Moving to Portugal: why choose the Algarve?

June 26, 2018

I’ve been lucky enough to live in several countries, and I can tell you that one of the keys to a successful expatriation is choosing the right place to settle. Indeed, moving abroad is an important step in your life. We all have different criteria, and it’s essential that the place you choose is suited to what you’re looking for. Some of you want to move to Portugal, but don’t know where? And I can understand you! From the north to the south of the country, you’re spoilt for choice, with a host of magnificent regions with different charms and assets. I’m sure everyone can find their own piece of paradise, you just have to discover the different regions and what they have to offer. To help you think about where you’d like to settle down, I’m going to publish a series of articles highlighting different regions of Portugal over the coming weeks. We’ll start this tour of Portugal with the southernmost region, and today we’ll look at why live in the Algarve?

The Algarve: history and geography

1. A region steeped in North African culture

The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal where the Moors stayed the longest(from the 8th to the 13th century). The region has therefore retained traces of this North African culture, notably in its gastronomy and architecture. In fact, the name “Algarve” comes from the Arabic name of the region at the time, which was “al-Gharb al-Ândalus”, meaning “Western Andalusia”.

The Algarve region and its main towns.

2. The Algarve and its geography

The Algarve borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, and the Spanish border to the east(so you can easily visit your Andalusian neighbors). The region is divided into two main areas: Barlavanto(the western part of the Algarve coast) and Sotavento (the eastern part), each of which includes a number of different towns, the main ones of which are shown in the image below.

Barlavento and Sotavento

3. Villages and towns of diverse charm

In the Algarve, you’ll find a wide variety of towns and villages to suit all tastes. From the lively, bustling seaside resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura to the charming fishing villages of Tavira, Alvor, Sagres… Not forgetting the towns of Silves and its Arab vestiges, Lagos and its beautiful marina, Loulé and its traditional market… The choice is yours!

In the streets of Albufeira.

The Algarve: 6 reasons to move here

1. Delightful weather

I’ve already mentioned it in a previous article, but, as you know, one of Portugal’s major assets is its weather and its sunshine of over 300 days a year(okay … this year the weather has been capricious, but I assure you that in “normal times”, the weather is by nature very clement).

The Algarve region, with its location at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, benefits from the warm African air currents and therefore enjoys 336 days of sunshine a year(in short: the weather is fine all year round!). Temperatures are also very mild, averaging 18° per year(minimum 15°C, maximum 37°C). (Don’t get me wrong, take a look at the table below)

Average temperatures in the Algarve. Source: www.partir.com

So it’s no surprise that this region is dominated by the blue of the sea and ocean, the yellow of the sun and beaches, the green of the beautiful olive trees that we’d love to have in France, but whose climate doesn’t allow it, and finally the orange color and golden aroma of the orange trees that can be found on every street corner in the Algarve.

Algarve street with its blue sky, orange trees and white walls.

2. Magnificent beaches

One of the Algarve’s must-see attractions is, of course, its beaches. In fact, check out my blog post dedicated to beaches in Portugal for even more information.

Many of the Algarve’s beaches are ranked among the most beautiful in the world, with their distinctive golden sands. Thanks to its position at the gateway to the Mediterranean, the ocean here is also a little warmer than in the rest of the country, with water temperatures of around 22°C. We like this, because although Portugal is a beautiful country, bathing in other parts of the country can be complicated by the coolness of the ocean.

Among these beautiful beaches are those of da Bordeira, da Rocha, da Murração, Cabanas Island, da Coelha… but also these three beaches in the region that provide the famous “wahouuuu effect”:

Praia da Marinha in Lagoa: one of the top 100 most beautiful beaches in the world and one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe(source: Michelin guide), and you’ll soon understand why? As soon as you arrive, you’ll be speechless as you admire this beach from the top of its cliff.

Praia da marinha

Praia de Benagil in Lagoa: a beach that could be described as atypical. This beach, only accessible by boat, is made up of several caves and caverns, including the “Algar de Benagil”, which will captivate you with its beauty.

Algar deBenagil

Ponta da Piedade in Lagos: okay, I’m cheating a bit, because this isn’t really a beach but a cave, accessible by boat, surrounded by immense cliffs of unspeakable beauty. Ponta da Piedade was named “most beautiful beach in the world” by the famous news website Huffington Post.

Ponta da piedade

3. Living in the Algarve means enjoying a wide range of activities

You won’t have time to get bored in the Algarve. The region abounds in a variety of activities to suit all tastes. One of the most emblematic is golf. Indeed, the region was voted “Best Golf Destination in Europe” in 2012 and “Best Golf Destination in the World” in 2000 and 2005. The Algarve boasts 32 golf courses, many of them ranked among the top 100 in the world, with the added bonus of splendid ocean views (no less!). So, golf lovers, if you’re still hesitating between several regions of Portugal, this information can help you make your decision. The most famous golf courses in the region are :

So get your best swing ready! To find out more about golf in Portugal, read Virginie’s article: “Portugal and golf: a happy marriage”.

The Ocean Course Golf Course

Don’t like golf? Don’t worry! There’s plenty to do in the Algarve. Cast off and take up a water sport! Sailing, surfing, catamarans, kitesurfing, yachting, diving… you’re spoilt for choice.

