Learning Portuguese can sometimes feel like an impossible task, especially for those of us who didn’t grow up speaking Latin-based languages. But fear not! Besides TV shows and films that you can watch in European Portuguese, there is also the wide world of podcasts, which is another great way to improve your listening and constantly learn new vocabulary. Some podcasts also offer transcripts, which can help you turbocharge your learning by listening while reading the scripts, and then trying without looking at the words.
Whether you’ve just started your Portuguese learning journey or are almost feeling fluent, there is a podcast out there for you. Let’s introduce the 7 best Portuguese podcasts to help inspire you on your language learning journey.
1. Portuguese with Leo
Portuguese with Leo is hosted by Lisboeta Leonardo Coelho on YouTube. Before becoming a podcast host and YouTuber, Leo worked as a doctor for a year before deciding that he wanted a different lifestyle. In 2019, he worked as a tour guide in Lisbon, but when the pandemic hit, he realized that he needed to change course. Portuguese with Leo is now the largest European Portuguese channel on YouTube and also has almost 100 episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Leo’s podcast is known as “Intermediate Portuguese Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and most episodes run no longer than 20 minutes. You can also download transcripts for every episode by signing up for Leo’s Teachable school on his website for free.
2. Learning Portuguese Is Fun
Just like the “Intermediate Portuguese Podcast” with Leo, “Learning Portuguese Is Fun” started in 2020. It now has 60 episodes and each episode averages about 20 minutes. The host’s pace of Portuguese is perfect for A2 learners moving into B1. The second season includes interviews with students. Every podcast episode comes with a worksheet that includes the audio transcript, exercises and answers.
3. Portuguese Lab
Portuguese Lab, hosted by Susana Morais, is your one-stop podcast for all things European Portuguese. Susana is a natural teacher and narrator. She does her best to cover a wide range of grammar and pronunciation points while also boosting your vocabulary through short stories. The podcast strives to help you become an independent and successful learner. Try the Speak in Portuguese series, which takes place in a number of everyday locations such as the supermarket, the airport, the vet, etc. The latest episode is Portuguese by Ear, which uses dialogues to help you improve your listening.
I have a special place in my heart for this website and podcast because it was the first I found when I moved to Portugal. You can also pay a monthly or annual fee and get access to a wealth of learning materials on the website, which includes short stories and conjugations.
4. Mia Esmeriz Academy
The Mia Esmeriz Academy podcast began in 2019 and each episode runs between 5 and 10 minutes. If you’re looking for bite-sized digestible stories about Portugal, this is a nice place to start. Mia is an energetic and engaging host who covers a wide range of topics. Like the other language learning podcasts we’ve already mentioned, Mia also offers a number of courses on her website that will target specific elements of your language learning.
5. Extremamante Disagradavel
Starting to feel confident with your Portuguese and looking for something that is not only geared toward your language learning? “Extremamante Disagradavel” mercilessly lambasts Portuguese society with host Joana Marques. Each clip from the show runs from about 6 to 15 minutes. If you want to learn about the latest Portuguese celebrities and begin to get a grasp of Portuguese pop culture, this podcast is for you.
6. Vamos Todos Morrer
History buffs unite! Vamos Todos Morrer from RTP’s Antena 3 with host Hugo van der Ding mixes humor, fun, and learning with his short biographies on over 1000 larger-than-life people. Episodes run for around 15 minutes and delve into the backstories of personalities from around the globe. From William Ivens to Tina Turner and Aquilino Ribeiro, this podcast is going to introduce to so many people that you’ve never known, and your vocabulary bank is going to get plenty of deposits in the meantime.
A fair word of warning, however. Hugo van der Ding talks with many guests at a rapid pace, and it’s going to very hard to keep up at the beginning. We suggest watching the show on Youtube and clicking on the transcript in the description. You can also turn on auto-generated Portuguese subtitles.
7. Portuguese with Carla
Let’s end our list of recommendations by going back to learning Portuguese. “Portuguese with Carla” was considered one of the 20 Best Learn Portuguese Podcasts in 2024 by FeedSpot. Each episode has an average run time of 30 to 40 minutes. Its engaging content comes with excellent examples. This is another excellent chance to improve your Portuguese.
