If you're moving your family to Portugal, I'm willing to bet one of the first questions keeping you up at night is: "Where should we actually live so our kids don't spend half their day commuting to school?"
For international families—especially Americans, Canadians, Brits, Dutch, and other English-speaking expats—school choice pretty much determines everything else. It determines which neighborhood you end up in, what your daily routine looks like, and honestly, your family's overall quality of life.
This guide is meant to simplify that decision. Instead of overwhelming you with a list of every single school in the Lisbon area, I'm going to group things into the major school clusters and show you the best neighborhoods near each one—including realistic commute times, what the lifestyle actually feels like, and the real-world traffic patterns, not the optimistic Google Maps version.
This is the guide I wish every family had before they chose where to live.
Choose the School First — The Neighborhood Comes Second
Here's something crucial to understand: Lisbon's international schools aren't evenly spread out across the city. Instead, they form four major clusters, plus one important emerging cluster that's gotten really popular in the past year or two.
You've got Carcavelos–Cascais–Estoril, which is by far the biggest cluster. Then there's Oeiras–Paço de Arcos–Taguspark. Lisbon City itself has schools scattered through Alcântara, Restelo, Belém, and Parque das Nações. Up in the hills you've got Sintra and Beloura. And the emerging cluster that everyone's talking about now is East-river Lisbon, particularly around Parque das Nações where United Lisbon just opened.
Each cluster comes with its own vibe, its own commute patterns, and completely different types of housing. Let me break them down for you.
The Carcavelos-Cascais-Estoril Corridor: The Beach Life Cluster
This is hands-down the number one expat school corridor in all of Portugal. When families tell me they're moving to Portugal, this is usually the first area they're looking at, and for good reason. You get beaches and surf culture, strong English-speaking communities where you'll hear English basically everywhere you go, safe and family-friendly neighborhoods, tons of international school options all clustered together, and that outdoor lifestyle year-round that everyone dreams about when they think of Portugal.
The major schools here include St Julian's in Carcavelos, which does British curriculum plus IB. St Dominic's International School is in São Domingos de Rana and offers IB. IPS Cascais does British curriculum and Early Years. King's College School is in Cascais proper and follows the British system. And then you've got PaRK International School, which actually has multiple campuses including Alfragide, Restelo, and Praça de Espanha, so you'll find lots of families who live in this Carcavelos-Cascais area and commute into one of PaRK's city campuses. It's very normal and totally doable.
So where should you actually live if your kids are going to school in this cluster? Let me walk you through the neighborhoods that work best.
Carcavelos is right there, three to ten minutes from St Julian's depending on exactly where you are in town. It's got that beach town vibe with surf culture, it's lively, and you'll find a mix of apartments and houses. The reason families absolutely love Carcavelos is that you can literally walk your kids to school and then walk to the beach afterward. That's the dream, right? Your kids finish school, you pick them up, and fifteen minutes later everyone's in the sand.
Parede is just down the coast, about five to twelve minutes from the schools. It's quieter than Carcavelos, super safe, has more of a local Portuguese feel to it, and there's this gorgeous seaside promenade. Families choose Parede because it's calm and beautiful with easy access to both the coastline and schools, but it feels less touristy than Cascais. You still get the expat community but with more Portuguese neighbors mixed in.
Estoril is about twelve to twenty minutes away, but here's an important reality check I always give families: traffic on school mornings is way busier than Google Maps makes it look. Realistically, you should budget fifteen to twenty-five minutes, even outside of peak tourist season. That said, Estoril is more upscale. You get spacious homes, villas with gardens, and a really good balance of quiet living with convenience. Families choose it because you can get bigger properties, often with views, and you're still close enough to everything without being right in the middle of the action.
Cascais itself is about fifteen to twenty-five minutes from St Julian's, and again, that's realistic commute time, not the optimistic version. Cascais has this incredible international community everywhere you go. There's a marina, tons of restaurants, high-end living, and probably the best family infrastructure in the entire Lisbon area. The expat community here is huge. You'll find everything you need, from English-speaking doctors to international grocery stores to kids' activities in English. Some families love that; others find it's almost too much of an expat bubble and not enough Portuguese immersion.
And then there's São Domingos de Rana, which I always mention to families as the best value option in this cluster. It's only five to twelve minutes from St Dominic's, it has more of a local Portuguese feel, and you can get much larger homes for better prices than you'd pay for beachfront areas. Families who choose São Domingos de Rana are usually getting way more space for their money while keeping that school commute super easy.
