Nicholas Marr asked:


Overseas buyers considering Portugal as the place to buy a dream home in the sun, will have thought of the Algarve in Portugal. The most recognised area in Portugal it is known mostly for its popular beaches, golf courses and nightlife.

Central Algarve is without doubt the most heavily visited of all the parts of this region. It is sandwiched between the two largest cities in the region, Faro on the eastern edge and Portimao on the western edge, and has kilometers of beaches and lots of activities to keep visitors and residents alike busy.

The climate is gorgeous in the Central Algarve for just about the whole year. Summer is hot, spring and autumn are moderate and the area is great for doing outdoor activities for at any time of the year. The winter is cool and wet, but even that time of the year is a nice change from much of northern Europe.

The Central Algarve stretches from just west of Faro to just east of Portimao, near Lagoa. The area is about 50 kilometers wide, so everything is within an easy drive no matter where you are, and the rest of the Algarve is easy to reach as well. This section of the Algarve is known for its resorts, and the towns of Albufeira, Sesmarias, Valamoura and Quarteira are a few of the more popular seaside resorts. This area also has plenty of golf destinations. Loule and Lagoa are popular towns with plenty of places to stay.

Albufeira is the major resort and tourist destination in the whole Algarve. The year round population of 35,000 increases exponentially in the summer. There are a number of golf courses and resorts around the town and the resort of Vilamoura, just to the east of Albufeira, is known as the golf capital of the Algarve. Albufeira makes a superb central Algarve base for family golf and recreation holidays. The diverse choice of golf courses near Albufeira coincides with a number of great family holiday attractions, particularly beaches. Quinta do Lago near Quarteira, just to the east of Vilamoura, is recognized as one of Europe’s best golf holiday resorts. There are four luxurious 18 hole golf courses are in the area, and two of these are listed in Europe’s top 25 golf courses.

For nightlife, Albufeira is the best place to have some fun. The Strip near the Montechoro section of town is very popular, particularly with younger crowds. There are lots of great bars and clubs along this stretch. Vilamoura also has a casino and some popular nightclubs as well.

Loule is one of the larger urban areas in the whole Algarve and is a good place to find housing. Whether to buy, rent or just a quick visit, this town has lots to offer for reasonable prices on up to luxury accommodations. There are also some new golf resorts around the town that have become popular. Lagoa, on the western end of Central Algarve, is a historic old town with lots to see and plenty of places to buy or rent.

Property in the Central Algarve, as in most of the entire region, is focused along the coastal areas. There are any number of new developments and resorts, and you can find a wide variety of housing and property for sale. Golf is most popular in this part of the Algarve, so if you want to find a golf resort or development this is a great place to look. Property around Lagoa in the western end of this area is quite popular, and you can find some of the nicest and most exclusive places around this town.Be sure to compare like for like when buying property in Portugal.

Albufeira is a popular seaside town with lots of local properties and several resorts as well. Several other seaside areas include Quarteira, Sesmarieas and Carvoeiro. Inland just a bit are the towns of Loule and Almancil, both of which are near Faro and very convenient to get to from the airport. Prices for housing in this region can be reasonable for smaller apartments, and can reach in the millions of euros for large villas with great views.

To get to the Central Algarve, the fastest and least expensive route is to fly into Faro Airport (FAO). This airport is located 7 kilometers west of the city of Faro in the southeast part of the Algarve, right on the border with the Central Algarve. It is one of the most popular airports for discount carriers, offering quick and reasonably priced service to most major European and UK cities.

Just a few of the airlines that fly to Faro include Aer Lingus, British Airways, Atlantic Airways, easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Ryanair and Thomsonfly. It is possible to fly from almost any major airport in the UK direct to Faro. There are many more flights during the warmer parts of the year, but this airport is becoming popular for business travelers so it has a good number of flights that operate year round.

