When it comes to choosing where in Portugal to live, expats can often feel spoilt for choice. With rich culture and history wherever you look, as well as a desirable climate and an abundance of choice dependant on what is important to you, here are some of the best places to relocate in Portugal.
Foz do Douro – Porto district
Located at the mouth of the Douro River in Porto and just an 18-minute car journey from Porto airport, Foz do Douro is known for its affluent neighbourhoods, upscale lifestyle and internationally renowned wine and local produce.
Boasting a laid-back atmosphere, yet culturally vibrant, it regularly hosts festivals such as Festa de São João (St. John’s Festival), famous for the unique tradition of hitting each other on the head with soft plastic hammers.
You can enjoy wine tasting tours on the Douro River, sampling port wine and Pastel de Nata – a local pastry delicacy - as you take in Porto's most famous sites including the renowned Porto Cathedral.
It is also home to Pedro Lemos, a Michelin-star restaurant which prides itself on using fresh ingredients from the local area and across Portugal to craft its three tasting menus.
For those bringing their family, the nearby Oporto British School ensures children are able to follow an international curriculum. The Hospital CUF Porto provides peace of mind with access to urgent care and 43 specialist care treatments from cardiology to neurosurgery.
The area offers an array of luxury real estate options catering to the refined tastes of its residents. A semi-detached three-bedroom house with rooftop views over the Atlantic can set you back around €850,000, while a four-bedroom villa with private gardens go for north of €3,500,000.
Cascais – near Lisbon
A 30-minute car journey from Lisbon airport on a good run, Cascais is the upscale in vogue coastal town that has long been a favourite of affluent expats and Lisbon’s elite.
Home to the Cascais Citadel Palace, a former summer residence of the royal family, the town has a history of extravagance which remains true to this day.
Michelin-star restaurant Fortaleza do Guincho is a 10-minute drive from the town centre, promising an array of gastronomic delights, but the area is awash with lavish cuisine using amazing local produce.
Neighbouring Estoril will be familiar to motorsport fans having previously hosted the Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuito do Estoril and continues to host frequent racing events.
Estoril is also home to one of Europe’s biggest casinos and the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel Casino Royale. Given its international reputation and high-quality of life with so much diversity and culture, property in Cascais therefore comes at a price. A two-bedroom apartment with modern amenities in the Cascais historic centre is priced at over €1,000,000. Meanwhile, a three-bedroom luxury apartment with a swimming pool and beautiful views over the Atlantic comes in in excess of €3,500,000.
At the top end of the market, you can find expansive contemporary villas with private pools and private gardens in prime locations near the Marina at around €15,000,000.
As for services such as schools and hospitals, St Julian’s private international school sees children achieve all required qualifications to apply for universities globally, while the Hospital CUF Cascais guarantees a very high standard of care, with 39 specialist treatments. In person or teleconsultations are available.
Ferragudo – Central Algarve
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A fishing village with roots dating back to the 14th century, Ferragudo is quickly emerging as one of Portugal’s destinations that are quietly becoming a little gem due to its authenticity and easy access to the whole of the Algarve. Ferragudo is just 35-minutes from Faro airport, close to Carvoeiro and Lagoa.
The beautiful, secluded beaches of Praia da Angrinha and Praia Grande are perfect for swimming, water sports and eating out in the beachside restaurants such as Club Nau and Rei das praias, which has been recognised by Condé Nast. You will often see the owner having an afternoon nap outside this beachside eatery which only adds to its Portuguese charm and authenticity.
Just inland from this is the delightful local vineyard and micro-brewery Dos Santos Craft Beer which offers amazing tapas and a place to unwind and relax, as well as enjoy the setting and backdrop.
This is just up the road from the luxury new homes development at Quinta Heights in Estombar, which has stunning views over coast and countryside. Nearby Carvoeiro, just a few minutes away by car, is a treat for hiking enthusiasts, with the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail offering breath-taking views of the coastline. Carvoeiro also hosts Bon Bon, a Michelin-star restaurant which prides itself on fresh local cuisine.
The Hospital Particular do Algarve in nearby Portimão offers extensive treatments and emergency care for common and rare conditions. Given Ferragudo’s growing reputation, luxury properties are being developed to meet demand.