The Oeiras-Paço de Arcos-Taguspark Corridor: The Balanced Middle Ground
This cluster is perfect for families who want quick access to both Lisbon and Cascais while staying close to international schools. It's kind of the sweet spot that a lot of families don't initially consider but end up loving once they understand the area.
The major schools here are International Sharing School in Taguspark, which everyone calls ISS and it's IB. Oeiras International School, which is OIS, also IB. PaRK International School has a campus in Alfragide. And the Lycée Français Charles Lepierre is easily accessible from Oeiras and Paço de Arcos. ISS and OIS are constantly on the same shortlist for families who want IB programs in the Lisbon–Cascais corridor, so you'll see a lot of families comparing these two schools directly.
Oeiras is about five to fifteen minutes from ISS or OIS depending on where you are in the municipality. It's got beautiful parks, a waterfront promenade, great restaurants, and spacious homes. The location is incredible because you get green space, modern infrastructure, and easy access to everything. You can get to Lisbon in twenty minutes and Cascais in twenty minutes, so you're never stuck in one place.
Paço de Arcos is right next door, about five to twelve minutes from the schools. It has this charming old town feel with a gorgeous waterfront and cute cafés and restaurants. Families love Paço de Arcos because you get seaside living with easy access to multiple schools, but it has character without being touristy. It's still very Portuguese in feel, but with enough expat families that your kids will have international friends.
Taguspark and Porto Salvo are only three to ten minutes from both ISS and OIS, which makes them the closest residential areas. The lifestyle is modern and tech-driven because there are lots of companies in the area, and the suburbs are quiet. Families who prioritize a really short commute and need space without wanting a fancy beach lifestyle often end up here and are really happy with it.
São Marcos is about eight to fifteen minutes away and it's more affordable with a local vibe. You'll find larger apartments here. It's better value for money while staying close to the IB schools, which matters a lot to families with multiple kids in international school.
Lisbon City: The Urban Lifestyle Option
International schools inside Lisbon proper are fewer than along the coast, but they're growing, and there are some really strong options. Families who prefer urban living, who want to be able to walk places and take the metro, and who want that city energy usually focus here.
The schools scattered through Lisbon include the British School of Lisbon. PaRK International School has campuses in Alfragide, Restelo, and Praça de Espanha. The Lisboan is in Alcântara. Astoria International School is in the city. United Lisbon International School just opened in Parque das Nações and it's American-based plus IB, which has become really important for American families. Prime School has a Lisbon campus. Lycée Français Charles Lepierre is here. The German School, Deutsche Schule Lissabon, is in the city. And Redbridge School does bilingual French and English.
So where should you live if you're going the urban route? Parque das Nações has become a really big addition for 2026. You can walk to United Lisbon, or it's three to ten minutes by car depending on which part of Parque das Nações you're in. The whole area is new-build apartments with these gorgeous riverfront pathways, parks, bike lanes, cafés, and gyms. Families choose Parque das Nações because it's modern, clean, super safe, and the infrastructure is perfect for families with strollers, scooters, and young kids. Everything is flat and wide and designed for families, which is not true of most of Lisbon's older neighborhoods.
Alcântara is about three to twelve minutes from several schools. It's this mix of modern and old Lisbon, close to LX Factory which is this cool creative space, and you get river views. Families like Alcântara because you're close to The Lisboan, close to PaRK, and you're still very central to Lisbon without being right in the tourist center.
Restelo and Belém are within walking distance or a very short drive to PaRK Restelo, BSL Restelo, Lycée Français, and the German School. The lifestyle here is leafy and affluent and very residential. There are lots of embassies in this area. Families choose Restelo and Belém because it's quiet, upscale, safe, and honestly one of the absolute best areas in Lisbon for families with young kids. It doesn't have the energy of central Lisbon, but that's exactly why families with small children love it.
Campo de Ourique is about ten to twenty minutes from PaRK, Astoria, and several other central schools. The streets are flat, which is a huge win if you're dealing with strollers or young kids learning to ride bikes. It's completely walkable, has local markets and bakeries and parks, and it's widely considered the best family neighborhood inside Lisbon proper. I love Campo de Ourique. The community feel is incredible, and it's still very Portuguese while being super family-friendly.
Estrela and Lapa are also about ten to twenty minutes from city schools. These neighborhoods are elegant and historic and peaceful with beautiful tree-lined streets. You get gorgeous homes with a really family-friendly vibe, but you're still central enough to access the city easily.
