About Buying a Villa in Portugal
At under 3 hours flying time from most European airports and with good road and rail links, it is hardly surprising that Portugal is becoming increasingly popular among home-seekers and property investors.
The Algarve, with its glorious beaches, over two-dozen outstanding golf courses and superb sub-tropical climate is one of the world's best loved holiday destinations. In addition, the region offers a rich variety of quality properties for sale and rental.
The Algarve is a relatively small, very diverse town located nearest Casa Abilheira, which is the main tourist attraction of the area. The Algarve coast line is known for its rugged, extremely dramatic shore line with cliffs of black rock and fisherman dangling their lines into the coast for hours.
The area has retained a natural charm, thus its appeal. Beaches are far from small and include intimate coves of long lengths and open soft sand. Nothing appears to have changed over the centuries and the entire area is virtually untouched by tourism.
Fishing in Portimao is one of the main big game centres in the Algarve, offering the chance to catch large fish. Portimao is the second largest town and port and is situated on the right bank of the Arade river, where pleasure boats offer short cruises up the river or along the coast. Facilities for sailing, wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing and scuba diving are a main attraction here! Discovering the town centre with its tourist shops, markets, restaurants and bars allows the chance to take a break in the shaded squares.
The town of Monchique is situated in most beautiful part of Algarve - the Monchique Mountains. Take a walk through the village and visit the Parish Church. There is a well-marked, interesting walk around the town.Take a drive up to the top of Foia mountain - the highest point of the Algarve (902 metres) to see splendid panoramic views on a clear day. Caldas is the famous spa about 1 km down the road to Portimao.
The town of Silves, with its medieval castle, was once the Moorish capital of the Algarve. It is now a market town for this citrus-growing area and has a rich historical heritage. Visit the town Castle as it reflects the historical battles that took place here between the Christians and Muslims in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Arade reservoir is a nice place to visit and walk around or hire a boat and explore the lake.
The village of Alvor sits in a sheltered Laguna, midway along the curving coastline of the Bay of Lagos. It was founded well before the time of Christ. It is now a haven for local fishermen and, even more so, for holidaymaker's, who mingle in the narrow streets leading down to a big, beautiful beach. The Alvor Laguna is a must see for nature lovers and bird watchers.
The golf course set among the pines of Penina is one of the best. However, other great courses are located at Alvor and Vau too.
