Welcome to BuyAssociation.co.uk

Portugal: Algarve

Overview

The Algarve region (the name is derived from the Arabic Al Gharb, meaning ‘the west’ or ‘the land beyond’) in the south of the country is also an official province and has a totally different character from other Portuguese regions. It was occupied by the Moors between the 8th and 13th centuries and was the last region to be re-conquered from them in 1292. Even today there’s evidence of the Moors’ former presence, particularly in the local architecture, e.g. low white houses with distinctive fretwork chimneys. The Algarve stretches 160km/100mi from Cape St Vincent (Cabo de Sao Vicente) to Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border and boasts one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines. It’s renowned for its long sandy beaches, idyllic coves, distinctive red cliffs and picturesque fishing villages. However, the Algarve is more than a strip of coastline and includes a 30km/20mi stretch of unspoilt countryside noted for its pine forests, rolling hills and almond, fig, olive and orange trees.

Although many of its bustling resorts are worlds away from the quintessential Portugal, the region still possesses an abundance of unspoilt charm, historic beauty and Moorish character. Despite some towns having been ravaged by over-development, half the coast is totally unspoilt and there are still a number of traditional fishing villages (e.g. Ferragudo, Sagres and Tavira) where the 20th century has barely intruded. Sagres is Europe’s most south-westerly town and in recent years has become popular with foreign buyers, attracted by the several golfing complexes built in the area, including Parque da Floresta. Attractive inland towns include Loulé, Monchique, São Bartolomeu de Messines and Silves (once the capital of the Moors). Monchique is the capital of the beautiful mountainous area of Serra de Monchique, which marks the boundary between the Algarve and the Alentejo. Nearby are the hot springs of Caldas de Monchique, where thermal baths were built by the Romans.

The Algarve coastline is generally divided into three areas: western, central and eastern. The western Algarve stretches from Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de Sao Vicente) to Albufeira and includes the towns of Lagos (from where many of Portugal’s voyages of discovery set sail), Portimão and Lagoa (a wine-producing area). Albufeira is a large commercial and market town and a bustling tourist resort in summer (the largest on the Algarve), but it still manages to retain a certain amount of charm. The central Algarve extends from Albufeira to Faro and takes in Vilamoura and the exclusive resorts of Dunas Douradas, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo (the so-called ‘golden triangle’). Vilamoura, situated to the west of Quarteira (an unattractive mass of high-rise apartment blocks), is one of Europe’s largest residential developments with a large marina. Other marinas on the Algarve are at Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão and Vila Real de San Antonio. The marina at Faro, currently under construction, is expected to be completed in 2003.

The eastern Algarve, from Faro to Vila Real de Santo António (on the Spanish border), is the quietest and least developed (i.e. unspoilt) stretch of the Algarve. It’s noted for its sleepy fishing villages and farming communities (e.g. Estói, Olhão and Tavira) which are a world away from the manicured tourist complexes and bustling resort towns further west. Faro (pop. 30,000) is the historic capital of the Algarve and its economic and administrative centre. It’s a port and a university town, with an attractive old centre boasting some of the best architecture in the region. The eastern Algarve is noted for its lagoon and offshore islands (ilhas), with superb deserted beaches which comprise the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.

The Algarve accounts for some 90 per cent of all property sales to foreign buyers in Portugal, thanks largely to its excellent year-round climate which includes over 3,000 hours of sunshine. Although some towns have been spoilt by unsightly tower blocks, recent development has been more in tune with the environment and today the watchword is quality rather than quantity. The Algarve is noted for its many luxury developments and self-contained estates (‘hermetically’ sealed from the outside world). It’s also a sportsman’s paradise with extensive facilities for golf, tennis, horse-riding and water sports. Popular towns among foreign homebuyers include Prai da Rocha, Carvoeiro, Luz, Armacao de Pera and Praia da Gale. The region has good road connections with the rest of the country and with neighbouring Spain (via the IP1 highway). The coastal motorway is now complete and most resorts are within one hour’s drive of Faro airport. There are also excellent bus and rail connections (along the coast and with Lisbon and Porto), and an international airport at Faro which opened in 1963 and whose second terminal was recently finished.

© Survival Books Limited 2002

“Buying a Home in Portugal” 2nd Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Portugal” 2nd edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive information about buying a property in Portugal, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net

More pages

Page 1: Overview

The best villa holidays from James Villas with our hand-picked villas and all the support you need in resort, we're the number one choice

A Mortgage in Portugal? Up to 100% of the purchase price, rates from 1.5%, full term interest only, Age up to 75 and all with no fee. www.portugal-mortgage.com

Holiday home insurance from intasure - Click Here UK insurance for your property overseas

Sea-view homes on Portugal’s Silver Coast from €350,000. Cash buyer incentives, personal usage and guaranteed rental income