Our latest Five Minute Focus instalment explores the Central Algarve region in Portugal, courtesy of the agent Buy Portugal.
Where is it?
The hub of the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal offers everything you can possibly need – prestigious golf courses, golden sandy beaches and top- class eateries including Michelin starred restaurants. The famous Golden Triangle – spreading over the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Almancil, Loule and Vilamoura – is a cluster of resorts which comprise the most affluent tourist area of the Algarve.
Getting there
Recently renovated, Faro airport is centrally positioned along the coastline, close to Faro town, which provides all of the public transport options to the whole Algarve. Alternatively, hire a car or jump a cab at the airport, it’s around a 20-minute drive. Regular flights operate from many destinations throughout Europe.
Climate
With a magnificent climate, the Algarve weather boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year providing long hot summers, pleasant spring/autumns and mild winters. Spend time on the beach from May until the end of September.
What are the Golden Triangle resorts?
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the super-rich’s playground in the Algarve. The whole town was purpose-built as an exclusive destination. It is focused around a large marina filled with luxury yachts, restaurants, bars and designer shops. The town also boasts six championship golf courses. Vilamoura is smart, stylish and trendy with two large sandy beaches. Vilamoura attracts the wealthy, yachting fraternity, golfers, families and even celebrities.
Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo
For visitors searching for an up-market and exclusive setting, the adjacent Golf & Beach Resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are set in tranquil, coastal pine forests within walking distance to some of the Algarve’s finest beaches. They are especially popular with golfers, with two of the top award-winning courses in the Algarve located on the doorstep.
Both of these five-star developments have private communities and villas along with excellent hotels. There are superb on-site facilities such as shops, spa, tennis courts, swimming pools, bars and restaurants, and the added advantage of being only a 15-minute drive from Faro airport.
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Almancil
Traditional Algarve combined with whitewashed houses, Almancil is close to some of the most glamorous spots in the Algarve and has a coastline where cliffs meet with shimmering white sands, with stunning Atlantic views. The town is the inland point of the Algarve’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
Loule
A traditional market town that boasts a colourful historic centre, a lively market and a genuine Portuguese atmosphere. The daily markets bring the town alive, attracting visitors across the Algarve. Loule is 10km from the nearest beaches on the edge of the Barrocal Hills, but there are no steep hills within the town centre, just lots of cobbled streets. The carnival in Loule is an event that guarantees three days of parting – a must-see!
Two very stunning beaches
From small coves to sandy beaches, there are beaches for everyone but two stand out: Praia do Anção, an endless, golden, Blue-Flag stretch of sand popular with families, with its calm seas and lifeguard and protected dunes behind. Also, Praia de Albandeira – a jewel of a beach that is completely off the tourist radar. Tiny, with white sands, pinched between ochre rocks, it has no water sports, no umbrellas, no sunbeds and few visitors.
A golfing gem
The landscape and climate on the Algarve lends itself to some of the best golf in Europe, with world-class championship courses and family oriented golf and leisure resorts open all year.
Why buy there?
Thanks to short flights, a family-friendly reputation and the appeal of milder weather than the UK, the demand for property is always high. Portugal is also attracting buyers from around the globe with two residency schemes; The Golden Visa scheme and Non-Habitual Residents (NHR) scheme with tax benefits.
What can you buy?
Expect to pay a premium within the Golden Triangle compared to the rest of the Algarve; small apartments start at around €230,000 and rise to over €1 million for large, luxury pads overlooking the fairway. Villas and townhouses start at around €300,000 however, expect to pay several million euros for a private luxury residence. Buy Portugal has a good selection of property throughout Portugal.
