Kissed by the sun and lapped by the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Portugal’s southernmost region combines natural beauty with amenities – including some of Europe’s most popular golf courses -infrastructure, and an affordable housing stock, making it as practical as it is desirable. Rocky coves, scalloped bays, soaring cliffs, sea caves, surfing spots, and secret beaches – it’s easy to forget that there’s more to the Algarve than its stunning coastline. From inland towns to mountain villages, there’s a peaceful life to be found just a short distance away from the vibrant resorts – not to mention cheaper property prices. Here you’ll find places like Silves, nestled in a verdant valley on the banks of the Arade River and surrounded by fields of citrus.
If you prefer bustling to bucolic, popular seaside towns line the coast, like the region’s “Golden Triangle”, which includes the glitz and glam of Vale de Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura. Golden beaches, Michelin starred restaurants, luxurious villas and world-class golf courses are par for the course around here.
Meanwhile, the rugged and less developed western tip of the region is home to an enticing microclimate that keeps it refreshingly cool during the summer months for its established community of expats. Bear in mind that its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means it gets windy out west. The vast majority of the five million people who visit the Algarve each year do so via Faro airport, which is served year-round by budget flights from across Europe. Its position in the centre of the region’s coastline makes it easy to head east or west to your property once you land.
