you have a free day during your trip to Lisbon, definitely take this tour!
Sporting Soccer Game
We have to thank our Community Manager for this one. We were chatting about football one night at dinner, and Pedro went and found us tickets! We all found whatever green clothing we could and headed to the Sporting stadium one weekend. What energy! The absolute cacophony of the cheers, jeers, applause, and whistles was next-level. What a way to feel like part of the city (and it definitely helped that Sporting won 6-1).
Catamaran Cruise
This morning cruise on the Tagus River still gives me warm fuzzy feelings when I think about it. I think a reason why I loved it so much is that there was no agenda–we could just spend two hours seeing Lisbon’s sites, laying in the sun, and dancing to whatever we conjured up via the aux cable. The boat had a bar, and one drink was included. If you do nothing else while you’re in Lisbon, take this cruise!
Remote Work and Travel
Final thoughts? I am so, so grateful for this experience. Who knew that something as small as liking an Instagram post could have brought me a month in Lisbon, new friends, and a new conviction that a slow-living travel community is where I want to be. I loved my Noma experience! Hopefully it won’t be the last 😉
And of course, if you’re ready to book a Noma edition of your own, defo use the discount code “DENAE150” for $150 off. If you have any questions, please write me here or on IG–I’d love to chat about this experience with you!
Big hugs and much love,
Xx Denae
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