Avenidas Novas is twelve to twenty minutes from most schools. You get wide sidewalks, parks, modern conveniences, and easy metro access. Families choose Avenidas Novas because it's central, it's safe, and you have easy access to multiple schools throughout the city depending on which one you choose.
Sintra and Beloura: The Big Homes and Gardens Cluster
I need to tell you something important about Sintra before you fall in love with the idea: Sintra is cooler, greener, and wetter than Lisbon or Cascais. The microclimate is real. It can be foggy and damp up in Sintra when the rest of Lisbon is sunny and warm. Some families absolutely love it because it feels more like Northern Europe. Other families find it too much, especially if they moved to Portugal specifically for the sun and warmth. Just know what you're getting into.
The major schools up in Sintra are Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, which everyone calls CAISL. TASIS Portugal is there. And Prime School has a Sintra campus. Families who choose this cluster are usually prioritizing big homes, yards, gated communities, and American-style suburban living. Think big driveways and actual yards with grass, which is pretty rare in Lisbon or Cascais.
Beloura is only three to ten minutes from CAISL and TASIS. It's all gated communities with golf courses, gyms, swimming pools, and big villas. This area is extremely popular with American and Northern European families because it has that suburban feel that a lot of people are looking for when they move abroad. You get space, you get security, you get amenities, and your kids can ride bikes in the street.
Linhó and Beloura II are about five to ten minutes away. It's green, quiet, and you'll find large family homes with gardens. You're as close as you can possibly get to all the Sintra-area international schools.
And then the Cascais–Sintra border areas like Manique and Abuxarda are about ten to eighteen minutes away. It's more semi-rural with larger properties and more space. Families choose these areas because you get better value for your money and you still have quick access to the Sintra schools, but you're not paying Beloura prices.
How to Actually Choose the Right Neighborhood
Here's the process I walk families through when we're trying to figure this out together.
First, you absolutely have to choose the school first. This is non-negotiable in the Lisbon and Cascais area. School comes first, neighborhood second. I know that feels backwards if you're used to choosing a neighborhood based on walkability or charm or whatever, but the commute will make or break your daily life here.
Second, choose your lifestyle. Do you want beach life in Carcavelos or Cascais? Do you want suburban parks and green spaces like Oeiras or Paço de Arcos? Do you want urban living in Lisbon city? Or do you want large homes with nature like Sintra? There's no wrong answer, but you have to be honest with yourself about what will actually make you happy day-to-day.
Third, calculate what I call the family triangle. That's School to Home to Work, or school to home to your coworking setup if you're remote. All three points of that triangle need to work together, or daily life becomes completely exhausting. I've seen families choose a beautiful house in the wrong place, and then every single day is a logistics nightmare.
Fourth, test commute times at real school hours. Don't rely on Google Maps at eleven in the morning on a random Tuesday in July. You need to check traffic at eight in the morning on a weekday during term time. The difference is absolutely huge, especially on the A5 motorway between Lisbon and Cascais or on the Marginal coastal road.
And fifth, choose where your daily life will feel easiest, not just where looks prettiest in photos or where you think you're "supposed" to live. This is exactly where families get real clarity once they sit down and talk through everything with someone who actually knows the area.
The Best All-Around Neighborhoods for School-Focused Families in 2026
If I had to give you my short list of neighborhoods that consistently offer the best balance of school commute, safety, lifestyle quality, community feel, housing options, and future resale value, here's what I'd tell you.
Carcavelos, Parede, Oeiras, Paço de Arcos, and Estoril are all incredible along the coast. Campo de Ourique is the winner inside Lisbon proper. Beloura is the go-to if you want that American suburban feel. Parque das Nações has become a newer favorite, especially for families with young kids who want modern and safe and flat. And Restelo and Belém are quietly perfect for families who want upscale and residential without being flashy.
These are the neighborhoods where we see the happiest international families after they've settled in and lived here for a year or two.
Need Help Matching Schools and Neighborhoods?
Choosing the right area in Greater Lisbon becomes so much easier when you can actually talk through your school shortlist, your daily lifestyle and priorities, commute realities—the real ones, not the fantasy version—and your housing needs and budget.
We help English-speaking families every single week make smart school and neighborhood decisions and find the right home that actually works for their life.
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We genuinely look forward to helping you find the perfect place to call home in Portugal. We also have a YouTube channel called Living in Lisbon Portugal where I walk through neighborhoods and talk about exactly this stuff.
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