Guide to buying property in the algarve
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The Algarve: The Essentials
Climate
The climate of the Algarve is as lovely as it gets. Portimao's Coast offers a peaceful stretch of sea for sailers, while Lagos' blend of perfect beaches and polished sunshine Sees the temperature hitting highs of 48°C in the summer. Even in the winter, days below 0°C are rare. With over 3,000 hours of sun each year, it's safe to expect little rain; the Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal - there's a reason why.
Lifestyle
Watersports, hiking, horse riding, tennis... You name it, the Algarve has it. The region's laidback lifestyle offers owners of real estate in The Algarve everything from sun-bathing on the beach to climbing over waterfalls and strolling past old churches. For food, the fishing in Alvor is only rivalled by the al fresco restaurants that dish it up, while the bay's curvaceous backdrop is a dream for golfers looking to drop their jaws as well as their handicap.
Geography
It's impossible to describe the Algarve without referring to the metres of sandy coastline: 155,000 metres to be exact. Stray to the West and you can find the grand hills and steep cliffs to match them, with the ocean lashing into endless coves and bays. But the varied landscape means that mountains are never far from all the coastal cities, with 1km of extinct volcanoes amid the Monchique mountain range a mere 30km from Lagos.
Economy
Fishing and agriculture are key ingredients in the Algarve's lifestyle and play an equally important role in its economy. Seafood, wine and construction form the backbone of the commercial industries, but tourism provides the area's principal income. Portugal's financial outlook may be varied, but guaranteed visitors year-in, year-out make Algarve property one of the most reliable places to invest.
Key attractions
Loulé Market
16km North of Faro lies Loulé, an old Portuguese town loved by locals and tourists alike for its fully stocked markets. Saturdays see people queuing up at the famous gipsy stalls to buy handmade ceramics and wicker craftwork, but the marketplace has a range of goods on offer every day of the week. Fruit and vegetables are fresh each morning, accompanied by other local produce and sweet treats. The only time the market isn't the focus of attention is February, when Loulé celebrates Shrove Tuesday with a three-day street festival.
Silves Castle
The former Moorish capital of the region, Silves is steeped in history, from the three-metre tall Cross of Portugal to the narrow cobbled streets. Front and Centre of the local legacy is Castelo de Silves, towering over the town at the top of a hill with 11 turrets and extensive battlements. Next to it stands the Cathedral, which proudly displays its collection of gothic monuments and ancient tombs. Together, these spectacular buildings offer a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and an insightful look back at the country's history.
Praia de Marinha
Tucked in between Armação de Pêra and Carvoeiro, the Praia de Marinha is the country's most stunning beach. Snorkellers, cave explorers and sun-bathers alike are all drawn to its natural beauty and picturesque coves, while the clarity of the ocean water won Portugal's prestigious Golden Beach award in 1998. Ranked by Michelin as one of the top 10 coastlines in the world, the Praia de Marinha is the prized possession of Portugal's Algarve. Hop up to the top of its curvaceous cliffs and you'll understand why.
How to Get There
The Algarve's main airport is Faro. The airport can handle up to six million passengers per year but is already at full capacity, with plans now underway to expand the terminal so it can deal with eight million. Flights to Faro are operated by all major airlines, with the most popular routes coming from the UK's London, Dublin and Manchester airports.
Trains
The Algarve's two main cities, Faro and Lagos, each have train stations, with rail services running to and from Lisbon, Porto, Braga and others. Trains are run by CP, who power Portugal's national rail network. Fast options include the Pendolino engine, Alfa Pendular, and high-speed passenger trains, Intercidades, as well as international connections.
Automobiles
The Algarve has one main motorway, the A22. The road runs parallel to the Coast, making it easy to cross the region by car. A toll was introduced at the end of 2011, with credits available from most post offices. To avoid tolls, you can take the N125, but be prepared for a bumpy ride: the road is known as the "Highway of Death" because of its high accident rates.