Michael Hehn asked:


Buying property in Silver Coast Portugal is currently popular with Europeans, but as of yet, not so much with the British property buyers. This is because properties are relatively inexpensive and transport links to/from the UK are getting better and cheaper to the Silver Coast.

Buying property in Silver Coast Portugal offers superb beach holiday facilities with a great summer climate, great culture, architecture and history. Also, the Silver Coast is tipped to see significant capital property value rises in the coming years.

Portugal is an evergreen in the overseas property market. Build quality is high, property prices have grown a steady 10-15% per annum since the Millennium, and there is a broad choice of property across the price range and country. The price grow within the Silver Coast in the following years will reach possibly the 25 to 35%.

Buying property in Silver Coast Portugal offers good prospects for rental from both the local market and from holidaymakers, and with the potential of significant property price rises on the Silver Coast Portugal, this could be the ideal place to invest in a holiday home.

Portugal still has great appeal as it has a benign tax system which allows avoidance of the worst effects of capital gains and inheritance tax and can put you in a lower tax band.

Why buy in the the Silver Coast

Property experts have been advising clients to look beyond the Algarve, with its pockets of overgrowing, and invest instead in homes 45 minutes drive from Lisbon on Portugals Silver Coast.

According to international property specialists the Silver Coast is now the up-and-coming area in Portugal. Many Brits are selling up in the Algarve and moving up to the Oeste Region, which is located just north of Lisbon. This area is still very Portuguese, with farming the main source of income for the locals. It does not die in the winter because most of the locals are Portuguese. The cost of properties is so much cheaper than on the Algarve, so there is still room to make money in this area.

What of the place itself?

The Silver Coast stretches from Porto down to Portugals capital Lisbon and hugs the North Atlantic coastline; it is home to beautiful beaches, amazing cliffs, quaint fishing villages, lush rolling countryside and some of the most fascinating historic sites in Portugal. Here you can discover pretty villages and a real Portuguese way of life.

The Silver Coast is a particularly good bet for those with holiday lets in mind, thanks to the new A8 motorway which has cut journey times from Lisbon to the Silver Coast considerably, opening the atmospheric towns of Caldas da Rainha and Turcifal, and pretty villages, such as Peniche, up to tourists and investors.

There is a wide range of property available on the Silver Coast. You can find traditional farmhouses in need of renovation, but there has also been a fair amount of developments popping up and luxury villas with pools and apartments in complexes are easy to find.

All of this is now less than an hour drive from Lisbon International airport along the new A8 motorway, linking the vibrant capital of Portugal with historic Oporto in the North. This little known region is opening its doors to the outside world.

A region for life

Exploring the tranquil towns, villages and countryside of this beautiful region will confirm to you that here is a place that genuinely has the best of both worlds. Whilst offering a life of rural calm amidst the spectacular scenery, at the same time it is perfectly equipped with access to all the modern facilities of transport, healthcare, education and leisure that make life a pleasure for all generations.

The Western Region enjoys entertainments and events throughout the year: concerts, art exhibitions, the Torres carnival - the most Portuguese event in Portugal, the Caldas da Rainha ceramics and fruit fairs, the Bombarral wine festival, Peniches Festas da Nuestra Senhora da Boa Viagem, the Montejunto popular festival (Cadaval), Alenquers Feira da Ascensao, festivals in Sobral, Monte Agraco and Arruda dos Vinhos, Feiras da Cebola e das Tasquinhas and hundreds more fairs, festivals and popular gatherings.

The region has many hotels with superb facilities and innumerable restaurants, bars and lively venues which ensure that one’s first visit to the Western region is never the last.

For golf enthusiasts the Western Region is the new destination in Portugal. Golf Courses at Praia del Rey (18 holes)and Rio Maior (18 holes) are complemented by 9-hole courses at Consolacao and Porto Novo. The Bom Sucesso and Perola da Lagoa 18-hole courses are actually already under construction and the brand new project of the 18-hole course of Foz do Arelho, which will be the hugest should begin within the year 2008.