And if you’re more of a mechanical enthusiast, you’ll be able to enjoy your passion to the full, thanks to the Portimão International Autodrome.

Finally, if you prefer nature, with its two natural parks, the Algarve offers many marked trails for beautiful walks or climbing walls for the more intrepid.

What more could you ask for?

Rota Vincentina

4. Popular festivals are everywhere

If you’re more of a party person than a sportsman, then the Algarve is the place for you! In a previous article on Portuguese popular festivals, I explained that they are a recurrent feature of Portuguese life. The Algarve region is no exception, with festivals in every town all year round. Here, I’ve selected three festivals that are coming up very soon:

Festival da sardinha de Portimão: this takes place in August, in the fishing port of Portimão, and celebrates the emblematic Portuguese fish: the sardine. A program of festivities awaits you, and of course plenty of delicious grilled sardines.

Festival do marisco in Olhão: the seafood festival also takes place in August and will delight seafood aficionados. Great artists are always on hand to enliven this superb festival.
FolkFaro: Faro’s major folk festival, featuring dance shows (with local and international folk groups), concerts and street parties. This event takes place at the end of August.

Festival da sardinha.

5. Well-developed accessibility

Accessibility is another major advantage of the Algarve. With an international airport, freeway and rail infrastructure, this region of southern Portugal is easily accessible.

The international airport is located in the town of Faro, and offers a wide range of scheduled flights on both classic and low-cost airlines.

The A2 freeway takes you to Lisbon in 2.5 hours and Porto in 4.5 hours. Last but not least, trains provide transport to the various towns in the Algarve, as well as to Lisbon in 3 hours 45 minutes and Porto in 5 hours 45 minutes.

6. A region of cultural diversity

Like all the main regions of Portugal, the Algarve has seen a boom in tourism in recent years. During the high season, the seaside resorts are popular with tourists from all over the world. In addition to tourists, many expatriate communities have chosen to settle here.

These include English, Irish, Dutch and German expatriates, and today the French community is also well represented. There are said to be around 15,000 French people in the Algarve (2017 data) , but not all are registered with the consulate, so this figure should be “taken with a grain of salt”.

This region, while retaining its own culture, has managed to open up and adapt to these multiple communities. This is reflected not only in the fluency of English, German and French spoken by locals (particularly useful for medical appointments and hospital stays), but also in the presence of international radio stations and press, and a well-developed transport infrastructure..

The large expatriate community brings a cultural mix to the region, which may help you to integrate more quickly and feel less “out of place”.

Real estate in the Algarve

1. Real estate trends in the Algarve

When it comes to real estate in the Algarve, Portugal’s economic crisis meant that the years between 2008 and 2013 were characterized by a real estate market with very low prices.

Since 2015, the downward trend in the real estate market has reversed, but there are still properties to be found at attractive prices, and all this in a magnificent setting with a cost of living that is still lower than in neighboring countries.

Typical Algarve house

2. Average price per m2 in the Algarve

Let’s move on to the price, something you’ve probably been waiting for! Real estate prices are always tricky to give, as they inevitably vary greatly depending on the location in the Algarve, the amenities of the residence, the condition and amenities of the property itself…

To give you an idea, however, the average price per m2 for a property in the Algarve is around €2,400(vs. an average of around €3,500 per m2 in Lisbon).

3. An ideal region for rental investment

As mentioned above, the Algarve attracts many tourists every year. So, if you’re thinking of buying a property in this region, but aren’t ready to expatriate right away, or just want to settle here for a few months a year, rental investment may be an option to consider. You have two options, depending on your situation:

you can rent out your property on a long-term basis (annual rate of return between 4 and 6%), until you’re ready to settle in permanently
or, if you’re already ready to move to Portugal but only partially, you can take advantage of your pied-à-terre during the months when you’re in Portugal and set up a short-term rental for the rest of the time (seasonal rentals in the Algarve are a guarantee of a regular occupancy rate, with an annual rate of return ranging from 6 to 8%)

4. A very popular type of accommodation in the Algarve: condominiums

Apartments, typical houses, modern homes… You’ll find something for every taste in the Algarve, but I wanted to introduce you to a type of accommodation that you may be less familiar with: condominios fechados.

In Portugal, and more specifically in the Algarve, you’ll find apartments or houses in “condominio fechado” (also called “condominium”) . These are private, gated residences offering a wide range of services. The “condo” concept, as they’re often called here, means that you’ll have your own staff to take care of the garden, pool maintenance, security, housekeeping and more..

These complexes generally comprise a section with detached houses, another with semi-detached houses and finally a section with apartments. In the Algarve, these condos are often close to the region’s many golf courses.

Example of a condominium semi-detached house

In conclusion

Year-round sunshine, mild temperatures, activities galore, exquisite beaches, multiple infrastructures, easy access… The Algarve is one of Portugal’s regions that has already won over a large number of expatriates with its indisputable assets. Perhaps the Algarve will become your own little piece of paradise. And if you’d like to discover new regions, we’ll be back in two weeks with a new blog post.

areyou looking fora peaceful life in the sun by the sea? Why not the Algarve?

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