The beauty of Portugal lies in its variety of ideal locations to buy property. With little restrictions on ownership, the choice really lies in which area best matches your lifestyle preferences. Perhaps you’re looking for a holiday home or permanent residence in a bustling city like Porto with its cobbled streets and historic buildings, or maybe the golden coastline and friendly culture of the Algarve sounds more suitable.
To help make your purchasing decision easier, we’ve devised a useful overview of some of the best places to buy property in Portugal.
Why the Algarve is one of the best places to buy property in Portugal
The unparalleled beauty of the Algarve needs little introduction. Featuring endless stretches of golden beaches and rugged coastline, charming local towns, and delicious seafood, this is an area of Portugal that remains one of the most popular locations to purchase property.
Popular with expats and retirees, as well as investors, the Algarve offers plenty of things to see and do, in a luxurious, laidback setting. With easy access routes to and from much of Europe, and located less than three hours from the UK, the Algarve’s 300 days of sunshine per year is the cherry on top of the cake.
The decision-making doesn’t stop there — the Algarve is home to a fine selection of towns, all offering different perspectives of the immaculate region.
As of the latest data from CEIC, prices in the Portugal have risen by 17.8% year-on-year.
- Central Algarve
Where golfing adventures, Michelin-starred restaurants, multi-million villas and charming fishing villages come to the fore, you’ll find the Central Algarve. Sporting everything from golden beaches to the exquisite countryside, the towns are fundamentally similar, whilst offering their own selection of hidden gems.
For a quintessential experience of Portugal, Carvoeiro presents a charming fishing village setting with a small beach decorated with colourful fishing boats. Further west along the coast, Ferragudo is truly a hidden gem in the Central Algarve. Sitting on the edge of the River Arade, its collective of whitewashed cottages, hillside streets and old-world charm combine into a lovingly preserved and quintessential Portuguese village experience. This lesser-known area of the Central Algarve offers an exquisite experience of the region in close proximity to beautiful beaches and local towns, as well as retaining much of its authentic character. The properties at Quinta Heights are situated a stone’s throw away from Carvoeiro.
For a lively variety of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and beaches, Albufeira is one of the most popular places for holidaymakers and property buyers.
Vilamoura is one of the most recognisable and luxurious in the Algarve, featuring a beautiful marina, and a variety of terrains fit for outdoor sports and leisure activities. It also features some of the most stylish and exclusive beach resorts in Portugal. Due to Albufeira and Vilamoura’s popularity, this does tend to increase the prices in these areas.
- Eastern Algarve
Whilst less populous than the Central Algarve, the Eastern Algarve still holds its fair share of highlights. Featuring unspoiled beaches, remote islands, charming villages, and of course, the spectacular Ria Formosa Natural Park, you’re sure to find a spot you love along the Eastern Algarve’s 30 miles of coastline.
Arguably one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve, Tavira offers a Moorish wonderland along the Gilao River. With its thirteenth-century castle, old town and whitewashed churches, it brims with an abundance of Portuguese culture and history.
From Tavira, a day trip to the small fishing village of Santa Luzia is a must. Famed for its octopus fishing and harbourside restaurants that have perfected the delicacy, this pretty and characterful village is a hidden gem.
The wider area of Ria Formosa Natural Park comprises an ecosystem of canals, islands, marshes and islands, as well as an array of bird and animal species, ideal for a bike ride, boat trip or a kayaking adventure.
- Western Algarve
For a diverse variety of scenic landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty, the Western Algarve fulfils all expectations. Complemented by the glory of the Atlantic Ocean, this part of the region is replete with secluded coves and remote wild shores interspersed with new seaside resorts and a much slower pace of life than its neighbouring areas.
For the iconic beaches and rugged cliffs of the Algarve, Lagos is symbolic of this exquisite ideal with sweeping headland views and a charming walled old town.
The verdant Monchique offers a sublime array of ways to appreciate its mountainous terrain, from charming walks to soaring views over the Algarve.
In the foothills of the mountains, Silves presents a quiet market town and a storied history as one of the region’s defensive strongholds. Its rich history can still be felt throughout the town.
Situated across the River Arade, the livelier Portimão is the Algarve’s second largest city, renowned for its sardine fishing, as well as a delightful regional market.