The natural abundance of the area is enhanced by beautiful fine-sanded beaches, where the sands shimmer like silver, at Santa Cruz, Porto Novo, Areia Branca, Sao Bernardino, Consolacao, Peniche, Baleal, Foz do Arelho and Salir do Porto. Local crafts can be found in Peniche, which is notable for its lace, and in Caldas da Rainha, which is one of the most important centres for ceramics in Portugal.

The new Peniche recreation centre is a base for water sports, with a haven of fishing and scuba-diving in Berlenga. Santa Cruz and Peniche (Supertubos beach and Lagide beach) are the places for surf lovers. The Obidos lake has sailing, rowing and windsurfing. Montejunto, Serrado Socorro and Santa Rita beach are the main locations for paragliding and hang-gliding. The Santa Cruz aerodrome, with its flying school, offers flights in light aircraft and gliders.

There are equestrian centres in the Hotel Golf Mar, in Marquiteira (Lourinha), in Atouguia da Baleia - at the Quinta das Tripas and the Quintas de Bom Sucesso - Lourinha, S. Sebastido - Arruda dos Vinhos, Quinta da Ferraria and Cortisada - Rio Maior.

A region for health

Healthcare facilities are modern and efficient and offer a good range of public and private services for all your requirements. In addition the region offers several thermal baths: Vimeiro (digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system and skin), Cucos (metabolic and endocrine systems, rheumatics, muscular and skeletal systems) and Torres Vedras and Caldas da Rainha - the oldest in Europe (respiratory system, rheumatics, muscular and skeletal systems).

A region for Gourmets

Gastronomy in the region is rich and varied: there are many delicious pork dishes, oven baked kid, stewed rabbit with rice, celebrated fish stews, baked or boiled sea bream and rock bass from Peniche, eels and cockles from the Obidos lake and shellfish from the beds at Porto de Barcas (lagosta suada - sweating lobster - is a delicacy which can only be found in the Western Region).

The gastronomical influence of history is evident in trouxas de ovos, lampreias de ovos (sweet dishes made with eggs) and cavacas (light crisp cakes) from Caldas da Rainha, bean pies from Torres Vedras and paes de lo (sponge cakes) from Landal, Painho and Rio Maior. All are complemented by the taste and aroma of apples and pears.

The Western region is also one of the largest wine growing areas in Portugal and indeed the world. The area boasts full-bodied, aromatic red wines with excellent alcoholic content: the wines of the south (castas Camarate, Periquita and Tinto Miudo) are lively when young, intense yet well balanced and with an exquisite bouquet when aged.

The white wines of the north are deliciously fruity (castas Arinto, Fernao Pires, Vital). Out of this diversity, the wine-growing areas of Obidos and Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos and Torres Vedras were born in 1989. The region is also known for its light wines with lower alcohol content, and for the only DOC (controlled standard of origin) classified brandy in Portugal - Aguardente Vinica from Lourinha.

Hope to meet you soon in the Silver Coast of Portugal.

Richard Love asked:


The undiscovered gem of the Eastern Algarve

When people ask me about Tavira I can honestly say that I sometimes don’t really know what to say.

Do I tell them about the stunning miles of empty beaches, the fact that the town has its own island just off shore, the memorable seafood meals I have had there, the seemingly endless rounds of festivals when the whole town parties, the unbelievably low price of a beer or a coffee……

Or do I just say “Oh it’s alright there I suppose, I am not sure you would like it though.”

Why the dilemma?

On the one hand I have a business that involves recommending Tavira to people looking to buy a property in Portugal or more specifically a property in Tavira. On the other hand I don’t want my beautiful town and area being over run by mass development.

Fortunately the local authorities have got it just right. There is no doubt that the town of Tavira and also the villages around are expanding. But the new building is sympathetic to the environment and surroundings. You will not find huge ugly tower blocks here.

No, the new property in Tavira is either low rise apartments, usually set in beautiful gardens with a generously sized communal pool, or detached villas with their own grounds and private pool.