High-end apartments such as the new development Quinta Heights, with views over the Atlantic and Monchique Mountain range, start at €472,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and €1,490,000 for a four-bedroom.
This includes private pools, access to spa facilities, and world-class stargazing at its own unique observatory which sits in the grounds of their own private gardens and micro-vineyard designed by Richard Westcott, who has been recognised for his amazing landscape creations. The Quinta Heights project has been designed by renowned architect Marcelo Santos who has built an array of luxury homes and developments in Portugal.
World-famous football manager José Mourinho owns property in the area, where a street has been renamed after his late father.
As for education, Nobel Algarve near Lagoa is just a 16-minute drive from Ferragudo offering top-end international education and is one of the best in the Algarve.
The Golden Triangle – Algarve
Comprised of Vilamoura, with its famous marina, along with the resorts of Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Almancil, the Golden Triangle is one of the most prestigious areas in the Algarve for high-end luxury real estate.
Golfing is a major draw, with world-class courses like those on the Quinta do Lago estate. Vale Do Lobo also boasts two renowned 18-hole golf courses—the Ocean and the Royal courses. The Royal Course is particularly famous for its cliff-top 16th hole, offering breath-taking ocean views and a challenging game.
The Ocean and Royal courses make up part of the exclusive Vale do Lobo Golf & Beach Resort which offers villas for permanent or temporary stays. While water sports are also plentiful in opportunity, with a vast stretch of uninterrupted beach from Praia de Vilamoura to Praia da Quinta do Lago in addition to the Ria Formosa Nature Park which has been voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal.
Hospital Lusíadas Vilamoura is conveniently placed and accessible via a short drive anywhere within the Golden Triangle.The Aspire International School in Almancil as well as the Vilamoura International School provide a top-class international education.
Dining options here are some of the best in the country, with a mix of Michelin-starred restaurants such as GUSTO by Heinz Beck in Almancil and casual beachside eateries. The Golden Triangle has become a playground for very wealthy international expats from Mainland Europe and the UK in particular.
This area has become a beacon for international sports and celebrities such as Michael Owen and Alan Shearer who own property in Quinta do Lago. As a result, land is scarce and therefore real estate prices are as high as anywhere in the country and some of the most expensive in Europe.
A four-bedroom villa in Vilamoura with a swimming pool and outdoor dining area is priced at €1,500,000, while a luxury eight-bedroom villa in Quinta do Lago spread across four floors is currently on the market for €18,500,000.
In nearby Almancil, you have the One Green Way luxury development which forms part of the Quinta do Lago estate which offers a spa and beauty salon, fitness centre, and business centre. One Green Way residences range from 3 to 6-bedroom homes, with prices starting at €3.5 million.
Lisbon
The capital of Portugal, lined with cobblestone streets and famous azulejos murals, Lisbon manages to offer an endless stream of things to see and do.
With everything from quaint alleyways housing cafes and restaurants to the high-end shopping district of Avenida da Liberdade, you are bound to find something that appeals.
Alma is a two Michelin star restaurant housed in an 18th century building and serves up signature dishes of famous chef Henrique Sá Pessoa.
Traditional Portuguese Fado music and festivals such as the annual Festas de Santo António, in which people take to the streets for processions and celebrations which have taken place since the 13th century, are a regular part of life here.
The city's blend of Portuguese heritage and a growing international community makes it an exciting place to live for expats seeking a melting pot of cultures.
One of Lisbon’s most popular neighbourhoods is Bairro Alto, offering premium property at premium prices.
A spacious two-bedroom apartment in the area with cosmopolitan amenities will set you back over €1,000,000, while a three-bedroom apartment featuring a traditional Portuguese tiled interior and views overlooking Rua do Loreto is priced at over €2,200,000.
Lisbon also offers a wide range of private and public hospitals to choose from, such as Hospital da Luz for consultations or specialist treatment.
As for education, Saint Dominic's International School is a thirty-minute drive from the city centre, providing a curriculum following the International Baccalaureate (IB).
To arrange a call with one of our Portugal Pathways real estate experts and find out more about new developments such as Quinta Heights, One Green Way, and others, contact us today.
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