Central Algarve, Portugal - A Place in the Sun

2023 / Central Algarve, Portugal, Ben Hillman on 7 November 2023

Central Algarve, Portugal, Ben Hillman

Ben Hillman is house hunting with retired couple Clare and Alan around the central Algarve region of Portugal. The couple are dreaming of a 3 bedroom holiday home where they can spend plenty of time with their daughter, her fiancé and their two young grandchildren. They have a budget of £290,000, but can Ben rise to the challenge and find them their perfect property?

About the area

The Central Algarve, located in the south of Portugal, stretches from Lagos in the west to Faro in the east. The coastal strip stretches just over 95 miles (mainly tourist developments). Central Algarve is the most built-up and popular tourist area of the three sections of the Algarve with many popular beach resort towns (like Albufeira and Vilamoura),as well as some of the most popular beaches. Every year, around 10 million tourists visit the Algarve (around 40% of them Brits). Brits are the biggest expat community on the Algarve (around 7% of the total population), with most of them living in the Central Algarve region; however, in recent years, the French have become the main foreign buyers here. In the winter, the average high temperature is around 15 degrees C, while in summer the average high is 31 degrees C.

Property 1

Two Bed Apartment in Luxurious Spa Resort in Vilamoura

Situated a couple of miles from Vilamoura Marina & town centre, this 2-bed apartment is located in a luxurious community with 154 rooms and 69 apartments, which also has 6 communal pools, a gym, spa, gardens, 3 restaurants, 2 bars and a kids club (all on-site). It is situated right next to one of the best golf courses in the area (‘Pinhal’). Inside, the apartment offers a modern & spacious lounge-diner with access to a good-size balcony (with views of the golf course), 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a good-size separate kitchen.

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Valued at £267,241 at the time of filming.

Property 2

Three Bed Townhouse in Small Community in Sesmarias / Albufeira

This modern 3-bed townhouse is situated about 5 miles west of Albufeira town, in a small community (7 townhouses in total) with communal pool, communal parking and gardens. It is located just over 1.5 miles from a lovely beach and a couple of supermarkets and some bars and restaurants within about 15-minute walk from the property. Inside this townhouse comes with a decent-size lounge-diner, leading out to a terrace with direct access to the communal pool & gardens, an OK-size (fairly modern) separate kitchen, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (plus a downstairs toilet). There are also 2 balconies (off the upstairs bedrooms).

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Valued at £293,103 at the time of filming.

Property 3

Spacious Terraced Three Bed House in Albufeira (outskirts)

This spacious 3-bed house is located in a small community (total of 14 houses) on the outskirts of Albufeira town (about 1.2 miles from the town centre) and about 1.4 miles from Albufeira’s main beach. There is a great amount of private outside space (front & back), as well as a big communal garden, communal pool and allocated parking (at the front of the property). Inside the house there are 3 good sized bedrooms (plus another room that could be a bedroom), 3 bathrooms (plus an extra toilet), great sized lounge-diner (perfect for having all the family around), great sized separate kitchen (with lots of storage space) and 2 balconies (off the 1st floor bedrooms).

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Valued at £293,103 at the time of filming.

Property 4

Two Bed Apartment with Views of the Marina in Albufeira Marina

This 2 bed apartment is situated on the 2nd floor of an apartment block (total: 14 apartments per block) overlooking Albufeira Marina. It comes with a good amount of communal terrace space and a communal pool (shared by two blocks), as well as allocated parking. There is a good amount of amenities within an easy walking distance (in and around the marina) and Albufeira town centre is about 1 mile away. Inside the apartment is a good size lounge-diner with access to a small private balcony (overlooking the Marina) 2 good sized double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an OK sized kitchen (bit 80s in style).

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Valued at £254,310 at the time of filming.

Property 5

Modern Three Bed Townhouse in Ferreiras

This modern 3-bed townhouse is located just a few miles (3.4 miles) inland from Albufeira, in the town of Ferreiras. It’s situated in a small community of 9 townhouses, with communal gardens, communal pool and two allocated parking spaces (in the underground garage). It comes with a small private back garden and two good-size balconies. The nearest beach is Albufeira’s main beach, which is about 3.7 miles away (10-min drive). In Ferreiras itself, there is a good amount of amenities-numerous bars & restaurants, shops, a market hall, medical centre, banks, etc. Ferreiras is also one of the few towns in the area with its own train station (with direct links to Lagos, Lisbon and Porto). Inside the house is a great sized open-plan (bright & airy) lounge-diner, separate decent sized kitchen, 3 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

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Valued at £267,241 at the time of filming.

Hot Property

Four Bed Luxury Villa with Pool and Large Private Garden in Vilamoura

This 4-bed villa with views of Vilamoura golf course is located in one of Vilamoura’s most exclusive areas and was designed in such a way as to maximise the lush views of the golf course from most parts of the house. It was refurbished throughout by the current owner (around 2-3 years ago)-they spent around £400,000 on the work (all high-end materials and appliances, underfloor heating and cooling throughout the ground floor).The saltwater pool has dark sparkling tiles, giving a rainbow effect in the sun (and heating the water much faster). There are, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, large lounge diner, high spec kitchen, off road parking, outdoor pool, terrace, garden and a bar in the basement.

Build size of 210 square metres

Plot of 2052 square metres

Valued at just under £2,460,000 at the time of filming.