Occasionally, a traditional town house near the centre of town comes on the market and these are usually snapped up very quickly.

People love the fact that the older properties in the narrow cobblestone streets are naturally cool in the summer yet warm in the winter. The proximity to the bars and restaurants of town is another added bonus.

The restaurant and bar scene in Tavira is lively and great fun. The locals love to party but all, young and old alike seem to enjoy themselves by having noisy conversations with their friends and family. It’s rare to see a local in a drunken state and you certainly do no get any of the mindless chanting so common in the UK on a weekend night.

Restaurants are open late and are always happy to provide either a snack or a full 3 course meal. The local seafood is fantastic and you will not believe the prices.

The other great thing about Tavira is its proximity from the UK; just 2 hours by plane into Faro from Gatwick and then a half hour or less drive. If everything goes to plan and you are brave with your timing to get to the airport in the UK it’s possible to do it in just a fraction over 4 hours from London. Don’t cut it too fine though and miss your plane, (as I have done).

Tavira is certainly a jewel in the crown of the Algarve, but it is not a gaudy, flashy diamond, but, rather, it is a quiet and beautiful, understated sapphire.

Please come and have a look at the great property in Tavira…….but, just not all of you.

Martin Thompson asked:


The seaside village of Praia da Luz (pronounced loozh) lies in the western Algarve, Portugal only 6km west of the city of Lagos. Traditionally it has been a fishing village that specialised in octopus potting and Luz once had a Tuna canning factory by the beach. There was an early settlement hear and the Romans left their mark in the form of a bath house and aqueduct.

Today Luz is a small yet thriving beach resort with numerous waterside apartments & villas. The main attraction is Luz’s beach with its arced bay and stunning black igneous rock headland, left behind by the volcanoes at Monchique. It is a small place with several local bars and restaurants and 3 resort complexes with outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts. Two water sports centers at the eastern end of Luz beach rent out sailing boats, canoes and Luz also has a deep-sea diving centre and camping site.

Luz is an ideal place to head out for walks in the hills and countryside in the morning or late afternoon. It is also a great place to relax and listen to the birds and watch people go by sipping coffee by the beach. Time slips by slowly with the calm waves licking the golden sands and towards sunset the beach is virtually deserted making it one of the best times to swim in the clean Atlantic waters.

Outside of Luz you can make day trips to Lagos, Sagres and Monchique. There is a Market by the bus station in Lagos on Saturday mornings where one can buy locally produced organic fruit and vegetables. Also stock up on fresh fish for the barbecue at the daily fish market in Lagos. An ideal spot to eat out, have coffee or ice cream in the evenings Lagos has a pedestrianised centre and a lively night life. The last bus into Lagos is at around 7PM from the bus stop by the church and Taxis back are affordable costing around 7 Euros.

Monchique is a mountain range about an hours drive from Praia da Luz and makes an ideal place to visit in the afternoon and evening. The Caldes de Monchique are therapeutic thermal baths and the mountains cooler climate and woods are a beautiful place to take long walks. Roadside restaurants offer great value meals and the local brandy, cakes and wild boar are local specialties.

Praia da Luz is ideally located in close proximity to several stunning stretches of sand. Praia de Porto de M

Bert Snijder asked:


The little country town of Alvito, 10 km. south of Viana do Alentejo, boasts a parish church with magnificent 17th C. azulejo decoration and a fine fortified castle (15th C.) built by the Marques of Alvito. The castle has recently been converted into a pousada.

There are local festas (festivals) in the town of Alvito on the last Sunday of August and again on 1 and 2 of November.

These festas are usually accompanied by letting off many rockets which were used before the days of watches to summon the people to the processions or the festivities.

In the area are nature trails. Excursions by bicycle, horse or canoe can be arranged.

A pleasant place to visit is the Barragem do Alvito where the cool waters of the dam make a pleasant contrast to the Alentejo plains.