Buying Property in Porto
Where city break destinations are concerned, Porto offers a bustling metropolis that holds its own space to compete with the thrilling heights of Lisbon. Home to historic towns and characterful cities, Porto strikes the perfect balance between tradition and contemporary flavour. Careful selections of port wines enjoyed in old-school taverns, alfresco cafes, and old-world charm, blend seamlessly with alleyway street art amid an amalgamation of vibrant traditional architecture weaved with modern installations.
When it comes to deciding where to buy property in Porto there are various areas that make the decision a whole lot easier.
For one of the most popular and beautiful areas of Porto, UNESCO World Heritage Ribeira is certainly a highlight. Towering over the Douro River with a majestic display of pastel-hued buildings interwoven with medieval alleyways, it’s packed with a historic neighbourhood and riverside restaurants and shops. As one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, it hides a maze of treasures.
Other areas include Vitória, Sé, Baixa and Ildefonso.
According to the latest Global Property Guide data, prices in the north of Portugal have risen by 18.12% year-on-year.
Buying Property in Lisbon: What To Expect
Property for sale in Lisbon is amongst some of the highest in Portugal, but its popularity is not without merit generated by an unbeatable array of things to do and see. For many, the first location that comes to mind when thinking about Portugal is the lively city of Lisbon. Ancient history mingles with cultural entertainment and modern infrastructure, as well as close proximity to Portugal’s immaculate beaches. Known as the city of the seven hills, each area of Lisbon adds its own characterful perspectives and unique charm.
Baixa or downtown Lisbon is the heart of the city, home to the chic and cosmopolitan Avenida de Liberdade. Renowned for its high-end shopping street and designer brands, it’s also home to a selection of magnificent hotels and charming walkways.
For a world of ancient history and culture, Alfama immerses you in a traditional Lisbon lifestyle through preserved alleyways, hidden courtyards, and an undeniably soulful experience. Combine traditional Portuguese cuisine with Fado music for an utterly classic encounter with this city.
According to the latest Global Property Guide data, prices in Lisbon have risen by 19.67% year-on-year.
Silver Coast
Vast white sands and cool sapphire waters stretching from Porto to Lisbon — the Silver Coast contends with the likes of the Algarve, offering sun and sea, as well as close proximity to Portugal’s urban centres. Boasting a relaxed pace of life within authentic Portuguese communities, this varied region combines remote mountains with stunning beach towns, including Peniche, a popular seaside location, and the iconic surfing beach, Nazaré, as well as historic sites. Although not as widely recognised, it is still one of the best places to buy property in Portugal.
Travelling further inland, you’ll get a taste of authentic Portugal with the likes of Torres Vedras, which comes to life with signs of ancient civilisation dating back to more than 4000 years ago. It features a series of forts and military defences erected in secrecy to protect Lisbon during the Peninsular War.
For one of the most charming medieval towns in Portugal, the walled town of Óbidos transports you back in time with winding cobblestone pathways lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. As well as a generous helping of historical enjoyment, Óbidos is home to several prestigious golf courses and coastline walking trails.
Cascais
Located only 20 miles west of Lisbon, Cascais’ idyllic scenery and traditional charm makes it a great option when buying property in Portugal. Decorated by exquisite beaches including Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa, Cascais is often featured as a day trip in many visitors’ itineraries from Lisbon, drawn to its historic centre, fishing harbour and marina, and pretty restored fort, as well as a range of scenic coastal walks. Over the years, Cascais has grown in popularity, but this has only made the coastal resort town become even more magnificent to experience.
Carrying a luxurious ambience, Cascais’ old town showcases a variety of boutiques, restaurants and cafes that gather around an artful pedestrian centre. For exceptional sunsets, Boca do Inferno, located just outside of the town, provides a magical perspective of this dramatic section of coastline.
Evidently, Portugal is home to an impressive array of towns and regions that all bring something unique and exciting to the property purchasing process. Whilst many expats choose to live in Porto or Lisbon, the Algarve and the Silver Coast are able to offer immediate access to some of Portugal’s finest golden beaches and a laidback lifestyle not found anywhere else.
*Disclaimer: The information outlined in articles by Brookes Property Group/Quinta Heights should be interpreted as general information only, correct at the date of publication and not as legislative advice, or as a basis for the decisions you make when buying property in Portugal. Applicants should carry out their own research and seek professional legal advice to ensure up-to-date guidance on the latest requirements is received to inform any decisions.
Our team of property experts are well-versed in buying property across many regions of Portugal, having helped hundreds find their dream property.
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