A brief History:

The oldest known human traces in the Council area date back to the Neolithic period, with vestiges that, bear witness to the presence of humankind during the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages. Intensive occupation came about with the Romans, soon after the beginning of the 1 st Century AD, with various remains, such as the villas of S. Romao, S. Francisco and Malk Abraao, a testament to their presence. In 1251 the settlement was given to D. Estevao Anes, the Principal Charncellor of the kingdom, by King Afonso III and by the Pestanas of Evora.

From this date began an increase in the number of inhabitants, particularly under the influence of the Chancellor, providing Alvito with a considerable population for the period. In 1279, D, Estevao Anes died, bequeathing the town to the Order of the Holy Trinity, providing with its charter was ratified King Dirism in 1283. In 1357, King Joao I gave Alvito to D. Diogo Lobo in reward for the services he provided in the battle of Aljuba55ota (1385) and inconquering Evora from the Spanish (1387). The town was associated with the history of this family throughout the whole period of the monarchy.

On 24th April 1475, King Afonso V awarded the title of Baron to DR. Joao Fernandes da Silveira, husband of D. Maria de Sousa Lobo, making Alvito the seat of the first barony instituted in Portugal.

Come and visit the Feira dos Santos/ Frutos Secos (Fair of the Saints/of dried fruits and 11 This is the final fair to take place each year in the Alentejo region. Its intense commercial activity contributed greatly to the enormous prestige enjoyed by the region as a whole.

At a time when most fairs have gradually been transformed into centries simply for pleasure and entertainment, the Feira dos Santos / Frutos Secos, as well as having these characteristics, combines a commercial focus with place to meet friends, as is year after year.

Dried fruit and nuts, clothing, agricultural Implements and machinery and articles for the home are examples of the commercial focus that characterises the Feira dos Santos, and brings thousands of people to Alvito during the fair from all over the country. At the same time, there has also been a major commitment to providing the fair with cultural and traditional activities which are worthy of its great prestige.

So, visiting the Feira dos Santos / Frutos Secos is a “must”, and the best way to get to know Alvito, its beauty and its heritage.

John Sallieri asked:


The vacation rental website PortugalVillaRenters.com has announced this week that bookings for many of its villas have beat expectations and a few have ceased taking reservations for the summer months this year.   Enquiries have come from holidaymakers from far flung corners of the world including Singapore and Canada.

The web site allows apartment and villa owners to advertise free of charge by providing a description, photos and map location.  The site’s technology enables users to search for properties in a number of ways, one of which includes a Google-like search function instead of the traditional reference numbers used on most vacation rental web sites.

Portugal Villa Renters was also the first vacation rental web site to announce the introduction of a free user driven video platform that will allow advertisers to showcase their properties, but also place Portugal in a favourable position for holidaymakers that would not otherwise consider Portugal as a holiday destination.

Although the recession has severely dented the tourism industry, many are turning to villa and apartment rental as a cheaper alternative, especially for larger families and group holidays.  An average villa with three bedrooms and a pool will fetch around €1,000 per week in the summer months, although many advertised on the site are receiving bookings for four times that amount on the luxury end of the market.

Whether it is a village townhouse or a rural quinta, PortugalVillaRenters.com has categorised all types of vacation rental properties and is already receiving over one thousand visitors per day.  If you are interested in advertising your property free of charge, please visit PortugalVillaRenters.com

Derek Dunne asked:


Imagine the clear blue sky, the crystal clear blue water of the pool glistening in the unbroken sunshine; imagine the bright white painted walls, the archways and the shiny, clean tiles of the terrace leading through to clean, sleek lines of a property, with modern fittings and luxurious furnishings.

Imagine holiday villas. Imagine sun-soaked destinations such Spain, Portugal, Egypt, Morocco, Malta, Turkey, but also imagine somewhere a little different: maybe a destination for skiing, walking, culture, golf or a combination of some or all of them: France, Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic.

Hiring holiday villas in such wonderful destinations can give you a taste of luxury for one, two weeks or more in a location you might not otherwise be able to sample. Renting gives you the privacy of your own personal space without the worries of ownership. You and your family might never have experienced anything like it before, but it is almost certain that you would want to do so again.

In a hotel you have one room for your privacy, but every other facility you have to share with other guests; the pool, dining room and sun terraces may be at the other end of the hotel and you have to share them all with strangers. In a villa, it is so different: you have many rooms for the use of you, your family and any other guests that you have invited; your dining room is one of those rooms; your private terrace and (in most cases) your own pool is right on your doorstep.

Villas can range from beachside to mountain foothills, from single bedrooms sleeping two to many bedrooms sleeping more than a dozen. The things they have in common are good living and private luxury.

Can you see yourself rising in the morning, getting yourself a glass of chilled juice and watching the sunlight glinting on the sea?

Or is your vision for a relaxing evening barbecue with a backdrop of the beautifully lit mountain landscape after a day spent walking in glorious countryside?

If you don’t want to travel abroad, then there is a great selection of holiday villas in this country too. Some are big enough for either a corporate gathering, a family re-union, or somewhere to relax with your closest and dearest friends. You can get holiday villas luxurious enough to have a formal lounge, a dining room, an indoor heated swimming pool, a sauna, a gymnasium and even a cinema! Such properties could be used for wedding parties, or golden wedding anniversary celebrations, for example. Take advantage of services that can make your stay even more special: a chef, a chauffeur, maids, a marquee … even a helicopter pad! Not all holiday villas are like that, but shop around to find a holiday villa that really does suit your requirements.

There are such a range of opportunities available in holiday villas that you could spend hours surfing the internet and letting your imagination give you a preview! Live the dream! Get yourself booked into a holiday villa for your next vacation.

Andrew Gibson asked:


Portugal is a very small country in Europe. It offers a lot of options for a holidaymaker planning to visit Portugal. In Portugal there are some of the best luxury holiday villas and self catering apartments in Europe. Some of these stunning luxury villas with swimming pools are next to the wonderful golden coloured beaches in the Algarve. There are also holiday farm houses to rent that have been converted with many having swimming pools.

Portugal borders Spain and the south and west of the country is covered by the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is blessed with great weather and the Gulf Stream influences the mountains lying to the north. There are some beautiful holiday villas and farm houses nestled in these mountains with spectacular views.

The major tourist destination in the country is the Algarve which is a coastline having over 100 beaches with holiday villas and the limestone cliffs along the coasts. This place is great for sunbathing and swimming. Algarve is famous for its whitewashed holiday homes and narrow streets which are cobbled up together. Portugal has high end restaurants and also locations that are very traditional.

Portugal has mind blowing lush landscapes and also hills which are round in structure. There are also vineyards which lie in acres that are very spectacular. There are also sandy beaches that offer the tourists cheap and good holidaying. In Portugal there are a lot of medieval cities; Lisbon which is also the capital and the historic and elegant city of Porto. Activities like golf in the Algarve, horse riding and fishing is a great pastime activities for a tourist staying in a holiday home.

Outdoor sports like tennis and cycling are popular family activities that are quite enjoyable activities in Portugal. All types of water sports like water polo and water ball are also available in Portugal. The beaches of Algarve’s offers sailing on the traditional sail boat called the Bom Dia through the beaches. There is also a dolphin safari in the deep oceans, where you can see wild dolphins. Other safaris include a Jeep safari that includes a full trip of the whole of Algarve. The food and drink of the Portuguese is quite delightful. It includes the sardines that are freshly prepared, Vino Verde, tasty pastries, and the port of rich tasting is something worth trying out. Many holiday makers on vacation to Portugal stay in self catering apartments to enjoy the local food and night life.

There is a national park in Penanda Geres; it is the only national park in Portugal. It is possible to rent holiday farmhouses in this area. De Montesinho is one of the most dense forests in all of Europe. Visitors will be treated to superb sceneries of endangered animals like wolves and the royal eagle.

Les Calvert asked:


Property in Portugal has taken off in the past couple of years as Portugal is one of the resurgent countries of Europe and has gained in popularity immensely due to the formation of European Union (EU). The country has a rich legacy of historically significant events and places, which adds to the intrigue among the visitors here. A large coastline offers a perfect destination for locals and visitors to enjoy the pleasant chimes of Portugal. Add to that a rich sporting tradition in the country! You won’t find a place as giving as Portugal in terms of establishing a second home or holiday home in Portugal.

What Makes Portugal a Hot Investment Destination?To be precise, the major USP of Portugal is its sporting history and culture. Golf is a big hit in the country with hundreds of picturesque golf resorts dotting the countrys landscape. With tournaments organized all the year round, the country is always abuzz with golfing news and views.

Part of the success of golf in Portugal is also due to the fact that the country is largely seen as a great retirement destination. People with ample time on their hands indulge in leisure activities including golf, and the younger generation benefit by picking up the skills required to play the game from their seniors. Resultantly, Portugal attracts large-scale investment from golfing enthusiasts who are looking for an ideal outlet to satisfy their golfing enthusiasm.

Another sport that has become synonymous with Portugal is football. Portugal is home to the legendary footballer, Luis Figo, and every football enthusiast and aspiring player worships Figo and his skills all around the world. Europe is mad about football and a football crazy nation is always on the radar as far as investing in property is concerned.

Besides sports, Portugal is also a hot investment destination due to its long coastline full of pristine sandy beaches and the offering of a relaxed coastal lifestyle. The coastal towns boast of luxurious holiday homes and resorts, including the infamous golf resorts.

Weather is another major factor that prompts investors from UK and other colder northern countries to flock to Portugal. Thanks to its pleasant climate, Portugal is now the third favourite second-home destination for the British, after Spain and France.

Portugal is very well connected with regular flights to and from the capital city of Lisbon. Major airlines have increased the frequency of flights due to tremendous demand from frequent as well as potential property buyers.

Portugal is a modern country with a rich heritage. The warm and friendly people signify the importance to hospitality, so much valued by the Portuguese. Since Portugal had so many colonies all around the world, the people from these colonial countries make it a point to visit the country at least once in their lifetime. This is because the Portuguese are known to have left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of these colonial countries, and people have a unique connection with the place, which ruled them in the not-so-distant past.

Hottest Investment Destinations in Portugal

When it comes to property investment hotspots in Portugal, the southern coastal region of the Algarve wins hands down. Though the capital Lisbon remains a much sought after destination due to its cosmopolitan culture, the availability of property here is diminishing with an upward pricing structure and demand for property outstripping the supply in most major Portuguese cities.

Again, Algarve also owes its popularity to the golf enthusiasts, as it is their efforts that have borne fruit in the form of the prestigious ‘golden triangle’ of luxurious golf resorts like - Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vila Sol. This pampered region of Portugal attracts investors galore in the £1-million-plus villas segment. Many rich and famous have bought prime properties in the region, including the celebrity DJ Chris Evans who boasts of a £2-million property here. If you are a small investor, there are apartments available on the Algarve with prices ranging from £50,000 - £70,000.

The Silver Coast in Central Portugal is a fast emerging property destination and is alluring the property investor from all over Europe. Since it is an emerging tourist destination, it makes a lot of sense in investing here, as the prices have not yet reached their peak. Situated between Lisbon and Porto, the Silver Coast region (or Lisbon Coast, as it is popularly called) has some gorgeous beaches and unspoilt countryside, and the authorities here are drawing up elaborate plans to develop this part of Portugal into the next decade.

Portugal also has tremendous opportunities for the budding DIY investors looking for renovation properties to develop as holiday homes. The old towns of Obidos, Leiria and Coimbra offer some great bargains on renovation properties, where you can strike a deal from as little as £20,000. The luxurious villas in these historic towns can be yours for anywhere between £100,000 and £150,000.

Some of the other places worth exploring for property investment purposes include resorts like Nazare and Figueira da Foz, Sao Martinho do Porto beach, and the stretch of coast running north from Porto to the Spanish border, known as the Green Coast.

The time to invest in Portugal real estate property is now as prices have witnessed a sharp increase since 2000, and experts have predicated stiff competition among Portuguese investors in the near future, as demand will gradually outstrip the supply of land.

Carl Brewer asked:


The ever-increasing pace of life has made it even more stressful to make a living nowadays. The problems and pressures of holding a job while maintaining a healthy personal life is relatively harder now and this can eventually take a toll on our health.

Indeed, keeping-up with the rat-race is more grueling than ever. A record number of people have been applying for welfare cards and folks have been hocking their extra stuff for extra money. In fact, pawnshops in the U.S.

Indeed, people have been forced to make a few lifestyle changes to cope with financial hardship. If you’re one of those overworked folks that have been seeing too much of your cubicle and desperately need a break then this is wonderful news.

The price of aviation fuel fell with the lowering of crude oil and airline tickets aren’t at ridiculous rates anymore. Going out to see the world is the best way to release all that pent-up stress and pressure you culled toiling away in the office.

Sure, there may be local beaches accessible by car, but not having to share your breathing space and the ambiance with noisy, obnoxious drunks makes paying extra for air fare to travel to an isolated tropical paradise is well worth the money.

Renting a private villa in the Algarve located on the southern tip of the beautiful and historical country of Portugal sounds like something that will set you back half a year’s worth of pay, but prices for the smaller-sized ones are quite reasonable considering they offer you a stunning view of one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most breathtaking panoramas.

The Algarve, like the rest of Portugal is rich in history. Christians and Moors have been wresting it from each other’s grasps during the olden times and its name actually came from the Muslim word Al-Gharb, which means “the West”. This has made the Algarve a favorite vacation spot for British tourists since the 60’s.

The region is chock-full of hills and valleys with limestone caves, isles and inlets which provide the picturesque view from any of the private villas nestled on the lush, green hillsides. If you get bored of sitting around taking in all the majestic splendor of the Portuguese landscape, you can venture out of your luxury villa and visit any of the several municipalities there. Play a round of golf in the network of golf courses, or ride a small boat and get material for your blog or Facebook account by picture-taking amongst the limestone grottos and the exotic birds which make a 170 sq-km lagoon and nature reserve their playground in the Algarve.

When it’s time to call it a day, don’t worry about coming home to a hermit’s lair. Private villa rental doesn’t mean you’re going to be cut-off from the world when you’re in your luxurious, landscaped hideaway.

Stretching for miles along the southern coast of Portugal bordering both the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans lies the beautiful, cultured Algarve. Portugal’s most popular holiday destination, the Algarve, has excellent clean beaches and is reasonably affordable and safe holiday destination. There are choices of destinations in the Algarve to suit everyone, attractive to couples, families and sports enthusiasts.

Energetic Albufeira has several breathtaking beaches fantastic for those seeking sunshine daytime and partying into the late hours. For those wanting to seek adventure there are some traditionally interesting towns picturesque little villages and cafes.

Charming Carvoeiro is an attractive resort superb for families offering good local cuisine and mouth watering restaurants, or maybe the beautiful beaches and delightful villages of Praia Da Rocha. Stylish Vilamoura is a must for those seeking luxury, exclusiveness and some of the sophisticated sporting facilities.

Algarve is fabulous for hungry sporting enthusiasts; golfers, water sports, tennis, horse riding, fishing and much, much more. With its fabulous sunshine Algarve boasts the best exclusive golf courses making Algarve holidays attractive to all kinds of holiday makers. There are great family days out to plenty of theme parks to entertain the family, go-karting, dolphin watching and a great family favourite are the excellent water parks.

Attractive, exciting and affordable are three words to sum up the Algarve.

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